The Jaguars expect to add at least two defensive starters via free agency once the league year is reinstated. Starters will likely be acquired at linebacker and safety. "We're trying to be active in upgrading talent, specifically on the defensive side of the ball," general manager Gene Smith said. "We'd like to bring in at least a couple of starters who can help us take a step as a defense."

Jaguars general manager Gene Smith says the team couldn't pass up the opportunity to select quarterback Blaine Gabbert with the 10th overall pick in last month's NFL Draft. "This was an exception with Blaine, to have the opportunity to add him to our organization." Smith said. "There aren't as many quarterbacks year to year as there are other positions." Smith said the Jaguars would like to add "about 19 more players," depending on how free agency develops in an offseason interrupted by a lockout. "They will be players who have been in an NFL system," Smith said. "That should be less of an adjustment ... bringing a pro player in here than a rookie."

Several groups of Jaguars players quietly have been gathering for workouts around the Jacksonville area, according to The Florida Times-Union. When a group of eight players recently gathered for on-field activities -- cameras weren't allowed in, and the only reporter given permission to cover the practice couldn't conduct interviews. The groups reportedly meet a few times each week. According to The Times-Union, quarterback David Garrard hosts a group of offensive players near his home.

Jaguars quarterback David Garrard has welcomed the competition he'll have from rookie Blaine Gabbert. "I just tell them I am always open to competition," Garrard said. "I think competition's healthy. You never shy away from competition. That's just sports." Jacksonville drafted Gabbert with the 10th overall pick in last month's NFL Draft.

Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew still believes in David Garrard as the team's quarterback. Jacksonville moved up to draft Blaine Gabbert in last week's first round of the NFL Draft. "I think America has a new competition," Jones-Drew said on SiriusXM. "You know what's funny is when I signed my deal two years ago Jacksonville drafted two running backs two years in a row. It's not uncommon for the Jaguars to do that and create competition and get the blood going. David [Garrard] is still our quarterback, he's a great guy but we know Blaine is going to come in and fight hard for it and he's going to push David. I think this is the year we're going to take off. We're three years into what we called, we didn't call it rebuilding but - I don't know what you want to call it - but we have a lot of young players that have a lot of experience, Terrance Knighton, Tyson Alualu, [Aaron] Kampman will be coming back off of his knee injury and we'll be ready to roll. So it's going to be fun. I think we'll be alright, Rashean [Mathis], Derek Cox, we have a lot of guys that have a lot of experience that will be able to play well."