Former B.C. Lions star Nathan Rourke has had a powerful begin with Jacksonville, together with a landing toss in opposition to Dallas that made all of the spotlight reels.
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Simply the place Nathan Rourke matches with the Jacksonville Jaguars might be obvious after this weekend.
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The Jaguars wrap-up the NFL common season Saturday internet hosting the Miami Dolphins and coach Doug Pederson informed the media Monday that he’ll seemingly share the second-half snaps between incumbent backup C.J. Beathard and Rourke, the quarterback born in Victoria and raised in Oakville, Ont., who parlayed a stellar season final yr with the B.C. Lions right into a contract with Jacksonville.
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The Jaguars’ first-unit offence, that includes third-year beginning pivot Trevor Lawrence, will get the opening half in opposition to Miami, in accordance with Pederson.
Rourke, 25, made all of the spotlight reels a few weeks in the past when he bobbed and weaved his manner via a number of Dallas Cowboy defenders after which fired off a landing cross as he was being pulled to the bottom to Qadree Ollison. Rourke has had a powerful exhibiting total in his two pre-season appearances, going 19-of-29 for 274 yards with that one TD and no interceptions, together with operating for 34 yards on 12 carries, with one main.
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Even with all that, Pederson downplayed over the weekend after a 25-7 pre-season win over the Detroit Lions the concept of Rourke being in a duel with Beathard for the second-string spot, telling reporters there: “C.J. is our No. 2 and Trevor is No. 1.”
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NFL groups have till Aug. 29 to get all the way down to their 53-man opening day rosters. Solely 12 of the league’s 32 groups saved three quarterbacks on their lively rosters final season, with the opposite groups opting to fit an additional pivot on the apply roster.
That might change this season, although, with the NFL agreeing in Could to permit groups to decorate a 3rd quarterback that doesn’t rely in opposition to their 48-man recreation day roster.
Rourke must be waived and could be free for different NFL golf equipment to pick-up earlier than he might go on Jacksonville’s apply roster.
Pederson did discuss Rourke in excessive regard after the Detroit recreation.
The Jaguars at the moment have solely the three quarterbacks in camp.
“I identical to his poise, his poise within the pocket,” Pederson informed reporters after the Detroit recreation. “I’m certain there’s some throws he desires again, however for probably the most half he’s an correct thrower. He made a heck of a throw, a few again shoulder throws on the sideline, a slant throw on a 3rd down, and the toughness facet of it. He’s not afraid to tug the ball down and run. These are all issues that I respect about him and the hassle and management that he offers.”
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Beathard is 18-of-33 for 218 yards with one TD and one interception to date this pre-season. Beathard, 29, has performed in 25 profession regular-season video games throughout his time within the NFL with 12 begins, and Jacksonville sees him aiding the progress of Lawrence, 23, the franchise quarterback they used the No. 1 decide within the 2021 NFL Draft on.
Jacksonville signed Beathard to a two-year contract extension in February, holding him from changing into a free agent in March.
“I like the best way C.J. operates,” Pederson informed reporters when the entire thought of a duel for the backup spot got here up. “I like the best way his psychological capability is, the best way he thinks, he sees the sector extraordinarily nicely and he’s powerful. You noticed a number of the athleticism immediately, the motion abilities and stuff with him. He throws a very good soccer, and he performed nicely immediately. He does a pleasant job for us.”
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Monday, oddly sufficient, was the anniversary of the Lions asserting that Rourke required surgical procedure resulting from a Lisfranc sprain in his proper foot that he suffered in an Aug. 19 recreation in opposition to Saskatchewan. He got here again for the regular-season finale on Oct. 28, and guided the Leos to a win over Calgary within the West semifinals earlier than they fell to Winnipeg within the West remaining.
Even with lacking all that point, Rourke was named the CFL’s most excellent Canadian for the season, changing into the primary quarterback to take the honour since Gerry Dattilio of the Montreal Alouettes in 1980.
Rourke had led the Lions to an 8-1 begin earlier than he bought damage. He topped the CFL in passing yardage (3,281) and TD passes (25) on the time and had been named one of many league’s prime three performers in six of these 9 weeks.
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He labored out for 12 NFL groups earlier than signing with Jacksonville in January.
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