JACKSONVILLE – Jaguars 2021 Training Camp continued Thursday.
It was the second day of the first training camp under Head Coach Urban Meyer, featuring a non-padded practice 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…
We don't want to overemphasize rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence here every day, but the No. 1 overall selection of the 2021 NFL Draft was THE story of '21 training camp for a second consecutive day Thursday. His velocity, accuracy and growing confidence are evident – and he continues to just look like a franchise quarterback. He had a 40-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marvin Jones midway through practice. A 25-yard pass to wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. to open 7-on-7 may have been better than that. And his best throw may have been a pass that traveled 60 yards in the air that Jones barely dropped. So far, so very good for Lawrence. A hat tip here to rookie running back Travis Etienne Jr., who showed the quickness and acceleration that made him the No. 25 overall selection in the '21 draft. The Jaguars drafted him to be a dynamic playmaker. He showed a lot of signs of that Thursday.
Sexton…
You don't have to stand on the field very long to feel as if you're standing on the surface of the sun. It's hot enough through the first two days of camp that guys who have played in Florida – such as defensive backs Shaquill Griffin and Rayshawn Jenkins, who were born and raised here and played at Central Florida and Miami – are talking about it. It will be interesting to see who finds a way to grind through and play well by Saturday; it probably will be those guys who have found their way into the new sports performance room where cryotherapy, red-light therapy, yoga and cupping are among the new processes put in place for the players by Head Coach Urban Meyer. After Thursday, I imagine there will be a line.
Shadrick …
In Thursday's blazing heat, fans got their first look at the Jaguars for 2021 Training Camp – and they got a show from the No. 1 overall pick. Lawrence worked most of the day with the first-team offense and delivered with poise and timing on most plays in 7-on-7 and team drills. He thrilled the crowd with a few deep ball completions, most notably to Jones and Shenault in the 7-on-7 portion. The crowd noise was great to hear on deep connections, and the buzz for this team among the fans in attendance was real and spectacular.
Sullivan …
It's hard to figure how improved the defense is at the moment with the defensive backs not being able to be in press coverage. When the pads go on, it will totally change how we talk about practice. Safety Rayshawn Jenkins briefly described the defense Thursday. "I know one thing, we are really competitive," he said. "I have played on some top five defenses, and this is similar." Lawrence had an incredible day, making every throw possible. Still, it's important to remember this defense cannot play the way it wants to right now. Lawrence will be tested when the pads go on."
