JAGUARS INTERIM HEAD COACH DARRELL BEVELL
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021
(Opening Statement) “Morning, everyone. Hope you guys are doing good. Right now, we’re still working through a ton of the COVID stuff that we have going on here. We added a couple more guys today. The main focus right now is just being able to field a team, get these guys out on the field. We’ll have to see later in the week how the new ruling’s going to be able to affect us.”
(On CB Tyson Campbell’s development in the last half of the season) “I think he’s done a really good job in his progression here. Particularly, I see him doing a better job staying close in coverage, being able to make plays on the ball, staying tight, and he’s playing within the defense doing a nice job.”
(On CB Tyson Campbell in run support and not being afraid on the Jet’s fake field goal attempt last week) “No, not at all. I mean obviously that ended up being a big play for us to knock the holder short there. So yeah, [I’ve] just been really pleased with him.”
(On his interest in becoming the next head coach of the Jaguars) “I have not had any conversations about that up to this point. Right now, we’re mired in this COVID stuff so [we’re] just trying to be able to get a team out there. But as far as being interested, I would be, yes.”
(On the league’s decision to cut the quarantine period from 10 to five days) “Well I think number one, it will help the team to get players back obviously more quickly. We want to make sure we’re doing right by the health of the player, making sure that they are able to go back on the field. But for us in a team right now that’s in the situation we are, that will help us to be able to get a number of the players back. I think it’s the recommendation from the CDC anyway, so we’re going with that.”
(On DE/OLB Josh Allen having a chance to play with week) “I mean according to the protocol, yes he will be able to. But again, we have to see how he’s able to make it through, have to see the doctor and all that stuff.”
(On adjusting internal COVID protocols for extra precaution) “Today we went completely virtual. We didn’t even bring guys in here this morning, trying to keep them, as best we can, apart. Also, when they get here, we’re going to go straight to practice, and we won’t even be in the building at all. They’ll get out to the practice field so we can stay outdoors. Then, as soon as we can, as soon as practice is over, then we’ll get them in here and get them out as quickly as we can and then we’ll do meetings virtually as well post practice.”
(On implementing the COVID protocols all week) “Yeah, [we’re] trying to do the best we can. I’m really kind of taking it day to day. Virtual’s not the greatest thing as you guys know. It’s a totally different atmosphere and particularly for a learning atmosphere. But right now, I think that’s [in] the best interest of the team, yes.”
(On putting together a game plan with the uncertainty of available players) “It’s really difficult. We’re taking it day to day. I mean I hate having to see my phone buzz or my watch go off and I’m like, ‘Oh no, now what?’ Another guy goes down, another guy goes down. I’d really like to do a great job of communicating with the staff, like who the possible inactives are, so we kind of know how to practice. Right now, we just don’t know, so we’re taking it a day at a time. I’ve said it before, we have to be as flexible as we can, but as far as game planning and doing that situational stuff, it makes it more difficult.”
(On what feedback he has gotten from the players on how this week is going) “To be honest with you, I haven’t gotten a lot of feedback from them. I just made the decision to keep them out of here. Obviously, there are protocols and things they have to do so they have to come in and test. They know the things we’re trying to do to keep them safe. Obviously, anytime that they are in the building they have their masks on and the meeting rooms look way different than they used to look and there is much more space. I was even going to even use the indoor this week as our facility instead of being inside in even in those bigger meeting rooms. Just trying to do everything we can to knock this out, but it has a little bit of a hold on us right now.”
(On taking the entire team on one flight to New England) “Honestly, I don’t think we’re that far along yet. We still have to get through the week in terms of who is going to be possible because there are guys that can back on five and days and their fifth day, they could play in the game but I don’t think they would be able to fly on the plane so that is all up in the air in how you would even get them there.”
(On New England’s defense and offense) “Defensively, obviously one of the better defenses in the league. Very well coached and they are very multiple and they have really solid players at all three levels of their defense starting with [Matthew] Judon. I know he is a COVID guy right now, but he is really where the defense starts. They got Jamie Collins back and they just have a lot of names that you know. They just do a great job playing the defense and playing the technique and it’s hard to move the ball and score points on them. I think they are one of the top in the league in points [allowed]. As far as the offense, it is running through Mac Jones and he is doing a great job of managing the game, making good decisions and getting the ball out. I think that is one of the things I am impressed with the most is how quickly he can get it out and how he gets through his progressions. I know they do want run the football and that is another way that they move it, but Mac Jones is really having a good year for them.”
(On if he expects RB Dare Ogunbowale to lead the way again this week or if RB Ryquell Armstead has a shot) “Right now, obviously Dare has the most time in the system followed by Nate Cottrell, who got a carry last week and then [Mekhi] Sargent that we picked up and Ryquell that we picked up. We will be able to see them this week as much as we can. We need to get them out there and the biggest thing is getting them up to speed. Pass protection is a major part of it. Obviously, the run game and just
teaching them where the holes are. The run game is the run game once you’re able to teach them that, but the protection is really the nuance stuff so one of those guys will for sure be up and we just have to see how far during the week they can come along.”
(On his thoughts on John Madden passing away and if he had any interactions with him) “What a great icon for our game and I was able to have a couple interactions with him. Him and Brett Favre were a pretty good duo there so being around Brett in the Green Bay days and a little bit in the Minnesota days as well. He was around and did some of our games. Everyone knows the second you hear his voice you know exactly who it is and you can picture him and you see him on the TV. Obviously, he has all the
madden games as well. A great human, a great ambassador for our game and a great coach in his own right. A guy that will definitely be missed for our game.”
JAGUARS QB TREVOR LAWRENCE
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021
(On his experience with Patriots QB Mac Jones) “I can’t remember, I met [Patriots QB] Mac [Jones] a long time ago, early in high school. One of my better friends, [former Alabama TE] Miller Forristall, they played at Alabama together, I went to high school with Miller, so we have that mutual friend. [We] don’t talk too much. I haven’t talked to him in a long time actually, but just have kind of obviously followed his journey. We’ve kind of been aligned. He’s a year older than me, but still [we’ve] kind of gone through things at the same time so I kept up with him. When I met him, he was a great guy. It was, like I said, forever ago. We don’t talk a ton, but it’s been to cool to see his success this year. Obviously, they’re [the Patriots] are doing a really good job.”
(On Patriots QB Mac Jones’ performance during his rookie season) “I think he’s been really efficient. Offensively, you’ve seen what they do. They run the ball really well. He’s been very accurate, a great decision maker, taking care of the ball, and put them in a bunch of situations to win a lot of games. I think that’s a big part obviously of their success. The quarterback has to play well, so definitely.”
(On preparing for this weekend’s game with COVID protocols and going virtual again) “It adds some challenges for sure. Obviously, you’d rather have everyone together. It makes things easier; you get more time with your guys to be together and to talk about different things and to go over the game plan. Everyone’s kind of going through similar things, maybe not at the same time, but through this whole season, everyone’s kind of been faced with the same challenges. So just managing that, obviously
just being mature, handling it the way you’re supposed to handle it and take care of your business and just counting on everyone to do that. Obviously, it’s hard when you lose a lot of guys and you’re not sure who’s going to be back for game day. That is more challenging I’d say than the Zoom aspect of it, so we’re working through that right now. Today we did as much as we could, had a good mental day, moved around a little bit, and just trying to get whoever can play, all those guys ready and [we] had a good start today.”
(On paying attention to the search for the next head coach) “Obviously, you hear things and I try not to dive too deep into all that right now. That’s not my focus. I need to just work on trying to win these last two games and it’s going to take everything we got. We have two really good teams coming up the next
two weeks, so [I’m] just focusing on that right now. Obviously, you see and you hear things, but right now my job is to go and try to win some games. I’m just trying to push that off and just focus on this season, finishing strong.”
(On CB Tyson Campbell’s biggest improvements this season) “I know obviously Tyson [Campbell] had a couple nagging injuries to start off getting here so that really kept him off the field a little bit. Other than that, I always thought that he brought a lot to the table. I watched him play when he was at Georgia and then when he got here, and I really liked the way he played. I thought he was going to be a great player. Just to see him be healthy this whole year and just getting more and more confident I think is the
biggest thing, especially at that position. At really every position, but especially at corner, confidence is so big. You see he’s starting to play with that confidence every snap, and he’s played great. He’s been a big bright spot on our defense, and it’s been fun to watch his growth over the season.”
(On getting to 10 touchdowns on the season) “We need to score. Like I’ve been saying for a few weeks, we need to score more points in general. Obviously, that goes with throwing touchdowns, so it all goes together. I’d love to get some more and hopefully these next two weeks we can get some. But I don’t think it’s a psychological thing, I just think that for us, taking advantage of those opportunities we have down there is so critical just not only for that. Obviously, that’s not the main purpose but just to maximize our possessions in the red zone, which we did a little bit better job last week actually. [We] didn’t finish the game, but we actually scored. I think we were 50 percent in the red zone, I can’t exactly remember. So, we did a better job last week but just trying to get better at that. Then obviously you have to be able to throw touchdowns to do that [because] you’re not going to be able to run it in every time.
JAGUARS CB TYSON CAMPBELL
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021
(On what he has seen from QB Mac Jones and how to ) “As a group, we just trust in our gameplan and just try to stop their strengths. They are a pretty good team as far as running and being able to play action off that, so they have been doing a pretty good job at that. Those are some of the things we are trying to come in and stop.”
(On if he thinks the reason the Patriots struggled against the Bills and Colts is due to pressure on the QB or great coverage) “I think it was a little bit of both. I think both teams were able to play a good defensive game against them so that helped them stay in the game and ultimately win those games.”
(On a moment he felt comfortable playing in the NFL) “I think it was just confidence in myself and just trusting the process and having faith in God and knowing that eventually everything is going to come together.”
(On where he thinks he has improved the most) “I think I have improved in everything. Each week I try to get better and each week the game slows down for me, so I am able to see offenses and formations differently and play more patient. Just my work after practice and my work in practice and film study all help me get to where I am at.”
(On his post practice routine) “I am still doing it. I am always catching balls, whether it be footballs or tennis balls. I am always working on releases and usually I do it with Tavon Austin or another defensive back.”
(On what the new COVID protocols have been like for him) “It has been different of course but it is a sudden change and we just make sure we follow all the protocols and keep everyone in the building safe. It has been different and everyone is used to having meetings in person so it is kind of different having meetings on zoom but it is an adjustment we can get used to.”
(On constantly having to adjust all year) “Yeah and that is what it’s all about. How can you adjust and how can you bounce back from it, so I think we’re adjusting pretty well. Everyone is following the protocols and we’re just trying to make it to the game this week so we can have all our guys and be prepared.”
(On what concerns him about the Patriots offense) “We know they have good players and good coaches, so we know they are going to be well coached to whatever scheme they have coming into this week. We know we’re going against a pretty disciplined offense, so we know we’re going to have to execute.”
(On his call for Friday’s Georgia versus Michigan game and if he has a bet with DB Brandon Rusnak) “No, Brandon didn’t want to bet with me. You know I am rocking with the Dogs, I think we’re going to pull it off and then we’re going to play [Ala]bama in the Natty [CFP National Championship].”
(On if he wants Alabama vs. Georgia in the CFP National Championship) “Yes, Alabama and Georgia in the Natty.”
