OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR PRESS TAYLOR
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
MONDAY, JULY 31, 2023
(On what’s changed this year for WR Kevin Austin Jr.) “I think all of the above. I think that’s a big thing
though, people talk a lot about year one to year two, and really within a system. Even our guys that are
third- and fourth-year players, it’s year one to year two in a system. You’re seeing in the spring that
these guys are very comfortable with what we’re asking them to do, they understand the concepts,
there’s not as much thinking. They hear the play in the huddle, they know where to line up, they know
what they’re going to do, they know the adjustments, if need be, and then obviously time on task with
the quarterbacks. He’s [WR Kevin Austin Jr.] has been around C.J. [QB C.J. Beathard], he’s been around
Trevor [QB Trevor Lawrence], so stuff like that goes a long way. Guys feeling comfortable you tend to
see a little bit more of their skillset.”
(On how he’s seen RB Snoop Conner progress over the last year] “Same idea. I think Snoop settled into
what we’re asking him to do. He’s got a skillset that’s we think could contribute to our backfield. That
backend of the running back room is really jocking for positions in terms of how they’re going to fall out
on the game day roster and stuff like that. That’s something we continue to see a step forward with all
these guys, especially when the pads come on here later this week.”
(On if QB Nathan Rourke is meeting expectations) “Yeah, absolutely. He’s done a great job, just in terms
of growing from the spring, through the summer, into now at training camp. He and Coach McCoy
[Quarterbacks Coach Mike McCoy] have spent a lot of time together, he’s done a great job in that room
with those guys, and he’s somebody that’s going to get a lot of opportunities as well coming up in these
preseason games, that we have high hopes for leading our offense.”
(On if he has noticed QB Nathan Rourke’s accuracy in camp) “Yes, he’s done a good job. The big thing
with those guys is understanding what we’re trying to do on each play, where to go to with the ball and
playing on time. Throughout this training camp, we’re really evaluating the quarterback’s process, not as
concerned with what the stats may look like and this and that, because again, we’re not scheming our
defense. We’re putting on plays, but we want them to understand the process within each play and how
we get through our progressions, when we may throw a ball to a certain guy in certain times. Certainly,
the accuracy has been impressive from all those guys so far.”
(On working with Passing Game Coordinator Nick Holz) “Yeah, I think the biggest thing with Nick is
taking us in year one to year two, in Nick’s experience with different systems during his time with the
Raiders. He’s been with a lot of different guys whether it be Coach Gruden [former Raiders Head Coach
Jon Gruden], Coach Olson [former Raiders Offensive Coordinator Greg Olson], a bunch of different
people that we think bring different ideas and experiences to us. Whether it be spread systems, west
coast systems, no huddle stuff. His experience and then the way he meshes with our coaching staff
having known a couple of guys throughout, I think it will just continue to elevate us from year one to
year two like we’ve been talking about.”
(On expectations of OL Anton Harrison and rest of offensive line) “Yeah, it’s definitely going to be a step
up, playing week one in shorts and a t-shirt is really not what the linemen envision football being like.
You certainly get a feel for targeting, for their understanding of what we’re asking them to do. But now,
physicality becomes real, you want to see who steps up, who rises to that challenge, does their
technique go out the window because now it’s a little bit more physical? Each week through this
preseason, everything ramps up. Eventually you line up across from somebody else but then the
difference from preseason to week one is a huge step as well. There’s just going to be a continued
growth, especially with these young guys.”
(On if OL Anton Harrison has met expectations so far) “He has. The biggest thing expected of him is that
he gets better every single day. You want to continue to push him and continue to see that growth keep
going. We don’t expect today where he’s going to be in week one. We want to see a lot of growth in
that time, and so far, we’ve seen that day-to-day with him.”
(On what’s he has seen from the younger offensive lineman) “Yeah, I think the best thing with that
group is the versatility. You’ll see guys throughout this thing shuffle around, whether it be playing the
right side, the left side, inside, outside. We’re going to have to see some guys snap at some point
because we’ve got to continue to see how could you contribute on game day. If you’re not a starter, you
have to be able to play more than one spot on the offensive line or you pigeonhole us, or you force us to
move multiple people if something were to happen. We’ll continue to see that as we go, and then the
biggest thing is what happens when the pads come on. It’s still not live or anything like that, but there’s
an increased physicality as we move forward into this thing.”
(On if OL Walker Little will take snaps) “Yeah, probably not that one.”
(On impressions of OL Walker Little at left guard) “He’s done a good job in there. It’s different, you go
from playing left tackle to left guard, sometimes play-to-play, sometimes series-to-series, period-to-
period, whatever it is. It’s a different world, there’s a lot more bodies nearby and there’s not as much
space around. You’re being asked to do different things. That’s something that’s always been impressive
with Walker, is his ability to handle a lot of different things mentally.”
(On opinions of WR Kendric Pryor) “I’ve liked having Kendric. Kendric is a guy that can make plays when
given the opportunity. He’s another guy that you see become a little bit more comfortable. He knows
what’s expected. We brought Kendric in during the middle of week one or whenever week one was
starting is when he got here. So, similar to JaMycal Hasty [RB JaMycal Hasty], those guys just learn game
plans. They don’t have an understanding or a foundation of the system that we’re asking them to know.
Those guys getting to sit through spring installs and hear everything of why this is called what it’s called,
how this builds on that play, all that stuff really helps them settle in. You start to see them play a little
bit faster as you get into these camps.”
(On having so many new additions to the offense) “There’s certainly no shortage of skillset, you see that
continue to grow with our guys. You see the young guys grow, guys that last year didn’t play necessarily.
Even Snoop [RB Snoop Conner] and Gerrit Prince [TE Gerrit Prince]. You’ve seen these guys really take
that step, like we’re talking about with all of the positions. Year one to year two, settled into the system,
know what’s expected on them to be able to go out and produce and make plays. That’s no different.
The running back room, the tight end room, a lot of youth that brings a lot of different things. It’s kind of
fun to see these kids go play.”
(On the Jaguars top three receivers compared to the rest of the NFL) “I don’t know about comparing
them to anybody else. We’re very happy with what they bring to our team and each of them being a
little bit different and having their own skillset, Jamal Agnew [WR Jamal Agnew] as well. That’s a great
piece to have as well. Jamal is a guy that, I mentioned it last year, if something happens, Jamal could line
up today at any position and know exactly what to do for us. That’s a huge advantage for us. We all trust
him and what he does, he’s certainly a dynamic weapon and we know that. He’s a Pro Bowler, so he’ll
continue to have a role in this offense as well.”
(On WR Parker Washington’s talent) “Yeah, Parker’s done a good job as well. He’s another young guy
that’s just continuing to learn and find his role within the system as things go.”
(On the offensive line having a chip on their shoulder after being ranked 31st) “A little bit. It’s all just
ingest. We understand that people say things, whatever. We don’t care, we show up and we want to be
the best thing. We want to play our best for those three hours on Sunday. If somebody wants to say
we’re the best line, the worst line, we don’t really care. That has nothing to do with anything that goes
on the field so it’s just making light of it. I don’t know that it adds a chip necessarily to our guys other
than it’s just something to have fun with as we go.”
(On planning around having FB Derek Parish) “Really, I’ve never been in a system with a fullback. When
Doug [Head Coach Doug Pederson] came to Philly and put in the traditional west coast, we certainly had
a handful of plays here and there and we always kind of used tight ends or sprinkled in different guys
into that role. It’s not necessarily something that we need a guy listed as a fullback, Derek’s got an
opportunity to play tight end as well. If he has a skillset and can do certain things where aligning him in
the backfield of a traditional fullback role gives us some sort of advantage on a play, a week, whatever
that may be, that’s something that we’ll do. Whether it’s Derek or it’s Brenton [TE Brenton Strange] or
whether it’s Evan [TE Evan Engram], whatever that may be, we’re looking to create any advantage we
can over a defense on any given play.”
(On if there’s competition within the running back room) “It’s very much a competition. We’ll do
whatever we can to allow the best guy to win the job and however that helps the team. Ideally, like any
position, our top guys stay healthy and then you work in behind that. What does it look like behind that?
Is it a special teams role that week? It can change week-to-week of who that guy is or what they give us
or how the guy’s health ahead of them could be potentially. That whole room is pushing each other. Not
just the backend of those guys, we expect everybody to push Travis [RB Travis Etienne Jr.] as well. We
expect Travis to continue to grow day-to-day as he gets into this thing as well, too.”
WIDE RECEIVER CHRISTIAN KIRK
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
MONDAY, JULY 31, 2023
(On how the first week has been) “It’s been great. I thought, especially at the beginning of last week and
the first four practices were really good for us. I think the point to where we’re at right now, it’s pretty
encouraging with the way we were able to come out and execute. Even guys that are new to the system
and whatnot, just being able to pick it up and play fast. So I like the starting point, but it gets a little
harder tomorrow, throwing the pads and whatnot. It’s going to get a little hotter and days are going to
start adding up. I’m excited to see how we’re able to face some of that, the dog days of camp, and be
able to perform at a high level.”
(On the challenge of not having a natural regression after a successful 2022 season) “I think it’s
challenging, but when you have the right guys in the locker room, a part of your team that are able to
come out on a day-to-day basis and push another to hold each other to our standard, I think it’s a little
easier. It’s easy to get laxed and you know the system and what you’re trying to do, but we know how
good we can be, and we know how good we are. When you come out here and don’t show it, it can get
really frustrating for guys that are trying to play at a high level. We all just hold each other to our
standard and make sure we’re bringing guys with us if they’re having a lackluster day or whatnot for lack
of better terms.”
(On if he thinks the offense can lead the NFL in scoring) “Most definitely. I think that’s the goal. We step
on this field to be the best offense in the league and that’s our mindset. I think it starts with our redzone
attack, being more efficient in the redzone and making the most of our opportunities. I know that’s a big
emphasis for us, is being better in the red zone and putting the ball in the end zone. When we get down
there and we have our days during camp where we’re competing in redzone, guys are extra locked in
because we need to do that at a higher level this year.”
(On if starting faster during games is important this year) “One hundred percent. We can’t come out slow
like we did. It’s fun having some comebacks, but it gets exhausting after a while. We want to make sure
we come out, start fast, and when we get up, we keep our foot on the pedal. Just making sure we’re
applying the pressure for all four quarters.”
(On something he can do better in the offense in year two) “I think it’s just familiarity and making
everything look the same. I kind of talked about this last year and it’s something of a great job that Press
[Offensive Coordinator Press Taylor] does is he makes everything look the same. We’re able to get in a
bunch formation, diversify formationally and personnel wise. A formation that we’ve ran 10 passes out
of, we can run the ball efficiently out of it. Same thing for me and my routes, I have a rolodex of routes
that we like getting to, especially on third downs and whatnot. It’s all about trying to make them look the
same so you don’t develop any tendencies and the defense aren’t able to pick up on that. I think as an
offense and for me as a whole, finding familiarity and making everything look the same so the defenses
can’t pick up on any keys.”
(On what WR Calvin Ridley can do for him and other receivers) “It does a lot. He’s been great, just his
intensity, how he’s approached every day, the extra effort and time he puts into his craft and taking care
of his body. Everybody has seen the way he approaches practice and the way he competes. It just brings
up the level of competition in our room and our standard. If you’re coming out here and you’re maybe a
little sore, a little tired, and you got a guy like that out there, running at full speed and performing at a
high level. Naturally, it brings everybody up. The fact that we’re able to have guys like him, like Zay [WR
Zay Jones], like Jamal [WR Jamal Agnew] that approach the game the way they do and perform they way
they do, it helps everybody out.”
(On what’s different about QB Trevor Lawrence this year) “It’s just the light switch is on. Everything is so
quick, the way he’s able to go through his reads and developing that. I think that’s a big thing, last year
maybe not being able to get to his third progression, now he’s able to get to that. That’s a big thing of
what we do, is if the first and second reads aren’t there and he’s able to back to that third one. Maybe
we’re able to look at some things on film that we haven’t taken advantage of, he’s really working that.
He’s working through a lot of the things the defense is showing him. The defense has done a great job of
mixing up coverages and making sure that he’s staying on his toes. I think he’s doing a great job leading
as a vocal leader, but most importantly, his progression and how he’s able to get through each read.”
(On excitement of bringing some of his teammates back to Arizona this summer) “Yeah, it was a lot of
fun. I’m glad everybody was able to make it out there. I told them all year, you get ready, you bring all
the sunscreen and come bear the heat. I had them out there on the turf so they got a good dose of the
Arizona heat. I think they all had fun. We had a great week and a great week of work. It’s just another
opportunity for all of us to just keep bonding and make that relationship closer off the field. It’s much
easier to come everyday into work and into training camp and just have fun with one another. I was
happy that I was able to host this year and get everybody out to the AZ heat.”
(On if he was with his teammates when TE Evan Engram made his resigning announcement) “I was. I was
at dinner that night and it was a lot of fun just knowing that he was able to get the deal done and he was
going to be back with us for another couple of years. He’s just so important to this team and to this
organization and just for us as a whole. I was really happy for him. I know everything that he’s been
through and the fact that he was able to come here and have a career year, being able to earn that deal
means a lot. It means a lot to guys like him and I was so happy for him, congratulated him and I’m
excited to see what he does this year.”
(On if TE Evan Engram picked up the tab for his resigning dinner) “I don’t know. We should’ve put the tab
on him. He’ll pick up some tabs here in the future though.”
(On if the temperature in Arizona was over 100 degrees while he and his teammates were there) “It was
over 111 degrees for 20 days straight. I brought Calvin [WR Calvin Ridley] out with me, Seth Williams
[WR Seth Williams] came out and we were able to train together. It was a lot of fun, we were able to
push one another with that heat, it’ll definitely get you in shape now.”
(On what’s been seen out of WR Kevin Austin Jr.) “Yeah, you hit it on the head, just night and day
progression from him. He looks like a totally different player. He’s comfortable, he’s letting loose and
getting out of his shell a little bit. He has so much athletic ability, he’s big, he’s strong, he’s fast, he has
great hands, he’s able to track the ball. This camp compared to last camp, he’s just confident in what he’s
doing. He’s playing fast, he’s not thinking, and as a rookie, that can be hard. I think now he’s really having
some confidence in what’s he’s doing and I’m really excited to see what he does throughout camp and in
the preseason because he can be a big-time playmaker. Like I said, he has all the tools, it’s just putting it
all together and in a consistent base. He’s got great leaders in the room to be able to learn from and
Chad [Wide Receivers Coach Chad Hall] has done a great job working with him on the little, eccentric
details. I’m really excited to see his progression and I think he’s going to keep it up throughout
