JAGUARS HEAD COACH DOUG PEDERSON
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2022
(On not having anyone on the injury report on a pre-game Friday) “It’s rare. There’s usually a couple
guys early in the season, typically, that are limited during the week, but it’s just a credit to the players,
how well they’ve taken care of themselves through camp. Coming out of last week’s game healthy,
there’s always going to be bumps and bruises each week, but for the most part, everybody’s feeling
good.”
(On how the team has prepared this week) “After Monday, we put that to bed. It’s been about this
week, so the guys have responded really well with that.”
(On excitement for the fans getting to have their first full game of the season) “I’m looking forward to a
great crowd Sunday at 1:00. We know it’s a division opponent. We’re focused on that, playing hard,
playing fast, and seeing what happens. Really looking forward to playing in front of our fans.”
(On if there are any advantages to Offensive Press Taylor having coached with the Colts last year) “He
knows the personnel a little bit, knows the coaches there and all that, but we’re so focused, and he’s so
focused on game planning for us and getting our guys prepared this week. There’s definitely some things
that with his knowledge and understanding that he can definitely pass along.”
(On the commonplace occurrence of coaching against other coaches and players previously worked
with) “It happens all the time. You’re right. It does, and it’s hard, even when you have a player from that
team that you’re playing, they’re so enamored with getting ready, themselves, to play to go back and
rethink of all the things that went on where they either coached or played, it’s hard to do. The guys, I
think, have done a great job, like in Press’s (Offensive Coordinator Press Taylor) case, preparing our
offense to get ready and play this week.”
(On playing several former players and coaches several weeks in a row) “Yeah, and the thing is, too, with
some of those teams, even with Philly in a couple weeks, it’s different. You might know the city and
some people there, but their team is a lot different. I’ve worked with Andy (Kansas City Head Coach
Andy Reid) and played for Andy, and their team is different. I know Coach Spagnuolo (Kansas City
Defensive Coordinator Steve Spangnuolo), but listen, you’ve just got to take it one week at a time. You
never look past the week that you’re in. You’re just constantly preparing, and we’ll worry about those
guys when we get there.”
(On how much of the work this spring was geared toward the division) “You do. You have to start with
your division and how your division is built. We’ve got some great running backs in this division, and
obviously, stopping the run is imperative. It’s a key to winning football games in the AFC South, so it was
a focal point in the spring, through free agency, and the draft to try to put some pieces in place to help
slow down the run.”
(On what stands out about RB Jonathan Taylor) “This guy is so powerful and strong, and he’s got a one-
step move, and I think he’s got great vision, and the way they block, he’s really got the ability to wind the ball back behind B-blocks and stuff like that. Just a talented guy, and they do a great job of scheming
the front that they’re playing, so it makes it hard. That’s why for us, it’s just maintaining discipline with
your run lanes.”
(On having 30 losses in the last 3 years, compared to himself being just 0-1) “Well, until you brought it
up, I don’t focus on it, honestly. It’s about trying to go 1-0 this week. We learn from our mistakes, we
move on from them, but in our case, new team, new year, new set of circumstances, new coaching staff.
We’re all excited about the season ahead, a lot of football ahead of us. We understand that if we just
control what we can control internally, I think good things can happen for this team. Are you going to
win them all, no. At the same time, you’re going to give yourself a chance to win them.”
(On if this game is more important for Jacksonville or Indianapolis) “I think it’s important for both teams.
A home game for us, division opponent. We understand what the Colts might be doing, but at the same
time, we’ve got to have the same intensity. We’ve got to match that intensity, and our guys are eager to
get out on the field. It should be a great football game. I can’t go back in time, you can’t change
anything, and you control today, get better today, and continue to prepare the team for Sunday.”
(On how the team has attacked this week) “They were able to take last week and make the corrections
and put that to rest and focus on another set of circumstances, another game plan. Coming out
Wednesday and understanding the base game plan on Wednesday, and yesterday was a good practice.
It’s just a matter of stacking days and being consistent, improving, and showing that improvement
amongst the guys. You just keep building, and each week, you get a little bit better as a team.”
(On coaching correcting mistakes) “I approach it through the film study and just show the guys. It’s not
so much about pointing out the mistake because they know they made the mistake, but it’s how can we
as coaches correct the mistake. Here’s what you should’ve done. This is the way we teach it. Let’s get
back to the fundamentals, let’s get back to the basics. That’s the way you move through some of those
mistakes that were made on game days.”
