Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marrone

Friday, December 27, 2019

(On what kind of issues QB Gardner Minshew II is having with his shoulder) “It is just overall soreness. We are just trying to be precautionary and rest him [today] and see how he is on Sunday. We have Nick [Foles] and we have Joshua Dobbs. They are ready to go.”

(On what he says to the team at the final practice) “Well, we have one tomorrow. I kind of look at it that way. There are some opportunities out there with some of the guys being out. Some of these guys that we haven’t seen like Parry Nickerson or Brandon Watson will see some time on the outside with A.J. [Bouye] questionable and then with Leonard [Fournette] questionable, you have [Ryquell] Armstead and [Devine] Ozigbo. We will make a roster move, probably tomorrow and see where we are.”

(On how DE Yannick Ngakoue has been this season) “He has been great. When you talk about a laser like focus where … He is only one speed. He is 100 miles per hour working to get better every day. If anything, you have to kind of pull him back a little bit. That is what you want as a coach. You want to be like, ‘Hey, just pull it back a little bit.’ He just goes. Always a smile on his face, he really loves football. He is out there. We all know the contract issue that is out there, but for my appreciation as a coach and the assistant coaches would say, that is never ever talked about nor are there ever any actions that show any frustration. As a coach, you can’t ask for more than that. He’s a heck of a player. You know how you always wonder, ‘What the hell are those coaches talking about when they are out there on the field pregame?’ Well, a lot of times those guys will be [saying], ‘Hey, that 91, that guy can go. He’s got a motor.’ So, he’s got a lot of respect, not only in this building, but around the league.”