With the NFL draft right around the corner things are heating up in Jacksonville.

Which is great considering people now have something else to talk about now that “he-who-should-not-be-mentioned” signed with the New York Jets.

Thank God. No pun intended.

Here are the top news stories circulating in Duval this week.

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Sporting News: Ugly cycle: Four desperate teams can’t misfire on top-10 picks

SB Nation: NFL Draft: Jaguars Looking To Draft A Defensive End?

NFL.com: Three-time Pro Bowl DT Stroud wants to play after missing year

Big Cat Country: Aaron Kampman Is Confident About Return

Florida Times-Union: Jaguars owner: Tim Tebow didn’t want to come to Jacksonville

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)
Sunday, October 16th @ Heinz Field

The Jaguars are on the road this week & in search of their first win since week 1 versus the Tennessee Titans. Currently (1-4), the Jaguars hope to improve their record before their bye week but have a tough 3 game stretch.

10 things every Jags fan should know leading up to Sunday’s match-up versus the Pittsburgh Steelers:

1.       Pittsburgh currently has the #2 ranked defense in the NFL (2^nd only to Cincinnati). The Steelers have only allowed their opponents 282.2 yards per game.

2.       Jacksonville’s defense ranks #11 on the list, allowing their opponents an average of 316.4 per game.

3.       The Steelers had a big victory over the Titans in Week 5, where Ben Roethlisberger completed 24 of his 34 passes with 5 touchdowns & 1 interception.

4.       The Steelers defense will be missing a key component on Sunday as James Harrison is out due to the recent surgery on his orbital bone.

5.       Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall will return to his starting role on Sunday.

6.       Since rookie QB Blaine Gabbert took the starting role, he has played in 4 games with 3 starts. Gabbert has completed 48 of his 97 passes for 608 yards accompanied by 3 touchdowns & 2 interceptions. During the 3 games he started he has thrown a TD pass.

7.       Rashean Mathis has had 6 NFL career games versus the Steelers; during those games he has recorded 6 interceptions, two of those for a touchdown.

8.       Jacksonville’s updated injury report: Clint Session (Elbow) & CB Derek Cox (Groin) are doubtful; LT Eugene Monroe (Shoulder) is questionable.

9.       Jags fans will get what they asked for on Sunday… After a terrible performance all season the Jags released Matt Turk this week & signed Nick Harris to take his place. Will Harris be an improvement or yet another disappointment?

10.   Finally, the news we have all been waiting for… AARON KAMPMAN WILL PLAY ON SUNDAY! He is expected to take about 15-20 snaps versus the Steelers.

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Did you know?

·         The Pittsburgh Steelers have lost all of their last four home games.

·         The Steelers have never beaten the Jaguars at Heinz field.

·         Jacksonville & Pittsburgh have met 20 times; the Jaguars currently lead the series (11-9).

·         During their last 5 meetings, the Jaguars have come out on top 4 times.

·         The Jaguars are the only team in NFL history to beat the Steelers at home twice in one season (2007)

·         Blaine Gabbert turns 22 on Saturday (Happy Birthday Blaine)… He is still in search of his first career victory. Maybe his birthday luck will roll over into Sunday? Do you think that’s what he will be thinking about when blowing out the candles on his birthday cake?

In Week 6, the Jaguars will travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers. The Jaguars look to improve their record to (2-4). After a rough start to the season Jack Del Rio & the rest of his team know that it is truly now or never!

As the Jaguars look to improve their record, the Steelers hope to break the trend of losing at home after 4 consecutive losses at Heinz field. Rashard Mendenhall could return this week but head coach Mike Tomlin has not made an official announcement.

The Jaguars are entering Week 5 with a million variables in the air. Currently (1-3), the team hopes this season is salvagable & not yet another rebuilding season. It is expected that there will be highs & lows, especially with a rookie quarterback like Blaine Gabbert. Fingers are being pointed in every direction but angry fans.

Should Jack Del Rio be to blame? Should Wayne Weaver fire JDR mid season? Can we really blame it on Blaine Gabbert’s inexperience, especially after seeing Cam Newton’s success? Should the team have spent less money on the defense & more money on the offense? Is Maurice Jones Drew going to have to carry the team to victory this year? Did the real problem begin 5 days before the season started when JDR & Gene Smith cut David Garrard?

There is tons of outside speculation on how the rest of the Jaguars season will play out, however only time will tell. Here is this week’s edition of News from the Jungle.

After a rough few weeks, the Jags Nation is in need of some great news. Could the return of Aaron Kampman be the news we have been waiting for? Kampman has been recovering from a knee injury since last season. Read more about the injury update from Tania Ganguli.

As I mentioned this in my game recap on Monday morning, at some point a Jaguars WR needs to step. The last time I remember a top NFL WR wearing a Jaguars jersey it was number 82  running down the field. The days of Jimmy Smith are far gone, so now the team needs the next elite WR to fill his shoes. Cecil Shorts has the potential to be the next top WR in Jacksonville, which would compliment fellow rookie Blaine Gabbert extremely well. Could they be the next Brady/Welker? Newton/Smith? Rodgers/Driver? I think you get the point. The Jags Nation has seen glimpses of Mike Thomas’s potential but he has yet to be consistent. Read more about the Jaguars need for a WR on Big Cat Country.

Special teams suffered after the loss of Adam Podlesh, but the Jaguars have learned from that mistake. Montell Owens received a new deal despite his MCL injury. Read more about the deal that will guarantee him a spot on the roster until 2015.

Chances are you don’t want to see the recap of the Jaguars first four games. However, it’s nice to know the first pquarter is over & we can move onto the second quarter. Hopefully during the next quarter the Jaguars can turn around the current (1-3) record to a (5-3) record; I’m an optimistic at heart. If you want to read more about the Jaguars first 4 games, check it out here.

Jack Del Rio’s done what he could in Jacksonville, but it could be time for him to think of Plan B unless he has some magical fairy dust in his back pocket. Ever think it’s not Jack’s fault. Maybe he is just not cut out to be an NFL coach. Would he be better suited for a college head coaching position? Read more about this theory on Bleacher Report.

For more News from the Jungle make sure to follow me on Twitter @RoarBlackNTeal or Facebook.

As the Jaguars attempt to salvage the rest of their season, Jaguar fans head to Twitter to discuss what is in store for their beloved team.

Head Coach Jack Del Rio stated the following yesterday in an interview, as tweeted by @GeneFrenette:

It seems head coach Jack Del Rio has big plans for the rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert. While he didn’t look terrible on Sunday, he does have a long way to go if this season is going to turn around. Watching film would be the best place to start. @Jaguarsinsider spotted Gabbert heading there this afternoon with backup QB Luke McCown. What you mean they haven’t been kept in there 24/7 over the last few days?!

Speaking of JDR’s interview yesterday, during that interview he stated the following:

Hmmm. Did anyone tell JDR that in order to win the division you have to win games? …And in order to win games your team will need to put more than 10 pts on the board. Maybe he missed that memo.

@TealTalk tweeted:

I’ve been asking myself this same question. I’m just hoping it doesn’t get to this point. #BeatCincinnati… In the event of a loss Sunday, who do you think would be a good mid season replacement?

@TouchdownJax tweeted:

The Jaguars have managed to avoid blackouts so far this season with their last minute ticket sale pushes, but after last week’s game it’s looking like a long shot.

I’m glad to know I am not the only one that thinks what I wear on Sundays has a direct influence on the team’s performance. I just hope come next Sunday I can thank @CapJAG for doing his part & sporting to Aaron Kampman jersey.

@MarcedesLewis89 tweeted: 

The Jags Nation is always behind their team. Sometimes it’s harder than others, but that’s what being a fan is all about! We Are… JAGUARS!

Corinna is the lead reporter for the Jacksonville Jaguars & contributor to Offsides on Aerys Sports. Follow her on Twitter @RoarBlackNTeal or on Facebook.