JAGUARS HEAD COACH URBAN MEYER
August 31, 2021
(On why they kept many more defensive players than offensive players) “It’s still very fluid. A lot of guys aren’t out of the picture. We’re dealing with some injuries. We just felt we had a group of safeties, linebackers and d-linemen that we felt very strong about, but it’s still very fluid. We’re still very active. We’re number one on that claim, which is going to take place tomorrow, so that’s why.”
(On whether vaccination status played a role in players making the roster) “Everyone was considered. That was part of the production, let’s start talking about this, and then also is he vaccinated or not. Can I say that that was a decision maker? It was certainly in consideration.”
(On the experience of cutting down a roster for the first time) “[We] had zero [bad guys]. That was very difficult today. The good thing is, this practice squad has been enhanced over the last year and a half. I think we had to trim by 27, but 16 of them are going to come back tomorrow at one o’clock, and we’re still working through that as we speak. That was a little bit more easier to deal with than just see you later, so we have a good chunk of guys we plan on, if they don’t get claimed, coming back.”
(On if the process was challenging) “It was awful to an extent. Like I said, if it was a bad guy [it would’ve been easier], but we don’t have bad guys here. I mean this has been an incredible experience for me. I told every one of the guys as I met with them, since day one our staff’s been here, you guys have been awesome. This has been much better than I had ever expected.”
(On the safety position) “There was eight that we felt comfortable with. I think all eight will play in the NFL, so does our GM [Trent Baalke] and so does our defensive coordinator [Joe Cullen] and backfield coach. What went in is obviously special teams value. Rayshawn Jenkins is playing a very high level. DT [Daniel Thomas] was out for a while with COVID and then comes in and forces two fair catches and looks fast as lightning on the field and has some pretty good film. Jarrod was a tough one, Jarrod Wilson, but I don’t think that one’s done. We’re still having conversations how to make that work. Then [Andrew] Wingard had an excellent game on Sunday. Who else do we have back there? [Andre] Cisco we feel really good about his future. Rudy [Ford], my gosh. We took him because our emphasis on special teams, [but] he can play back there. He started at dime and was a very good blitzer and all over the field. We feel that’s gone from a major concern in January to we’re going to be alright.”
(On if S Rudy Ford is the best gunner he’s ever seen) “Some guys at my old schools are going to get very upset with me when I say that, but he’s as good as I’ve ever seen. He’s legit fast. We on purpose didn’t, I don’t think the last game, let him go do it. But at kickoff, he’s just so far out in front of everyone else, really good player.”
(On the safety position and trading CB Sidney Jones IV to the Seahawks) “It was kind of hard to make it with CJ [Henderson], with Tyson Campbell, who was dinged up, but he’ll be back ready to go. We feel good about him. He’s going to make a play down the field a little bit better than he did. With Shaq[uill Griffin], those are the top three and we feel really strong about Tre Herndon. We feel he’s done a lot of good things around here. There’s a good chance he’ll start at nickel or battle Tyson for that spot. We just felt that Sidney’s got some… might be the best opportunity for him too.”
(On the wide receiver position) “That’s concern number one for me. We have [Phillip] Dorsett [II] as dinged right now. We brought in Devin Smith, and he goes out there and makes a catch that I told him I haven’t seen our guys make, but he’s also had two ACL’s. He’s an older player, but he gives you the top end. He can knock the top off the coverage. That’s my biggest concern, and also [having] three running backs with [Travis] Etienne [Jr.] being out. That’s 24/7 conversation as we continue.”
(On WR DJ Chark Jr., WR Marvin Jones Jr. and WR Tavon Austin being ready for Week 1) “Yes, yes, yes.”
(On what he wants for the identity of the team) “I want a fast team. I realized there was a lot of guys out on both sides. We didn’t play an offensive line. We had one starter out of our top seven play and our top two receivers out, but I like the tempo. I like the fact that we were combination spread elements as well as under center elements, which I think our quarterback [Trevor Lawrence] is very good at. I thought the aggressiveness by [Offensive Coordinator] Darrell Bevell was good. We pushed the ball down the field.
On third and four, we ran a double move, which those are things I’m used to. We’re going to continue to push the envelope on that stuff.”
(On the waiver wire) “It’s a little bit like the free agency thing for the vested vet because they’re not waiver guys. It’s almost free agency again. But then the young players, that’s going on right now as we speak.”
(On what position they will look for on the waiver wire) “I told you receiver, running back are the two number ones. We have little capital with the d-line. We feel good about the depth of our d-line and there’s some good players. [DT Doug] Costin’s a good player. We’re trying to find ways to make this thing work to keep a guy like that but not sure you can.”
(On DL Taven Bryan making the 53-man roster) “He played really well Sunday. We think with [Defensive Coordinator] Joe [Cullen] and with [Defensive Line Coach] Tosh [Lupoi], he’s a guy that it’s time to play. He’s been around and I can see the urgency in his look and his practice and then the way he plays. He played really well on Sunday.”
(On CB Chris Claybrooks) “That’s the other one. I’m sorry, I should’ve brought him up when you brought up Sidney [Jones IV]. He’s a guy that [Secondary Coach — Corners] Tim Walton and [Defensive Backs Coach – Nickels] Joe Danna and [Defensive Coordinator] Joe Cullen felt he’s done good. He helps us with special teams. He’s a cover guy. You wish he was a little bigger, but he’s a competitive guy.”
(On the kicker position) “We had that conversation. We have maybe a practice squad guy that can be a backup to all in case something happens. We’re doing that actually today. But as of now, we’re going with the three, the long snapper [Ross Matiscik], with [P Logan] Cooke and with [K Josh] Lambo. Lambo hit it really well.”
(On the NFL’s punitive measures for unvaccinated players) “Josh Allen’s never had it and he’s not played in two weeks. He’s never had COVID. I don’t know if I’m allowed to say that, but he’s never had COVID. So, that’s pretty punitive.”
(On releasing WR Phillip Dorsett II and if they have enough speed at the wide receiver position) “No. He’s still in the picture. We’re thinking of ways. He’s dinged right now. He has a hamstring and he’s had a little bit of an issue since he’s been here with that. We want to keep him if there’s a way to keep him.”
(On keeping three tight ends on the roster) “That was tough because Tyler Davis really came on near the end. We’re going to try to keep him, as well as [Ben] Ellefson. He really did a nice job. We still don’t have that. [James] O’Shaughnessy’s our best receiver right now. Luke [Farrell]’s coming on. I like that position. I love who they are, but we still need to get one more at some point.”
(On waiving WR Collin Johnson) “That was a hard one as well because he’s an awesome guy. Once again, that picture’s still not finalized.”
