JACKSONVILLE – By week's end, Gus Bradley was happier with OTA practice.
Not that Bradley necessarily thought the week started poorly, but as the first week of 2013 organized team activities ended, the Jaguars' first-year head coach said the second and third practices were better than Monday's opener.
"It was good," Bradley said Wednesday after the third of 10 scheduled OTA practices at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness Practice Fields outside EverBank Field.
"It wasn't that the first day wasn't great or good; it just didn't feel the same. We have more and more stuff now. In (veteran) minicamp (mid-April), we had two defenses in. In rookie minicamp, we had two defenses. Now, you're starting see install three, install four.
"They're starting build up and give some different looks to the offense."
Bradley said that while the offense was perhaps sloppy at times, the team was running red-zone for the first time and also worked on no-huddle situations.
"Putting those two combinations together, that's creating stress with the hope that it creates stress on the defense," Bradley said. "I think next time will be better. We threw a lot at them today."
DEADERICK ARRIVES, WORKS
Brandon Deaderick arrived in Jacksonville Tuesday evening and practiced Wednesday, a day after the Jaguars were awarded the fourth-year defensive end on waivers from New England.
"The Jaguars gave me a great opportunity to come in here and contribute and come in and compete," Deaderick said. "It's a team on the rise and a class organization. That's what you want, you want them to throw you right in the mix and give you an opportunity."
In three seasons with New England, Deaderick started 14 of 34 games with 51 tackles, five sacks and two forced fumbles. He added 11 tackles and one sack in six postseason games. The native of Elizabethtown, Ky. was selected by New England in the seventh-round (247th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft out of the University of Alabama.
VIEW FROM THE OZONE
We close Week 1 of 2013 OTAs with a different angle to one of the week's big stories. The overriding story of the week to many observers remains Justin Blackmon, but this week's significant twist is Head Coach Gus Bradley's approach to the second-year wide receiver. Bradley this week talked about how he trusts Blackmon, because as of now, he has no reason not to trust Blackmon. That's because since Bradley got here in January, Blackmon has done nothing to make Bradley feel differently. This raised eyebrows. How could he feel that way? Doesn't he fear Blackmon will burn him? That's not Bradley's M.O. The way he grew up, you trust someone until they give you reason not to. He and Blackmon have forged a relationship. They don't talk every morning in Bradley's office at EverBank, but they talk a lot. Bradley hopes the relationship of trust will help Blackmon. It was clear talking to players this week they like that about Bradley. Tight end Marcedes Lewis talked about it being a significant character trait of this coaching staff compared to the past. Maybe this relationship will help Blackmon. The team clearly hopes it does. Either way, it certainly shows what Bradley is about and why four months in, players believe in what he's selling.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Jaguars will hold the fourth of 10 organized team activities practices at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness Practice Fields Monday at 11:25 a.m.
AROUND THE JAGUARS
*The Jaguars on Wednesday released rookie free agent Jeff Nady, an offensive tackle from Nevada. They did not immediately sign someone to take his place on the 90-man roster.
*The Jaguars worked Denard Robinson at quarterback Wednesday, though Bradley declined to say whether he is working as a quarterback or as a wildcat option when doing so. "I'm not going to say," Bradley said, laughing. "But that's tough on defense, because what is he?"
*Wide receiver Tobais Palmer, an undrafted rookie free agent, missed Wednesday's practice with a migraine. "He's had some in the past, so we wanted him to get through that," Bradley said.
*Players not working or working on the side at practice Wednesday: tight end Matt Veldman (knee), running back Maurice Jones-Drew (knee), defensive end Roy Miller (knee), defensive end Jason Babin (knee), Palmer, wide receiver Ace Sanders (abdominal). Quarterback Jordan Rodgers (sports hernia) did not attend practice, nor did defensive end Austen Lane, running back De'Leon Eskridge (school) or linebacker Jeremiah Green (school).
