Jaguars training camp notebook: BTJ shines, Bucs defense picks up the pace Thursday

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – “Let’s make people play to our level.”

The Jaguars wrapped up joint practice with the Bucs on Thursday. There is no final score at the end but for simplicity’s sake, I’d say the Jags won the practices. That doesn’t mean much since again it was practice, but it is better than getting kicked around for two days.

Now, all of that does come with a bit of an asterisk. Thursday, there were no pads so practice was slightly less physical but the Bucs interior D-line had the advantage and kept the Jacksonville quarterbacks off balance on Wednesday and Thursday. If it is a live game, you know as well as I do that can derail things quickly. But it was practice.

Brian Thomas Jr. and Evan Engram both had big days. This is back to back days with a big play from BTJ.

The rookie has figured it out. I’m not sure I’m ready to say BTJ is going to have some huge season yet, but he is going to be a threat for the offense this season that defense’s will have to account for.

For the Jags defense, it was another good day as they came up with three interceptions. You love to see them finding ways to take the football away even when the situations are stacked toward the offense.

Attack and aggressive are the buzzwords to describe the Jags defense.

“It is ingrained in us,” said Jaguars linebacker Foye Oluokun. 

That shows with the way the Jags defense plays on the practice field and even during the first preseason game. For Oluokun, the goal of training camp for the defense has been simple.

“How can we get to the point where we expect to dominate?,” Oluokun said.

The defense has definitely shown flashes of dominance throughout camp, both against the Jags and the Bucs which has helped to build confidence throughout the defense. Oluokun said that confidence throughout the D is key because the play “make the scheme come to life.”

That scheme has given the Jags offense some issues. I asked Foye for his thoughts on the Jags offense and he said, “when they’re clicking, they know how to get their guys open.” He also was said that Travis Etienne is  “as explosive as ever.”

Solid review from a guy who has spent the last few weeks trying to slow them down.

📓Notebook📓

• Don’t expect to see many starters on Saturday. Trevor Lawrence definitely won’t see the field. Mac Jones and CJ Beathard will both get a half against the Bucs.
• Christian Kirk missed his second day of practice with a mild calf injury.
• Arik Armstead didn’t practice on Thursday. Doug Pederson said that isn’t worried about Armstead because he knows what type of player he is.
• Star of the Day: Erick Hallett! Have you ever had a day where everything seems to fall just right? It was that kind of day for Hallett. He came up with a pair of interceptions during practice. Both picks came from Kyle Trask.
• Andre Cisco also had an interception during practice. It came during 7 on 7 red zone drills. Baker Mayfield tried to zip the ball in but the receiver bobbled it and Cisco swooped in to take it.
• Special teams have been one of the calling cards for Tim Jones. He is in a battle for a roster spot. It is worth noting that Jones right now is on the first team for kickoff cover.
• With Keilan Robinson sidelined, Tank Bigsby is back returning kicks with the first group. Tank ripped off a nice return during team drills.
• Jarrian Jones had an up-and-down day. He was beat for a touchdown in the corner of the end zone but then he bounced right back and got a pass breakup a couple plays later and was talking trash the whole way. Love to see it from the rookie.