JAGUARS HEAD COACH URBAN MEYER
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2021
(On whether there’s a struggle to find depth at the secondary) “You saw we have struggled, Tyson [Campbell] did. But we still have great confidence that Tyson is going to be a good player. He didn’t play last week with a toe injury that just wasn’t healed by the time game time got around. But obviously, you put your best on their best and we feel Shaq [Griffin] has hung in there pretty good, but that is a concern.”
(On whether he’s excited to play in London for the first time) “You know, I did the one trip when I was at [the University of] Notre Dame, we went to Dublin, Ireland. But as a coach, all you worry about is to make sure the guys—we had a team meeting yesterday about the whole sports performance model, how to take care of yourself. We have to keep these guys awake when we get over there. So, I’m concerned about all that stuff. We’re just such a believer in the sports performance model, that our guys are really doing a good job with it. We’ve had some injuries this year and it’s been structural injuries, minimal soft tissue. When I say structure, I mean like high ankle [sprain]. That’s the awful part of the game, but soft tissue stuff I think we really corrected. It’s a long journey. But to answer your question, the good thing is I have not done it, but the Jaguars have. The Jaguars have a pretty good plan. We had two or three options that Trent [Baalke] and I listened to the players first, our leadership committee, and then we just decided what was the right thing to do.”
(On whether they’ve settled on the kicker situation for this weekend) “Today is a big day. After today, we will know.”
(On whether the players decided that Thursday would be the best day) “Yeah, because there’s three different options that were available to us that other teams have used, that the Jaguars have actually used. And [Brandon] Linder was a big part of that because he’s been around a while and he’s kind of the spokesperson, one of the lead guys of our leadership committee.”
(On whether someone explained to him why the team is playing in London) “Yeah, but the one thing I found out, the players actually—the ones I’ve talked to—enjoy it. They like going over there, we had a long discussion about it, why we do it and just the international appeal of the NFL.”
(On whether he sees this team ever playing in Germany) “I am just trying to figure out who our corners are, who’s going to kick.”
(On what LB Myles Jack said during his locker room speech after the game on Sunday) “We’ve had a few. I told you, this is as good a locker room as I’ve ever been around—and that’s 35 years or something. Quality people, they want to win in the worst way, to the point where it consumes their thoughts. They care about each other. I’d put Shaq [Griffin], I’d put Ray J. [Rayshawn Jenkins], I’d put Trevor [Lawrence].
There’s a bunch of just great people, great leaders, in there that want to win. So, what goes on in that locker room, I’m certainly not going to—it’d be inappropriate to share.”
(On which Miami Dolphins wide receivers stand out) “Oh [Jaylen] Waddle, No. 17, is dynamic, but they’re all really good players. No. 18 [Preston Williams] and No. 11 [DeVante Parker] is a heck of a player. But 17 is Waddle and he’s just elite speed.”
(On whether Miami Dolphins RB Myles Gaskin is dangerous) “Yeah, he’s—they do a good job with him. He’s a matchup guy. He is a tailback that can be matched up with someone and separate.”
(On how they prepare to play against either Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa or QB Jacoby Brissett) “They are different, but they’re not. The offense—they’re both excellent quarterbacks. We had good conversations with Jacoby, I’ve known him since I actually recruited him out of high school, so he’s played really, he’s throwing the ball really well. But we believe it’s going to be Tua, that’s our understanding. But we’re certainly going to get plenty of film to study Jacoby.”
(On how he tries to give the young players confidence) “That’s been my mission the last couple weeks. Obviously, it hasn’t worked but I think I talked about this last week. The two components of winning are work ethic and belief. And if you have a group that works hard but doesn’t believe, you just have a bunch of hardworking guys, if you have a group that believes but doesn’t work hard, you have a bunch of people just wishing. The combination, I see it growing and I see a team growing. I see a team getting better and belief is when the quarterback trusts the offensive line, which he does, when the tailback trusts the offensive line, which they do. That’s when belief happens. Belief and work ethic are the secret sauce to winning.”
(On whether he’s ever been in a position throughout his career when he’s had to install this type of belief) “Sure, several times, at a much different level. At Bowling Green, it was 1-10, 2-9 and a bunch of losses. We turned it pretty quickly and Utah—yeah, it’s been years. But once again, it all goes back to this locker room. I was walking off the field with one of our strength assistants and as far as on time, as far as working out and taking care of their bodies, as far as the loyalty amongst that locker room, it is arguably the best I’ve been around.”
(On the third down struggles and what they do to get that percentage up) “We actually had a meeting this week about it and if it was one thing that I’d share with you what that one thing was, it’s not. Usually in the game of football when something is—you’re not at the level you want to be at, it’s a cumulation of mistakes. And what you just said, replacing a good player is part of it. Was there pressure? Did Trevor [Lawrence] miss a throw? But the one thing about Trevor is he’s not missing many now, he was early [on]. And I’ll say this, I like the direction of the offense, it’s getting better every week. There’s a lot of belief on offense and third downs have to be part of it.”
(On conversations about wide receivers creating separation for third down conversions) “Just hard work. But there’s only one way to solve those problems and I would grade our receivers from day one until now. Even with the loss of DJ [Chark Jr.], they’re playing at a much higher level than they did earlier. And I think Dan Arnold has helped that as well, I consider him a part of the receiving crew. Yeah, that’s just something that happens when you’re facing quality people on the other side. You’re going to win some and unfortunately, you’re not going to win them all. But I would say, if you watch early to now, to the last couple games, actually our receivers are playing much improved; even with the loss of DJ.”
(On his own growth and what he’s learned over the past few weeks) “I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned a lot about the daily grind and the weekly—what you’re getting ready to face each week. To say someone is ready for that, they are not. To say that you learn and you lean on your staff, I’ve certainly done that. And now, how to—you’re in a marathon now. We have two of our best players on the offensive line are out. We’re pulling guys off the street and practice squads and they’re showing up on a Tuesday, we’re going out there to practice. So, that’s all a learning experience for me. But as far as management of a team, as far as management of a game, I think I’ve learned a lot, but I think I’ve been experienced at that part of it. It’s the nuisances of the NFL, most importantly the—every week you’ve got someone coming off that edge that—like she mentioned, NFL corners, so that’s been the biggest transition for me.”
(On whether this is what he expected coming in) “It is.”
(On whether he has needed an extra cup of coffee or Coca-Cola) “Am I allowed to say Red Bull?” (On whether they’re taking the entire practice squad to London on Thursday) “I believe we are.”
JAGUARS QB TREVOR LAWRENCE
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2021
(On this weekend’s trip to London to play the Dolphins) “It’s kind of ironic we’re going all the way to London to play a team from Miami. That’s the one thing I thought about, but we’re excited obviously. I haven’t been that many places, especially outside of the country, so it’s going to be really cool and to play a game over there is going to be really exciting. I’ve heard about the fan base over there and how whenever teams come to play, they’re always really excited and have a great showing and fill up the stadium. That’s going to be fun to be around that atmosphere, somewhere different. I know we’re excited. Obviously, the main thing is to go and get our first win, go win a game, but we are excited to go out there and play.”
(On the last time we went outside of the country) “[It was] for me and my wife’s honeymoon, but that was the first time as well. We’ve only been out of the country one time. Well, I have, she’s been a couple other times.”
(On this being his first trip to Europe) “[It’s my] second time [out of the country], [it’ll be my] furthest flight. The furthest flight I’ve been on before this was like four or five hours, so this is the longest one.”
(On his friends or family making the trip to London for the game) “I have like my agents, people are going, but no family or anything. It’s just such a long trip. It’s tough.”
(On giving advice to the defense during practice from the offense’s perspective and Head Coach Urban Meyer’s comment about the best quarterbacks being able to be defensive coordinators) “Those conversations do happen I think both ways. Especially being a young player, like when I first got here, guys like Shaq[uill Griffin] and our corners and safeties, just talking to them and watching the tape and seeing how they react to certain things, how they’re playing off me and how I’m playing off them, and just talking about that, like if it’s a double move or if it’s whatever. If I’m trying to look somebody off, it’s a big mind game. Sometimes you have to do reverse psychology trying to get someone to go the way you want them to go because players that have been playing a long time, you look them off one way, they’re already going the opposite way because they know that’s where you’re coming back to. It’s just little things like that, just knowing who you’re playing against and knowing what their tendencies are. I think there’s always good communication. Our defense gives us a really good look. I wouldn’t say I could be a defensive coordinator, but I’m learning a ton. I think I’m seeing it way more clearly. That’s probably what [Head Coach] Coach Meyer meant because he’s right, I definitely am feeling a lot more confident about what I’m seeing and just seeing the zones and matchups and all those things.”
(On seeing an improvement in his play from Week 1 to now) “For sure. I think I’m just playing a lot smarter ball. I think I’ve been more accurate, worked the pocket better, situational football’s been a lot better. Obviously, the past two games have been my best as far as decisions go and completion percentage, accuracy, all those things. I think those are my two best games, so that says a lot. I feel like
I’m getting better every week and just trusting that that’s going to put us in situations to win games down the road. Obviously up to this point it hasn’t, but we’re going to keep getting better eventually if I keep doing my job. I’m going to make the plays. I have faith in my ability that when there’s a play to be made, I’ll make it. But just doing the little things every play to take care of the football, to get it in our guys’ hands that can go make plays, and really just to put us in a position to win, we’re eventually going to win some of these. That’s what I’m going to keep trying to do every week and that’s what I think I’m getting better at.”
(On his preparation changing from the beginning of the year) “Yeah since I’m learning just how to really prepare and what works for me and what I feel more comfortable with I think I have gotten better at [preparing]. It’s so much about defensive film but it’s also about knowing your plan inside and out so when the defense does something you’re not expecting, [you’re prepared]. Like you can’t watch every single play ever that they could do. You’re not going to know everything that’s going to come, so you have to be able to react and know where everyone is in your concept or whatever your checkdown is, scramble, whatever it is. You have to know where everybody is so you can react. I think that’s definitely a step that I’ve taken is putting just as much focus on us and what we’re doing as the defense because at the end of the day, we have to execute. It doesn’t matter if I know [what the defense is doing]. It’s like the first game, I knew what coverage they were running almost every play and I threw three picks, so that doesn’t always correlate to being successful.”
(On the last game being a turnover free game since his interception came in the last minutes) “No, it’s not. It was a terrible, terrible turnover at the end. Obviously, it didn’t change the game. It was disappointing for me because at the end of the game, I thought we put a really good two-minute drive together. Obviously, it wouldn’t have changed the game, but to score right there would’ve been nice. We put a good drive together. Just to end the day on a high note, obviously you’d like to do that. It definitely wasn’t a turnover free game, but I thought I took care of the ball really well and made good decisions all day, took what was there, took a few chances, and made some plays, still a huge step. Obviously, that one at the end, I’m not going to do that a lot. I won’t do that again.”
(On the biggest issues concerning third down efficiency) “I think that’s a big thing is staying out of third and-long. That obviously makes it really hard when you’re in third-and-six plus. That just changes the [play]. The defense can do so many things and they can let you throw it underneath and come make the tackle, so it takes a lot away from what you can do. But a lot goes into that, it’s being smart, not getting penalties, not setting us back, first and second down staying on track. I thought we’ve gotten better at that but still there’s more work to be done, and then there’s a few plays we just have to make. There was a play where I had [Jamal] Ag[new] on a shallow cross and I think the DB barely tipped it. If I throw it six inches higher, he’d probably score. There was nobody else, it was man coverage. He laid out to make the play and he made a great play. Stuff like that, you have to make those plays and that turns into a huge play. There was another third down with Dan Arnold. It was actually a fourth down. We had a crosser with him and we’re like a fingertip away from getting that one too, so [it’s] a few plays we just have to make. Then obviously in the red zone, that was a third down where I thought I got in and they called me short, so that’s another one. There’s all those scattered that you just have to make the play when they’re there. Sometimes it’s not always going to be a guy running wide open. Two players just have to make a play, so we have to get better at that.”
(On looking at the Dolphins game last week where their secondary struggled against the Buccaneers) “I think everything’s kind of taken into account. Obviously, you have a breakdown of certain games. It’s not just one game, it’s multiple that you look at and obviously last week is something you definitely look
at because that was the most recent game. You see who’s playing, if there’s guys that are hurt or whatever. But it’s just every week you just don’t really know what someone’s going to do. You have all of the evidence of this is what they’ve done in the past, this is what they could do, but then you just have to react to what they’re, like I’ve always said, “flavoring of that game.” It kind of changes and they’re a team that does that to where they have certain rules: this week they want to play these receivers this way or this quarterback this way and throw this look in there. You have to react in the game, but you have to know what they’re doing. You have to see it and say, ‘I saw this. This is what they’re doing,’ and then react from there. That’s where the film study really comes into play. It’s not necessarily about always knowing exactly what they’re going to do before it happens, it’s about reacting too. But obviously, that’ll be a big game to watch and just putting a good plan together. They do a good job. They have a lot of junk going on on base down more so than a lot of teams. Base down almost looks like third down as far as some of the packages and different personnel they put out there. Just making sure we’re all on the same page will be important.”
(On having TE Dan Arnold as an option for the underneath throws) “It’s great just having another guy out there. You have your different offensive personnel and that just adds a little bit of flexibility as far as we can have a tight end in there and, from a play calling perspective, it’s not always [the same]. [If] you put four wideouts out there, it’s most likely going to be a pass. But [if] you have Dan [Arnold] out there and three wideouts, it’s basically like you have four, but you also have the ability to hide some things, run the ball, have an extra blocker, all those things where he can do both, that helps you. Then just adding depth and that’s a guy that can go make plays. That’s a matchup at the end of the day when you get in these games where you have corners covering your wideouts and their nickel, their next guy covering your slot and then you have a fourth guy, they’re going to have either bring in another DB that makes them light in the run game or they’re going to have to play a safety or linebacker on him and you can get a mismatch all the time.”
(On being where he wants to be before the bye week) “I don’t know if you can really measure that. I think just something that I’ve always tried to do, especially since college, since I can remember, is just get better every week. It’s a long season. You can’t go back and change anything. I’ve had some bad plays this year, but I can’t go back and change those and just realizing you learn every week. It’s a long season and as long as I keep getting better, I really feel like at the end of the year, we’re going to be in a good situation and we’re going to take advantage of a lot of these situations that are going to come to us from me playing well. For me, it’s just about getting better every week, not going backwards. There’s going to be times where you still make mistakes, but just overall learning from them and moving on. I don’t think you can necessarily measure that. I just think you can feel each week, I know I do. I feel like I’m getting better and I feel like it’s helping us every week stay in the game and have a chance to win it. You saw like last week, it kind of got away from us at the end and then the Bengals game. Every week we’re having a chance to win it. We just have to make the plays and finish it.”
(On playing former Clemson teammate and current Dolphins DT Christian Wilkins this weekend) “Christian [Wilkins], that’s my guy. I played with him obviously my freshman year. He’s a character, never met anybody like him. He’s different. He’s awesome though, one of my favorite people. It sucks playing against him. He’s so annoying, so I’m already ready for that, but [he’s] a great player. Obviously, [I] went against him in practice my whole freshman year. It’s like him and [former Clemson DE] Clelin [Ferrell] and [former Clemson DE] Austin Bryant and [former Clemson DT] Dexter Lawrence, all these guys on the d-line just bullying me as a freshman in practice, hitting the ball out of my hand every second. That’s my memory, but Christian’s a great guy. I’m really excited to play him. I messaged him in the offseason whenever the schedule came out and we were talking about playing in London. He’s
awesome. You won’t meet a better guy and I’m excited to see him. But he’s definitely annoying on the field, so I’m ready for it.”
(On staying in communication with current Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei) “I still talk to [him]. I still hit him up every now and then and just check on him. I haven’t in a few weeks now. But me and [Clemson Quarterbacks Coach Brandon Streeter] Coach Streeter, the quarterbacks coach, we still talk a lot still, so we stay in touch. I check in, see how things are going. Really, I just think everyone goes through everything at their own pace and you just have to learn and grow, and he’ll do that. I checked in on him after the Georgia game and then one of the other games, I forget, just make sure he’s hanging in there. You just have to stay the course, that’s the biggest thing. If you don’t quit, it’s all going to work out, so he’s going to be fine. We haven’t had at length conversations, but I definitely have a lot of faith in him. He’s a great guy.”
(On his relationship with Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa) “[It’s] not too much. I don’t know him that well. I’ve met him before and we’ve talked a couple times and I’ve seen him at different camps or trips or whatever, obviously played against him in college one time, and then I saw him one summer in California. [He] seems like a great guy, really down to earth. I’ve always enjoyed spending time with him and talking to him, but [I] don’t know him super well personally. But I’ve always kind of rooted for him just because I think he’s a good person.”
(On LB Myles Jack’s speech after the loss to the Titans) “It was great. I think the leaders we have on this team have been awesome. Obviously, it’s been a tough start and especially for the guys that have been here. It’s tough, the situation we’re in, but to see those guys that have been here and just to see the difference in what they talk about this year compared to other years and they really feel like we’re close. Obviously, we have to play better. Put all that aside, we all know that. At the end of the day, we can see that, but just realizing that if we stick together and just make these plays here and there, eventually everything’s going to fall into place. Hopefully that’s sooner rather than later, but we just have to keep going to work and keep believing. You can’t give up and I think this is a team that definitely hasn’t done that. I feel good about where we’re at. Obviously, we want to get going, get back on track, but I think we’re in a good spot.”
(On what he wants to do while in London) “I’m not sure. I honestly haven’t even thought about it. I haven’t even packed yet, so I need to probably do that [since] we’re leaving tomorrow. But I need to look at that. I think we’ll have a little bit of time to go out and explore for a second, so it’d be cool to get out and see it. Obviously, I’ve never been there, so it’ll be fun.”
JAGUARS LB DAMIEN WILSON
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2021
(On if there is excitement around London or if it is strictly business) “It is both really. You get 17 games out of the year and probably half of them are away but how many are away like this. It is definitely exciting.”
(On if he has played in London) “I have never played there – no.”
(On how he is preparing and if he has picked anyone’s brain) “I do not think about just going over, I just think it will be football as normal once you get over there. No, I have not been picking anyone’s brain.
(On sleeping well on the plane) “Oh yeah, I will probably be asleep before we even take off. Last time I went to London, I woke up with like two hours to go so it was like a two-hour flight for me.”
(On covering running backs and tight ends) “It just a responsibility thing. Us as linebackers, that is line number two of our job. First, we have to stop the run and then we have to insulate that little tweener area between linebackers and defensive backs, so that falls mostly on the linebackers to punch out and get up under those intermediate throws.”
(On what the linebackers need to do to cover running backs and tight ends) “I mean there are a lot of different variables that go into it. Most of them come off of either play action or boot so it is a matter of diagnosing whether it is run or pass quicker and then you would not get sucked up as much and would have a better starting point and more depth when you drop back.”
(On QB Trevor Lawrence improving each week) “I mean he really has been jumping off the tape as of late. I kind of knew it would be a matter of experience. The more games he gets under his belt, the better he is going to get. His ceiling is very very high.”
(On having the green dot this past week and the conversations leading up to it) “I can not remember the exact conversation, but I think I had the dot for most of that game to be honest with you. I think I started with and finished with it. They approached me early in the week, that was probably on Monday or Tuesday, it was not during the game. Even when Myles [Jack] had the dot I was still echoing the calls. He would get call and then I would hear it and then I would send it to the other side of the defense, so it was pretty much the same thing. It was just me getting the call and him echoing it [the call] to the rest of the defense.”
(On wearing the green dot with any previous teams) “Yeah, in Kansas City a couple times.”
(On Dolphins RB Myles Gaskin being more dangerous in the run or pass) “I do not know, he is a very balanced and complete back. That is the good thing about him he can do a lot of things. He can come in
and run it on first and second [down] and he can protect and then get into his routes on third [down]. He is a very dangerous guy, a very complete back.”
(On preparing for different quarterbacks) “You do not really go off quarterback tendencies, you just go off [their] passing concepts because I do not think the passing sets are going to change as much with a whole different person being under center. They are going to run what they want to run regardless, so we just focus on that part.”
(On what it feels like walking on to the field with a superstar QB like Patrick Mahomes and if he feels like that with QB Trevor Lawrence) “Yeah for sure, you never think that you are out of a game. I remember our super bowl run we were down by three scores against the Titans and it was the third quarter and we came back and won that game. Actually, we were down in every playoff game we ever had that year and we came back and won them all, Super Bowl included. You just feel like you are never out of a game and with Trevor [Lawrence] you start to get that sense a little bit. Even in the third quarter when we were down this past week, we thought we had that big play on defense that K’Lavon [Chaisson] strip sack and Dakota [Allen] picked it up. I mean that recharged us and we thought we were going to go down there and score.
(On forgetting that QB Trevor Lawrence has only played five games) “Not really, I try not to even look at the offense. I try to focus on what I can control and that is the defensive side of the ball. The point is that the other team does not score and then we will not lose.”
(On preparing for a left-handed quarterback and the last time he faced one) “The ball looks weird coming out – for starters. Thankfully though we do not have to many of those in the league.
(On the last time he faced a left-handed quarterback) “I really can not say to be honest with you man, it has been a while.”
(On how much time was spent in London on vacation) “I went last year for like a week and a half. During COVID-19, well it was right before COVID-19 hit. Matter of fact, I went to the Chelsea match right before they shut down the stadium. It was there last game and yeah it was a fun time.”
(On what stood out about London) “It is like a cleaner New York. Big city but a cleaner New York but I like it a lot though.”
(On being a big fan of Chelsea) “I am a big fan of Chelsea. I have some of my friends from Chelsea coming to the game.
(On if he has always been a fan of Chelsea) “I was not but you know what, they invited me into the stadium and took care of me. They showed me a great time and I met some of the players. Go Blues.”
(On if he likes Fulham) “I like Fulham too, I know our relationship with Fulham too.”
