JACKSONVILLE – Jaguars 2022 Training Camp continued Monday.
It was the seventh day of the first training camp under Head Coach Doug Pederson, featuring a full-pads practice at Episcopal School of Jacksonville Knight Sports Campus. Each day throughout camp, members of Jaguars Media – senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton, senior reporter/editor J.P. Shadrick and reporter/host Ashlyn Sullivan – will share an observation.
Here are Monday's "campservations:"
John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…
Multiple Jaguars players have shown signs of a serious Year 2 leap early in '22 camp. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence unquestionably is in that group. Significantly, so is cornerback Tyson Campbell. The No. 33 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, Campbell's early struggles as a rookie were well-documented. That made his improvement in the second half of that season remarkable – and perhaps equally remarkable has been his consistent playmaking and confidence in the first week of '22 camp. There are early signs this summer of the '21 draft class making a significant contribution, and Campbell unquestionably is one of those signs. "Maturity level. Confidence. Being vocal. It all shows," Jaguars veteran cornerback Shaquill Griffin said of Campbell Monday. "It's crazy how much you can learn in one year. His confidence level is through the roof. He's able to line people up in positions he doesn't even play. He knows the whole defense. He has the maturity level to stay poised in every situation. We know every play is not going to be his best play, but to be able to snap back and get right back into it and play his best ball … that shows a lot. That's someone we can definitely depend on as a young leader in that group."
Brian Sexton, Jaguars Senior Correspondent…
A day after the offense seemed to be grinding for every inch of field, there was a sense of determination for the guys wearing white on Monday. You could see it in the individual drills and even during the installation period when they were working against only hot and humid air. So, it wasn't surprising to see the energy return to their ranks when wide receiver Christian Kirk took a short underneath route through the heart of the defense and down the sideline to the end zone. "It only takes one play," roared offensive line coach Phil Rauscher. How right he was. The offense wasn't perfect Monday, but it's pilot light reignited. There was still some grinding going on against a defense that is brimming with confidence. "I don't have to think about how much better we are," Griffin said. "I know we're a lot better and you can see it out there." So, with only two days of practice this week before the team heads to Canton, Ohio, for Thursday's Pro Football Hall of Fame game against the Las Vegas Raiders, both sides of the ball left the training field Monday with a good feeling after a productive day.
J.P. Shadrick, Jaguars Senior Reporter/Editor …
Monday's practice was the most intense of '22 camp so far, with tempers boiling over after an 11-on-11 play. Wide receiver Zay Jones and cornerback Tre Herndon locked onto each other at the end of the play and went through the sideline and to the ground before a scrum ensued. The one-on-one pass rush drills between the defensive line and offensive line continued with some great work from right tackle Walker Little and left tackle Cam Robinson. Even after only seven practices, it feels like this team is ready for a change of scenery and a flight to Ohio later this week to face another team.
Ashlyn Sullivan, Jaguars Team Reporter…
Monday's practice was the most evenly matched training camp practice yet. It was chippy. You could feel tension starting to rise between the defense and offense. It's about that time where we all have spent too much time together. That is why I don't worry much about the little scuffle that occurred. happens every year. The defense was playing really tight coverage in team period, but Lawrence and the receivers still made some big-time plays. I saw one of the best, if not the best, throw of camp from Lawrence Monday. He threw a pass to Kirk in the corner of the endzone where only Kirk could grab it – over the head of Griffin. Most impressive, outside linebacker Josh Allen was charging at screaming "COME HERE." Lawrence got the throw off in time and delivered one of the most impressive passes of camp. The defense is really challenging the playmakers – and you are seeing each side get better thanks to the opponent.
