HEAD COACH DOUG PEDERSON
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2024
(On the team’s mood since Sunday) “Obviously, the mood Monday, I don’t know because I
didn’t see them. They had the day to themselves to spend time with their families that are
over here and things like that. But yesterday, getting the guys back in here, they’re obviously
disappointed. They’re frustrated just like we all are. Being able to go through the film and
really show them, the good and the bad. There are some positives to what we’re doing, but
it’s those little negative things that are just holding us back. Little mistakes, some mental
assignments, obviously the turnovers, things of that nature. That are just keeping us from
being a much better football team right now. So, they’re disappointed, but they are excited
about – there’s 11 games left. Obviously, we’ve just got to focus on one at a time and
prepare this week. But the guys are in a good mood today.”
(On if S Andre Cisco’s postgame comments are indicative of how much the team cares)
“Yeah, Andre is obviously a really good leader on our football team. I’m guilty of this too
sometimes – you say stuff out of just emotion. It’s hard to not say something. But again, I go
back to what I said the other day. I just don’t think he meant anything demeaning by it. He’s
not pointing the finger at anybody because he’s in that boat as well, just like we all are. So, I
get the emotional side of it, but at the same time, I think we’ve got to continue to just press
forward. He obviously will learn from this and his teammates will rally around him. They’re
not looking at him any different. They want him to perform and play, and that’s what he’ll
do.”
(On if he’s spoken to Cisco about his comments) “I have not and quite frankly, sometimes I
don’t feel like I need to in those situations. I just think give him and the team a couple of
days to process. He was much better again today.”
(On “relishing the challenge” of turning the season around) “Yes. Look, we’re 1-5. We are
where we are. As they say, ‘If you make your bed, you’ve got to lie in it.’ That’s where we’re at
and it’s a great opportunity for us to really turn this thing. Again, you just want to go out and
catch and claw and win a game and try to get things going in the right direction. So, I
understand where he’s at and obviously where we are. That’s why I feel like even today, the
guys being in a good spot and emotionally ready for another opportunity.”
(On what he’s seen from Patriots QB Drake Maye) “I went back and watched him again this
morning. There’s some really good things on tape. Look, a young player, understandable,
he’s going to take what he did last week and he’s going to improve. I think you’re going to
see a different quarterback on Sunday, quite frankly. He’s got a big arm, he’s a smart kid,
he’s athletic he’s tough, he took some shots in that game against Houston the other day
and came back. I’ve been there with young quarterbacks, and you’ve just got to fight
through it, and you’ve got to keep working. There are some good things there and he’ll learn
from last week and be much better in the future.”
(On using his Super Bowl experience vs. New England to help the team win) “I lean back on
and think back on moments like that, and obviously different situations. This is not the
Super Bowl, but it’s still the New England Patriots and it’s still a good football team, and
they’re well coached. You see all the same things back in this team that I saw back in ‘18
going against them back then with a Coach Belichick [former Patriots head coach Bill
Belichick] team. It’s the opportunity that’s in front of us, that is presented to us and making
the most of the opportunity, right? Just like it was in 1’8, our team made the most of that
opportunity back then and the same thing today. I mean, you’ve got to make the most of
your opportunity. When you get chances to play, and you play well and it’s about doing your
job. I think those are the parallels that I can take from then and now and really apply them
to today.”
(On if he thinks you have to have an identity to win or is one formed after you win) “Yes,
because I think if you lose, that’s also an identity. If you win, that’s an identity. So, internally,
we talk about our own identity, but I think on the outside, the public, through the media,
shapes and forms who they think our identity is. But I think that comes through wins and
losses. So, it’s kind of a ‘yes’ question. I mean, I think both sides of it can shape an identity.
But for me right now, where this team is, if we go out and play well and do what we’re asked
to do, we can work on that and build on that and then begin creating internally, I think our
own identity as we approach each game moving forward.”
(On what he is trying to preach to the football team) “Well, number one, I think one of the
things we need to be as a smarter football team, right? As far as just eliminating some of
the mental errors, some of the mental mistakes, it could be penalties in the game, it could
be mental errors and things are going to happen. Don’t get me wrong. Football is football.
You’re going to get beat from time to time, but don’t beat yourself, right? So be a smarter
football team. I think the other one is you want to be physical. I think it’s mental and
physical toughness. I think it’s a mental grind. It’s a mental toughness to play in the
National Football League each week. These players go through a lot. They put their bodies
through a lot and they’re sore and they’re hurting. So, being more mental and physical, from
the standpoint of being a physical on the field football team. Then I think the third thing is
just, I think about our conditioning as a team. I think being a well-conditioned team as the
season goes, and this is not really related to Xs and Os as much as it is just your physical
body. Just stay in the weight room, stay up on your conditioning. Don’t let your weight get
out of hand. Things of that nature, right? As the season goes on and if you can control those
three things, with I think being a smarter football team, really makes a difference in the
success that you have on the field.”
(On defensive personnel changes as a result of players returning from injury) “Yeah. We’re
going to take a look at some things this week. [CB] Tyson Campbell, obviously, potentially
this week. So, we’ll see how he does in practice and make a decision later in the week. But
that changes some things and just adds another body. Another really good corner that, that
can just help us. We’ll see where he’s at. I don’t want to get into a whole lot of specifics
when it comes to personnel because I don’t want to tip our hand on things, but it gives us
some more flexibility to move some guys around and see where they can play.”
(On the importance of the defense being able to shut down the Patriots offense) “Well, it’s
important. I think it’s as important too, I mean, I think we’re scoring 18 or 19 points
offensively. They’re looking at it the same way, if we can keep them under 20, first one to 20
might win the game. That’s the reality of it. So, it is important defensively to go out and play
well and try to minimize the scoring. Then offensively that’s our goal. Our goal is to score.
So, it’s kind of a two-headed monster, but we’re up for the challenge.”
(On who will step-up after trading DT Roy Robertson-Harris) “First of all, let me just say, I
appreciate everything Roy has done for me and this team for the last three years that I’ve
been here. As you guys know too, we were heavy at DT and it just the opportunity presented
itself. This time of year, team-needs around the league too – injuries play a big part of things
and it was an opportunity for him and obviously, for us to get something for it. He’s been a
big part of that defense. I wish him well, but it’s good for him.”
(On if he anticipates more trades occurring before the deadline) “I mean, you’re always
open to conversations and phone calls, but I don’t anticipate anything like that.”
(On when he expects S Tashaun Gipson to be activated) “It’s a league thing. Honestly, he’s
still on the commissioner’s suspended list, so we’re waiting on the league.”
(On if Gipson could be granted permission before Sunday vs. New England) “Maybe. I really
don’t know where that is right now. I just know that’s the last correspondence I was given.”
(On what he’s seen from DT Maason Smith and DT Jordan Jefferson, and how he sees the
defensive tackle rotation without Robertson-Harris) “It definitely gives them opportunity.
We’re excited about both players. I think both of them are learning the game. Learning how
to play in the NFL. It’s a great opportunity for both of them. I thought Jordan did some good
things Sunday. It showed some power and some strength and then Maason’s continuing to
grow. He’s a good athlete, he’s a big physical guy, he’s long and just got to continue to work
with both of them. So, I think this is for both of these two players, young players, both guys
we drafted, I think it’s a great opportunity for them to really step up and take ownership in
their responsibilities.”
(On if there are any young players that he wants in the lineup) “Not necessarily. We’ve got
some young players on the roster. who’ve played. I think of another one, [RB] Keilan
Robinson’s been sitting there. I mean, Dewey’s [S Andrew Wingard] sitting there for you.
We’ve got players there. We just got to get them healthy and see what they can do moving
forward.”
(On what progress he would like WR Louis Rees-Zammit to make) “Yeah, big day for him
yesterday. Excited for him and what he was able to do and the people he met. For us, it’s
just being on a practice squad, you never know. You’re a play or two away from being
elevated to the roster. So just continue to work and embrace his role. We love his skill set,
his talent, his speed, his physicality, he’s got great size. Just learn, just continue to learn
and just be patient, opportunity will come.”
QUARTERBACK TREVOR LAWRENCE
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2024
(On what the mood has been like this week) “I think today, obviously, we’re back to work.
We’re getting ready to try to go win a game this Sunday against New England. Last week
was what it was, and you just have to be able to move on quickly in this league. Whether it’s
wins or losses. So, for us, we’ve turned the page and we’ve got to put our best foot forward
and try to go beat New England this week. So that’s where we’re at, and I think part of it is
keeping the spirits up. I mean, you stay focused and you stay locked in now more than ever,
but you also got to have fun. It’s still a game and we’re still out here getting to do what we
love and trying to just enjoy it and not let the pressure of, obviously, we need to win a game,
but not let that take away the joy of the game because I think that helps you play better,
honestly. So that’s kind of been what we’ve been talking about and some of the coaches
messaging, which has been good.”
(On why the team has had prior success playing in London and what they need to do to get
back to winning) “I think we always enjoy the opportunity to come out here and play. It’s
something different. It’s a change of scenery, kind of breaks the season up. Season’s long
and it can get a little, monotonous as the year goes on. So, I think we’ve always just
honestly kind of enjoyed the change up. Didn’t play well last week, so we’ve got to get on
track this week. But typically, I feel like we’ve handled it pretty well. So, I think still we
handled the travel, we handled everything well. Obviously, we didn’t get the result we
wanted, but we got an opportunity this week. So, like I said, we enjoyed being out here and
get a little fall weather. We don’t get this in Florida. It’s a little cooler for us. So, it’s kind of
nice. I know some of the big guys like that instead of being in that heat in Jacksonville.”
(On how he spent his off day) “My wife’s here, so I went and visited her in the city for a little
bit. Just kind of relaxed, walked around, ate at some different spots and got to explore a
little bit. So, it was great to see her and spend a little time with her.”
(On if he has learned any history of the city and the Grove) “I’d say I’m not a history buff at
all. I do enjoy history and learning about things. I don’t know a ton about the area, to be
honest. I feel like usually when we’re here, it’s pretty busy and we’re kind of focusing on the
game and trying to win that. But I am intrigued, and I think it’s cool just everything here, not
just the Grove, but also just in London is so much older than in America. So, the history
behind it, you pick up kind of bits and pieces as you go. I don’t know a ton, but it is
interesting hearing the different things about it.”
(On the importance of winning this week) “To be honest, I’ve played long enough to know it
doesn’t really matter how you play. Every team in this league is a good team and can beat
you. It doesn’t matter what their record is, how well they’ve played in the past. It’s any given
Sunday. So, for us, it’s taking it one week at a time. And yeah, we do have to just find a way
to win this game this week because we have to get some momentum going in the right
direction and we can’t let this keep going in the wrong direction and keep losing. The
season is moving quickly, and we need to win some games to get ourselves back in
position. So, we understand what we have to do, but you can’t jump ahead, and we’ve got
to just try to take care of business this week. Then next week, we’ll move on to whoever you
say, I guess, Packers, next week. So that’ll come when it gets here. You get in trouble when
you start looking ahead and I just think that it’s too hard to win in this league to look ahead
and think about who you’ve got to beat, what’s coming up, how many games you’ve got to
win to get there or whatever. You’ve just got to try to win one every week.”
(On if there is a specific part of the offense that is looking to be improved) “Just everyone, I
think being more consistent, including myself, and that’s kind of been what we’ve struggled
with. Quite honestly, the past couple years when we haven’t played well is just the
inconsistency, whether it’s from me or anyone at any given moment. You’re never going to
be perfect, but just consistently doing your job, communicating, having the details down.
There’s some little things out there that keep showing up and we’ve got to correct them. So,
playing cleaner, taking care of the ball, trying to have a turnover free game on Sunday. I
think that’s a big step. I mean, that’s the biggest part of this game is taking care of the ball.
Honestly, that’s the biggest indication of winning or losing is how many turnovers you have,
how many turnovers you got as a defense. Both of those things go hand in hand and we’ve
got to control that better as an offense.”
(On what advice he would give to Patriots QB Drake Maye as a rookie quarterback) “Yeah,
I’ve met Drake before, I like him. I think he’s got a lot of talent; he’s got a bright future. I know
what it’s like to be a young quarterback in this league not too long ago, and I wish him the
best. It’s a challenge and every week is a learning opportunity, and you just have to use it to
make you better moving forward. That’s even still going on my fourth year, I’m still doing
that. You learn something new every week and it’s challenging and I think he’s got all the
tools to be successful. So, I’ll definitely talk to him after the game, and I wish him the best
of luck. Obviously, like I said last week, not on Sunday, but I do wish him the best of luck
and I’ve heard great things about him.”
(On what TE Evan Engram brings to the offense) “Yeah, he’s a huge part of our offense. You
see what he was able to do on Sunday, just in his first came back. It’s pretty impressive
being out four games and then coming back and playing that well. So, he’s a spark for us. It
just opens up everything else in our offense, having the threat of him on the field. Obviously
when he touches the ball, he can turn it into a big game just because he’s so good after the
catch. He stretches the field vertically and he’s a really good matchup for us. Whether it’s
safety, linebackers, whoever, it’s a really good matchup. So, I think it does add a challenge
to defending our offense when he’s on the field. I’m just going to keep using that to our
advantage like we have in the years past.”
WIDE RECEIVER LOUIS REES-ZAMMIT
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2024
(On his experience with the Jaguars in London and his ambassador role to the NFL) “Yeah,
it’s amazing and obviously you get to see all the kids growing up, loving this sport, loving
football and flag football. It’s an opportunity for them to learn the game at a young age
which, unfortunately, I didn’t really have back when I was growing up. But it’s great to have
it now.”
(On if he feels close to getting playing time in a game) “I mean, I’m just working hard every
day to try and do what I can do to get an opportunity, whenever that comes, and I’m going to
try and take it with both hands. But for me, it’s just about learning every day and learning
from my teammates, learning from coaches and just doing the little things right, the little
details, learning the playbook. Obviously, joining a different team first week of the season,
it’s going to take a little bit to adjust and adapt to things, but I’m learning really quick and
I’m working hard every single day.”
(On the transition from Kansas City to Jacksonville) “I mean, it was pretty tough because I
was just starting to get the hang of one playbook and then all of a sudden, I’m trying to learn
a completely different one. But I’m loving every moment being in this league and the
opportunity that the Jacksonville Jaguars have given me is one that I’ll never forget. I’m
working hard every single day to continue to learn this playbook and work hard every single
day to learn playing receiver as well, which is quite big for me, making that switch at
position. So yeah, as I said, I’m loving every single day.”
(On if there’s anyone in the receiver room that helps him) “I mean everyone’s so helpful in
our receiver room and we’ve got some unbelievable receivers, some that are great at
reading defenses, some are amazing at running routes. We’ve got the best of both worlds in
our room. Obviously, our coaches are unbelievable as well. We’ve got Chad [wide receivers
coach Chad Hall] and Tet [assistant wide receivers coach Tyler Tettleton] in there. So, I’m
just trying to learn as much as I can from everyone.”
(On his reflection of the last year, leaving rugby for the NFL) “It’s unbelievable to come back
here finally. I’ve been in America for pretty much nine out of the 10 months of this year. It’s
great to come back see all the Jags fans and just how loyal they are because there’s a lot of
them out in the UK. Us players love coming out here and being able to play in front of them
and see that support that they’ve given us. Yes, it’s been great. The transition from the very
start was tough. Completely diving into a different sport is obviously not an easy task to do,
but this is what I wanted and I’m chasing this dream of mine. I’m going to try and do it with
the excitement that I bring to training every single day.”
(On if he’s happier chasing his dream as an NFL player than playing rugby) “It’s two different
things. Now I’m here, I get to work hard and train all the skills that’s needed for me to be in
the team. Being a rugby player and wanting to play in the NFL, I knew that I had to do a lot in
rugby to be able to get the opportunity to do this. When I was playing rugby, my full focus
was on rugby, but in the back of my head I knew that this was a massive dream of mine and
one that I wanted to chase, and now we’re here today. I’m on the Jacksonville Jaguars and
I’m loving every single moment of it.”
(On attending the NFL London game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last season) “Yeah, so
it actually popped up on my memories on my phone. It said, ‘A year ago today.’ We were
watching – me and my brother who’s in the back there – we were watching the Packers vs.
Giants just as a fan on the sideline, hoping one day I’d be able to go out there and I’d be a
part of a team. It’s amazing to be here now.”
(On if he knew he wanted to play football when he attended last year’s London games) “Oh
yeah, I mean, I’ve been thinking it since I was a little kid. It’s just the opportunities didn’t
arise back when I was growing up, but now they did. I’m loving being here.”
(On how much time he’s spent learning the playbook) “Yes, it’s definitely a tough
experience. Obviously, when I first joined the [Kansas City] Chiefs playing running back, I
was trying to obviously learn that playbook and learn that role, and you probably have to
learn a lot less than you do if you’re a receiver. You need to know all the routes, you need to
know all the concepts, all the formations. When I joined the Jags, it’s taken a lot of my time
because I want to try and learn this as quick as possible to be able to go out there and not
have to think while I’m playing. I just want to be able to play fast and kind of know
everything stepping up to the line. So, I’d say it’s taken up a lot of time, but I’m here and I
want to be here. I know it’s going to take a lot to get an opportunity, but I know what I’ve got
to do and I’ve got to just focus on the small details and then wait for an opportunity to
come.”
(On if it’s been helpful to have been with two different teams) “Yeah, one of the big things
for me was finding a position that would suit me best. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out at
the Chiefs and playing running back, we figured out that that probably wasn’t the best
position for me. Coming here and the Jags giving me the opportunity to play receiver, I feel
like that position suits me a lot more. It allows me to use my speed a lot more than it did at
running back. Just the little things like that. I’m so happy to be here and as I said, I’m loving
it.”
(On how comfortable the UK weather is for him) “I mean, I lived here my whole life, so I kind
of knew this weather and what it was going to be coming back. But yeah, it’s definitely a lot
hotter in Florida. Just as I was adapting to the weather for the past month and a half that I
was in Florida, I come back here and these gray skies and a bit cold. But yeah, as I said, I’m
used to this. I’ve lived here for 22 years of my life, 23 years of my life. So, yes, it’s nice to be
back though. Just being back in the UK feels like home and although we’re only here for a
short period of time, it feels nice to come back before we leave on Sunday.”
(On if he’s spoken with other top rugby players about playing American football) “Yeah,
most definitely. I’ve had a load of messages from players asking how the journey’s been,
how the transition’s been. I think that you’re going to see a lot more rugby players come on
the journey that I’ve gone through whether that’s the International Player Pathway or the
NFL Academy, going into a college in America and then going through that process. But
yeah, I’ve definitely spoken to a few rugby players who have just asked for some advice. I’m
just trying to be an inspiration for young kids and people that wanted to play in this league
that never got the opportunity to. But there’s definitely a pathway for it.”
(On being a resource for international players looking to transition to American football)
“I’m here to try and give as much advice as possible. Obviously, it wasn’t really an option for
me, growing up being able to go straight into the NFL, so I kind of had to find a pathway that
would allow me to do that, and that for me was the International Player Pathway. But, the
NFL Academy, back here especially, that’s one that younger people can join, and then head
into college in America and get that experience as well, and kind of compete with the
players that are in all over the league now. Whatever advice I can give, then I’ll try and do it
to the best I can.”
(On how he’s found the limelight since joining the NFL) “I try not to focus on the social
media aspect of it. I’m trying to focus on actually getting into a team and working hard for
that team and doing the best I can for that because ultimately, you don’t get that limelight
without playing well. I know what I’ve got to do to try and get opportunities on the field and
I’m working hard every single day with the coaches with my teammates to try and make
that happen.”
