JACKSONVILLE – Jaguars 2021 Training Camp continued Tuesday.
It was the 15th day of the team's first training camp under Head Coach Urban Meyer, featuring a practice in shoulder pads and shorts 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 Tuesday's "campservations:"
Oehser…
A couple of thoughts on Day 15. One is it was certainly a day for defense, with cornerback Shaquill Griffin having yet another standout day in what has been a standout Jaguars 2021 Training Camp for the veteran free-agent acquisition. Another is that even on a standout day for the defense, it's significant that rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the offense found a way to make plays – particularly in the red zone. In that vein, it was a particularly impressive day for not only Lawrence – but also for veteran wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. Along with impressive receptions from wide receiver Phillip Dorsett II and tight end Chris Manhertz, one of the day's highlight plays was a back-of-the-end zone, just-inside-the-end-line touchdown reception for Jones on a beautiful pass from Lawrence. Jones and Lawrence appear to have developed significant rapport during '21 camp. If Jones isn't "WR1" entering the regular season, it's hard at this point to see him not being a very productive player as this new offense begins finding its footing.
Sexton …
The Jaguars have transformed their secondary in short order – and by the look of Tuesday's practice, session they know it. The running competition between Dorsett and Griffin was a lot of fun to watch, with each player giving as well as taking. Dorsett made a wonderful one-handed catch down the sideline on a perfectly thrown ball – and a few plays later, Griffin left his feet to bat away a short pass in the flat that might have turned into a touchdown. It was all over the field, really. Jones was jawing with cornerback Sidney Jones IV after the latter Jones broke up a pass in the back of the end zone. Jones the wide receiver then came back and made a beautiful catch over rookie cornerback Tyson Campbell with a toe tap just inside the line. The receivers in teal and the secondary in white were juiced for every single pass – and it was beautiful to see, neither side willing to concede an inch. You read and hear about competition, but when they work together as a unit and are competing against their teammates across the line, it makes everyone better. It's a good sign about the way players are responding to the demands of a demanding coaching staff.
Shadrick …
The defense seemed to turn up the energy in a red-zone team pressure situation Tuesday – with batted passes at the line, tight coverage and contested balls in the end zone. Lawrence still hit a couple of nice throws in the end zone, one in the back left corner to Manhertz and another under the goal post to Jones. There was a minor tussle after contact between a receiver and defensive back after a play in one instance, the first one I remember all training camp. It was quickly broken up after a short scrum. Head Coach Urban Meyer wanted energy and tempo, and it felt like he got more of that Tuesday.
Sullivan …
Practice was extra chippy Tuesday as the Jaguars practiced a good amount of team periods. Meyer emphasized he wanted to speed up the tempo of the offense in game situations. That made the defense match the intensity the offense was bringing. The secondary once again played well with multiple pass breakups and Campbell said the defense is always bringing the energy to compete daily.
