JACKSONVILLE – Jaguars 2024 Training Camp continued Tuesday.
It was the sixth day of the third training camp under Head Coach Doug Pederson, featuring a padded practice at the Miller Electric Center. Each day throughout camp, members of Jaguars Media – senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton, senior reporter/editor J.P. Shadrick and team reporter Kainani Stevens – will share an observation.
Here are Tuesday's campservations:"
John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…
All good? Can we breathe now? The Jaguars' offense had far and away its best day of '24 camp on Day 6, which also was the first day in pads. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw six touchdown passes across 11-on-11 and seven-on-seven work, with tight end Evan Engram turning in one of the day's most memorable plays – a 60-yard touchdown pass from Lawrence on which Engram got wide open behind the defense and scored while being pushed out of bounds by safety Andre Cisco. Running back Tank Bigsby had a touchdown run and rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. caught two touchdown passes. Backup quarterback Mac Jones also entertained the crowd by throwing the ball into the stands after a scramble. "I wonder what T.C. would have said to that?" former Jaguars Pro Bowl right tackle Leon Searcy asked me later in practice. Former Jaguars Head Coach Tom Coughlin indeed probably wouldn't have loved Jones' celebration, but it was a fun moment on a fun day for the offense. Perhaps now the observers and fans worried about the "disastrous" offense can relax for a day or two.
Brian Sexton, Jaguars Senior Correspondent …
On Tuesday, I saw No. 51 make play after play when I followed the linebackers. When I was with the cornerbacks, it was No. 21. On offense, No. 4 just kept making plays. What do linebacker Ventrell Miller (No. 51), cornerback Christian Braswell (No. 21) and running back Tank Bigsby (No. 4) have in common? They're members of the largest draft class in Jaguars history, and the 2023 group is incredibly important to the roster building of General Manager Trent Baalke and Head Coach Doug Pederson. Baalke knew last spring he needed to fill the cupboard with talented young players his coaching staff could develop. He knew mega-contracts were coming for Lawrence, pass rusher Josh Allen and cornerback Tyson Campbell – and that there are more of those to come in the years ahead. You must draft good players, then coach them hard and get them ready to play. Linebackers take a beating, so even if Miller doesn't start this season he must be ready to step in and play. The same is true same with Bigsby and Braswell. The '23 draft class is starting to show the promise Baalke saw last year and they're clearly benefiting from time with this coaching staff. Keep your eyes on those guys plus tight end Brenton Strange, offensive lineman Cooper Hodges and linebacker Yasir Abdullah. Expect them to contribute in 2024.
J.P. Shadrick, Jaguars Senior Reporter/Editor…
The first day in pads means an increase in intensity, and it was clear to see Tuesday. The offensive and defensive lines worked in half-lines early, and then later in the day one-on-one pass rush drills. The 11-on-11 work featured plenty of red-zone snaps, but also an opportunity to work more in the running game with blocking becoming real with pads on. It's one day in pads, but we will start seeing players step up and show their ability as this week continues. They're back in pads Wednesday before an off day Thursday, then Friday could be the most intense practice in camp so far.
Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer ...
On Tuesday's first day of pads, we also saw our first standout day from the offense. After a tough start to training camp, Lawrence and Co. looked back to form during team drills with Lawrence connecting with familiar faces and new additions. Thomas had a good day with several catches and a touchdown during 11-on-11 drills. The physicality picked up a notch during one-on-one drills between the offensive and defensive lines. Tuesday's practice gives me the impression that training camp is now fully upon us.
