Jaguars Media Availability (8-30-22) and Jaguars Make Roster Moves

JAGUARS HEAD COACH DOUG PEDERSON AND GENERAL MANAGER TRENT BAALKE MEDIA AVAILABILITY

TUESDAY, AUGUST 30 2022

(On overall thoughts of first training camp and preseason in Jacksonville, what his staff has been able to put in place this past month) Pederson: “Yeah, you know this was a good camp for us. There was a lot of things we had to overcome, you know, way back in the offseason as a team and I felt like we’ve been able to do that and really bond, come together and prepare, you know, our 11 [personnel] offense, 11 defense and special teams guys ready for, regular season. So, I’m excited for that, I think the guys are in a good place, mentally and physically, and just looking forward to the start of the season.”

(On the outlook of talent on roster and depth of roster as they approach Week 1 in Washington) Baalke: “Well, I think first and fore there’s a lot work that goes into it and a lot of people involved.Overall I think we obviously feel very good about the locker room, not only the level of player in the locker room, but the level of person in the locker room. Very excited about the character of the football team, and as always there’s still work to do; the players in the locker room understand that, we understand that, we’re going to continue to search for players and it’s their job to keep the position. Head Coach Doug Pederson did a great job this morning when he addressed the team, and you know, this is obviously cut down day, and these 53 players are here, plus you’re trying to put 16 more in there, but it doesn’t end here. It’s just the beginning. There’s a lot of work that these young men got to continue to do to stay a part of this, and we’re going to continue to look as we always do to continue to find players that can upgrade this roster.”

(On what undrafted free agents S Josh Thompson and OLB De’Shaan Dixon showed at camp to earn their spot on the roster) Pederson: “Well, they showed us that they deserve a spot, and as General Manager Trent Baalke eluded to, the journey is just beginning for those young players, really all the rookies that are on the team, and now the hard work really begins to pay off and honing in on games each week and game planning, and understanding their role within the structure of the defense. So, great opportunity for both of them, obviously both of them can help us, but at the same time we want to make sure as a staff they are fully developed going into the season.”

(On the thinking behind the WR Laviska Shenault Jr. trade and everything that went into it) Baalke: “Well, we’ve been fielding calls since free agency when we signed WR Zay Jones and WR Christian Kirk, we’ve been fielding calls quite a bit. Things picked up over the past week and it just came down to a situation where we felt it was a good situation for us as an organization and a good situation for Laviska. Wecertainly enjoyed him as a player in this organization and wish him nothing but the best.”

(On if it was important for him to see WR Laviska Shenault Jr. in his system before any moves were made) Pederson: “Yeah, you always want to see guys and see how they would fit into what we’re doing offensively, and [Laviska Shenault Jr.] was a guy that obviously has a skillset that any team would love to have. I wish him the best obviously and it’s a great opportunity for him.”

(On how closely the roster looks in terms of the vision him and Head Coach Doug Pederson had at the start of the year) Baalke: “I think it’s getting there, it’s getting to what we had visioned, not only as players and what we’re looking for physically but we keep alluding to the character of the football team, the character of the men in the locker room, the character of men that go out into Duval County and represent the organization, that’s important to us. We feel really good about those men in that room and we’re going to build upon that.”

(On the waiver wire being a hot topic, how closely and active those decisions will be followed) Baalke: “Well, there’s a lot of players at 4 p.m. today that will become available and we told the young men in that room that we are going to continue to look build on the depth of the organization and this roster. We feel good about the men down there, but the process is ongoing. We’ve got scouts down there that are going through all the preseason tape, working hard on that. When we get done with this, we’re going to go downstairs and at some point around 6 or 7 p.m. tonight, the cut list is going to come out and we’re going to scan through that and work with the coaches. They’re [the coaches] all set for a long night as well, and we’re going to do our due diligence and if there’s a player on the cut list that we feel could upgrade the roster, we will make that decision.”

(On how he feels about the depth of the team) Baalke: “I think we feel good. You go through the process that we went through. We have added quite a new faces. There are a lot of new players in that locker room over the last two years that we have added to. We feel good about the men in that locker room – that’s why they are here. Do we feel like there a positions and places that we can upgrade? The answer to that is yes, but it’s yes no matter when [you ask]. If you come off a Super Bowl year like Doug has and I have, you are still feeling the same way. There are always ways to add and you are always looking to add to your roster.”

(On the decision to waive RB Mekhi Sargent and how he feels about the running back position) Baalke: “It is a position we feel good about. We feel good about the health of both Travis [Etienne Jr.] and James. I feel really good about the development of Snoop. We had a good meeting this morning. He knows exactly what he needs to do. We feel good, but it is a position we are going to continue to look at and monitor and add to if necessary.”

(On being concerned about the depth along the interior defensive line) Pederson: “When you look around this league and what offenses are doing, they are playing a lot of 11 personnel. Some of the 12 personnel – that second guy is built more like a receiver. Teams are even in big nickel or nickel defense a lot. There are not a ton of reps or snaps during a game for big guys like that. I like the versatility that we have on the defensive front with Foley [Fatukasi] and Roy [Robertson-Harris]. There are a lot of combinations that can take the place if DaVon has to come out. I am happy where we are, I love that group and I’m excited for them to play.”

(On the dynamic at the kicker position) Pederson: “It’s an ongoing battle. That is an important position to us and we want to get that right. There is going to be some competition there and we still have a little bit of time before we play a meaningful game. We understand it’s important and we are going to make that decision smartly.”

(On if the decision at the kicker position could spill into next week) Pederson: “It could, yes.” (On what WR Tim Jones showed that he could be the fifth or sixth receiver) Pederson: “He took advantage of his opportunities. Young players – that has been my message since I got here. Everyone gets an opportunity and the ones that grasp it get chances in this league. He did a nice job on special teams for us and he was a young receiver who really has grasped his opportunity to play. He showed us even the other day – some of the plays he made during the Atlanta game really stood out to us. That fifth and if we add another guy later – if he’s a sixth guy whatever – they have to be a core special teams player and he’s one of those guys.”

(On how much the back end of the roster is special teams related versus how much guys develop) Baalke: “It plays a huge role. I think Coach and I have expressed that through the whole process – whether that is free agency or the draft. The backup players on this football team and in this organization have to excel on special teams. It is going to be a prerequisite as we move forward in every decision that we make.”

(On how much work the character of the team needed when he took over) Baalke: “I do not know if you can put a [measurement]. We just know what we want it to look like. We have had a lot of discussions through the process going back to when we were talking through the interview process. It is very important to Shad, it is very important to Doug, it is very important to me. It is something that we are going to look at with every decision we make, every individual that we bring in here, whether it is a coach or a scout, whether it is someone with support staff or whether it is a player. It’s very important to us.”

(On what he sees as a strength of this football team) Pederson: “It kind of goes back to my earlier comment, there are so many rotational pieces there and guys we can put in different spots. Smoot (DL Dawuane Smoot), he can play inside, he can play outside; Arden (DL Arden Key) can go inside, he can play outside. There’s all kinds of combinations with those guys, and to me, they might be backups on paper, but they’re starters on third down and key critical situations, and these guys are going to have a lot of playtime. They’re going to be rotational guys, so I’m excited about that, excited to watch these guys along with Travon (OLB Travon Walker) and Josh (OLB Josh Allen) and what combinations Mike [Caldwell] can come up with.”

(On if there are any players expected to be put on injured reserve now with rules changing) Baalke: “Not at this time, no, we don’t have anyone in that situation. Could that change? You never say never, but right now it doesn’t look that way.”

(On if a decision has been made about who will play right tackle and what the offensive line will look life) Pederson: “Yes. I knew there would be that question. Not at this time (able to reveal it). I’ll hold that for next week.”

(On what he has thought about the number one overall pick OLB Travon Walker) Baalke: “We like where he’s at. We like where this group’s at as a whole, this draft class. We told them today and we continue to tell them each day, I guess, there’s a lot of work ahead. We haven’t played a regular season down yet. We like where they’re at. We feel Travon is developing. He’s so versatile. He’s got a lot of tools in his toolbox, he’s just got to master his craft. We say that for a lot of these young guys.”

(On if he can feel an energy change in the building) Baalke: “I think championship teams carry themselves a certain way. There’s a certain aura about them, a certain energy about them. Are we where we need to be? No. Is the energy lifted in the building? Absolutely. I think Doug and his staff have done an excellent job of messaging these players, and they’re starting to believe. Are they there yet? That’s for them to answer on Sunday. That’s when we really find out where we’re at as an organization, where we’re at as a football team. I certainly like where we’re at, but we’ve got a hill to climb.”

(On WR Jamal Agnew’s role) Pederson: “To be kind of cautious, I’m not going to divulge a lot of play time with these guys because we do have a meaningful game coming up, but he’s going to be a big part of what we do and obviously the special teams factor, he’ll get his touches there. He is coming off of a significant injury, and he’s worked himself back to playing shape and playing time. We purposely kept him out of special teams scenarios in training camp and these games and gave him a couple offensive reps, but excited where he is, he feels really good, and looking forward to working with him.”

(On his approach to the waiver wire) Pederson: “A little bit of both for me, and Trent alluded to this. Our roster continues to evolve a little bit even through the course of the first couple of weeks of the regular season. We’ve got 16 practice squad players that we’ve got to get in here and always want to keep a couple extra young receivers there, and I’ve kept five and I’ve kept six. It depends really on the rest of your team and the makeup of your football team and where you need positions. We’re still looking. We’re always going to look out there, and we’re going to look heavily at the waiver wire later today, and if somebody can come in here and help us and improve our football team and help us win, then we’ll take a look at that.”

(On how having WR Jamal Agnew made it easier to trade WR Laviska Shenault Jr.) Pederson: “I think it’s two different players honestly. You’ve got power and strength in Laviska. You’ve got speed and quickness with Jamal, and it’s two different guys, and it’s an opportunity for both guys, really, as we head into the regular season. I’m excited to see where Jamal goes and how he gets integrated into the system, and again, with Laviska, just wishing him well, and hopefully he has success there in Carolina.”

(On if the guys who returned from last year have put a lot of those experiences behind them) Baalke: “I think that’s a question you have to ask those individuals, but as a team, I think we’re in a very good spot. I think they’re looking forward to the season, looking forward to next Sunday when they get to go out there and play for something that matters. Now they count. I think the guys are excited. We had a great meeting this morning. The focus looked very good to me out on the practice field. I think they’re dialed in, and they know what’s at stake.”

(On OL Cole Van Lanen) Baalke: “We liked him—first of all, it starts with the draft process itself. We liked him when he came out of the University of Wisconsin. He played in a zone system. Wisconsin is a zone based system. Green Bay is a zone-based system, so it was a good fit that way. He’s highly intelligent, and he puts together a good tape together, and it was a chance for us to upgrade the roster, so we made the decision. When you take a seventh-round pick and draft an offensive lineman, the hit rate is about 20 percent. If he’s already proven that he can step out on the field, you’re taking that seventh round pick a year early, using it, to us, was a good business decision.”

(On CB Montaric Brown) Pederson: “Buster is a young player who obviously came in and embraced his opportunities. He kept slowly kind of gradually working his way up the depth chart and had some flash plays during camp, and you really love his athleticism and his speed, and you have a guy who is deserving of a spot. This is something that Trent alluded to with all the young players. They’ve got to understand, and our message to them too, is that the hard work is now beginning. So he has to continue to improve and, as we say, get that one percent better each day and really help our team that way.”

(On if LB Devin Lloyd will be on the field all three downs next week) Pederson: “Maybe. First of all, he came out of the game healthy, and that was the number one thing. We wanted to kind of push him and see where he was at physically with the injury, and he checked the box. His play was good. He does a great job with his hands, being able to shed blocks. Sort of his key in diagnosing, being able to read and react and run and make tackles. You saw that in the game. He was physical, all the things you want to see out of your young linebacker. We feel really good in that room, and there are some guys there, again it kind of goes back to the D-line, there’s a combination of guys, Chad (LB Chad Muma) working in the mix. All three guys are gong to play. We’re excited to see him come out of that game healthy and play well.”

(On DL Folorunso Fatukasi’s calf) Pederson: “Good. He went through the workout today, he went through practice today. He’s feeling good. We’re just progressing him day by day.”

(On how it has felt getting back into coaching this season) Pederson: “It felt great. It was fun to get out there and do that again, being able to be in the headset with Trevor (QB Trevor Lawrence) and talk to him. He can’t talk back, obviously, that’s a good thing. It was good. It felt comfortable. Those Cleveland, Pittsburg, there where those starters played where we got into a little bit of a rhythm and flow of the game, which was good. I felt like it was just sort of old hat. Nervous first time to do it, but I feel comfortable going into the season.”

(On how he has seen the trust grow since he arrived as head coach) Pederson: “I put a lot on the players. I’ve thought about it a lot even back in February and March before the players got in here in April like how are they going to view me, how are they going to see me, what kind of leader am I, and I think right away they saw the type of coach that I am and hopefully a high-character person that they saw, a guy they could trust, and they really embraced that. Then it goes back on the player. The players have to buy into what we’re bringing as a staff. It carries over into training camp. I think they’ve seen how I operate, how I conduct practices, how I conduct meetings. I’m very open with them. I give them a lot of information. I don’t want anyone to fail, so I give them as much information as I can so they can stay up on everything, so I think through all of that, the way I messaged, kind of pick your spots where you want to back off on the guys a little bit and kind of gain their trust from there, you just kind of know that. I think that’s part of the former player, having been in the locker room for 14 seasons and feeling that myself with coaches and being ablet to bring that here, I think they really have worked through it tremendously. Trent mentioned it, I’ll say it, they’re in a good spot mentally and physically right now, locked in and ready to go.”

(On what brought DL Arden Key here on a one-year deal) Baalke: “I don’t like getting into those type of discussions, but it was a mutual decision. I think Arden is a unique type of player. He came into this league as a fairly highly drafted guy. He struggled early in his career, and it’s a great lesson for young players. This league isn’t for everybody, and it takes a sacrifice to get where you want to get, and Arden was willing to pay that sacrifice, and it led to a good season that last year in San Francisco, and when we looked at that tape and what we felt he could bring, the versatility, the inside pass rush, the ability to play on the end. He’s a very smart player that’s proven to be a leader. It’s been a very positive transition for us that we hope we can keep around here.”

The Jacksonville Jaguars have made the following roster moves, the team announced today.

OLB Jamir Jones (waived)
K James McCourt (waived)
OL Will Richardson Jr. (released)
S Josh Thompson (waived)
K Jake Verity (waived/injured)

The Jacksonville Jaguars have waived RB Mekhi Sargent, the team announced today.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have made the following roster moves, the team announced today.

DL Israel Antwine (Waived)
WR Kevin Austin Jr. (Waived)
OLB Rashod Berry (Waived)
WR Jeff Cotton Jr. (Waived)
CB Xavier Crawford (Waived)
OL Coy Cronk (Waived)
OL Nick Ford (Waived)
WR Willie Johnson (Waived/Injured)
CB Gregory Junior (Waived)
S Ayo Oyelola (Waived)
QB E.J. Perry (Waived)
TE Gerrit Prince (Waived)
DT Jay Tufele (Waived)
OL Darryl Williams (Waived)
DT Raequan Williams (Waived/Injured)

The Jacksonville Jaguars have traded WR Laviska Shenault Jr. to the Carolina Panthers, the team announced today.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have made the following roster moves, the team announced today.

LB Tyrell Adams (Released)
DL Auzoyah Alufohai (Waived)
RB Ryquell Armstead (Waived)
S Rudy Ford (Released)
CB Benjie Franklin (Waived)
OL KC McDermott (Released)
DB Brandon Rusnak (Waived)
LB Chapelle Russell (Waived)
OL Badara Traore (Waived)
WR Laquon Treadwell (Released)

The Jacksonville Jaguars have claimed K Jake Verity off of waivers from the Indianapolis Colts, the team announced today. Additionally, the team has waived QB Jake Luton and LB Grant Morgan.

Verity began his NFL career in 2021 as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens prior to signing with the Indianapolis Colts prior to the 2022 season. During the 2021 preseason with Baltimore and 2022 preseason with Indianapolis, Verity has connected on 6-of-7 field goals and made four field goals from 40-plus yards.

He appeared in 47 games at East Carolina (2016-20) and finished as the school’s all-time leading scorer after converting 74 of 97 field goals (75.5 percent) and 130 of 133 extra points (97.7 percent) for 352 total points. Verity attended Bremen (Ga.) High School and earned first team all-region honors as a kicker as a sophomore, junior and senior.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have claimed K James McCourt off of waivers from the Los Angeles Chargers, the team announced today.

McCourt spent six years at Illinois (2016-21), spending his first three seasons as a reserve before taking over as the primary kicker in 2019. He connected on 18 of 23 field goals in 2021, including tying a school record with four 50-plus yard field goals. He earned All-Big Ten Third-Team honors in 2021 and finished ninth in the nation in kickoff touchback percentage (82.4 percent). In 2020, McCourt nailed a 47-yard field goal at Rutgers as time expired to give Illinois their first win of the season. He was born in Dublin, Ireland and attended St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) High School.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have made the following additions to the practice squad, the team announced today.