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Fast facts

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 3, 1998

RUSH, RUSH: Coach Tom Coughlin has the Jaguars on a mission. They’re trying to find themselves as a running team after relying primarily on Mark Brunell’s passing during their two playoff seasons. “It’s important, right now, as I’ve said 1,000 times, for the good of our whole team, that we become a better running team.” The Jaguars drafted Florida’s Fred Taylor in the first round, but for most of the preseason, fourth-year veteran James Stewart has managed to hold on to the starting spot.

NO DEAD ARM: Brunell is still considered one of the best in the league, but his numbers in 1997 were not nearly as impressive as they were in 1996, when the Jaguars went to the AFC Championship game. The sixth-year veteran had fewer yards and completions, and a lower completion percentage. On the positive side, he did reduce his interceptions from 20 to seven. Part of the problem was a knee injury that saw him miss the first two games of the season. He came back sooner than expected, but was never quite the same. He also complained of soreness or a dead arm, but is throwing less this preseason to protect against that malady.

PAUP MUSIC: Bryce Paup comes to Jacksonville as a free agent after three stellar years in Buffalo, where he was Defensive Player of the Year in 1995. Although he has been weakened by a groin injury in preseason, the Jaguars expect the veteran to fortify their pass rush. He’s averaged 11 sacks a season since 1995.

SECONDARY IS PRIMARY: The Jags are eager to improve their pass defense from a year ago. Only five teams in the NFL allowed more passing yards than Jacksonville. The problem is that the cornerbacks were a question mark during preseason. The Jaguars were trying to determine who would start among four contenders: Aaron Beasley, Dave Thomas, Deon Figures and Cordell Taylor. Beasley, a third-round draft choice in 1996, has played well in practice. Thomas and Figures started last year but have not been consistent. Taylor -- a second-round draft choice this year -- may be a real possibility.

-- ERNEST HOOPER