National Football League

JAGUARS NOTEBOOK;Quiet start for Sims-Walker

Published Oct. 11, 2010 10:11 p.m. ET

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Jaguars receiver Mike Sims-Walker has 12 catches for 139 yards in four starts so far this season. But none of those catches came during the Jaguars' two wins.

"There you have it," Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said facetiously. "Don't throw it to Mike, and we're a sure winner."

The truth is that's something both Sims-Walker and the Jaguars want to change. They've seen him getting open and said he's doing what he needs to do to contribute.

"He's playing fine," receivers coach Todd Monken said. "He's been in position to make plays every week that we played. It just hasn't worked out that way. We're trying to get him the ball. We're not trying to avoid getting it to Mike. There is no problem with us and Mike."

Sims-Walker emerged as the Jaguars' leading receiver after making 63 catches for 869 yards last season. He insisted throughout training camp that the team had no No. 1 receiver, but it was understood that was Sims-Walker. Quarterback David Garrard talked about making sure he got the ball to Sims-Walker enough.

But against the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts, Sims-Walker was only targeted a total of three times.

"I don't want to seem selfish. I can't complain after a win," Sims-Walker said. "But it's kind of hard when you're not getting the ball, and you're supposed to be that guy, the go-to man. I can't really do too much with that."

Sims-Walker sought the counsel of his best friend, Miami Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall, about the situation. Marshall was similarly frustrated early on in Denver.

"First, he asked me if there's any problems around here," Sims-Walker said. "I said, 'Naw, man, everything's great. I don't have no problems. I'm not that type of guy.' "

Marshall advised Sims-Walker to lobby Garrard to look for him more.

"Sometimes, it's the play-calling. Sometimes, it's the coverage. Sometimes, it's the quarterback," Sims-Walker said. "I don't know. I have no control over it. We're 2-2, so I can't make a big fuss about it."

DREW DOESN'T PRACTICE

Running back Maurice Jones-Drew did not practice Wednesday after spraining an ankle that bothered him earlier in the season. Jones-Drew re-aggravated his right ankle against the Colts, but he did not miss a snap. He called it a slight sprain.

Linebacker Justin Durant returned to practice but was limited. He had been held out after spraining his ankle in the second quarter against the Chargers.

Running back Rashad Jennings was also limited with a left shoulder injury, and guard Justin Smiley was limited with a left ankle injury. Safety Sean Considine, who missed Sunday's game with a hamstring injury, was also limited.

NEXT HOME GAME TEAL MONDAY

Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton proclaimed Monday Oct. 18, the date of the Jaguars' Monday night game against the Tennessee Titans, Teal Monday.

With an official proclamation in hand, Peyton encouraged fans to arrive early that Monday night, even if they don't have a ticket, and participate in "Teal Town" festivities, including live entertainment, $2 draft beer and ESPN's "NFL Countdown" shown on a big screen.

During a news conference to announce Peyton's proclamation, Tony Boselli, former Jaguars star and the captain of Team Teal, made a pitch for ticket sales.

"We have five games to go, and we have to make sure they're on TV," Boselli said.

Boselli noted that despite not having a blackout yet this season, nationally Jacksonville still has a perception of having a half-empty stadium.

"The only way we fight that is by showing up," Boselli said.

SCOBEE TAKES WEEKLY HONOR

Kicker Josh Scobee was named the AFC special teams player of the week. Scobee won the award for his 59-yard field goal to beat the Colts 31-28.

It was the fourth-longest game-winning field goal in NFL history and tied for the eighth-longest field goal ever.

Scobee beat out New England's Patrick Chung, who blocked a punt and a field goal in the second half of Monday night's game against the Miami Dolphins.

INSIDE INFORMATION

The Jaguars' don't expect to get too many inside tricks from quarterback Trent Edwards, but they'll debrief him anyway, given that just two weeks ago Edwards was part of the Bills' offense.

The Jaguars play at Buffalo on Sunday.

Knowing that's how things work, Bills coach Chan Gailey has already implemented changes in their signaling on the field to things Edwards doesn't recognize.

"They'll ask, and he'll tell," Gailey said. "We'll have to change some signals and some thought processes. We'll have to change some things. That's part of it."

tania.ganguli@jacksonville.com,

(904) 359-4401