Jaguars 2024 Season Opener: A "Great Test" for New Defensive Lineup

Sep 02, 2024 at 07:28 PM

John Oehser

Jaguars Senior Writer

JACKSONVILLE – It begins with a tough test, and that's fine with Josh Hines-Allen.

The veteran defensive end likes the Jaguars' defense, and he's confident in a unit that will make its debut in new coordinator Ryan Nielsen's scheme Sunday.

"I'm excited about this week; I'm excited about this matchup," he said.

Hines-Allen, who set the Jaguars' single-season sacks record with 17.5 last season, spoke to the media via zoom on Monday as the Jaguars began preparing for Sunday's regular-season opener against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Head Coach Doug Pederson spoke earlier in the day, praising a speedy, potent Dolphins offense and calling it a "great test."

"This is what you want," Pederson, entering his third season as the Jaguars' head coach, said. "You want to compete against the best. Preseason is one thing, but now it's the regular season and you're going to get everybody's best. We're going to put our best foot forward.

"It's a great opportunity for our guys, for our defense and for our team to compete this coming weekend."

The Dolphins, who have made the postseason each of the last two seasons, feature a dynamic offense led by quarterback Tao Tagovailoa – and wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. They led the NFL in 2023 with 4,514 passing yards, with Hill catching 119 passes for 1,799 yards and 13 touchdowns and Waddle catching 72 passes for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns.

"This is a lot of team speed," Pederson said. "These guys have a lot of skill on offense. They just know how to attack a secondary. We've revamped ours, and I think the scheme that Ryan has brought and [defensive backs coach] Kris [Richard] has brought has really helped our guys."

"We do have some young players back there that don't have a lot of game reps. It's a great opportunity for our guys to really focus in this week."

Nielsen, who served as Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator in 2024, has implemented a four-lineman scheme with an attacking, aggressive style. The scheme in the past has emphasized aggressive man-to-man with safety help "over the top."

"I'm excited," Hines-Allen said. "I don't think anybody should be nervous. We see it every day in practice. That's where it starts. That's where you build your confidence to let you know that when game day comes, you know what I can do and I know what you can do. Let's just go out here and play ball."

The Jaguars in the offseason signed veteran cornerback Ronald Darby as an unrestricted free agent from the Baltimore Ravens, also signing versatile cornerback/safety Darnell Savage from the Green Bay Packers. The group is expected to utilize multiple packages and personnel groupings depending on situations.

And if Sunday marks the first chance for observers to see the defense, Hines-Allen said practice has given players confidence entering what by any measure is a tough first test.

"You just have to take advantage of your opportunities," he said. "We know what type of game it's going to be, but if we can stop what they do best, we can make it that type of game where [Tagovailoa] has to hold the ball. For us, it's winning first and second down and wait for an opportunity to come on third down.

"At the end of the day, it's always about us, and how we how we come out to play, and how we perform. If we can trust our technique, trust the call that's being called for us to go out there, and just make plays, we trust the coaching staff is going to always put us in the position to be successful."

NOTABLE REMARKS FROM THE JAGUARS' MEDIA AVAILABILITY ON MONDAY

Pederson on Monday said he hasn't yet decided who will call plays in 2024 – Pederson or offensive coordinator Press Taylor. The two shared play-calling duties in 2022, with Pederson calling plays in the first half of games and Taylor calling them in the second half. Taylor called plays throughout all games in 2023. "I still haven't made my mind up yet," Pederson said. "You may never know. You can just stop with the question right now. You'll never know."
Pederson said the Jaguars enter preparation for Week 1 close to full health and expect fifth-year safety Daniel Thomas to practice after being out late in the preseason with a heel injury. "We're pretty healthy at this stage," he said. "We anticipate having everybody full strength going into this week."

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Atlanta Falcons

CB Ronald Darby (25)

And if Sunday marks the first chance for observers to see the defense, Hines-Allen said practice has given players confidence entering what by any measure is a tough first test.

"You just have to take advantage of your opportunities," he said. "We know what type of game it's going to be, but if we can stop what they do best, we can make it that type of game where [Tagovailoa] has to hold the ball. For us, it's winning first and second down and wait for an opportunity to come on third down.

"At the end of the day, it's always about us, and how we how we come out to play, and how we perform. If we can trust our technique, trust the call that's being called for us to go out there, and just make plays, we trust the coaching staff is going to always put us in the position to be successful."

NOTABLE REMARKS FROM THE JAGUARS' MEDIA AVAILABILITY ON MONDAY

Pederson on Monday said he hasn't yet decided who will call plays in 2024 – Pederson or offensive coordinator Press Taylor. The two shared play-calling duties in 2022, with Pederson calling plays in the first half of games and Taylor calling them in the second half. Taylor called plays throughout all games in 2023. "I still haven't made my mind up yet," Pederson said. "You may never know. You can just stop with the question right now. You'll never know."
Pederson said the Jaguars enter preparation for Week 1 close to full health and expect fifth-year safety Daniel Thomas to practice after being out late in the preseason with a heel injury. "We're pretty healthy at this stage," he said. "We anticipate having everybody full strength going into this week."