Final
Jags' Williamson shines in preseason loss to Bucs
Aug 23, 2009 - 3:52 AM By MARK LONG AP Sports WriterJACKSONVILLE, Fla.(AP) -- Troy Williamson is giving the Jacksonville Jaguars something they've been missing for years: a deep threat.
Williamson, a first-round bust in Minnesota who is looking to secure a roster spot in Jacksonville, caught two deep passes from David Garrard and finished with 147 yards receiving in a 24-23 preseason loss to Tampa Bay on Saturday night.
Although Jacksonville's offense was mostly stagnant the rest of the night - the Jaguars were 3 for 14 on third down - Williamson's two plays were a positive sign for a franchise that has struggled to create big plays in the passing game since receiver Jimmy Smith retired following the 2005 season.
Williamson, in the starting lineup because of Mike Walker's ankle injury, caught four passes for 74 yards in Jacksonville's preseason opener Monday night.
He was even better against the Buccaneers (1-1).
The former South Carolina star beat Sabby Piscitelli for a 74-yard touchdown reception on the game's first play. He also slipped by Elbert Mack for a 61-yard gain early in the second quarter. That set up Greg Jones' 1-yard run to put the Jaguars (0-2) ahead 14-3.
"I am just out there working," Williamson said. "I'm doing more and more stuff to get my confidence back up. I feel good and comfortable with the offense."
Williamson was considered a long shot to make Jacksonville's roster after the team signed Torry Holt and drafted three receivers.
Now, he looks like a lock.
Tampa Bay's quarterback situation is much less settled.
Byron Leftwich, playing in Jacksonville for the first time since the Jaguars dumped the former first-round draft pick following the 2007 preseason, moved the Buccaneers into Jacksonville territory in each of his three possessions. But he managed just a field goal.
Leftwich finished 6 of 12 passing for 63 yards.
"We did some good things," Leftwich said. "I didn't play great, but I played OK. We wanted to look better. We wanted to understand situations better."
Backup Luke McCown was 6 of 9 for 51 yards, with two touchdown passes. But both of his drives came with short fields - a 20-yard drive following Sammie Stroughter's 75-yard kickoff return and a 45-yard drive following Jacksonville's second special teams miscue.
McCown had a 17-yard TD pass to Jerramy Stevens, then a 9-yard TD pass to Stroughter.
Coach Raheem Morris said he plans to name a starting quarterback this week.
"Everything plays a big part of this (decision) - OTAs, mini-camp, the games," Morris said. "These games count for a little bit more. We'll evaluate the leadership and everything about the QB play. I can't ask for a better competition and can't ask for a better group and can't ask for better results. Got to make the decision now."
The game was blacked out on local television, something that could be common for Jacksonville this season. The small-market franchise, coming off a 5-11 season and expected to be in rebuilding mode, has struggled to sell tickets in a foundering economy.
More big plays from Garrard and Williamson could help.
The Jaguars had just one passing play of at least 40 yards last season, worst in the NFL.
Williamson missed most of the season because of a lingering groin issue. He's healthy now - and making the most of his opportunity.
Williamson was the seventh overall pick in 2005, chosen as the heir apparent to Randy Moss after the Vikings traded Moss to Oakland a month before the draft. But Williamson struggled from the start. He had 79 receptions for 1,067 yards and three touchdowns in three disappointing, drop-filled seasons.
He said he never got comfortable playing in the spotlight in Minnesota.
"No pressure now," Williamson said. "I'm around a good group of guys and I feel like I'm welcome. I just feel comfortable. That's one thing I like about being down here in Jacksonville. It's fun."
Notes: Garrard was 10 of 16 passing for 216 yards. ... Jaguars LB Clint Ingram sustained a blow to the head. ... Jacksonville was without 11 players, including three starters. ... Tampa Bay was without nine players, including WR Antonio Bryant (knee) and C Jeff Faine (groin).
- NFL
FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
TAMPA BAY 3 14 7 0 24
JACKSONVILLE 7 7 3 6 23 FINAL
SCORING SUMMARY
1ST QUARTER: JAC - TD, TROY WILLIAMSON 74 YD PASS FROM DAVID
GARRARD (JOSH SCOBEE KICK), 0:14. Drive: 1 play,
74 yards in 0:14. JACKSONVILLE 7-0
TAM - FG, MIKE NUGENT 46 YD, 8:25. Drive: 7
plays, 32 yards
Aug 22 10:53 PM - NFL
TAMPA BAY 24
JACKSONVILLE 23 0:39 LEFT, 4TH QTR
TAM BALL ON JAC 36 YD LINE
1ST AND 10
Buccaneers 24, Jaguars 23 4th - 0:39Aug 22 10:53 PM - NFL
TAMPA BAY 24
JACKSONVILLE 17 15:00 LEFT, 4TH QTR
TAM BALL ON TAM 28 YD LINE
2ND AND 4
Buccaneers 24, Jaguars 17 4th - 15:00Aug 22 9:55 PM - NFL
END, 3RD QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
TAMPA BAY 3 14 7 24
JACKSONVILLE 7 7 3 17 END, 3RD QTR
SCORING SUMMARY
1ST QUARTER: JAC - TD, TROY WILLIAMSON 74 YD PASS FROM DAVID
GARRARD (JOSH SCOBEE KICK), 0:14. Drive: 1 play,
74 yards in 0:14. JACKSONVILLE 7-0
TAM - FG, MIKE NUGENT 46 YD, 8:25. Drive: 7
plays, 32
Buccaneers 17, Jaguars 14 End of 3rdAug 22 9:55 PM - NFL
FG JAC
JOSH SCOBEE 29 YD
TAMPA BAY 24
JACKSONVILLE 17 2:00 LEFT, 3RD QTR
Buccaneers 24, Jaguars 17 3rd - 2:00Aug 22 9:48 PM - NFL
TD TAM
JOSH FREEMAN 28 YD RUN
(MIKE NUGENT KICK)
TAMPA BAY 24
JACKSONVILLE 14 8:32 LEFT, 3RD QTR
Buccaneers 24, Jaguars 14 3rd - 8:32Aug 22 9:27 PM - NFL
TAMPA BAY 17
JACKSONVILLE 14 15:00 LEFT, 3RD QTR
TAM BALL ON TAM 20 YD LINE
1ST AND 10
Buccaneers 17, Jaguars 14 3rd - 15:00Aug 22 9:16 PM - NFL
HALFTIME 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
TAMPA BAY 3 14 17
JACKSONVILLE 7 7 14 HALFTIME
SCORING SUMMARY
1ST QUARTER: JAC - TD, TROY WILLIAMSON 74 YD PASS FROM DAVID
GARRARD (JOSH SCOBEE KICK), 0:14. Drive: 1 play,
74 yards in 0:14. JACKSONVILLE 7-0
TAM - FG, MIKE NUGENT 46 YD, 8:25. Drive: 7
plays, 32 yar
Buccaneers 3, Jaguars 7 HalfAug 22 9:16 PM - NFL
TD TAM
SAMMIE STROUGHTER 9 YD PASS FROM LUKE MCCOWN
(MIKE NUGENT KICK)
TAMPA BAY 17
JACKSONVILLE 14 1:00 LEFT, 2ND QTR
Buccaneers 17, Jaguars 14 2nd - 1:00Aug 22 8:55 PM - NFL
TD TAM
JERRAMY STEVENS 17 YD PASS FROM LUKE MCCOWN
(MIKE NUGENT KICK)
TAMPA BAY 10
JACKSONVILLE 14 6:50 LEFT, 2ND QTR
Buccaneers 10, Jaguars 14 2nd - 6:50Aug 22 8:37 PM - NFL
TD JAC
GREG JONES 1 YD RUN
(JOSH SCOBEE KICK)
TAMPA BAY 3
JACKSONVILLE 14 7:48 LEFT, 2ND QTR
Buccaneers 3, Jaguars 14 2nd - 7:48Aug 22 8:31 PM - NFL
TAMPA BAY 3
JACKSONVILLE 7 15:00 LEFT, 2ND QTR
JAC BALL ON TAM 47 YD LINE
1ST AND 10
Buccaneers 3, Jaguars 7 2nd - 15:00Aug 22 8:16 PM - NFL
END, 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
TAMPA BAY 3 3
JACKSONVILLE 7 7 END, 1ST QTR
SCORING SUMMARY
1ST QUARTER: JAC - TD, TROY WILLIAMSON 74 YD PASS FROM DAVID
GARRARD (JOSH SCOBEE KICK), 0:14. Drive: 1 play,
74 yards in 0:14. JACKSONVILLE 7-0
TAM - FG, MIKE NUGENT 46 YD, 8:25. Drive: 7
plays, 32
Buccaneers 0, Jaguars 0 End of 1stAug 22 8:16 PM - NFL
FG TAM
MIKE NUGENT 45 YD
TAMPA BAY 3
JACKSONVILLE 7 6:35 LEFT, 1ST QTR
Buccaneers 3, Jaguars 7 1st - 6:35Aug 22 7:59 PM - NFL
TD JAC
TROY WILLIAMSON 74 YD PASS FROM DAVID GARRARD
(JOSH SCOBEE KICK)
TAMPA BAY 0
JACKSONVILLE 7 14:46 LEFT, 1ST QTR
Buccaneers 0, Jaguars 7 1st - 14:46Aug 22 7:37 PM - NFL
TAMPA BAY 0
JACKSONVILLE 6 14:46 LEFT, 1ST QTR
JAC BALL ON JAC 26 YD LINE
1ST AND 10
Buccaneers 0, Jaguars 6 1st - 14:46Aug 22 7:37 PM
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