JACKSONVILLE – Jaguars 2021 Training Camp continued Tuesday.
It was the sixth day of the team's first training camp under Head Coach Urban Meyer, featuring '21 camp's first 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 Tuesday's "campservations:"
Oehser…
A couple of thoughts on Day 1 in pads. One is that defensive end Josh Allen looks ready to take a step forward this season. He didn't dominate a particular play in one-on-one pass rush Tuesday, but he was tough to handle during all his repetitions; if the Jaguars get leads and get him pass rush opportunities, he appears poised for a productive season. Another thought is wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. looks like a very good offseason free-agent acquisition. He gets open consistently and has easy, soft hands. It's hard to project a double-digit touchdown season for any particular Jaguars wide receiver considering the depth of that group, but it's hard to imagine Jones not catching at least seven or so touchdowns and making an impact in this young offense.
Sexton…
Every time I look in Laviska Shenault Jr.'s direction I am impressed with the second-year receiver. He's clearly stronger; because he has been around for a year, he has a much better sense of what the NFL is about. But he looks so comfortable in a new offense; coaches are moving him all over the formation and throwing him all kinds of passes. He's looks so smooth and comfortable that I can't help but think he might be the go-to receiver for rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence instead of the big play guy in DJ Chark or the savvy veteran in Jones – the latter of whom can't help but notice what his youthful new teammates is doing also. "He's really unique; he has abilities that very few guys in the NFL have – and I think he's starting to understand that," Jones said of Shenault. "His preparation in the offseason has been explosive. I think he's in for a big season." It should be fun to watch this offense with a special talent like Shenault.
Shadrick …
The early days of training camp are certainly important, but training camp truly started Tuesday with pads popping for the first time. The nine-on-seven drill focuses on inside running, and this was the first time in camp the Jaguars have been able to truly execute here on either side of the ball. Offensive line versus defensive line one-on-one drills also take on more meaning starting today. The intensity has turned up a notch, and I would expect Head Coach Urban Meyer to keep pressing the issue as camp continues.
Sullivan …
Offensive tackle Walker Little on Tuesday was everything we expected him to be when the pads went on. His battles were against defensive end/linebackers Josh Allen and K'Lavon Chaisson. He started the day being the clear winner against Chaisson, but he went on to give up a sack to Chaisson on one repetition. Little was also able to stop Allen on multiple attempts, a solid first day for the rookie going up against a defender we all expect to have a big season.
