JAGUARS HEAD COACH DOUG PEDERSON
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2022
(On how QB Trevor Lawrence played on Sunday) “He was very efficient, 20-of-22 passing, really good in
the run game with some of the checks we gave him and really did what we asked him to do. Did a nice
job in the fourth quarter leading that drive down to get us the lead late in that game and put us in a
position to go ahead and potentially win it. Those are obviously the steps that we need him to take, and
that was big in that direction.”
(On if a third down throw to WR Zay Jones was one of the best throws he has seen QB Trevor Lawrence
make) “I think so. He was able to stand in there and have a little heat in his face, stood in there and
made a nice throw along the sideline over the top of a defender. Really good throw.”
(On if the game plan was designed to help QB Trevor Lawrence bounce back) “A little bit. Again, it goes
back to what the Colts do defensively. They like to keep all eyes on the quarterback and rush four or
seven in coverage and sort of rally and keep everything in front, so it’s a matter of staying disciplined,
and he did that and not only stayed within himself but within the structure of the offense.”
(On how that framework from the Colts game will transfer to this week against the Giants) “It’s a
different set of challenges this week. Wink (Giants Defensive Coordinator Wink Martindale) does a great
job of adjusting personnel, different people in the game, different coverages. Still wants to come out of
a one high or single high defense, but he’ll present zone, he’ll present man, then, of course, he’ll blitz
you. That’s been his MO. It’s still, as a quarterback, you want to stay in rhythm, timing, accuracy, all
those things are highly important, and being able to handle the blitz, I think this week is going to be one
of the challenges we have as an offense.”
(On if there are games from earlier this year the team can look at to prepare for the Giants defense)
“You can look back earlier in the season, I think a little bit of the Washington game, even the Chargers
game in there where they want to mix multiple personnel, play five man fronts, get after the passer,
make you throw the football, all those types of things, those are games that Trevor (QB Trevor
Lawrence) can look at, we can look at and see what worked and try to use that this week. It’s going to
take all 11, really, on offense. This team is playing well, 5-1, opportunistic, they’re creating some
takeaways and key moments, especially late in the fourth quarter. Look at last week and what they did
to Baltimore. They’re playing well and playing with a lot of confidence.”
(On using an unbalanced offensive line) “No (you can’t do it every play), that was short yardage
situation. It was third and one, short yard situation. Offenses and defenses can get predictable in those
situations. You kind of know where the defense is going to be. Defensively, I think you know what the
offense is going to do based on personnel. For us it was just a well-executed play. It was an off-tackle
type play, and I think Luke (OL Luke Fortner) was over there, Manhertz (TE Chris Manhertz) was over
there, JT (OL Jawaan Taylor), they blocked the guys they had to block. It was just a nice opening for
Hasty (RB JaMychal Hasty).”
(On having the two starting tackles lined up next to each other in the game) “You don’t (see that often).
Again, I credit Coach Rauscher, Phil (offensive line coach) for the scheme and the game plan there and
what he saw. We did it multiple times in that game, last week with the unbalanced stuff. That’s
something we can continue to work on.”
(On a wrinkle in a basic look for a reverse play to WR Jamal Agnew) “You’re happy if it works, and you’re
disappointed if it doesn’t. Again, you’re going against a common opponent. The second time we played
the Colts, and you trying to come up with things they haven’t seen from us, and it just so happened that
that was an opportunity to execute that play and hopefully he would score, and he did score on the
drive.”
(On a fourth and one wrinkle play that did not work) “I take credit on that one. Sometimes you just line
up and play football sometimes. That was a bad decision on my part, put our team in a bad situation
there.”
(On progress he has seen from OLB Travon Walker) “I think, too, what you’re seeing is teams are aware
of him and scheming protection towards him. He’s gaining the recognition and respect of the
opponents, but at the same time, he needs to understand, he can’t get frustrated. He’s got to continue
to work and find ways to create rush and play within himself. He’s a good player and only going to get
better. These are great learning experiences. There were two penalties I know he would love to have
back, and he’ll learn. Sometimes you learn the hard way, and that’s what he’s going through right now.”
(On the status of DL Foley Fatukasi and how the team will defend Giants RB Saquon Barkley with or
without Fatukasi) “With Foley I think, we’re going to see him out there today. We’ll get him back in
practice, and hopefully he’s capable and day to day still, but we’re hoping he makes it to Sunday. We
need all hands on deck with Saquon. I’ve watched this guy for many years run all over us. He’s one of
those backs where you’ll get two, you’ll get three, you’ll get one, then bang, he’ll hit you for 50. That’s
just the type of back he is. He’s an explosive running back. He’s a downhill guy. He’s got speed to circle
the defense. He’s just a complete guy, and you’re seeing him out of the backfield, too, and he’ll make
plays there. Having some different guys if Foley can go, just help anchor in the middle of the run
defense, but with a guy like Saquon, you’ve got to make sure you can get him on the ground.”
(On how he has seen CB Tyson Campbell grow since he became the head coach) “I think just as he’s
played more, he’s gained more confidence. Came out of training camp that way, I think. You can just see
it in his play. Early in the season you saw a couple throws his way that didn’t go his way, but now, more
and more, as teams try to challenge that side, you see him break those plays up and make those plays. It
just comes with playing. Young players need to play, and he’s done a nice job. He’s fitting into the
scheme well and playing with confidence.”
(On if other offenses are respecting CB Tyson Campbell more and make him a part of their game plans)
“I think so. They’re still trying to throw the ball that way, and you have to. It’s just the more he makes
plays and the more confident he gets. He seems to be in the right position. He’s a good tackler out in
space and just a young, solid player for us.”
(On if solving the coverage issues from last week’s game will be more saying you have to play better,
scheme, or personnel) “I think there’s a little bit of all that, quite honestly. If we play man coverage,
we’ve got to play man coverage. We can’t give such free access sometimes. I’ll say that to say this:
Teams scheme man coverage. You get in bunches, get in stacks, it’s a way to draw picks and allow guys
to get open, and now you’re in a trail position as a DB, and it’s hard, but do the best you can. You can mix maybe some zone in there from time to time, but at the same time, we ask our guys to do a lot. We
challenge them, some of the veteran players. Somewhere we’ve just got to make a play. As coaches,
we’ve got to make sure we’re doing the right thing, too, and putting our players in position to be
successful.”
(On if WR Jamal Agnew and WR Marvin Jones Jr. are expected to practice today) “Marvin, yes. Jamal, no.
We’re going to kind of see where he’s at. He’ll be out there running around, but as far as taking any kind
of team reps, he’ll be out.”
(On similarities between this Jaguars team and the Giants, except the Giants have come out of their
close games with a win) “There are a lot of similarities when you look at the scoring. If you look at the
scoring by quarter, there’s a lot of similarities there, both teams. I think the number one thing that we
have to focus on is us and making sure that we make plays in the fourth quarter. We haven’t done that
well enough this year or consistent enough where they are. They’re making those plays. They’re in the
right spot at the right time. That’s kind of the way this league goes sometimes, the ball bounces in your
favor. Give them credit. They’re in the right position to make those plays, and that’s something each
week, we learn from ours and try to be in position each week to come up with the ball or make the play
that wins the game.”
(On if he feels like they are getting closer to making plays that win games) “I do. It’s a want to. It’s a
desire. You see it from the guys. You see it from the team. That’s why they’re dejected and kind of ticked
off at the end of the game for many reasons, but that’s the main reason, just not being able to finish a
game, maybe close out an opponent in the fourth quarter, whether that’s offense running the ball for
first downs, getting first downs, or the defense getting off the field on third down. I think those are all
hand in hand things that we haven’t been able to do yet.”
(On how QB Daniel Jones has changed with a new head coach) “First of all, Daniel Jones is a guy that can
beat you not only with his arm but with his leg. I’ve watched him split our defense in two for 65-yard
runs, and he’s a better runner than people give him credit for. Then the second part of that is I think
Coach Daboll has done a nice job of doing what he does best and using that as a strength, much like
we’re trying to do with Trevor (QB Trevor Lawrence) and do what they do best. That’s being efficient in
the passing game, get the ball out of your hand, don’t take the unwanted sack or untimely sack, don’t
turn the ball over. Those are all things that Daniel has done, and he’s done a nice job with it.”
(On QB Trevor Lawrence running the ball more often) “Do you want him to run all the time? No, but at
the same time, it is an opportunity to gain valuable yards, get a first down, stay on the field. Any time he
has the ability to do that, I encourage him to, protect himself, obviously, which he has done. We had
some designed runs on third down that he’s picked up some first downs, and those are all part of the
game, but anytime he can scramble, use his legs, get after it.”
(On if it is easier to prepare for a quarterback who he knows will get a lot of called runs like Jalen Hurts
or one that will get more yards on scrambles trying to get out of the pocket) “It’s two different styles.
One is schematic with the zone read and how you play your ends or your linebackers and all that on the
back side. The other is just impromptu, pull the ball down and scramble. They’re both hard to defend,
but at the same time, you’ve got to stay disciplined in not only your run fits, but your eyes have to stay
disciplined. The scheme has to be disciplined, the whole thing, and when they do run, you have to make
sure you get them on the ground. They’re going to get plays. They’re going to make yards. Jalen Hurts is going to make yards running the ball, and Daniel is going to make plays scrambling. Just try to limit it as
much as you can.”
(On what they thought of OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux in the pre-draft process) “We liked him. We
interviewed him at the combine, had him in, liked everything about him, thought he was a very unique
player, has a different skillset than Travon (OLB Travon Walker), but at the same time, very effective.
The guy can run, he’s physical at the point. He’s doing the things that Coach Wink (Defensive
Coordinator Wink Martindale) has asked him to do, and he’s another one that will continue to get
better.”
QUARTERBACK TREVOR LAWRENCE
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2022
(On if he welcome opportunities to run the ball more) “Yeah, that’s something I feel like really most of
my career, I didn’t do much last year, most of my career I’ve used my legs a lot, so that’s always
something I’ve been comfortable with if it’s necessary. In this league, you want to take as few hits as
possible, especially at the quarterback position. If it’s going to help us win, whatever that is, a designed
play, a scramble, whatever it may be, just try to put us in the best situation to win, so that was kind of
necessary last week. Every game is different, so be prepared for that, you just never know which kind of
game it’s going to be.”
(On the offensive creativity of the Head Coach Doug Pederson and the staff this year) “They do a good
job. Our staff is really creative, does a good job scheming things up and at the right time, too. There are
a lot of things that we might have, and we decide not to call it or we decide to just put it on the
backburner for a week or two because we don’t feel like it’s the right time or that we’re ready to do that
one yet. I think we’re really smart with how we do things, Coach [Pederson] especially, so I think they do
a great job with that. It’s fun seeing all those plays as they go in. It’s always cool to see the guys they put
in different situations, different positions, and obviously when they’re successful, that’s great.”
(On the fourth down play that didn’t work) “Most of the time, you have a play put in and you’ve worked
it, and you’ve repped it in practice. Pretty much every play we run we think it’s going to work. We have
it repped versus all these different looks, and it usually always comes down to execution. That’s what it
is at the end of the day. We’ve got to execute better as an offense. There were times in that game
where we executed really well, and there were some looks where honestly, were some things that were
a little bit surprising, and we were able to adjust and communicate and make a play. Then there were
times like that fourth down where we just didn’t execute well on our end. Great play by them, not
taking anything away from them, but at the end of the day, it comes down to us and what we do, and
we should be really prepared for whatever look they put out there, and we have smart enough guys to
adjust to anything, so we’ve got to be better on that end.”
(On if he felt like he needed a bounce back game) “Not really. I feel like the two weeks prior to that,
Philly and Houston, weren’t my best games, and that’s just, every week you’ve got to bounce back no
matter if you played well or you didn’t play well. That’s kind of how I look at it, so that wasn’t necessarily
the thought process at all. It’s just let’s go be as good as we can be this week. Let’s let me be as good as I
can be to put us in a position to win. That was the thought process, but that’s the one thing you’ve got
to keep is your confidence in this league, and I think our whole offense has a lot of that right now. We’ve
just got to get back on track to do what we do well, being efficient, and executing.”
(On if he thinks that TE Evan Engram, is excited about playing his former team this week) “Yeah, I think
he is for sure. We haven’t talked a ton about it just because yesterday we were off, just being back in
the building today. I know he’s excited to play those guys. He’s a guy really, honestly, it’s been cool to see his preparation, how hard he works. He’s one of our hardest workers, after practice, during practice,
just always getting extra reps. I’m sure there’s a little bit more emotion behind that this week playing his
old team. It should be that way every week, but I definitely think he’s excited for this one. We all are. Big
opportunity. Good team coming in here.”
(On he and TE Evan Engram having been expected to be a big dynamic duo coming into this season)
“Every game is so different, and you have certain plans, and some games it goes as planned, and you get
the guy. On certain plays, you think this guy is going to get the ball, and it’s kind of designed for him or
Christian (WR Christian Kirk) or Zay (WR Zay Jones) or Marv (WR Marvin Jones) or whoever it is. That’s
just the way the game works. They play a different coverage, and you’ve got to go to a different
progression, all that, so it’s hard to scheme something up to get someone the ball exactly when you
want to. Evan’s a guy who has really done a great job for us. Maybe stats-wise, he doesn’t have the
craziest stats, but just as far as what he does in the run game, what he’s been able to do especially after
the catch. He’s had a lot of short throws come to him, and he’s been able to fight for first downs. He’s
been great on third downs. He’s done some really good stuff for us, and I think our connection is great.
We would both like to see that get better and better for the stats and the catches and all the big plays to
come, but I have no doubt that’s going to happen. I know that’s something that neither one of us is
concerned about and we don’t even talk about. It’s been great playing with him and his mindset.
(On if he can ever remember a time in college when he had two starting tackles lined up next to each
other) “I don’t know. I can’t remember. We probably had something at some point. I don’t know. That’s
a good question. I thought you were going to mention a specific play they did or something.”
(On if he ever had trouble keeping his confidence at times playing growing up) “There’s been times it
gets a little shaky, and you really have to work through that. Honestly, there were times last year, where
you start to question some things. This game really tests you mentally, obviously physically, but mentally
especially, really when you’re having not a great year as a team, as a player, as an offense, whatever
that may be. You really just have to keep that confidence, and I’ve talked about before, where do you
get your confidence from? It can’t just be circumstantial. I’m playing well, so that’s why I’m confident.
It’s got to be in something bigger than that. I really just believe I’m here for a reason. I’ve had all these
opportunities for a reason, and I feel really confident in that. That’s what’s helped me keep pressing
forward whether that’s a great game, really bad game, great season, bad season, just continuing to be
myself and just trust that. I think that’s kind of helped me weather the storm a little bit because
honestly I haven’t been challenged too much as far as my confidence until I got to the NFL. Things have
gone pretty smoothly in my career. I’ve had a few bumps in the road, but really, last year was
challenging. I think from that experience, it’s helped me a lot. Right now we’re 2-4. We’re a really good
team, and we’ve lost a lot of games that we were that close to being a 5-1, even possibly a 6-0 team,
and just understanding that. That doesn’t really matter to anyone else, but for us, we have confidence in
who we can be, and we’ve just got to go make those plays to finish those games, but we have a lot of
confidence. I guess my point was going through the year like last year gives me a great perspective on
how we started this season, the ups and downs. We’ve had some games where we’ve played great,
some games where we haven’t played great and just being able to stay locked in, laser focused on the
next week and realizing we still have 11 more games and all the opportunities in front of us to do what
we want to do.”
(On some of those low points from last year) “I think there was a few moments, obviously individually, I
had games where I didn’t play well, and you get in those moments where, as the quarterback, you just
try to make something happen when things aren’t going well, and I think I’ve learned a lot from that.
That doesn’t always make things better, it usually makes things worse, so really just learning how to play
within myself, and that’s what we talked about, kind of like with the turnover thing, just in general,
playing within myself, not trying to do too much. Last year there were times I did that, and you leave the
field after the game, and you’re feeling like, man, that was awful. I had a rough game, and you’re kind of
thinking about all the plays, and just being able to channel that in the right way and not let it affect your
confidence moving forward but learning from it is definitely a skill that you have to learn in this league,
or it will kind of eat you alive.”
(On his thoughts on running in for a touchdown or passing for a touchdown) “I’ve always kind of liked
running the touchdown in. I don’t get to do it as much, but that’s always cool. I like both. I like scoring,
no matter if I’m throwing or running or Travis (RB Travis Etienne Jr.) is running it, getting points is fun. I
just like scoring. I enjoy running it, especially in the league as a quarterback you don’t get quite as many
opportunities as in college, you can do a little zone read and run somebody on the goal line in college.
That’s not happening quite as much in the NFL with those edge guys.”
(On if they have practiced QB sneak this year) “Yeah, we’ve had a few reps at it, so I had a couple in the
game that helped us out, so it was good.”
