Jacksonville finishes up their preseason schedule when they host the Falcons at EverBank on Thursday at 6:30pm.

The 2012 regular season is right around the corner, with which comes much speculation about the Jaguars upcoming season. Will they manage to be more successful than last season? (Is that a question I dare want answered?)

Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – fans are eager for the season to start.

As our owner so famously said last week “the train is leaving the station” … it’s only a matter of time to figure out where it is headed.

In the meantime, here are the top stories from Duval this week.

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Big Cat Country: Jaguars’ Andre Branch Showing Versatility

St.Augustine.com: Details key to the Jaguars success

NFL Pro32: Robinson not concerned about lack of receptions

The Fifth Down: Jacksonville Jaguars, 2012 N.F.L. Season Preview

Bleacher Report: Guys on the Bubble Heading into Final Preseason Game

Atlanta Falcons: FALCONS RELEASE REDMAN, ADD QB MCCOWN

SB Nation: Falcons Vs. Jaguars – Three Things to Watch

Big Cat Country: Jaguars Roster Cuts – Four Rookie LB’s Fighting For Roster Spots

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For those of you not entirely over the MJD holdout situation… Here are a few stories pertaining to that complete train-wreck of a situation.

Bleacher Report: NFL Rumors – Should the Jacksonville Jaguars Trade Maurice Jones-Drew?

SB Nation: Jaguars GM: Maurice Jones-Drew Is A Jaguar

RantSports: Jacksonville Jaguars Are Prepared For Life Without Maurice Jones-Drew

Are you hanging in there NFL fans? It’s been a long few weeks since I’ve been able to enjoy a Sunday filled with lots teal, screaming, ice cold beer & my fellow Jags fans.

Luckily there will be a bit more action coming from Jacksonville in the upcoming weeks.

Free agency is beginning which means one thing… NFL season is coming! This is just the first step in the process.

Free agency may get a little crazy tomorrow so I figured I’d help you keep track of who is doing what.

These players are unrestricted free agents meaning they are free to negotiate and sign with any team.

Jacksconville already sealed the deal with a few key players.

The Jaguars have already applied the franchise tag to Scobee. He has been in Jacksonville since day one and he also expressed his interested to stay put.

Whimper got a nice raise this off season considering in 2011 his base salary was $685,000. He signed a new deal for two years in which he will earn up to $5 million.

Mathis received a one year deal worth $5 million. A small but sweet increase over his $4.45 million base salary.

Where to start where to start…. Maybe I should take @iGabiStarr‘s advice when she said, “It’s like all you have to do is save your article from the prior week!! Only change the score & team.” That honestly couldn’t be more true.

Sure each week I could spend my time putting a creative spin on everything … But really why should I? I mean I’ve already invested enough time in this team today.

So let’s just skip the shenanigans & get straight to the point.

The Jaguars lost to the Texans, 20-13. Plain & simple.

Jacksonville’s rookie QB Blaine Gabbert managed to complete 13-of-29 passes for 136 yards and 1 interception, with a QB rating of 44.6 before Jack Del Rio pulled & replaced him with veteran QB Luke McCown.

McCown finished 7 of 11 passes for 62 yards,  and even lead the team to late scoring drive resulting in a field goal by Scobee.

Speaking of my all time favorite player Scobee… He let us down today after missing a field goal at the end of the second quarter.

As usual Maurice Jones Drew carried the team; finishing the game with 99 yards.

Marcedes Lewis attempted not to be completely useless by accumulating 45 yards but he missed two catches in the endzone during two consecutive plays so I can’t give him too much credit.

The defense did well considering the 5 starters that were injured for today’s game. However, you must take into consideration that Matt Leinart hurt his throwing shoulder & was replaced by TJ Yates. The defense did put up 7 points after recovering a fumble in the first quarter.

Needless to say the finger pointing, name calling, & fire Jack Del Rio riots will continue. Stay tuned.

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. 

Finally… The moment every Jags fan has been waiting for since April… The Gabbert Era has begun. Is it just me or is the sun shining brighter today?

It's the beginning of a new era in Jacksonville, Blaine Gabbert will be the starting QB on Sunday versus the Carolina Panthers

This morning I was jumping up & down for joy when I heard Sports Center announced Jack Del Rio would be benching Luke McCown & starting the rookie Blaine Gabbert! Since it was announced early Wednesday morning it has been breaking news in the Jags Nation. Today’s News from the Jungle is highlight articles about the new era in Jacksonville football.

• Head coach Jack Del Rio meet with the two quarterbacks early this morning to let them know his decision on the starter for Sunday’s starter versus the Carolina Panthers. After their meeting he broke the news to the rest of the team. Read more on ESPN.
• The Bleacher Report’s headline reads: “Jacksonville Jaguars: Blaine Gabbert Now the Starting QB, Are We Being Punk’d?”  - Thankfully Ashton is busy promoting Two & Half Men so he won’t be showing up anytime soon… This article makes a great point though; Gabbert did leave Missouri his junior year which means he has plenty of time to mature into a star NFL quarterback. At this point I think most Jags fans would agree that we just want the rookie to show us what he’s got. Gabbert will develop into the quarterback we have been waiting for years to lead our team to the playoffs. Sure that may not be this year… But then who knows, it’s only week 3!
• Big Cat Country said it perfectly, “Starting Gabbert isn’t throwing away the season automatically. Gabbert is going to make mistakes, probably a lot of them. Gabbert is going to make mistakes. Seriously, he’s a rookie. Be patient now that he’s playing.”
• Now that Blaine Gabbert is the starter for the Jags should you pick him up in your Fantasy Football leagues? I’ve thought about it, but wouldn’t consider starting him this week. After we get a chance to watch him this weekend versus Carolina we can make a better prediction on that. For now, read more about his fantasy value on Bleacher Report.
• Gabbert isn’t the only rookie the Jags will be giving an immense opportunity to; Chastin West was signed to the Jaguars on Tuesday. West spent the preseason in Green Bay, read more about the rookie wide receiver here.
• Since it is ONLY week 2 the Jaguars are prepared to bounce back according to Jaguars senior writer, John Oehser.  

Follow me on Twitter @RoarBlackNTeal or on Facebook.