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Minicamp 2021: Lawrence "a true professional," Bevell says

(Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
(Ben Liebenberg/NFL)

JACKSONVILLE – They got done what they wanted to get done.

That's the objective of an NFL offseason, and it's where the Jaguars stand in terms of installing their new offense as the first offseason under Head Coach Urban Meyer draws to a close.

"We've been pretty much able to get through every scenario we've needed to," offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said Tuesday on the second and final day of Jaguars 2021 Minicamp presented by Baptist Health.

Bevell, in his first season with the Jaguars, spoke to the media after a two-hour practice at the Dream Finders Homes Practice Complex. He covered multiple topics, including the team's tight ends and the offseason progress of rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

"Trevor has been a true professional since he has been here, Day One," Bevell said of Lawrence, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. "He's worked tirelessly to learn the offense, to learn the verbiage, to learn his teammates, to improve on the field."

Lawrence began the offseason rehabilitating a left (non-throwing shoulder) labrum injury and has been limited in practice the last two weeks with a hamstring injury that the team has treated with caution.

"Whatever the limitations are, we've just been going with them," Bevell said. "It's really not been a problem. We're still able to get the things we need to."

Bevell, who worked with quarterback Russell Wilson as a rookie while serving as the Seattle Seahawks' offensive coordinator in 2012, said expectations for rookie quarterbacks must be "managed on a player-by-player situation."

"You want to make sure you can give them an opportunity to be successful," Bevell said. "It's important for a new quarterback to be able to play fast and not think. The game's hard enough as it is at that quarterback position. You want them to have a great handle on the things they're asked to do.

"If you overload them, then you can slow them down and slow the progression down. We're giving him (Lawrence) a lot and seeing how much he can handle and assessing that, then there will be a time where it's, "OK, this is what the game plan looks like for this guy.'''

Bevell on Tuesday discussed working closely with Meyer to install a system that reflects how Meyer wants an offense to run.

"It was important, at least in my case, for Urban and I to get to know each other," said Bevell, who has spent the past 14 seasons as an NFL offensive coordinator – the last two with the Minnesota Vikings. "I've been able to do that since I've been here. I didn't have any background with him, so we're kind of learning each other a little bit.

"I want to give Urban exactly what he's looking for. The conversation is always ongoing. We'll practice and come back in and talk about it. It's always fun when you get around new minds and people you haven't been around before. You're able to blend things from all different areas."

Bevell said a priority during the offseason program was to familiarize players to new verbiage, terminology and situations.

"They've been exposed to everything at least one time," Bevell said. "There are some things that have been in depth, not everything. We're excited about the process, where we're at. Learning a new language is not easy. There are different guys at various points.

"I really like where they're at this offseason. It's important they not put their [play]book away while they're gone these next four or five weeks so when we get back, we can pick up where we are right now."

Jaguars 2021 Training Camp is scheduled to begin July 27.

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Tight end remained a topic Tuesday around minicamp, with Bevell reiterating what Meyer said Monday – that the position "is a much-improved room from top to bottom." Bevell praised free-agent veteran signee Chris Manhertz, and said the returning players – Tyler Davis, James O'Shaughnessy and Ben Ellefson – have "really upgraded themselves." The Jaguars also recently signed free-agent tight end Tim Tebow and selected tight Luke Farrell in Round 5 of the 2021 NFL Draft. "I really like the additions we've made in the tight end room," Bevell said. "Some of the things that the tight end position is asked to do is really not going to show up in a camp like this. It's a physical position. It's part offensive line and part receiver, so some of the stuff is not going to be able to show up. It's a good room and a lot of competition there."

Top photos of the final day of 2021 Jaguars minicamp

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