JACKSONVILLE – Darrell Bevell is liking things a little better this week.
The offense is being absorbed, and rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence is among those players beginning to absorb it better and better. As Bevell sees it, those are good signs as Jaguars 2021 Training Camp moves forward.
Bevell, entering his first season as the Jaguars' offensive coordinator, was asked after Wednesday's Day 12 practice at the Dream Finders Homes Practice Complex if he was pleased with the players' progress learning a new scheme.
"I am now," Bevell said. "There was a moment (last week) where I felt like it was starting to stack up on them. We've had a couple of review days here and it has been better. The recall and running the things we're doing … I think they've done a nice job with it."
Lawrence, selected No. 1 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, had a solid day Wednesday in red-zone work – throwing touchdowns on three consecutive plays and adding a successful two-point pass. The rookie said this past weekend that he felt he was progressing after struggling earlier at times early in the week – a time that marked his first work against defenses playing at full-speed conditions in practice.
Bevell said last week be believed Lawrence would progress given a few days to review and absorb the offense, and he said Wednesday that was indeed happening as camp continues.
"Trevor's done well," Bevell said. "There were two days in there we moved him back a little bit and I think he responded. Like I've told you guys, he's really into it. It's really super-important to him. He's working every day. [Passing-game coordinator] Brian Schottenheimer is doing a hell of a job with him, so he's in good hands that way.
"The last four days, you can continue to see him make that climb again."
NOTABLE I
Bevell on Wednesday said the coaching staff will meet Wednesday and Thursday to determine starters and repetitions for the preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns at TIAA Bank Field Saturday at 7 p.m. Lawrence and veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew II have split starting repetitions throughout '21 camp and Head Coach Urban Meyer has not yet named a starter – for the regular season or the preseason. "We wanted to continue to let these guys compete out here today in practice," Bevell said when asked about the quarterback rotation against the Browns.
NOTABLE II
With the NFL moving to three preseason games in 2021 after four being the norm for more than four decades, Bevell was asked Wednesday how the move might affect how coaches around the NFL handle preseason playing time. "The important thing is to understand your team," Bevell said. "I think a lot of teams are going to do it many different ways. Do I have a young team? Who am I trying to get ready? I think you'll see a variety of different ways used for those situations." NFL teams often in years past have played starters sparingly in Preseason Week 1, increasing time for starters through Preseason Week 3 before rarely playing starters in Preseason Week 4.
NOTABLE III
Bevell discussed the team's offensive tackles, where rookie Walker Little has performed well throughout '21 camp – particularly in one-on-one pass-rush work. "We have a young rookie that's there who can keep the pressure on – which I think is good for any of us to have that pressure applied," Bevell said. Little, a second-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, has worked at right and left tackle in recent days. Cam Robinson, entering his fifth season, has started 30 consecutive games at left tackle. Jawaan Taylor, entering his third season, all 32 career games. "All the guys we have are competing," Bevell said. "Cam's really done a nice job. He's come in and taken care of his business. We've moved Walker a little bit from left to right, and that's a challenge for any young player as well. Now, he's back at the left so we'll continue to let him grow."
