JACKSONVILLE – So far, so good.
Jaguars rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence impressed fans and observers throughout this past week – – and at the end of that week, he held his first media availability of Jaguars 2021 Training Camp. His assessment?
He liked some things.
And he still has work to do.
"It was a good week," Lawrence said Saturday following Day 4 practice of '21 camp at the Dream Finders Homes Practice Fields. "I feel like we definitely made a lot of strides – individually and as an offense – since the spring. You see everyone getting comfortable, learning the system. It was a really good week."
Jaguars Head Coach Urban Meyer, asked about Lawrence Saturday, said Lawrence "was good." He also added the same caveat that he added when discussing much about the first four days – that because the work thus far has been non-padded with defense unable to play aggressively, the "real stuff" of training camp actually begins next week.
"He's good; his skill set's there," Meyer said. "The thing everybody's got to remember is the defense is not allowed to make a play on the ball right now. All you can evaluate right now is retention and skill set. Plus, plus."
Lawrence, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, had been impressive in the first three days of camp – particularly Thursday and Friday. He was a touch less accurate Saturday but had a few highlight plays – including a touchdown pass to wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. that capped a drive in a two-minute team period late in practice.
"I didn't have the best day today, but that's what training camp's about – working out the kinks and really just owning our offense and our situations that we're going against," he said.
As for owning the offense – i.e., learning it to the point that it's instinctive – Lawrence said that's a process that's continuing. And that likely will continue moving forward.
"I'm a lot further than I was in the spring, so I feel confident in what I know," he said. "There are so many little details. I don't know if you ever can say, 'I know it all.' I'm always learning. There are different situations I've got to get used to.
"We did two-minute today. I'm feeling more comfortable with that, but I'm still trying to make that like clockwork, second nature. I've still got to work on that."
NOTABLE
Lawrence on Saturday discussed working out with multiple Jaguars receivers between the team's offseason program and the opening of training camp. Lawrence and the receivers – which included veterans such as DJ Chark Jr., Laviska Shenault Jr. and Marvin Jones Jr. – worked out at Clemson, where Lawrence played collegiately. Videos and pictures from the session went viral on social media. "It was just one of those things where we had a few weeks on the offseason," Lawrence said. "Coming out of OTAs (the offseason program), I knew we just needed a little more work – not getting all of the reps together, with some of the guys. I wanted to take a handful of guys over to Clemson and for two days just throw, hang out, get to know them – have a little fun and also get some work in. It was awesome. I think it helped us a lot. We got back into it quickly when we started camp. We didn't have to take two or three days to get our timing."
QUOTABLE I
Lawrence on fans attending practice Thursday, Friday and Saturday.: "It was different. I've never experienced fans at practice. It's really cool to see everyone come out. You can see how excited everybody is for this year. We're all just ready to win. These fans deserve it. They've been waiting. That's part of my job – to help us win. We have a great group. I'm really excited."
QUOTABLE II
Lawrence on competition for the starting quarterback position: "It's always a competition. When I first came to Clemson it was a similar situation and that's what you have to do, it has to be a competition. When you start giving things to people you set the expectation, the wrong precedent for the team. I have a lot of respect for the coaches and the way they've handled everything, and my job is to come in every day and go to work and try and make this team better. Right now, I am focused on doing my job."
