NFL Notes: Jaguars, Jets, Saints

Jaguars

During the draft process, one of the knocks on Jaguars rookie RB Leonard Fournette was that he wasn’t much a receiving option in college.

However, Jaguars HC Doug Marrone told reporters on Friday that this is actually something he’s been impressed with in terms of Fournette’s game thus far.

“The one thing I have been impressed with is he’s caught the ball well,” Marrone said, via Michael DiRocco of ESPN. “I’m excited about that.”

Fournette explained that his limited receiving opportunities at LSU were due to their overall approach, as opposed to his ability.

“I’ve always been a natural catcher,” Fournette said. “Just the school I went to we ran the ball a lot, so I don’t put too much on [the criticisms]. When they throw me the ball my whole mentality is catch everything that comes my way.

“… I’d say I think I’m doing a good job catching the ball, catching it at the highest point, concentrating on it.”

Jets

• Rich Cimini of ESPN writes that while the Jets have all three of their quarterbacks taking an equal amount of practice reps, the expectation is still that Josh McCown will be the team’s starting quarterback this season.
• Cimini says that this will likely be clear by the end of minicamp in mid-June and expects Christian Hackenberg to be ahead of Bryce Petty as the team’s backup quarterback.
• Hackenberg should see quality time in the first two preseason games, according to Cimini, and eventually turn to him at some point during the season.

Saints

Saints DC Dennis Allen explained that they plan to be smart with DE Hau’oli Kikaha, as he works his way back from a third knee injury.

“He’s doing really well. He’s going through some individual drills, he’s taking part in the walk-through,” Allen said, via Joel A. Erickson. “I think the training staff, I think we’re going to be smart with him.

“The key is to make sure he’s healthy and ready to go,” Allen added. “Whatever we have to do to have him full go and ready to go through training camp and the season, I think that’s what the plan will be.”