JACKSONVILLE – Jaguars 2023 Training Camp continued Saturday.
It was the fourth day of the second training camp under Head Coach Doug Pederson, featuring an unpadded 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 Saturday's "campservations:"
John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…
- We don't want to get too repetitive here, but it bears repeating because it's the clear early theme of '23 camp: Wide receiver Calvin Ridley is really impressive. The easy choice as the standout player early in camp, Ridley on Saturday first drew praise from Pederson during the head coach's early-morning media availability – "the way he practices, it's a different speed,'' Pederson said – then flashed on multiple plays during the team's fourth consecutive unpadded practice to start camp. Ridley first showed eye-catching speed on a deep reception from quarterback Trevor Lawrence in individual work, then did so again while accelerating past the secondary with a short pass that he turned into a long touchdown during 11-on-11 drills. He capped his day with a 15-to-20-yard reception over the middle, breaking wide open on a pass from Lawrence. The pads go on Monday. If Ridley is as impressive then as he has been early, campservations could stay repetitive.
Brian Sexton, Jaguars Senior Correspondent …
- Why was safety Antonio Johnson available on Day 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft? The rookie from Texas A&M has flashed at least once in all four days of training camp. He's tall and his long legs allow him to run with smaller receivers. He made a play Saturday in team drills on which he ran step for step with wide receiver Jamal Agnew, high pointing a pass that quarterback C.J. Beathard tried to drop in at the goal line. Because he played at a high level in college, he understands what's going on at a time when many young players are trying to figure things out. Veterans Rayshawn Jenkins and Andre Cisco are starters at safety with high-end traits and veteran safety Andrew Wingard has carved himself a role in this defense. Johnson figures to be No. 3 safety soon and finding a role for him is going to make for some interesting conversations in the coaches' meetings next month.
J.P. Shadrick, Jaguars Senior Report/Editor …
- On Back Together Saturday, a capacity crowd again erupted anytime Ridley touched the football. Wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. split a pair of defenders for a touchdown on a deep post route of 40-plus yards. In seven-on-seven work, linebacker Chad Muma made an acrobatic interception off Lawrence with a long return. Tight end Gerrit Prince again had a red-zone touchdown, this time from quarterback C.J. Beathard. The Jags worked at the end of practice on two-minute offense. Pederson addressed the crowd before practice and said he personally hasn't had fans at a training camp since 2019 with the Philadelphia Eagles, so he continues to enjoy the energy the crowds bring to training camp each day.
Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer ...
- The Gerrit Prince show continued Saturday with his third touchdown in the last two days. We also saw the defense stepping up with interceptions from Johnson and Muma. We saw a bit more of McManus Saturday. It's such a game changer having a kicker that can kick consistently from distance. McManus' presence will give the offense a lot more options this season.
