JAGUARS HEAD COACH DOUG PEDERSON
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 2, 2022
(On QB Trevor Lawrence facing more criticism than ever before in his career) “As you said, every
quarterback, every NFL quarterback, head coach, is going to go through adversity, scrutiny, everything’s
under a microscope. It’s just a matter of if you want it to go away, you start working on it, and you work
on it to go away. That’s something I can help him with. I know the staff can help him with and try to put
most of this behind him. That’s one thing, and I’ve said this before with Trevor, too, is he does a nice job
of sort of compartmentalizing things and kind of keeping things on the backburner and focusing on his
job and improving on just this week and getting better. That’s what we expect, and I know he’ll do that.
(On if something anyone ever wrote or said about him in his playing days that sticks out) “There’s a
couple things. I’ll probably do it off the record with you.”
(On what he learned with current Commanders QB Carson Wentz that he can apply to working with QB
Trevor Lawrence) “I think number one, you’ve got to be honest with the player. That’s good and bad.
You’re up front with him, and you’ve got to have constructive dialogue with him and really with all your
players and your team. I never want to be someone wants to try to kind of sugarcoat anything. I think
we have to be honest that way, even in my performance as well, and taking that from what I learned in
Philly, during that time is doing that, being open and honest, and sometimes you’ve got to have tough
conversations with players, whether it’s the quarterback or not. We’re going to work through everything
together, and that’s what we do. We dig ourselves out of whatever we’re in and continue to improve.”
(On if the approach is tough from some people and softer from others or if it comes organically) “I think
it’s organic. Things, too, you’re dealing with your quarterback. You want to be as positive as you can,
too, and make sure that he is in the right frame of mind as he attacks each week. You never want to put
too much on him, but at the same time, we also understand that we are in a business that’s
performance-based. That goes for me. We’ve got to make sure that we’re all doing what’s best each
week to try tot win a game.
(On the trade for WR Calvin Ridley) “Trent (GM Trent Baalke) and I talk a lot about a lot of different
situations, and we obviously talked about this one. You guys have heard us talk about this before, we’re
going to always look to add talent to this roster any way possible, any way, shape, form, and I feel like
we’ve done that. Obviously we won’t know what we have until the league clears him and all that, and
we understand that. At the same time, I feel like we’re getting a really good football player to already
add him to a good room. Great leaders in that room that will embrace him when he finally gets here.”
(On if he felt like the risk in the WR Calvin Ridley trade was reasonable) “Yes.”
(On if he has had a chance to talk to WR Calvin Ridley) “I can’t. We can’t right now. He’s got to be off
limits right now until he gets reinstated by the league.”
(On if he thinks WR Calvin Ridley will be the kind of big player to help QB Trevor Lawrence make a jump)
“I think he adds to the guys we have. I think we just made that room stronger, quite honestly. We’re
speculating, obviously, a year from now or whatever. We’re excited to have the player when we do get
him and welcome him in here when we get a chance to do that.”
(On if he would have preferred to have someone who can make a difference right now) “No. We look at
that. That’s something that Trent (GM Trent Baalke) and I look at, and we’re constantly—you see it now
with some of the moves we’ve made either with just a practice squad guy or adding guys to the 53 or
whatever it might be. You’re always going to look and I think entertain every phone call that comes your
way. We’re very pleased. Happy with where we are and the guys we have now, and we’ve got to
continue to build upon that and keep working and get it turned.”
(On how difficult it is to have to wait to get WR Calvin Ridley in with the team, learning the playbook,
etc.) “It’s pretty easy because we’ve got nine games left, and we’re still focused on this week and getting
prepared for this week. Obviously, we’ll cross that bridge when the time comes.”
(On the motivation of a team that did not score in the previous week’s game, as the Raiders did in Week
8) “Were you in Indy? The second time [the Jaguars played the Colts]. That proves a point. We had a
game like that this season where we held a team to zero, then next thing you know they’re up over 30
points the next time we play them. Each week is different, and each game plan is different, and the set
of circumstances are different. You put the past in the past and focus on the current. I would expect a
different Raiders team this weekend.”
(On if the week-long trip the Raiders are taking in Sarasota can be draining or refreshing for a team)
“Maybe both. I think it’s more bonding, more coming together of the closeness of the team, being
around each other. I’ve done that. Gone west, stayed on the west coast, and it’s helped teams. It’s
helped teams I’ve been a part of do that. Again, I think it’s the team or the coaches’ discretion on what
they do, but I think it can be a little of both.”
(On OLB Josh Allen’s performance so far this season) “I think Josh is a really good player. Josh is a good
leader. Josh is valuable to this football team, and he knows that there’s times when he needs to play
better, and that can be the case for a few guys. That’s all part of the longevity of the season. It’s the
grind of the season and being at your peak every single Sunday. Coaches and players, you just can’t take
plays off, you can’t take days off, you can’t rest, you’ve just got to keep pushing. He knows that. He
understands that. We expect great things from him.”
(On if CB Tyson Campbell will trail the number one wide receiver for opponents now that CB Shaq Griffin
is out) “He did a little bit Sunday. That’s something that we will continue to explore as we go, and
obviously the Raiders have a pretty good receiver over there, without giving away game plans and stuff,
we’ll see how the week goes.”
(On managing illness on teams as a coach) “You pump them full of meds and get them as far away from
the team as you can and hope they get better in the next couple of days. That’s just part of life. Guys are
going to get sick and ill or coaches are going to come down ill. You’ve got to make sure they stay
hydrated, get their rest, and get the meds they need to be back the next day or the next day after that.”
(On Raiders’ loss last week versus Saints) “I mean, the Saints played well. Don’t take anything away from
them, they played well. I know the Raiders have to be frustrated, obviously. They probably feel a lot like
we do, quite frankly. We’re trying to get better, they’re trying to get better, we’re trying to improve,
both teams are trying to win a game, and it’s hard to do in this league as we know. I just know it’s going
to be a better team that we see this Sunday.”
(On evaluation of WR Calvin Ridley in previous years) “Yeah, a little bit. He’s very talented, a great route
runner, good speed, good kid. Just all the things I can remember watching even back then and now.
Again, it’s just adding a really good, talented player to an already talented room.”
(On difficulty of finding new players for the future while it is currently midseason) “I mean, you’d love to
have a player now sometimes. That’s not where we are, we’re always looking to improve and add that
talent where we can. Sometimes you can’t control the situation, right? The circumstances around the
players. We’re just excited to have him (WR Calvin Ridley) and can’t wait to get him here.”
(On tweaking practice this week after recovering from the trip to London) “A little bit, it’s going to be
different. We’ll slow some things down, do more walkthroughs today, we had an extended walk through
this morning, and still try to get players the mental reps they need today. I still want them to move
around though, it’s a big day. You’re a couple days removed from the game and travel, and we want
them to move around a little bit to still continue to flush the travel and physicality from their system.”
(On frustration of travel issues last week in London) “No, it wasn’t. As an organization, as leaders here,
we were all on the same page. We had a plan for it, so there were no issues that way.”
(On perspective of WR Calvin Ridley having a year and a half off of football) “I don’t think it’s a concern.
For the player, you look at it as a possible fresh start. Kind of rejuvenated, much like myself. Energy level
will be high, a new team, and coming back to Florida. All those things for the player are all positives.
From playing, it’s just a matter of once he’s cleared by the league, getting him in here when we can and
getting him caught up.”
(On how he knows he hasn’t gotten out of shape and weight in the time away from the NFL) “I got to
take people’s word, got to trust some folks every now and then.”
(On concerns the NFL clearing WR Calvin Ridley) “Obviously, I hope not. I hope that the league clears
him in due time after the season, but we will wait until that time.”
(On rumors of WR Calvin Ridley’s feelings about football and his mental health) “We’re aware of all of
the circumstances surrounding Calvin and we’re very sensitive to the mental health of all the players,
making sure that everybody is really taken well care of and that’s something we will continue to do with
our current roster and when he gets in here. We got a great team of people in place and they’re ready
to embrace that.”
(On if vetting WR Calvin Ridley was similar to free agency with communication) “Very similar. You just
try to get as much information from folks, maybe around his camp. Obviously, dealings and Trent [GM
Trent Baalke] can probably allude to it later but talking to the Falcons and some of the coaches that
work with him and things like that.”
(On when WR Calvin Ridley was first a potential for the Jaguars) “Oh my gosh. These are conversations
too, that I think you look at free agency back even in the spring, when free agency hits, you’re looking at
everything. In that position, obviously his name was in the hat, in the bucket, back in the spring when
we were looking at free agency, yeah.”
(On the thought process of trading for WR Calvin Ridley now versus later) “The thought process of
trading for him now, well, you’re betting on the future, right? You’re putting resources out there to get a
top receiver, caliber-type player in this league, and obviously, it goes back to whenever he gets
reinstated. The second we can get him in here, it’ll be no different than when we got Zay [WR Zay Jones]
and Christian [WR Christian Kirk] and all those guys this year. Just getting him the playbook, getting him
caught up, and when the offseason program starts, we can go from there.”
(On impact of playing Raiders during the Hall of Fame game during preseason) “Not much. Both teams
are different. We didn’t play a lot of guys; they didn’t play a ton of guys. It’s different, you don’t really go
back that much. Maybe a little bit, maybe look at the first quarter. Other than that, we don’t really pay
attention to that.”
(On preparing against Raiders running backs) “Yeah, that was one thing from the Hall of Fame game,
they had the ability to run the ball against us. I think they got some good running backs. Josh Jacobs
[Raiders RB Josh Jacobs] we know is a powerful guy, he can run, and that’s the key: slowing the run
down. Again, it just comes back to discipline up front for us, being in the right gaps, and tackling these
guys when we can.”
(On if Raiders are in a similar position with a new, young team) “I think it’s possible. I can’t speak for
that, but I think there’s probably some similarities with both organizations and what teams are going
through right now with some of that and just working through it all.”
QUARTERBACK TREVOR LAWRENCE
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2022
(On facing more criticism now than he has in his career) “It’s part of the job. No matter who you are,
you’re going to face criticism, especially when you don’t feel like you’re not playing your best. That’s just
kind of where we’re at right now. I don’t feel like I’ve played my best the past couple weeks. From my
standpoint, it’s just, every week trying to put the best plan together and prepare the best, so I can go
play my best on Sunday. That doesn’t change this week no matter what the criticism is, good or bad.
When we’re playing well, I’m going to get too much credit, and when we’re not playing well, we’re
losing some games, sometimes I get too much blame. Sometimes though, it’s warranted. I know I
haven’t played my best. It just is what it is. It’s part of the job, part of this game. We’re fortunate enough
to play it. It’s just one of the parts of the game. For me, it’s just always been trying to block that out.
Sometimes it’s easier than others, but just sticking to my process, what I know, preparing each week the
same way. I’ve got a lot of faith in myself and this team. I just block that out and do my job the best I can
every day, and I can do that better, no doubt. I know moving forward I will, so I’ve got a lot of
confidence in that.”
(On how Head Coach Doug Pederson has helped him handle the criticism, especially being a former NFL
quarterback) “Like we talked about, every player deals with it. Obviously it’s a different level when
you’re the quarterback of the team. Like I said, it’s the same way when you’re winning. You get a lot of
credit, too. It just comes with the territory, and that’s something I’ve experienced with my career going
back to college and especially the past two years in the NFL. It’s something I wouldn’t say I’m used to,
but I am kind of used to. Just the ups and downs of the criticisms when you have great games and bad
games. For me, that doesn’t change anything. I only care about, really, the opinions of my coaches, my
teammates, and obviously myself and how I view my performance. There’s a lot of areas I can improve
on, and I know moving forward, for us to win a lot of these games down the stretch, I’m going to have to
play better. I fully accept all that, take full ownership of it, and I’m ready to just move forward and do
that.”
(On what he knows about WR Calvin Ridley) “I honestly don’t know too much about him. I’ve watched
him. He’s a great player, so obviously that’s exciting moving forward and next season having a guy like
that here. I’ve heard some good things from people who know him. I don’t know him personally, but as
far as what I’ve heard, I’ve heard good things. I’ve heard he loves the game, and obviously if you watch
his tape it speaks for itself. That’ll be an exciting thing next season to look forward to.”
(On if he can or will reach out to WR Calvin Ridley before his February date to apply for reinstatement)
“I’m sure we’ll talk before then. Right now, we’re focused on finishing this season strong. We’ve got nine
games left, and he can’t come help us now. We’ve got the guys that we’ve got. We’ve got a lot of faith in
them and just trying to put together as many wins in a row as we can here at the end of the season and
put ourselves in a spot to make the playoffs and all that. That’s what we’re focused on. I’m sure we’ll
talk at some point. Obviously, that’s exciting. Being a quarterback, you can’t not be excited about that.
Right now, we’re focused on the rest of the season that’s ahead of us.”
(On the team’s reaction to the trade news) “We weren’t here, but I talked to some of the guys. Guys are
excited, but also, there’s some guys that have played with him, like Cam (OL Cam Robinson), Cam played
with him a little bit, so he’s good friends with him. Guys are excited, but also it’s not a huge topic of
discussion right now just because we’re in the middle of the season obviously trying to put everything
we can toward beating the Raiders this week. That’s the main focus, but of course there was some talk
about it today, and guys are excited.”
(On the hand signal he does when running out on the field late the past couple weeks) “It’s just the
hash. Just the left hash. Nothing crazy there. Right hash, just point down, if I’m by it, I’ll point over to it.
Usually they get it, but sometimes they don’t, so I have to do it for a while.”
(On how hard it was to push aside the red zone interception and move to the next play) “It’s definitely
frustrating. Obviously you make a critical error like that and at that point in the game, we’re up 7-0, and
you think about how that would change the game if we end up scoring on that drive and make it 14-0,
take the life out of their sideline and kind of keep all the momentum. I think that’s the most frustrating
thing when you look back on it and just how the game changes. To play in this position and playing this
sport, it’s all about the next play, so I think that’s something I’ve had to learn in my career is how to
move on to the next play. You’re going to have some bad plays, and obviously that one was
unacceptable, just the situation. We’ve got to eliminate those. Obviously learning my lessons there and
moving forward not going to make that mistake, so it’s frustrating. At the same time, you’ve got, I think
that was in the first quarter, so you’ve got three more quarters to play, and you’ve got to do your best
to not let that affect the rest of the game, so I don’t necessarily feel like it did. I know I didn’t play a
great game from that point forward but really don’t necessarily think it was from that play. I just think
that, obviously, some things happened, I didn’t play my best ball, and that’s disappointing, but as far as
just moving on, I think that’s something that I’ve learned in the past year and a half and even before that
is just the importance of being able to do that because you can’t get that play back.”
(On how he feels after flying back from London) “It’s not too bad. I don’t think it’s as bad coming back
honestly, the time change going there is a little bit wild, your body kind of adjusting to it. I felt pretty
good since we got back Monday morning really early, and I felt weird Monday, but yesterday and today I
felt pretty normal. Just getting back into the flow of things, coach has a good schedule of things for this
week, just the best way to get us prepared to where we’re at our best on Sunday. We had a great day
today, and tomorrow will kind of be business as usual.”
(On what if he thinks the Raiders are in a similar spot as the Jaguars, playing well at times and struggling
to finish) “I focus more on the defensive side of the ball, so I don’t always see the complete game
necessarily. From a defensive perspective, they pose some challenges for us. The two guys on the edge
they’ve got, they have some backers that are flying around. They have some great players, so there will
be some things we’ve got to game plan for, and we’ll have a great plan for them. I think you look at the
league right now and where everybody’s at, there’s a lot of people kind of in this similar middle-of-the-
pack feel where this is kind of the time to separate. November is obviously a huge month, November
and December, to set yourself up for the postseason. The way we’re looking at it, there’s still everything
in front of us, but it’s time to really turn it on, and we’ve got to go on a run here to put ourselves in
position, and they’re one of those teams in the same position. Both of us are playing for a lot, and I’m
sure you’re going to see that Sunday.”
(On if parity is the biggest difference between college and the NFL) “Definitely. You’ve got a lot of
teams—it’s such a long season, too, so you see the ebbs and flows of the season. You’ll see teams start
off hot struggle a little bit and finish strong or vice versa, start off slow and gain some momentum. It’s
just a long season, and you have to play each game as it’s own game, and you’ve got to play it as such,
but really, it’s week to week, and it really doesn’t matter who you’re playing. Everybody’s good, and
everybody’s going to have a great plan to go and beat you, so just be prepared. Obviously, that’s been
the message but even more so now, we’ve got nine games left. Take it one at a time, and let’s try to go
1-0 each week and see where we’re at.”
(On if he senses more frustration this week than after other losses) “Yeah, I think the way it’s gone, each
game has been kind of its own story of what’s happened, but still the same message of just right there
and losing by a possession or whatever it may be. Obviously, that starts to bubble up. People start to get
frustrated because we know, I’ve said it before, I’m kind of sick of saying it, but we know we’re a good
team, but at the end of the day, you’ve got to go win. I think obviously for myself it’s always frustrating
for a couple days after the game and even carrying it into today, just giving us that edge to go back and
work because I feel like, I know I didn’t give us the best chance to win and put us in a situation, and I’m
disappointed in that, and guys work too hard for that. From my standpoint, what can I do to go play my
best football moving forward, and I think that’s what everybody’s feeling. There’s definitely frustration,
and guys talk about it. I think that’s a great thing about our team, these guys communicate. It’s not, you
don’t put on a smile and act like everything’s alright, it’s not. We’ve lost five in a row, and everybody’s
pissed and frustrated, not at each other. There’s no pointing the finger, but we all understand and we’ve
had that dialogue of what we need to do, and everybody knows what we need to do, and we’ve just got
to go do it.”
(On if it is fun for him to watch RB Travis Etienne Jr.) “Like you said, I’ve seen him before, played with
him, this is my fourth year now. I know the type of player he is, but just to kind of see everybody start to
realize it. Guys on the team knew he was a good player but had never really seen it because of the injury
last year. In training camp and OTAs you don’t really get to see it because you’re not live. It’s not real
game tempo, and you don’t get that flow of a season to see it week in and week out, so it’s been cool to
see everybody realize like man, this dude is legit. I think that’s how everybody is feeling right now
around the league, and certainly our whole team and staff have a lot of confidence in him and just
continuing to put the ball in his hands and let him make plays. That’s what he does best, and it’s been
exciting to watch him.”
(On his approach to leadership) “I think leading by example is the main thing. I think the way you
prepare, the way you carry yourself, how you handle your business, that’s the main thing. Guys have to
respect you. With anyone, any leader, anyone on the team in general leads in their own regard, I think
that’s the first thing. Then obviously, how you communicate with others. That’s something that I feel like
I’ve learned a lot about the last two years, just kind of how I like to do things, how I approach guys on
the team, and everybody’s different. You have a different way of talking to all the different players, and
you get to know them through your relationships, and you understand what makes them tick. That’s
something I feel like I do well is communicate with guys constantly, whether that’s guys up front,
receivers, tight ends, running backs, always talking to them after each play, each series, especially in
practice. That’s something I think is very important, then just being able to get the guys together
whether that’s before a game or whatever, I think, too, we have a great group that really communicates
with each other. We have a lot of conversations after this game, myself and a bunch of the wide outs
were just talking about what can we all do better moving forward. How can we be at our best and really
just help this offense go, the team go, and kind of turn this corner because we’re right there, but we’ve
got to find some answers, so we just had some great conversations, and we’re just being honest with
each other. What we all can do better, and that’s kind of what it takes, so I’m excited moving forward,
and that’s kind of the way I look at it.”
(On where these conversations happen) “Just after the game, especially on road trips, get together,
whether that’s on the bus after the game driving to the airport or on a plane or both. I usually talk to the
wide outs on the bus, we get together after games, then talk to a bunch of the linemen on the plane. It’s
not always about ball, it’s kind of just, obviously you talk through the game, especially when you lose
one like that, and you’re all frustrated, I think that’s the best way I’ve found to get through it. Get with
your guys, talk about it. Those are the only people that really know how you’re feeling, know what
you’re feeling, were in it with you. I think that’s something that’s been really good for this team that
we’ve done, so we’re always talking. Then after that, we kind of flush it. I always watch it real quick on
the plane, I’ll talk to some of the guys real quick but we flush it and move on, and I think that’s what you
have to do because at the end of the day, you’ve got another game in a few days.”
(On if he met with players after games like that at Clemson or if this is more recent) “Not as much. The
travel and technology and all that stuff is a little different in college. It’s not as instant. I can watch the
game right when I get on the bus on an away game after doing media, talking to you guys, I can grab my
iPad and watch the game. I don’t remember it being like that in college, and really, communication was
a little bit different. I think you relied more on the coaches in college to have those talks with guys. I’m
sure there were times when I’d grab a guy and talk to him about this or that, but I think that’s something
that we’ve all, myself included, taken upon ourselves to have those talks. At the end of the day, we’re
the ones out there playing. The coaches coach, and they make great game plans. Obviously, they’re a
huge part to our success, but at the end of the day, us 11 that are on the field have got to be on the
same page, and I really feel like we’re growing closer and closer. We’ve just got to get one and get some
momentum back.”
The Jacksonville Jaguars acquired 27-year-old wide receiver Calvin Ridley from the Atlanta Falcons via trade, the team announced.
“We are excited to welcome Calvin Ridley to our organization and the Duval community,” said Jaguars General Manager Trent Baalke. “This is an opportunity to add a proven playmaker to our already talented wide receiver room as we continue to build our roster for 2023 and beyond. We are looking forward to finishing strong this season and integrating Calvin into our program at the appropriate time.”
Ridley, 6-1, 190, played in 49 games (35 starts) from 2018-21 and caught 248 passes for 3,342 yards and 28 TDs. In 2020, he recorded single-season career highs in receptions (90) and receiving yards (1,374), while tallying a team-high nine touchdown receptions, earning second-team Associated Press All-Pro honors. Ridley eclipsed 100 receiving yards in eight games in 2020, the most in the NFL.
In 2018, Ridley led all rookie wide receivers in receptions (64), receiving yards (821) and TDs (10) and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. He totaled 17 TD catches in his first two seasons with the Falcons, the most by any player in their first two seasons since Odell Beckham Jr. in 2014-15. Ridley was one of seven players to total at least 25 receiving TDs from 2018-20, joining Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, Mike Evans, Adam Thielen, Tyler Lockett and tight end Travis Kelce.
A Fort Lauderdale, Florida native, Ridley attended Alabama and finished second in program history in receptions (224) and receiving touchdowns (19), while ranking third in program history with 2,781 receiving yards. He totaled eight 100-yard games in his career and caught 63 passes for 967 yards and five TDs in his final season with the Crimson Tide. He was the nation’s top ranked wide receiver coming out of high school as rated by ESPN, 247 Sports and Rivals.
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JAGUARS CLAIM OFFENSIVE LINEMAN BLAKE HANCE
JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville Jaguars have claimed OL Blake Hance off of waivers from the San Francisco 49ers, the team announced.
Hance, 6-6, 310, has played in 24 games and made eight starts in his NFL career. He played in 17 games, making eight starts (six at right tackle and two at left tackle) in 2021 with the Cleveland Browns and played in seven games with the San Francisco 49ers this season.
Hance spent the entire 2019 season on the Jaguars’ practice squad after participating in training camp with the Washington Commanders. A Jacksonville, Ill. Native, he made 47 starts at Northwestern from 2014-18.
