Helter Skelter » They were defensive guys.

The Jacksonville Jaguars trudged into the locker room one by one Phil Haynes Jersey , and before coach Doug Marrone started to address the team, a few players chimed in.They were being positive, too.After a 9-6 loss to AFC South rival Tennessee in which Jacksonville’s offense was downright offensive, the Jaguars insisted there was no finger-pointing, back-biting or name-calling.“We came back in the locker room and guys expressed emotion,” said linebacker Telvin Smith, adding that a team with Super Bowl expectations was frustrated. “It’s not like guys got quiet. Nobody shied away from it. Things were said.”Several players said it was a constructive exchange designed to show support for quarterback Blake Bortles and an offense that has been less than impressive in two of three games this season.More Jacksonville Jaguars newsJaguars expect DE Yannick Ngakoue’s holdout to be short-livedJaguars rookie safety Zedrick Woods submits retirement paperworkJalen Ramsey says Jaguars don’t plan to give him contract extension this seasonJaguars sign former UCF running back Taj McGowan for added depthJaguars QB Nick Foles to miss OTAs for undisclosed ‘personal reason’“If you look at it, offensively and defensively and special teams, those guys really don’t have the type of guys we have in this locker room,” Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson said. “It’s not like we felt like we were the king of the hill, but you’ve got to win the games you’ve got to win. … We know we’re the better team, but this Sunday they were the better team and they won.”Thanks mostly to Marcus Mariota, a punishing ground attack and a stifling defense.Mariota directed three scoring drives in relief of Blaine Gabbert, including one in the fourth quarter with “heavy personnel,” and the Titans (2-1) won their third straight in the series.Tennessee improved to 2-0 against the AFC South and will host defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia on Sunday.“This is what we are, man,” Titans cornerback Logan Ryan said. “We have a good defense. We can run the ball. We do what Jacksonville does, but we do it better than them.”Jacksonville (2-1), which fell short in its attempt to start 3-0 for the first time since 2004 Ugo Amadi Jersey , will wrap up a three-game homestand next week against the New York Jets.Tennessee finished with 233 yards, but grinded out 150 on the ground, played mistake-free football and let the defense do most of the heavy lifting.“We’re not afraid of anyone,” Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan said. “We’re going to play as if we belong anywhere. People will count us out, but that’s not the case.”The Jaguars have dropped five of six in the series and failed to score any offensive touchdown against the Titans for the second straight game. They crossed midfield just twice Sunday.“We killed ourselves,” Bortles said. “Stupid penalties, drops, missed throws. We’ve got to not hurt ourselves, especially the way our defense is and the way we play. We’ve got to score one touchdown to win the game. To go out there and score six points in four quarters, that’s bad as an offense.”Here are some other things we learned about the Titans and Jaguars:MARIOTA IMPROVINGMariota got a game ball for his gutsy performance.After sitting out last week’s victory against Houston because of an elbow injury sustained in the season opener, Mariota was forced onto the field in the first quarter to replace Gabbert (concussion).“He was fantastic,” first-year coach Mike Vrabel said. “He cares about this team immensely. He wants what’s best for this team. You saw him come in there, get us some first downs and give us a spark.”Mariota wore a partial glove on his injured right hand and did just enough to upset the Jaguars. He completed 12 of 18 passes for 100 yards and ran for 51 more, including a 15-yard gain on a third-and-1 play late that allowed the Titans to milk the clock.MISSING STARTERSThe Jaguars finished with 232 yards and 12 first downs while playing without running back Leonard Fournette, left tackle Cam Robinson and right guard A.J. Cann. Fournette missed his second straight game with a strained right hamstring. Robinson was lost for the season last week, and Cann sat out with a triceps injury.“It’s tough anytime you don’t have your guys out there,” Bortles said. “It is difficult when you are playing with guys that aren’t necessarily in the rotation all the time.”TURNING POINTMarrone’s decision to try a fake punt early in the game proved costly.Corey Grant was stopped on the fourth-and-4 play, giving Tennessee the ball near midfield and leading to Ryan Succop‘s first field goal.“I always regret decisions that don’t work,” Marrone said. “I just wanted to be aggressive early and had the look.” EAGAN Dwayne Haskins Jersey , Minn. — Long snappers are the afterthoughts of the NFL draft. Players from the service academies, on track to join the military and not pro sports, are largely ignored.Still, here was Austin Cutting, a seventh-round pick out of the Air Force Academy, sharpening his specialist skills in rookie minicamp on Friday with the Minnesota Vikings and taking the first step toward what would be an unlikely, complicated and potentially inspiring career in the league.More Vikings coveragePhotos of the Week: 7/21/19 – 7/27/19Rookie Bradbury is central figure to Vikings’ overhauled offensive lineVikings depth at cornerback being tested, Hughes still not clearedPlayers to watch at Minnesota Vikings 2019 training campTop Tweets: Vikings WR Diggs makes push for All-NFL Style Team“It was just good to be out here for the first time,” Cutting said, “so I loved it.”Continuing further into the NFL calendar will depend on a plan for fulfillment of the minimum of two years of active duty for all cadets upon graduation, which is on May 30. Two years ago, the Defense Department rescinded a policy that previously allowed service academy athletes to delay their active duty to pursue a pro sports career. That undoubtedly steered teams away from drafting Jalen Robinette, the all-time leading receiver for Air Force.“Going to the academy, serving comes first,” Cutting said.Vikings general manager Rick Spielman has been speaking with academy officials about options Cutting might have to meet his requirement while simultaneously trying to make the team.“It’s not, ‘OK, the Air Force was done, and now it’s time for the NFL,'” Cutting said D.K. Metcalf Jersey , adding: “It’s decisions that are made above my pay grade, and they’ll help me along the way.”Cutting, who picked up his long snapping trade at Central High School in Keller, Texas, in the Dallas area, has been majoring in management. He’s an acquisitions officer, the personnel designated to serve as the government’s business managers and technical experts in buying everything from computers to helicopters for forces around the world.“I’ve heard everybody who does it loves it,” Cutting said.The chosen few who make it to the NFL usually do, too. Even simply taking the call from the Vikings last weekend, at home with family and friends, was one of those moments Cutting will always remember no matter where his career winds up taking him.14<button class="view-gallery">View Gallery</button> Gallery:How NFL draft affected Vikings’ 2019 opponents“When it actually happens, you can’t really describe it,” Cutting said. “It’s a great feeling.”The Vikings have signed nine of their draft picks, with first round center Garrett Bradbury, sixth round cornerback Kris Boyd and Cutting the only ones still without a finalized contract. Unsigned players are typically given a special injury waiver to participate in offseason workouts until their deals are done.In addition to the 12 draft picks and 10 rookie free agents the Vikings acquired last weekend, seven other players on the 90-man roster, whether a practice squad member last season or a recent signing from the defunct Alliance of American Football, were eligible to participate in the practices at team headquarters.Then there’s a group of 37 players who were invited on a tryout basis, seeking to become the next Marcus Sherels or Adam Thielen.Sherels became the franchise’s all-time leading punt returner before signing with the New Orleans Saints this year. Thielen recently signed a $64 million contract after a second Pro Bowl selection. Both Sherels (2010) and Thielen (2013) needed a successful rookie minicamp to even make the summer roster.“We’re looking for guys that http://www.seahawksauthorizedshops.com/authentic-cody-barton-jersey , number one, are good people, and number two, they have to have athletic ability,” coach Mike Zimmer said. “Come out and do what they’re being coached to do.”Among the tryout players this weekend are former UAB safety Mar’Sean Diggs, the brother of Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs.“That’s all I ever wanted, was to play in the NFL. Having the opportunity now means the world to me, so hopefully, and God willing, I make the team,” said the younger Diggs, who has been training with his older sibling for the last three months.He’s been listening, too, whatever advice big bro has.“Just to keep my head down and work and stay quiet,” Diggs said. “Take heed to everything that’s going on. Take coaching. Keep my playbook with me at all times, and just do what you do.”