Sam Kouvaris on Jags' OTA's: Plenty of optimism

Jaguars offensive line coach George Yarno looks on as Zane Beadles hits the sled at the Jaguars last OTA this week.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jaguars announced after the final Organized Team Activity (OTA) of the week that Offensive Line coach George Yarno has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing treatment.

"George is encouraged by the treatment options presented to him," Head Coach Gus Bradley said after practice. "We'll fully support him and he'll be here when he can." Yarno was on the field today but won't have any comment. When he's not available, other staff members will pick up the slack.

Bradley was effusive in his praise of several players after the first week.

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"Chad Henne is doing really, really well" Gus told the assembled media. "He's throwing it well, he's in charge, he's really doing well."

The Jaguars Head Coach also singled out Mike Brown as "solid" and Ricky Stanzi as somebody who "really surprised us the way he came back." Stanzi has had a solid couple of days. The fourth year pro from Iowa was picked up by the Jaguars last year and is trying to make a bid to be on this team, despite the competition.

Denard Robinson is also somebody who looks different here in his second year. Robinson has put on some noticeable muscle and is catching the ball better than he has in the past. "I just did it myself," he said, choosing to workout in Michigan, here and in South Florida on his own instead of going to a performance trainer. "I'm better at motivating myself better than anyone else."

Among the free-agent signees, Zane Beadles has stepped in as a starter and a leader right away. "We're really happy with what's going on the left side of the line," Bradley offered in his comments. "And that includes Brewster at Center. On the right side, we know what Austin Pastorz is about at tackle and that right guard position is really competitive." There are three or four different players vying for that spot, including two rookies for now.

Beadles is impressed with Luke Joeckel at left tackle, agreeing that it's easy to see why he was a first round pick. "He has the talent and is very smart," the former Bronco admitted. Beadles also said working in the heat is a big departure for him. "I'm not used to this humidity but we'll just power through it."

Blake Bortles, Marquis Lee and Allen Robinson all missed the final OTA of the week while they were getting their pictures taken for their rookie card. Ace Sanders didn't practice with a tweak of the hamstring and was held out as a precaution.

"We're coming together as a team," Bradley explained. "And that's what you hope for this time of year.

The Jaguars are back on the field, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday for the next two weeks. The Thursday OTA on June 5 is open to the public starting at 10:50. To attend, log on to Jaguars.com/register and sign up.