Anyone who has a long commute to work knows the importance of a good morning radio show. Unfortunately, I have to drive an hour to work every day. And when I'm not trying to get caught up on things in the world of sports, I listen to Lex and Terry. I used to listen to them when I lived in Gainesville, Florida, and recently rediscovered the duo during my travels through the Jacksonville area (they call it "Freakville"). If you like irreverent, unapologetic humor, I highly recommend their show. I began my drive to work at the crack of 10 this morning and tuned in to the show, and was stunned by what I heard. Dee, one of the guys with the show, was telling the hosts he had been working with Maurice Jones-Drew's agent in an effort to get him on the show and do a weekly segment. Apparently, Terry is a big fan of Jones-Drew. The show also does a weekly segment with Steve Ott (affectionately known as "Otter") of the Dallas Stars. I'm not sure if Dee was dealing with MJD's agent, Adisa Bakari, or marketing agent, Robert London II. In any case, the response from the agent was essentially, "You've gotta ante up first." Dee tried to explain that they should do at least one segment with the Jacksonville running back before making an investment for an entire season. What if MJD is a bad interview? What if he's not engaging? Then the show gets stuck paying for a boring dude. If the guys with the show knew Jones-Drew, they'd know he's one heck of an interview. Before he got his fat contract extension, he had a quote about his salary and how he was stuck eating Subway for too long. That quote by itself should be a pretty good indication of his interview skills. Regardless, you can definitely see the radio show's point of view. You can't sink money into a guy who might put your listeners to sleep—especially if they're driving to work. At the same time, what the hell kind of agent DENIES his client exposure? That makes no sense. I don't want to misquote Dee, but I thought I heard that they were quibbling about $5,000. Really, MJD's agent? Five g's? Dude just signed a four-year, $32 million deal, and you're going to keep Pocket Hercules from getting national exposure because of a measly $5,000? I have a feeling the agent who made that decision won't be representing Jones-Drew for long.

Competition for the Jaguars backup quarterback job is heating up with the acquisition of 11-year veteran Todd Bouman. Bouman agreed to terms Monday afternoon with the Jaguars, and will join the club next week in time for the club’s May 18th organized team activities. Bouman’s one-year deal is the result of the team’s desire to push current backup Cleo Lemon, who struggled last week at minicamp. The Jags carried just two quarterbacks on the active roster last year, and it’s expected the team will do the same this season. But with the Jags opening up competition for the No. 2 job behind David Garrard, the loser of that battle will likely be cut. Bouman has played on six different NFL teams, including the Jaguars. He spent part of the ’07 season as a backup to Quinn Gray, who was replacing an injured Garrard. Bouman re-signed with the Jaguars during the ’08 offseason, but was released after training camp. Lemon signed a three-year deal worth a little less than $9 million during free agency last year, but played in only one game, going 0 for 2 in mop-up action in a 38-14 win at Detroit. Headed into that season, Lemon appeared to struggle at grasping the Jags’ offense, and performed somewhat poorly during minicamp and training camp. Prior to that, Lemon enjoyed a breakout season at Miami in ’07, passing for 1,773 yards and six touchdowns in addition to running for another four TDs in seven starts. Jaguars general manager Gene Smith expressed a desire to address the quarterback position in the draft last month, but the talent pool on the board dwindled before the Jags could make a move. The club wants a consistent performer behind Garrard in case of injury.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will hold their 2009 mini-camp on May 1-3 on the practice fields at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. The Friday afternoon practice (4:00 p.m.) and both Saturday sessions (10:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.) will be open to the public. For fans attending practice sessions, video cameras and lap top computers are strictly prohibited, as well as horns, whistles and other noisemakers. Still cameras are allowed but are limited to a six-inch extended lens. Limited concessions will be available and ticketing representatives will be on hand. There is no admission charge for mini-camp. The mini-camp schedule for fans is as follows. The schedule is subject to change. Friday, May 1: 4:00-5:45 p.m. – practice OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Saturday, May 2: 10:30-11:55 a.m. – practice OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 4:00-5:45 p.m. – practice OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Fallen former Jaguars star Jimmy Smith issued a statement today apologizing about his actions and pledging to work to overcome his addictions. He was pulled over Wednesday in a Jacksonville traffic stop for excessive window tint and charged with possession of crack cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia and knowingly operating a vehicle with a suspended license. "I am ashamed and humiliated by my actions and I apologize for the embarrassment I have caused my family, friends and everyone in the Jacksonville community who have supported me throughout my career. "I realize that I cannot be the husband, father, son and citizen I want to be until I overcome my addiction. It is my highest priority, and will be the toughest challenge of my life, but I am going to get the help that I need to achieve a complete recovery. "I understand that I will need to work every day to overcome my addiction and to earn back the trust and respect of all those I have hurt and let down. I sincerely appreciate the outpouring of support during this incredibly difficult time."

Responding to the NFLDraftBible.com report that claims several NFL draft prospects tested positive for marijuana or steroids at the NFL Scouting Combine, the NFL has issued a statment emphasizing that none of the 32 teams or the league office have been informed of the drug test results yet. Here is the unabridged statement from the league office: "Neither the 32 clubs nor the league office know the results of drug or steroid tests taken at the 2009 Combine. The independent medical advisors who administer the tests have notified in writing those players and only those players who tested positive at the Combine. Unfortunately, rumors about draft eligible players, including rumors about test results, begin to circulate every year at this time. Many of these rumors are circulated for self-serving reasons and they are terribly unfair to the players and their families." NFLDraftBible.com, a web site unaffiliated with the league, reported that USC linebackers Clay Matthews and Brian Cushing tested positive for steroids and that Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji, Illinois cornerback Vontae Davis, University of Florida wide receiver Percy Harvin and UTEP kicker Jose Martinez tested positive for marijuana. USC coach Pete Carroll denied the report, as did the agents for Davis and Matthews in separate statements released to us today.

There’s an odd dynamic currently unfolding in the NFL. As owners prepare for an effort to raid the players’ pocketbooks at the bargaining table, the owners also are trying to protect the players. From themselves. And plenty of players don’t like it. Steelers safety Troy Polamalu said the NFL is becoming a "pansy" game during the 2008 season, before the league adopted a new wave of rules changes aimed at protecting player safety. Earlier this week, free-agent safety Rodney Harrison complained about new rules aimed at, among other things, protecting quarterbacks from low hits and all players from helmet-to-helmet crackback blocks. On Friday, Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew echoed the criticism. "It’s football, if you don’t want to get hurt, don’t play it," Jones-Drew told Dan Patrick. He also called the so-called "Hines Ward" rule "ridiculous." "We should get back to the way people played in the ’70s," Jones-Drew said. "I like when people are on the ground, you step on them."

What is this i read this earlier today that the Jags are switching team colors. Does it have to do with were we play?? When ever i go to a jaguars game i wear a Teal Jag Shirt it is hot but hey i live with it. I know that the players are doing alot more than rooting for a team but come on if u switch can u switch it to something that is different like the Teal i love it.

I read in the Florida times union today and it said when Mike Peterson showed up a little late to practice Jack sent him home. Then Jack goes and rearranges the lockers weird i think but finally something to Shake it up. And i think it was a smart thing for Jack to do that. Remember Mike P. is on his last year of his contract. So i just have to say that i am still with this team i am there on every home game Season ticket holder here First Year for me.