JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The first full pads practice of camp is in the books. The Jaguars now have six practices under their belts and only two more before they play their first preseason game on Thursday.
The flow of this year’s camp has been different from what you see in other camps around the NFL. Coach Doug Pederson has been very intentional about the things they have done on the field. He has often ended drill periods early and the coaches do most of the corrections and coaching in the classroom after practice. Pederson said the altered approach to training camp was one of the things he did research on during his year off from coaching.
Recommended Videos
Over the years, the Jaguars have had more than their fair share of injuries during training camp. If this altered approach can help the team make it to the regular season healthy, then it will be a step in the right direction.
With the pads going on for the first time, the defense was ready to go. The offense did not have much space to operate in running drills. The only back that found space to operate was Travis Etienne. His speed allows him to erase angles and create gains where they shouldn’t be. During the 11-on-11 part of practice, Etienne took a quick handoff up the middle and was down the field face to face with Andre Cisco very quickly.
The Jaguar passing game was a work in progress Sunday.
Trevor Tracker
Trevor Lawrence
7 on 7 (13-19 passing).
11 on 11 (5-11 passing, and a ball that was a potential INT)
Jake Luton
7 on 7 (4-6 passing).
11 on 11 (4-7 passing).
Kyle Sloter
7 on 7 (4-4 passing).
11 on 11 (5-6 passing).
It is never a good day for the passing attack when each of your top weapons (Christian Kirk, Marvin Jones and Evan Engram) drop at least one pass. Speaking of Engram, Pederson said that Engram’s camp has been good. He likes where he’s at mentally and sees a connection between him and Lawrence. I followed up that answer by asking him about the drops Engram has had during camp. Pederson said they are not concerning.
“Better now than Week 1,” Pederson said.
The true stars of Sunday’s practice were by far Josh Allen and Travon Walker. This dynamic duo had their way with the Jaguars blockers during 1-on-1 drills. Allen made quick work of the linemen who he went against winning all but one rep. Walker was stopped on his first rep of the day but went on to show some serious power in his bullrush. Walker will need to show that he has more in his bag than just that but it looks like a mighty good starting point.
News4JAGs camp coverage ‘22
Miss something this week? No problem. Jaguars training camp coverage is all right here. (Note: The team was off on Friday, so there was no camp notebook).
Saturday notebook: Intensity kicks up
Thursday notebook: Defense shines
Wednesday notebook: Offense clicking
Tuesday notebook: Coach treats players like “grown men”
Monday notebook: All eyes on Trevor
Travon Walker learning patience in first camp
Trevor Lawrence not planning on having a bad year
Ticket revenue, attendance sags for Jags in 2021
Bolles grad Tee Mitchell soaks up coaching chance with Jaguars
Pederson takes reins for Jaguars as camp begins
Recent QB signee Kyle Sloter embraces underdog role
What to expect at Jaguars training camp at Episcopal
Jaguars position breakdown: Linebackers
Jaguars position breakdown: Defensive backs
Jaguars position breakdown: Defensive line
Notebook
- Jawaan Taylor is still sidelined with a hamstring.
- Arden Key did not participate he is dealing with a foot injury.
- LuJuan Winningham has had a strong start to camp. Winningham made a pair of nice grabs on Sunday. Winningham is consistently the last receiver off the field each day. Keep an eye out for him during the preseason.
- Walker Little struggled during pass protection during 1 on 1′s. Little got schooled by Travon Walker and K’Lavon Chaisson. He eventually found his footing and was able to notch a win against Josh Allen.
- Dawuane Smoot was a force to be dealt with in 1 on 1′s. Coy Cronk was matched up with Smoot on more than one occasion and Smoot made quick work of him.
- Benjie Franklin showing up again with another nice pass breakup during team drills.
- Jeff Cotton had a nice day out. Cotton’s best play came when he beat rookie corner Gregory Junior and was able to turn on the speed for a big gain.
- The play of the day by the defense came from Rayshawn Jenkins. During team drills, Trevor Lawrence was looking for Christian Kirk. Travon Walker had a free run towards Lawrence who let it rip for Kirk, but Jenkins made a great play on the ball and come up with the interception. Coaches called it incomplete but I’d challenge that call.