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Jaguars Maurice Jones-Drew is scheduled to play third downs against Vikings
NFL’s Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey decided that Jones-Drew will rotate in on third-down. The player will return after a 38-day holdout regarding contract negotiations. In 2011 Jones-Drew was the leading NFL’s rusher. He will play in the season-opener against the Minnesota Vikings.
Jones-Drew wanted to revoke the final two years of his contract, but the team has declined this request. Therefore, he went on a holdout Sunday. When asked about this situation, he said that he has no regrets as to how he handled this situation.
On Sunday, he visited the team’s facility to take conditioning tests, studying the playbook. He also talked with coaches. It is reported, that he spent about 12 hours there.
On Monday he practiced the first time since the finale of last year. Jones-Drew said that the practice felt great. He claims that he carried 10 or 15 times, and did 9-on 7 and 11-on-11 drills. He also hinted that familiarizing with the playbook is important, and that he is doing fine with that. Also, according to the coach, Maurice Jones-Drew looks to be in a good shape, ready to play; however, he reserves his final judgment after some more practice time.
On part of the offseason Jones-Drew spent at South Florida working out with his former teammate Fred Taylor. Jones-Drew started his NFL carrier as Taylor’s backup as short-yardage, goal-line and third-down back – on the position which he will play against the Vikings.
Jones-Drew is confident as ever, but he realizes that the amount of his playing time is up for the coaches’ decision. However, he says that he can carry the ball 80 times in the game. In last season, he made a carrier-high with 343 carries.
Whether he will play, and whether his play will be a major factor in the play in the season-opener Jaguars against Minnesota Vikings, we will see on Sunday.
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