Saturday, August 17, 2019
(Opening Statement) “Kind of what we talked about before, going through a normal week. Except for today, today is just like a bonus day, just going to get out there and run around a little bit and get some work done, but it’s not part of the normal week that we’ll have during the season. I think a couple things that you’re going to see: some of the guys that have been out will be back; Marqise Lee is going to be off PUP [Physically unable to perform list], so he’ll be out practicing today. We’re bringing him along, and then some of the linemen will be out there practicing and progressing, so that’s good. Then, I think as far as playing time, we’ll see how the week goes. Like I said before, if they’re healthy, I’m planning on playing those guys, so there’s other things that can happen that can change, so I’m not going to hold myself to it, but that’s what I’m trying to get done.”
(On trying to get the offensive line ready for the season) “Sure, I’d like to be able to do that, absolutely.”
(On if there’s any progress in getting the offensive line intact) “I think when they get out there, and they start playing, I think that’s what you’re going to see, so really that’s the goal first. I think you get them out there, you get them playing, you get them practicing at a level, then you get them to a level playing with each other and then actually going out there and actually performing. So, it’s just a matter [of] the availability, the amount of reps they can handle right now as they’re working their way back. I think that we’ve got a pretty good battle at right guard going on. I think A.J. [Cann] and Will [Richardson Jr.], they’re both really working hard at that. Then [we’ll] see how those guys keep continuing along during the week. And then the game will be big, too.”
(On wanting to get the offensive line intact before Nick Foles plays) “I’d like to, yeah.”
(On if getting the offensive line intact includes Cam Robinson and Andrew Norwell) “I think you’re exactly right, yeah. You want to. Obviously, that was a goal. Sometimes those things don’t occur, and you have to move on and it’s not an ideal situation, but we’re trying to get those guys back. I think you’re going to see a lot of them working out there, it’s just a matter of how much work, strength, and everything to wanting to get them out there and be able to play. So, a lot of decisions. Once they’re out there practicing, there’s still that next decision, we put him out in a game, that we talked to doctors and trainers about and, obviously, players. So, we’re going to address that when we get closer and see how they do during the week, but I’m happy that they’re out there.”
(On how far behind the offensive line is in terms of continuity) “I go back and forth a little bit. Sometimes I think that we kind of—sometimes it’s overblown, sometimes it’s not. There’s legitimacy to that. I think a lot of it depends on the players mostly, of who they’re going with each other. But I would say the way I feel right now is that we have a lot of work to do to get going because when you look at the players, it would be different if we were getting a lot of those reps during the week, but we’ve had guys out [injured]. So, I think we have a lot of work ahead of us. To say that we can’t get to where we need to get to, that’s not true, but we’re going to have to get this thing in overdrive and, fortunately, we have time after this game before the first game of the regular season. And that’s where we’ll be looking to make up for that in a simulated way where it’s not as much contact.”
(On what positives he sees from QB Alex McGough) “I think the first thing that stands out is the athleticism, mobility. Obviously, he has a nice arm, he can throw it, and then it’s just a matter of once you have those intangibles, doing a good job in the huddle, having control. Then you’re looking at accuracy, reads, and being able to perform in a game. A young quarterback; I still see him as a young quarterback. He’s got a lot of work a head of him, we’re excited to be working with him, and he’s always continuing to work hard, so we’ll continue to keep working with him.”
(On what McGough has to show him to earn the third quarterback spot) “Well, he has the third spot right now. I just don’t know if it’s a roster spot, I don’t control that. Right now, we have three quarterbacks. We picked up Elijah Hood, the running back, and we let Tanner [Lee] go, which is always tough. He’s put in a lot of work and that’s always a tough time for me letting anyone go, really. Especially a guy that’s worked his butt off like Tanner, but these things happen. So, we’re down to three [quarterbacks] and he’ll have some opportunities, and he’s got to take advantage of it.”
(On if McGough has a chance to be the third quarterback on the team’s roster) “I can’t answer that question. I’ll have an opinion if I’m asked by the people that control the roster, [Jaguars Executive Vice President of Football Operations] Tom [Coughlin and [Jaguars General Manager] Dave [Caldwell], but I’m just working to get everyone better, so I can’t really give you a good answer. You have to ask [Jaguars Public Relations Director] Tad [Dickman] to ask one of them. I apologize for that, I really do, but I know the kid’s working hard and he’ll have an opportunity I’m sure.”
(On the skill set of Elijah Hood and if there’s value in bringing in a running back with a different set of skills) “I really haven’t seen him out there, so I think it’s tough to say. I’ve always liked having a change up, but I wouldn’t mind having three great ones. I think it all depends on the type of combination you have, and I think a lot of times when people talk about the change up, it’s usually that the third [running back] is a guy that has to play special teams, so a lot of times that’s going to be transitioned, or people have to think about that as speed, skill, you can run, cover, where you can contribute to special teams. It’s very difficult to have a roster where your third running back’s not contributing on special teams or is not a returner.”
(On how serious Alfred Blue’s ankle injury is) “I think we will just take it day by day. I think we will look at it and see. Each player, you guys know, each player is different. He is just going to be working hard. It is disappointing. He has had a really good camp, he has worked hard, and he is going to work himself to get ready. Obviously, he won’t play this week and we will take it day by day after that.”
(On what he has seen out of Yannick Ngakoue since he has been back) “I have a high expectation of him and he has a high expectation of himself, so I don’t think it’s anything mind-blowing, you know what I’m saying, when I watch him. Yannick has always been a guy that has gone 100 miles per hour in practice. He is always looking to get better. He is always hungry. He has always had a chip on his shoulder from day one. I think you still see those things that make him such a good player. You still see them out there on the field. I see a guy that is really just chomping at the bit to get out there and start playing and get the season going and him getting out there and doing the best job he can to help us win football games.”
(On how pleasing it is that Ngakoue hasn’t let anything distract him from being the best that he can be) “I think it’s being a pro. I think he probably would be better to answer that question of how he deals with it or what happened, but I have not seen anything that would make me think in the back of his mind is this or that. He has not done that whatsoever. He’s been out there and been the same player that he’s been. I give him credit for that. Yann is a good pro. He’s done everything he can. Like I said, he’s 110 miles per hour. If anything, you try to slow him down a little bit at times.”
(On if he anticipated experimenting as much as he has on the offensive line) “I will tell you, I think we can take … there is so much intrigue or there are so many storylines in the offensive line. I think from a storyline of, ‘Where is Cam [Robinson] going to be? Is he going to be ready?’ [The storyline of] free agency with bringing Cedric [Ogbuehi] in from Cincinnati. How is he going to fit? Josh Wells, coming back from an injury to, obviously, we re-signed [Tyler Shatley]. Where is his ability? Brandon Linder is coming back and how healthy is he going to be? Then, [Andrew] Norwell is coming off an injury.’ Really, the Will Richardson [Jr.] storyline is a great one because I didn’t know what we had last year. I give that kid credit because he could have easily been written off or written off himself. He really didn’t do a lot last year, didn’t contribute a lot. A lot of things, a lot of disappointment, you could almost use that term. Then you go into this following year and you don’t know what’s going to happen. You wish for the best, but you prepare as if it’s not going to be there, you know what I’m saying? I’ll tell you what, this kid, I don’t know what happened, I don’t know what transpired — I’m not trying to get into his head — but he has really, really turned the corner and is playing well to a point where he’s battling for a starting position with a guy that has played a lot of football games here. It’s great for us. It’s great for our football team. Competition is always a good thing. It says something about the kid. I think it’s an interesting story. I don’t know it. I don’t want to screw it up. Sometimes, a lot of times, I won’t ask [the player] because I don’t want to screw it up if something is going well. If something is going well, I don’t want them to say, ‘You’re right, maybe I should…’ and then boom, back to what it was before. It’s been good. To answer your question, I didn’t know how it was going to be. I thought a lot of it had to do with what the injuries were, and I think Will [Richardson Jr.] was kind of like a wildcard really, for me.”
(On if he sees himself in the future approaching the preseason similarly to this year’s philosophy) “I’m just happy to be here today. You are talking about down the line. I’m hoping we are having this conversation next year, the year after that and for years to come. I would be fired up about that. I don’t know. I think things are going to change. I think the landscape is going to change – the CBA, the rules – they are going to give us things … The teams change. You have a younger team, an older team. I think you have to be able to adapt and do what’s best for your team. I think each team is going to be different in what they do. I don’t think every team is the same. I think there are a lot of intangibles that work into it. I think it could possibly change if you have an older team. It could possibly change if things work out this year and the guys go out there and they really are fresh and they play well. You are always evaluating that. If you have a younger team, I think you are going to want to do more to that extent. I think a lot of it depends on how your team comes back. If they come back ready to go, then obviously you have the ability to take some time to get things ready. If they don’t, you have to press at the beginning early. There are just so many things that go into it. I do think it’s changing. I think the time and what we have to do and all of this stuff; it will be interesting to see what the collective bargaining agreement that they are working on with the NFLPA and what happens. Then we have to be ready to make adjustments and do what’s best for our team.”
(On if he knows how long the starters are going to play on Thursday night) “No, I can’t [say] because there are a lot of things that can happen. You can go in there, someone can be injured, and you don’t want a player in there with this player being injured. There are just so many things that go on. I want them to play. I’m not going to lie to you guys, I have said it from the beginning, I want those guys to play.”
