JACKSONVILLE – Jaguars 2021 Training Camp continued Thursday.
It was the 16th day of the team's first training camp under Head Coach Urban Meyer, featuring a practice with shorts and shoulder 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…
A couple of thoughts on Day 16. One is it was really hot – the hottest day of camp so far, which Head Coach Urban Meyer likely planned when he moved practice to early afternoon from its 10 a.m. start time the first 15 days of camp. Practice focused primarily on the run game, perhaps to give players a feel for the reality of contact in mid-afternoon conditions. Players appeared to show the effects of the heat throughout, but also maintained a good level of intensity and execution. A final thought: Even in brutal heat, rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence continued a camp-long trend of hitting at least one memorable play a day. Thursday's came midway through practice, when Lawrence unleased one of his most impressive throws of camp – a lining, high-velocity pass deep down the middle of the field that veteran wide receiver Pharoh Cooper caught for a 50-yard-plus touchdown. Even on the hottest of day, Lawrence remains impressive.
Sexton …
Even on the hottest and sweatiest day of the summer, the Jaguars focused on the smallest details in practice. That's not easy to do. I kept looking for the shade that was shrinking as the sun moved west. In other words, it was hard for me to pay attention – and I wasn't wearing a black helmet and running all over the field. Meyer has a demanding staff – and on Thursday, coaches were as demanding as ever regarding hand placement, footwork and eye focus. It was impressive – and you can't help but see where that kind of attention to detail will pay off in the fourth quarter of a game when the elements are a factor and the outcome is still in doubt. I can't imagine the players were thrilled with it – the support staff, either – but that's why Meyer has been successful wherever he has been. He demands the little things every day that create big things on Sundays.
Shadrick …
The Jaguars practiced in what will likely be their Wednesday regular-season schedule, with a late-morning media availability followed by an afternoon practice. Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said that he enjoyed seeing Lawrence last week go through the gameday process, prepare for a start, and face other players that would actually tackle him. I'm sure we will see that a bit longer Monday night against the New Orleans Saints, though the plan is to get both Lawrence and Gardner Minshew II some time. The competition continues at all positions.
Sullivan …
In by far the hottest practice of training camp so far, Thursday the Jaguars practiced from one to three to start getting acclimated to one o'clock kickoffs. Watching offensive line-versus-defensive line drills, defensive lineman Malcom Brown won three consecutive battles against different offensive linemen - causing imbalance and showing why he was perhaps the Jaguars' most crucial free-agency signing this past offseason. The Jaguars need him to succeed. From what I saw today there is no question he will.
