Jaguars Claim Ex-Patriot DT Kyle Love

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images (NEW YORK) -- For the second time in three days the Jacksonville Jaguars have claimed an ex-New England Patriot.

The Jaguars claimed former Patriots defensive tackle Kyle Love Thursday, just days after Jacksonville claimed ex-Pats defensive tackle Brandon Deaderick.

Love was released by the Patriots when it was found the 26-year-old had Type 2 diabetes.

Love signed a two-year contract extension with the Patriots last year, which included a $500,000 signing bonus.

Love has played his entire three-season NFL career in New England. In 41 career games, Love has 65 tackles and 5.5 sacks.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Jets QB David Garrard Says He Is Leaving the Team

NFL Via Getty Images(NEW YORK) --  After just two months with the team, quarterback David Garrard is leaving the New York Jets because of swelling in his knee.

"Having to call it quits. My knee is not holding up. Continuing to swell after practices. Limiting what I can do," Garrard wrote in a text message to SiriusXM radio host Adam Schein on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old Garrard was signed by the Jets in March to compete with Mark Sanchez.  He has not played in an NFL game in over two years due to various injuries but was looking forward to the opportunity to win the starting job.

The Jets are now down to four quarterbacks on the roster.  They drafted Geno Smith in the second round of the NFL draft to compete with Sanchez.  Greg McElroy and Matt Simms are there as well and are looking to compete.  The team released Tim Tebow two weeks ago.

"This will be a bona fide quarterback competition. Period," new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said on a conference call with season-ticket holders. "I'm hoping that somebody will rise to the top quicker rather than later."

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Jaguars' Justin Blackmon Defends His Character

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images(JACKSONVILLE, Fla.) -- Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon has had a hard time staying out of trouble in his short time in the NFL. Blackmon defended himself saying he's not a bad person, but he's just made some bad decisions.

"No I wouldn't say I do," Blackmon told the Jaguars website when asked if he had a substance abuse problem. "Out of this whole thing one of the main things I would say that I had a problem with was just making a poor decision, making a selfish decision at that and not thinking about the long-term of it and just thinking about at the time. If you want to ask if I have a problem? I have a problem with making a poor decision."

Blackmon was arrested for driving under the influence twice before signing his contract with the Jaguars.

Recently, he was suspended for four games by the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

The Jaguars selected Blackmon fifth overall in the 2012 Draft out of Oklahoma State.  In his rookie year, he caught 64 passes for 865 yards with five touchdowns.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Jaguars Impressed with Luke Joeckel So Far

Al Bello/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- While tackle Luke Joeckel was disappointed he was not chosen number one overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars are more than happy they were able to get him at number two.

Joeckel is making the transition from left tackle to right tackle. While that can be a difficult move to make, members of the Jaguars have been impressed with what they've seen from the former Texas A&M product.

"He's right on track," Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley said. "Now he just needs to get more and more reps. It'll probably take him a little bit of time on the right side, but he will get it. You see he's such a professional already with handling it that he will get there."

Joeckel also admitted he's adjusting pretty quickly to the move. "It's feeling a lot better than I thought it would," Joeckel said on Saturday. "My set felt a lot cleaner today and my first step felt a little bit faster today. It's going to be a process, but it's moving along pretty well."

Joeckel was expected by many to be picked number one overall, but the Chiefs decided to take tackle Eric Fisher instead.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Gus Bradley Supportive of WR Justin Blackmon

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images(JACKSONVILLE, Fla.) -- First-year head coach Gus Bradley still has faith in wide receiver Justin Blackmon.

Blackmon was suspended for the first four games of the 2013 season by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy on Tuesday.

"I told Justin I do trust him," Bradley told the Florida Times-Union on Thursday. "We both have to earn each other's trust, and I don't want trust to be mistaken for being naive."

Blackmon will be allowed to participate during training camp and pre-season games. He will be eligible to return on Monday, Sept. 30, following Jacksonville’s Week 4 contest against the Indianapolis Colts.

"He understands we're disappointed in what took place," Bradley said. "I really try to maintain my focus on making sure he has a clear vision of what we expect from him. We've had great conversations since this came out."

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Jaguars WR Justin Blackmon Suspended for Four Games by NFL

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images(JACKSONVILLE, Fla.) -- Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon has been suspended by for the first four games of the 2013 season by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

The 23-year-old Blackmon will be allowed to participate during training camp and pre-season games. He will be eligible to return on Monday, September 30, following Jacksonville’s Week 4 contest against the Indianapolis Colts.

"I’ve made a mistake and I have no excuse,” Blackmon said in a statement. “ I am truly sorry and disappointed in myself for putting the Jaguars in this situation, and I look forward to putting this behind me and maturing and growing as a person.”  

Jacksonville drafted Blackmon out of Oklahoma State with the fifth overall pick in last year’s NFL draft. In 16 games, he had 64 receptions for 865 yards and five touchdowns.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Jaguars Draft Denard Robinson

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images(JACKSONVILLE, Fla.) -- The Jacksonville Jaguars grabbed one of the most exciting college players on the last day of the NFL draft.

Former Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson was tabbed by the Jaguars in the fifth round of the draft, although he was listed as a running back.

Robinson set the all-time rushing record for a quarterback while with the Wolverines, rushing for 4,495 over his career. He also passed for over 6,000 yards and 49 touchdowns during that time.

Before the draft, Robinson had agreed to play wherever a team would want him. "Whatever it takes to get on the field," Robinson said. "I'm an offensive weapon."

The Jaguars also chose South Carolina reciever Terry "Ace" Sanders in the fourth round.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Jaguars' Maurice Jones-Drew Vows Not to Hold-Out Again

NFL via Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- This past season, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew held out out training camp in hopes of getting a new contract and it didn't work. He says he won't be doing that again this summer.

Jones-Drew led the NFL in rushing in 2011 and wanted a new contract. He wound up doing all of that for nothing as he eventually reported to the team before the start of the season. Jones-Drew wound up having one of his worst seasons of his career.

"It didn't work out. I'm not going to reach out to them because, you know, I just feel like I tried that last year [and] it didn't work," Jones-Drew told SiriusXM NFL Radio. "If the Jaguars want to do a new deal I'm more than open to talk. I'm not going to say I don't want to go there. I've grown up there. This is where I started. I want to win a championship there. That's what I want to do. Now, I'm in the the last year of my deal. Once again, people hate this word, but it's part of the business."

 Jones-Drew is one of the best running backs in NFL when healthy. In 2012, he only had 414 rushing yards with one touchdown in six games.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Jaguars Fire Mike Mularkey

Jason O. Watson/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- The Jacksonville Jaguars announced that they have fired head coach Mike Mularkey on Thursday morning.

General manager David Caldwell fired Mularkey after the team went 2-14 in 2012, the worst in the franchise's history. It was Mularkey's first season as head coach.

"I know Mike well and do not want anyone to misinterpret the rationale behind my decision," Jaguars general manager David Caldwell said in a statement. "Mike is excellent coach and I am sure he will succeed in next stop in NFL. However, I must do what I believe is best for Jaguars and immediately explore every avenue possible to turn our football team around."

Mularkey was only the third head coach in Jaguars history and the team will begin its search for their fourth under their new general manager, Caldwell.

"Mike gave the Jaguars everything he had on and off the field," Jaguars owner Shad Khan said in a statement.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Jaguars Hire Dave Caldwell as GM

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images(JACKSONVILLE, Fla.) -- The Jacksonville Jaguars hired Atlanta Falcons director of player personnel Dave Caldwell as the teams general manager Tuesday.

"We got our man," Jaguars owner Shad Khan said in a statement. "I have a lot of faith in David Caldwell and I can assure our fans that the best days for the Jacksonville Jaguars are in front of us."

Caldwell served as the Falcons' director of scouting for four years before becoming the team's director of player personnel in 2012.

"I am thrilled to accept the offer to become the next general manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars." Caldwell said in a statement. "There are no bad GM opportunities in the NFL, but to work on behalf of a dynamic owner in a rabid football city like Jacksonville is truly special. This is where I wanted to be and I could not be happier. I can't wait to get to Jacksonville and get started.”

Caldwell takes over for the recently fired Gene Smith. Smith had served as the Jaguars general manager the past four seasons, posting a record of 22-42.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio