JACKSONVILLE – Jaguars 2021 Training Camp continued Thursday.
It was the 18th day of the team's first training camp under Head Coach Urban Meyer, featuring a practice in shoulder pads, helmets and shorts at the Dream Finders Homes Practice Complex. Here are Thursday's "campservations" from three members of Jaguars Media – senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and senior reporter/editor J.P. Shadrick:
Oehser…
Thursday was the last practice of 2021 Training Camp open to media, so this is the last version of Campservations. A couple of thoughts as we close this section of the preseason. One is that while the airwaves have been oddly hypercritical of the Jaguars' offense since a preseason loss to the New Orleans Saints Monday, it's important to remember that it remains just the preseason. As running back Dare Ogunbowale noted during his Thursday media availability, the offense has not anything close to the entire scheme and playbook during the first two preseason games. Yes, the first-team unit must be more productive. But there's ample reason to expect improvement once wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. and three starting linemen – center Brandon Linder, left guard Andrew Norwell and left tackle Cam Robinson return. Second and final thought: This week's season-ending injury to running back Travis Etienne will be difficult for the Jaguars to overcome. Head Coach Urban Meyer called it a "shot to the jaw" for a reason: The Jaguars selected Etienne No. 25 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft for a unique skill set that can't be obtained via free agency of the waiver wire. The offense can be productive without Etienne, but his loss will be felt.
Sexton …
There were a lot of balls on the ground at the feet of receivers Thursday and a few at the feet of offensive linemen. One side of the coin is the defense had a nice practice. The other is the passing game is a work in progress and there will be days like this. Hopefully, there will be more on Wednesday or Thursday than Sunday but you can't help days like that with a rookie quarterback and a new coaching staff working to build a long-term offense. I mentioned to one long-term observer that in the years to come, if they do it right it won't be like this. Rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence gives you the ability to say that. No matter how it looks on a Thursday or even a Sunday, if they do it right it will look a lot better for a lot longer than it ever has in Jacksonville.
Shadrick …
In Thursday's final "training camp" practice of 2021, the Jaguars worked toward the Preseason Week 3 game this Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. This preseason has been a great opportunity for second-year guard Ben Bartch to get first-team repetitions and try to solidify a roster spot as a swing lineman - he has replaced left guard Andrew Norwell while he works back from a minor elbow injury. It is also a huge week for players on the roster bubble; the roster must be trimmed from 80 to 53 this coming Tuesday. Fourth-year running back Dare Ogunbowale has been on the bubble before and has battled through numerous transactions throughout his career. His advice to young players going through it for the first time: play the game like you did when you were a kid and don't worry about the rest.
