JACKSONVILLE – Jaguars 2021 Training Camp continued Friday.
It was the third day of the team's 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 Friday's "campservations:"
Oehser…
Rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence continues to be camp's No. 1 story, but we'll start this "camperservation" by observing that the Jaguars look like a significantly faster team this season than last. Some of that is Lawrence's ability to see the right read and pass quickly, and some of it is wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. looking faster – and the addition of veteran wide receiver Marvin Jones. A huge part of the increased quickness also is rookie running back Travis Etienne Jr., who has looked like the dynamic – and fast – player the Jaguars envisioned when they drafted him. Quick final thought on Lawrence: His arm talent is special, and it was exhibited Friday on a touchdown pass into the corner of the end zone that most quarterbacks couldn't have – and wouldn't have – thrown. He's a special talent and it's showing early in camp.
Sexton…
You can tell wide receivers DJ Chark Jr., Jones and Shenault spent their time with Lawrence this summer wisely. You can see the way they adjust to one another – and based on ball placement – that Lawrence got as much out of the sessions as well. All three wide receivers make plays when they're working with the rookie quarterback, and he looks more comfortable when has them in his huddle.
Shadrick …
I like the different sizes and skill sets of the wide receiver personnel – it gives Head Coach Urban Meyer and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell so many options and ways to find mismatches against opposing secondaries. Speed is important for all groups, but "violence" at the line of scrimmage is the key to overcome press coverage – and that's one place where the added strength of Chark, Shenault and Jones could come in handy. With the defense still playing off the ball and not contesting passes in the non-contact portion of training camp, we won't truly find out how that strength translates until the next couple weeks when the "competition" portion of camp gets underway.
Sullivan …
Defensive end/linebacker Josh Allen is in for a big year. Defensive coordinator Joe Cullen, making his first media availability of training camp, said on Friday he expects greatness from him. We all do. When the pads go on Tuesday, we will truly be able to tell how far Allen – a Pro Bowl selection following the 2019 season – has come this offseason. For now, the way he hustles and carries himself at practice has stood out – coaching up second-year defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson every chance he gets.