JACKSONVILLE – Shaquill Griffin wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
James Robinson wouldn't, either – and both said that feeling can be felt and seen everywhere around TIAA Bank Field this week.
"Everyone's excited about the new system, everything that's going on," Robinson said.
Robinson, the Jaguars' second-year running back, spoke Wednesday as the team's first offseason under Head Coach Urban Meyer continued at the Dream Finders Homes Practice Complex. Griffin, a cornerback who signed as an unrestricted free agent in March, expressed the same sentiment:
That what's going on around the Jaguars under Meyer is making players want to be in Jacksonville for the 2021 voluntary offseason program.
"We have guys who believe in something special," Griffin said. "It's a different experience, and it feels good. Coach Meyer was the first one to believe, by taking the job, and knowing we can turn things around. We've got everybody here, ready to improve and ready to change the world and the way they view us in Jacksonville."
The Jaguars currently are in Phase 2 of the NFL's three-phase offseason program. Phase 3 will begin next week with the first of three weeks of voluntary organized team activities and will end with a mandatory three-day minicamp June 15-17. No pads or contact are permitted during the NFL offseason, though teams can hold non-padded seven-on-seven and team drills in Phase 3.
"It's definitely an energized group," second-year wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. said. "We're getting a lot in and everybody's bringing the energy. All the coaches and everybody is bringing the energy. It's lovely."
The Jaguars had nearly perfect attendance Wednesday, with one exception being wide receiver D.J. Chark Jr. – who missed after the birth of his and his wife, Chantelle's, first daughter, Mackenzie.
"Meyer believes in it. We believe in it. We believe in him," Griffin said. "That's the reason we have almost perfect attendance. Everyone wants to be great. Everyone wants to be better. This feeling has been unexplainable at the moment. …
"He believes in the players that he has and his team. You get a coach like that, I'm ready to run through a brick wall for him. That's the kind of confidence he has in us as an organization."
Meyer since taking the job in mid-January has discussed extensively the need to be the NFL's best in the area of sports performance, emphasizing putting the players first and providing elite resources at TIAA Bank Field.
"I love it," Robinson said. "Everything's inside the building. We have everything we need here. We don't need to travel somewhere to get it. He's big on that. He wants everything to be the best of the best. Everything he does here is to increase our value and help the team.
"Everything we're doing helps me a lot. I feel faster and stronger. He wants what's best for every single player here. Everyone loves it. Otherwise, no one would be here."
Shenault said the emphasis in sports performance is on maximizing each individual player.
"He talks to you and tries to understand what can you do, what's hurting you and what's not hurting you," Shenault said. "They're going to try to help you out and do what's best for you."
Griffin said Meyer "wants to give us the best opportunity to be great."
"He has coaches on his staff that are perfect, that tend to everybody in specific positions," Griffin said. "He's attacking certain areas for bigger guys, certain areas for faster guys. They've put the group together to make sure we're at our best when it comes to this season.
"He wants to make sure we have the best of the best. He's showing that and his staff is showing that. I'm loving it. I love being here."
Shenault, asked to describe the team, replied, "Energized. Hungry. Self-motivated. I can keep going. Great vibes, I can tell you that. Real good vibes."
Robinson said, "We're all excited. You see all the guys out here. Some of the guys who were away came back. Everyone's ready to work. Coming off the season we had last year … obviously, we have to do something about that.
"We have to show people we have great players here. We do. Everyone can see that that's here."
