Jaguars Offense Steps Up as Pads Come On

Jul 30, 2024 at 02:17 PM

John Oehser

Jaguars Senior Writer

JACKSONVILLE – The marathon that is training camp continued Tuesday.

And if Day 6 featured a new theme from the first five, linebacker Foye Oluokun said that's part of NFL reality – particularly before the regular season.

"That’s football," he said.

Oluokun, a veteran defensive leader, spoke to the media following Day 6 practice of Jaguars 2024 Training Camp Tuesday. It was perhaps the offense's best day after five practices in which the defense looked particularly strong.

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence had what appeared to be his most consistent day yet in '24 camp's first day in pads, and the team's top five receivers – Brian Thomas Jr., Evan Engram, Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis and Devin Duvernay – caught touchdown passes.

"It really wasn't a big difference, maybe being able to press on blocks a little more," Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker said. "I feel like we had a lot of ups. We had some downs. We just have to come out and be more consistent.

"Even once we get tired, we just have to dig a little deeper and come together as a unit because that's where it starts, up front on the offensive side of the ball and the defensive side of the ball."

And yes, Oluokun said, players mention it in "friendly" fashion when their side of the ball has a better day than the other side.

"We're all competitors at the end of the day, and it all gets us better being able to joke around and compete like that," he said. "It's a war out there, but it's all fun and games inside the locker room. We have a good team, a tight-knit team. It gets us all better."

Tuesday focused more on the running game at times, with more contact allowed than in previous non-padded practices. The Jaguars also held a one-on-one pass rush drill between offensive and defensive linemen.

Lawrence completed 21 of 23 passes with two touchdown passes in 11-on-11 work and eight of nine passes for four touchdowns in seven-on-seven. Backup quarterback Mac Jones completed 13 of 14 passes for two touchdowns across the two periods.

"That's just the evidence of camp," Oluokun said. "They've had the chip on their shoulder after without pads us getting into them a little bit. They're looking forward, but we have to find a way to respond. I think that's what football is.

"They have pads on, too, and they get paid to play. Somebody is going to respond better for tomorrow. We're going to go correct what we're supposed to correct. It's a new system for us. We're trying to get everything down and finally get it all the way full speed. That's how it goes."