Jaguars notebook: Tank Bigsby feels more confident in second season

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – “Don’t overlook and be where my feet at. Trust the process.”

Simple words but they are meaningful to Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby.

Bigsby is going into his second season. As a rookie, there were some struggles and things didn’t go the way anyone hoped but those rookie struggles brought lessons that Bigsby will carry to help.

“I learned a lot of things and I put it in a bag and come back out here do step by step,” he said.

Bigsby already showed some veteran savvy on a hot day out on the field wearing a bucket hat during practice. Now, his focus is growing into a bigger role in the Jaguars running game this year. Bigsby already knows the playbook from a year ago and is just building from that. The consistency of being in the same offense for the second year in a row is something that Bigsby hasn’t had since high school.

At Auburn, he played under head coaches Gus Malzahn and Bryan Harsin, along with having a different offensive coordinator for each of his years with the Tigers.

“I’m so happy that I get to grow in the same offense,” he said.

Needing Bigsby to take a step forward is something Doug Pederson and Press Taylor have talked about multiple times throughout the offseason.

Brian Thomas Jr. Watch

The rookie from LSU had an up-and-down day. The play that stood out the most will not get people excited. During red zone 7 on 7, BTJ ran a nice route and got open in the corner of the end zone. Trevor Lawrence found Thomas, but the pass went off his hands and fell incomplete. Not anything to be overly concerned about but a play I’m sure he wishes he had back.

Attendance

Travis Etienne was not on the field for the OTA 4. No reason was given for his absence from the voluntary practice.

Cam Robinson missed the fourth OTA. He recently welcomed a new child and is spending time with his family.

Thought of the day

It is really hard for defensive backs to stand out during OTA’s because of the rules. The setup heavily favors the offense. But Jarrian Jones looked good. He was sticky in coverage from the slot. The rookie had a pass breakup on a throw from Lawrence. He is turning some heads early.