JACKSONVILLE – Jaguars 2024 Training Camp continued Thursday.
It was the second day of the third training camp under Head Coach Doug Pederson, featuring an non-padded practice at the Miller Electric Center. Each day throughout camp, four 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 Thursday's "campservations:"
John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…
Jaguars 2024 Training Camp's early theme is clear – that while this remains a non-padded work, the defense thus far has been impressive. When asked about a three-turnover day on Day 1, Wednesday, defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen early Thursday morning told the media, "Let’s do it again." The unit did just that shortly thereafter, with veteran safety Andrew Wingard twice cutting in front of passes from starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence for red-zone interceptions. Veteran linebacker Foye Oluokun also recovered a fumble by tight end Luke Farrell following a completion from Lawrence. Two days does not make a great season. It doesn't even make a great training camp. But players in Nielsen's first season have talked positively of the new coordinator's approach. Through two days, that positivity has shown up in performance.
Brian Sexton, Jaguars Senior Correspondent …
Nielsen is impressive in front of the room. He spoke to the media Thursday morning, and a couple of things stood out among many things: Nielsen knows what he wants and he's really good at explaining it – and his defense has looked impressive through two days of camp. Players clearly know what is expected of them and they're already on top of their assignments. They're quick out of the huddle and get lined up fast. They're all about communication, and they hustle on and off the field. It looks like a group that is highly motivated to play at its best from the first snap of camp through the final snap of the postseason. It's a talented roster with more size up front, and the secondary looks talented with plenty of options. If it can play its best when it matters the most, it will be a big turnaround from the way last season ended. "We really want the best from and for these guys," Nielsen said. "So that's why we're coaching you hard and pushing you in adverse situations; it's because we want you to be your best. So, we are asking; 'Hey, let's run to the ball a little faster' or 'Let's give a little on this' and you're seeing it on tape."
J.P. Shadrick, Jaguars Senior Reporter/Editor…
Thursday's practice had a similar feel to the first day: Mostly red-zone work, and the defense set the tone yet again. Wingard snagged two interceptions off Lawrence, both in the same area in the front left corner of the end zone along the boundary. At some point if this keeps up it could become a storyline of "what's up with the offense and quarterback," but we are waaaaaaay too early in training camp for that. I attribute it to a misthrow here or there in tight red-zone windows, the offense still building connections and good plays by the defense. The ramp-up period continues Friday. We will hear from offensive coordinator Press Taylor before practice, who in my opinion will be the offensive play-caller again this season. The storyline of who is calling plays on offense is extremely overblown.
Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer ...
Day 2 featured more growing pains on offense as Lawrence worked to get acclimated with his new wide-receiving corps. Lawrence's connection with wide receiver Gabe Davis is beginning to come together, but Lawrence has yet to get on the same page with rookie Brian Thomas Jr. during training camp. Lawrence was intercepted twice by Wingard during 11-on-11 work as the quarterback tried to find receivers in the corner of the end zone. Defense usually comes along quicker than the offense and that has been true to form so far. I'm looking forward to seeing the progression of the offense in the coming days before pads go on next week.
