JAGUARS HEAD COACH DOUG PEDERSON
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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022
(On the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship) “First of all, it’s a great program that the league and the NFL and all the clubs embrace and started a few years back. You’re just giving guys opportunities to be seen, just like you are players in this league. These guys come from a lot of different backgrounds and most of them are in college football or maybe former players, like Brock Marion, who we have. He’s, I think, a two-time Super Bowl champion and three-time Pro Bowl player, who has a coaching bug and an itch to coach. For us as a staff and for me, and it’s a way to keep your eye on some younger coaches. There’s a lot of turnover in this league and coaches move on from place to place, and it’s a nice pipeline to see these young coaches out here with our players. I’ve told our coaches and players, ‘hey, look, they’re part of the staff.’ I want them to coach our players just as a position coach would. Great program. We’re excited for the eight guys that are here, and we look forward to the next few weeks with them.”
(On the Guardian caps on helmets) “The league has a done a great job to try to reduce the number of concussions and things by targets and strike points and things like that. Player safety is something that we uphold and adhere to. With the Guardian caps, league meetings approved using the Guardian caps
for the first few weeks of training camp and it’s statistically proven it can reduce the concussion rate or at least the impact by about 20 percent of both players – o-line, d-line, linebackers, tight ends. To wear it early in training camp when you’re back off of about a five-and-a-half week break from OTAs, really, I think conditions the players for what’s to come in preseason games and the regular season.”
(On how he feels about the rookie class) “These guys are doing really well. It’s still early in camp. Today’s day four. Long way to go, but pleased where they’re at and what they’re doing. They’re improving every single day. These games coming up are going to be another benchmark for them to take a step in the direction we want them to go.”
(On if any players have caught his eye so far) “I spend a lot of time on the offensive side, so some of our young receivers have taken some notice, taking a step forward. The thing I’ve been impressed with all of the rookies and young guys is how well they’ve retained the information from the offseason and brought it right out here for training camp. Again, it’s early, but excited for these guys and the opportunities in these first couple of games.”
(On what Luke Fortner showed in the spring that gave him confidence that he could handle an increased role) “He was a player that we watched on tape in college. He played in some really big games at Kentucky. Just really loved his athleticism. He’s a smart guy. You get into the offseason program and when we draft these guys as high as we did – Luke being in the third round like we did – we knew at some point that we have to at least get him in there with the ones and let him go to work. Nothing is set in stone, but we want to give him those valuable reps to work with a veteran in Brandon (Scherff) to his right and Cam (Robinson) to the left and work with these guys. He’s done a nice job and he’s handled it well. We continue to throw a lot of information at him and see what he can handle.”
(On C.J. Beathard’s recovery) “C.J. is doing well. Day to day with him. Want to go cautious. He’s throwing in some of the drill work that we’re doing. We just want to protect him right now, so any day we can see him back out.”
(On his anticipation of players putting on pads next week) “You put the pads on for the first time on Sunday and player safety, again, we don’t tackle. We don’t go to the ground. We stay up. We don’t cut guys. We practice fast. It’ll be the first time in pads for these guys since really in several months since the end of the regular season. You just want to see an extension of what we’re doing. It’ll be no different – practice may be a little bit longer. You get a little better idea, I think, up front especially when you do these team run periods just to see the fits and the combination blocks. It’s much easier for an offensive lineman to hang onto a shoulder pad than a sweaty jersey at that time too. It does make a difference to put the pads on. Little more weight, again, we’re conditioning the bodies. I think the guys are excited to do that.”
(On if he believes in the one-on-one contact drills) “Yeah, you’ll start seeing more of the one-on-one pass rush games when the pads come on and more of the o-line and d-line working together. In this acclimation phase, we have to limit the amount of contact we’re doing. Once the pads come on, it’s game on at that point.”
(On Devin Lloyd’s progress) “He’s doing well. He’s still going to be day to day. Just want to give him time. With those injuries, you just don’t want to rush him back. He’s a type of guy and type of kid that’s going to do the right things off the field from a mental standpoint with the defense. We’re going to give as much time as he needs.”
(On Chad Muma and Shaq Quarterman) “Shaq has done really well. Young veteran player. He knows where he needs to be. Communication on defense and his special teams value as well. Chad is another one who has stepped in and impressed us a little bit with what he knows, what he’s retained. He seems to be in the right spots on the field.”
(On if he’s thought about what the city might be like if Jacksonville won a Super Bowl) “You do sit and think about moments like that. It was very special in Philly to bring a championship to that city and those people. It’s a generational – the city of Philadelphia and to see the excitement and joy on their faces. And then you transition to here, you think about the history of the Jaguars and how close they were just a few years ago to possibly playing us in the Super Bowl and how exciting, even from afar, you could see how exciting the fanbase was at that time. I kind of put myself in that situation where, first of all, let me go out and say we’re a long way from there, but you do think about that. You do kind of put yourself in those positions and how exciting, not only here in Jacksonville but overseas when we go to London, how many fans are over there. The impact would be great.”
(On if he’s considered that from a historical coaching perspective) “I did after we did it in Philly after some of the legendary coaches in Philadelphia. You think of Coach Vermeil and Andy Reid and those guys. The same thing here with Coach Coughlin and the guys. They’ve had good teams here. We have to have another one. For me, it’s about one game at a time, but you think about those moments from time to time.”
(On how Trevor Lawrence has looked this week) “He looks sharp. He looks crisp. Gosh, he sees the field really well right now. He’s commanding the offense. He’s still in the growth mentality, which is exciting. He still wants to get better each and every day. We’ve seen that out of him. He’s leading not only by
example but being able to go up to players and talk to them about routes or protections with the o-line or whatever it may be. He’s in a good place. It’s still early in camp, but we like where he’s headed.” (On how he’s understanding progressions) “That’s an area where he’ll get better as he understands the offense because the whole system is relatively new to all the players, but for quarterbacks, understanding where guys are going to be. You’re starting to see that a little bit more and more in some of the team drills. If it’s not there down the field, how he can get to a back or tight end underneath. That’s just knowing and being more comfortable with the offense.”
(On Lawrence’s mechanics) “Mechanically, he’s sound. I would say sound but a work in progress as well. One of his strengths is his arm and he’s a tall guy. He stands nice and tall in the pocket and keeps his eyes down the field. We just have to continue to work his base and making sure he’s on time and in rhythm on every throw.”
(On Tyson Campbell) “Tyson is really beginning to come into his own as a corner in this league. He’s long and lanky and can run. Yesterday, he had a really good day, had a couple of pass breakups. He’s another one of those young players that the more reps and more time on the grass, is just going to make him a better football player. He’s young, energetic, he’s also becoming a leader on that side of the ball. That’s good to see.”
(On Campbell’s confidence) “In your second and third year is where you start seeing these young players really make strides in this league. It is good to see. At the same time, he also knows it’s a long season and you’re going to have highs and lows but how you manage it and how you stay right in the middle, I think, goes a long way.”
(On his approach of putting rookies into starting lineups) “With a guy like Travon, he’s our first pick. You’re going to throw him in there. He’s going to be in there. Luke (Fortner) is the same way. Devin Lloyd, before the injury, was in the starting rotation. You draft these guys for a reason, and the reason is they need to play. We need the depth, we need the talent, we need maybe possibly to fill a hole. There’s no better time than right now to let them go through a practice and make mistakes, have successes and be able to coach all that right now than say, Week 1 or 2 of the regular season, when it’s their first time.”
(On Christian Kirk) “He’s a silent leader. Gosh, I don’t think he missed a day in the offseason. His attention to detail is unbelievable. His work ethic. How he and Trevor communicate is something that for a young quarterback and a veteran receiver, you would think these guys have been together for a couple of years. He leaders that room. It’s a young, impressionable room, and he’s one of the leaders in there and he’s done some really good things.”
(On Zay Jones) “I’ve been impressed with Zay. He’s come in here, he’s a smart guy, he’s one of those guys that doesn’t miss. He’s picked up the system, and the one thing I like about both of those guys, and you throw in Marvin Jones and Laviska (Shenault) and some of the guys that are working with the ones, these are unselfish guys. It’s not about throw me the football all the time. They understand there’s one football, and in order for a play to work sometimes, one guy has to be the take the top off guy. Each one of those guys can do that. Very unselfish that way. It’s good to see.”
(On the importance of tight ends) “I like tight ends. It goes without saying the success we had in my previous stop with tight ends. Grew up, even as a player, with tight ends. These guys, it’s a really good room. Chris Manhertz and Luke (Farrell) are the primary Y tight end positions, and you have Evan
(Engram) and Dan (Arnold) playing more of the F slot type receiver tight end positions, but there are a lot of combinations right here. And the young guys are really mixing in well. They’re learning, they’re getting better. For tight ends, when you put the pads on, that’s really where you see some of the physicality in the run game with these guys, so we’re excited about that. Good room right now. They’re learning as well, just like everybody else, but doing some good things.”
JAGUARS WR CHRISTIAN KIRK
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022
(On red zone drills today) “The tough thing about the red zone is obviously that the field is condensed, so it’s hard down there in the league in general you’ve got to be on point with your landmarks and your fundamentals and be disciplined in the play call. Offensively we struggled a little bit, but that’s some of
the adversity we’re going to face all training camp and throughout the season. For us, it’s going to be great film for us to go back and watch and just learn from today, and move forward, and just keep on getting better.
(On if he was surprised the offense struggled) It’s the fourth day of training camp, it’s been a longer week, and the defense came out with some energy today. We had some success on them earlier in camp. It’s just a high competitive day at practice, especially in the red zone because that’s where touchdowns are scored. The guys were amped up. I thought we handled it well. I thought we handled the adversity well, and we just kept on trucking, and we’re going to learn from it.”
(On the trip to the Bahamas with the offense) “I think it’s more about off-the-field chemistry. That was our goal. Me, Trevor, and Marvin and the vets were talking about it. Me being in Arizona, Marvin being on two previous teams, doing it in other places, it’s a big thing, especially for offensive skill guys and their quarterbacks to get together and get to know one another and build that relationship. It makes it better when you take the field and you’re working hard, and you have days like this where you can come together, and you know how to communicate and work with one another.”
(On dinner tabs during the trip) “We did a good job splitting all of them. I picked up a couple of them, made sure everybody ate well. It was good.”
(On things he has learned from playing with historically successful players in the league) “I think number one is the preparation on a daily basis throughout the whole entire season and the approach out on the field, on the practice field. The way those guys prepared and they competed every single day, there’s no drop off, and they had that same mentality that they’re going to be the best player on the field day in
and day out. They were so great to work with and be able to watch, and it was the same thing on Sundays. Once that whistle was blown, there was no doubt in their minds that they were the best player on the field that day, and they’re going to go out and perform like that. Those are just little things that I’ve been able to watch and learn from them and help try to apply to my game as well.”
(On how he feels about being able to learn from other players that he has played with) “Incredibly lucky. I always tell, even tell the younger guys, Marvin, Zay will always ask me what have I been able to pick up in some of the experiences of being around them, and I believe I’m definitely one of the luckiest guys to be able to play with three guys like that, and I have nothing but love and respect for those guys because they’re my big brothers, and they help me ultimately get to this point.”
(On his relationship with Trevor) “It’s fun. We have a very similar demeanor, laid back, and our serious approach to our game and our work, especially when we’re out here, it’s all about business, all about getting better and being the best that we can be. Off the field, we’re always sitting next to each other, always hanging out, talking about life and whatnot. It’s been super easy to get along with him and build that relationship, and I’m excited to continue that.”
(On whose idea it was for him and Trevor to play golf together) “Oh, it was definitely me. I’m definitely a golf addict. Once I found out that Trev was playing, getting into playing, when I first signed, I made sure to hit him u. I was like the first thing we’re doing is we’re going golfing, so now it’s been our thing. On the weekends we go out and play some golf. It’s a good way to go out, compete, have fun, and just keep building that relationship.”
(On Trevor’s claim that he is bad at golf) “I wouldn’t say he’s bad. He’s definitely working. He’s getting better. Golf is not an easy game by any means, so any amateur golfer can say that they’re bad. I will admit it, too; I’m bad at times, as well.”
(On if he has played any of the nice courses in Jacksonville) “A few. I spend a lot of time at the Ponte Vedre Inn & Club. It’s been great. Just the city of Jacksonville and being able to come here and the hospitality from everybody, helping us move in and all the resources everybody has given us has just been amazing. I truly am so happy that I’m here, and I feel grateful for the opportunity.”
(On if he feels any pressure coming into this season) “Not at all. I can truly say I’m playing the most free minded, pressure-free, relaxed football that I’ve felt in a while. I truly feel that having this new opportunity in a new organization, new team, new teammates, I can truly just be myself and focus on being the best that I can be for these guys and be a leader, and just going out there and put it all on the line for them because I truly believe that we have such a great group. It’s been a lot of fun every day taking the field. Every second here has been great, so no pressure at all.”
(On what about being here allows him to play so relaxed and free) “I think just with Doug and Press and the whole offensive staff, obviously Mr. Baalke and Mr. Khan brining me here, and the belief in me and what I can do and my potential to be the player I know I can be, there’s no worries. All you have to do is go out there and play football, and I know when I’m at my best, I can be one of the best, and that’s just all I’m focused on, and it’s a great feeling.”
(On if he prefers to move around or focus on one position) “I prefer to be moved all around, slot and outside. Schematically, I know the coaches talk about it week in and week out based on what the defense does and tendencies wise, dictate where I’m lined up week to week. It just kind of adds a sort of dynamic, and we have so many other guys that do great things as well, and that’s the great thing—you won’t be able to key on any type of tendencies. The coaches do a great job of aligning us everywhere. I feel like I’m at my best when I can play a little bit of outside and inside and just kind of get moved around.”
(On if they talk about what the media says about lack of deep threats) “No, it’s not something that we discuss. I just laugh because we have so many guys that have put deep threat ability on tape and have done it. I’ve had success with it, Zay’s had success with it, Marvin’s had success with it, so it’s not something we pay attention to. As receivers, we’re all guys that like to catch the go ball, like to catch the deep post, so it’s definitely going to be a point of emphasis for us because we know we have the guys to do it.”
(On QB Trevor Lawrence’s preparation) “He comes out here off the bus and gets into his warm up and preparation, getting his body ready for practice, then once we hit the field, he’s locked in and he’s making sure we’re on point with everything. The great thing about him and what I think is important is the open-minded communication between him and us receivers and the tight ends, and even his offensive line. If he sees something, immediately after the play he’s coming up to us, we’re talking it through and making sure we’re getting it right. That’s the kind of things you want to see from your quarterback and having that communication and getting better.”
(On if Trevor’s persona is big coming from a young quarterback) “One hundred percent. Being able to have that mindset, being able to pick other guys’ brains and being able to take coaching, even if it’s not from a coach. I may say, ‘Hey, I see this, and I think maybe try this,’ and it may work. He’s really open to taking that and taking that coaching, that reassurance from other guys, so being able to have that and that maturity is great to see.”
(On the bus rides from the stadium to the camp practice fields) “They’re getting a little longer, for sure, in the mornings coming over here, and they’re getting a little hotter on the way back the more we get into practice. It’s honestly been great. They’ve made it a smooth transition. It’s a little bit of an adjustment, but I don’t think anybody has a problem with it unless a bus ride is missed. That’s the only risk you have to take.
(On if it’s big being on the first wave of buses after practice) “It’s definitely big to be on the first wave of busses (getting back to the stadium) especially if you have a workout, like defense has a workout today, so you definitely want to get on that first bus.
(On if the buses smell bad after practice) (joking) “The majority of the O-line gets on the first bus, so I’m smart and take the second wave, try to stay off of that.”
