After the first home game of the 2019 preseason, competing (and coming up short) against newly signed QB, Nick Foles’s former team, the Philadelphia Eagles (10-24), the Recorder continues looking back at the past 25 years of the National Football League’s Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Jags may have their ups and downs, but it’s safe to say that without the franchise, Jacksonville wouldn’t be the grimy and ruthless, yet optimistic and loyal city it is today. The franchise was born in 1994. The Jaguars All-25 is a recognition of the top 25 inactive players in franchise history. Here’s a look at five of the players who were honored throughout July. Look for players 16-11 in last week’s sports section and for the top five players of the All-25 in next week’s edition.
10. DL John Henderson
As the ninth overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft, Henderson played for eight seasons with the Jaguars and totaled 426 tackles, 29 sacks and eight forced fumbles. He played for 124 games with Jacksonville and earned two Pro Bowl selections in 2004 and 2006. Henderson has the second most appearances by a defensive lineman and totaled 29 career sacks, ranking fourth in Jags history.
9. DT Marcus Stroud
Selected in the 2001 NFL Draft in the first round (13th overall), Marus Stroud played in all 80 games in his first five seasons (out of seven) and totaled 274 tackles, 22 sacks, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Stroud also had three consecutive appearances in the Pro Bowl from 2003-2005.
8. CB Rashean Mathis
Mathis was selected 39th overall and in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He totaled 30 INTs, 512 INT return yards and 30 total takeaways, the most in franchise history. In 2006, Mathis recorded eight interceptions while on his way to the Pro Bowl.
7. WR Keenan McCardell
The two-time Pro Bowl selection and Super Bowl champion played six seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars and started in 150 out of the 154 games throughout his playing career. McCardell totaled 499 receptions for 6,393 yards and 30 TDs, placing him second in team history for all three categories. In 2017, he was hired as the wide receivers coach for the Jags.
6. DE Tony Brackens
Tony Brackens was selected in the 1996 NFL Draft by the Jaguars. After 12 sacks and eight forced fumbles, he was named to the 1999 Pro Bowl and holds the franchise record with eight consecutive games with a sack in the 2001 season. Brackens also holds the franchise records for total sacks (55), forced fumbles (28) and fumble recoveries (13).
