AFC South Notes: Jaguars, Texans, Titans

Jaguars

Jaguars RB Leonard Fournette had a rough year, rushing for only 439 yards while dealing with injury and a one-game suspension for fighting during a game. That continued into the offseason with a citation for driving with a suspended license. However, Fournette says he’s learned from his mistakes, and the Jaguars appear inclined to give him one more chance. 

″Some things I did in the offseason I admitted to that I was wrong,” Fournette said via Jacksonville.com’s John Reid. “But we’ve moved on. We’re in a good place right now. It’s a clean start for a lot of guys. The past is the past. After the season we had last year, I think everybody kind of hit the restart button.”

• According to HC Doug Marrone, RB Alfred Blue is the current leader for the No. 2 running back job behind Fournette: ″He knows what he wants to do, he comes out here, he practices. I am happy with him. That whole group has done a nice job.”

Texans

• Adam Schefter reports that the NFLPA is anticipated to file a grievance against the Texans over the position assigned to franchise DE/LB Jadeveon Clowney.
• Schefter mentions that the Texans labeled Clowney as a DE/LB, but there’s a difference of $1.698 million between the two tags. 
• League sources tell Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle that Clowney is expected to report and sign his franchise tender prior to the start of the regular season. 
• According to Wilson, the Texans have no plans now to trade Clowney.

Titans

It’s not a stretch to say 2019 is the most important year of Titans QB Marcus Mariota‘s career. A combination of health and inconsistency means he’s entering the final year of his rookie deal needing to prove to the Titans he’s worth an extension. Titans HC Mike Vrabel acknowledged there’s some doubt on the team’s side that has prevented an extension to this point.

“I think everybody has a contract, and we’re very aware of players who are in the last year of the deal,” Vrabel said via Sports Illustrated’s Robert Klemko. “Marcus is obviously one of those. When you make a commitment to the QB you want to make sure that this is going to be your guy for the next 7-10 years when you look at the percentage of the cap quarterbacks are driving.”

However, Vrabel added he had confidence Mariota would prove worthy of an extension following the 2019 season.

“Nobody is more proud of what Marcus has done in the offseason than me,” Vrabel said. “He’s come back stronger, bigger, with greater understanding of what we’re doing offensively, being able to communicate it to players the field. I don’t look at the lack of a long-term extension as a negative, though that’s what people try to make it. I know Marcus’s demeanor and that won’t change whether he’s on a 10-year contract or its up after the season. He’s that type of person. So I know it’ll work because of how he is.”