JACKSONVILLE – Jaguars 2021 Training Camp continued Thursday.
It was the 13th day of the team's first training camp under Head Coach Urban Meyer, featuring a practice in light pads at the Dream Finders Homes Practice Complex. Each day throughout camp, four members of Jaguars Media – senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton, team reporter Ashlyn Sullivan and senior reporter/editor J.P. Shadrick – will share an observation.
Here are Thursday's "campservations:"
Oehser…
Thursday's big news came before practice, with Jaguars Head Coach Urban Meyer opting not to name a starting quarterback for Saturday's preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns. He instead said both rookie Trevor Lawrence and veteran Gardner Minshew II will play Saturday. This irritated observers and media anxious for Meyer to name a starter – and for that starter to be Lawrence. But Meyer's actions Thursday stayed in character with his approach throughout training camp – that Lawrence, despite being the No. 1 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, must earn the position. Bottom line: There's really no harm to Meyer's approach. The biggest concern about Lawrence in this training camp is whether he's progressing in the offense and showing what you want from a future elite quarterback. He's doing that. He also appears in synch with receivers – and is making big-time plays each day. When, exactly, he is named the starter is a detail by comparison.
Sexton …
One thing to watch Saturday, especially in the second half, will be how the special teams perform. New special teams coordinator Nick Sorenson was one of the Jaguars' best ever on teams. They brought him in after a disastrous Week 1 performance in Carolina in 2003; his talent and performance helped steady those units. His practice drills look like those of other coaches, but the intensity and effort from the players stands out. Sorenson was a late addition to the coaching staff and looks as if he has been here since Day One. The Jaguars already have an accurate kicker and maybe the best young punter in the game. If you focus on some of those units, you may see the next Sorenson – or perhaps the next Montell Owens, who made the 2006 Jaguars. Owens turned out to be pretty good and went to three Pro Bowls. You never know …
Shadrick …
Quarterback is the big topic of the day as Meyer said both Lawrence and Minshew will play Saturday, but he wasn't ready Thursday morning to officially say who gets the start. Both have seen time with the first-team offense early in training camp, but at some point in the coming weeks they will make a decision to give the Week 1 starter the majority of reps. You can also tell that the defensive guys are ready to get on the field against another team. Defensive coordinator Joe Cullen will likely keep it vanilla with the playcalling Saturday night, but it will be good to see some new faces in new places. Preseason is upon us, finally.
Sullivan …
Lawrence during his press conference Thursday said one of the biggest things he has improved on is playing faster throughout training camp. At the start of camp, Lawrence admitted it would take him so time to get through his reads. Now, at the end of camp, it is noticeable how much quicker his decision making is in the pocket. He made an incredible 50-yard-plus throw to Marvin Jones Jr. Thursday that hit the veteran perfectly in stride past two defenders. The rookie quarterback has made great strides this camp and is prepared for whatever this quarterback competition looks like in the preseason.
