JAGUARS HEAD COACH DOUG PEDERSON
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2022
(On if this is his first hurricane) “I was with the Dolphins for Hurricane Andrew. Yeah, I’m old. My wife
was stuck in traffic. It took her, like, eight hours or so just to get to Tallahassee. She was down there
with me, and they got everybody out. I was on the practice squad.”
(On if he was in Philadelphia in 2012) “Yes. Sandy hit the Jersey Shore and did a lot of damage there. We
felt the effects of those, the wind and stuff that year. They never did close the bridges, but it was…it was
devastating.”
(On if the team is staying here for practices this week) “We’ve got a team that’s on top of the storm. It
appears right now that things are favorable for Friday and Saturday for us, so yeah, we’re staying.”
(On what it is like having a statue of himself outside of the stadium in Philadelphia) “Personally, I’ve
never seen it in person. Obviously it’s a great honor to have me and Rocky Balboa, I guess, in the city of
Philadelphia, and Nick Foles (former Eagles QB). It’s an honor. It really is, for something we
accomplished as a team, as an organization, in 2017 and 2018. It’s a nice reminder.”
(On if he ever plans to visit the statue) “Maybe one day after I retire or something like that, but I have
no plans to anytime soon.”
(On his reaction when they told him they were going to do it) “That’s up to them. I didn’t really care,
honestly, what they did. That was the people involved with that, but it’s definitely an honor to have
something like that represent what we did back then.”
(On if his wife and kids have seen the statue) “I think, yes. I think. Don’t really know. Yes. Maybe.”
(On if the guys who have been on the team several years were open-minded to what he was bringing)
“They were. They were the ones that I leaned on to really kind of get a sense and a feel of where they
were at mentally coming off of the last couple seasons. I just wanted to reassure them that we were
going to work hard and get things turned around, and they bought into that, and I think you’re starting
to see the fruits of their labor by the way they practice and the way they’re playing.”
(On if guys like OL Cam Robinson and P Logan Cooke and OL Tyler Shatley set the examples) “Exactly.”
(On how much of an advantage it gives them in scouting having several players still on the Eagles that he
coached) “It’s good to know kind of who they are, how they think, how they play. You’ve got all these
insights that way. It’s much like Press (Offensive Coordinator Press Taylor) a couple weeks ago with the
Colts. At the same time, it’s a different scheme, they’re in a different system now, obviously the
offensive line is the same with Jeff Stoutland, so we’re seeing the same things there in the run game.
Having familiarity is nice, but at the same time, they’re trying to execute their plan just like we’re trying
to execute ours and focus on that.”
(On how Eagles QB Jalen Hurts is stepping out this season) “Obviously from afar, watching him and
seeing his progress, it’s everything that I think, back then that we saw when the Eagles drafted him is
coming to the forefront. This guy is an extremely hard worker, he’s dedicated, he’s a proven winner.
Everything has been thrown at him adversity wise, and he’s overcome it. You’re seeing it in the way he
plays and the guys rally around him and support him, and it’s, I think for him, it’s again, having stability.
You’re seeing it. Second year stability around the quarterback, stability around the team, I’m talking
about the coaching staff, that’s where you see that jump. They’ve added talent around him. He’s using
that, and of course, he’s an athletic guy himself. He’s hard to bring down. He’s just doing all the things
we thought he could do.”
(On how facing him will change what they are going to do) “You’ve just got to stay disciplined as you
rush. He can break an arm tackle pretty easily. He can make you miss pretty easily. You’ve just got to be
under control and disciplined, try to tackle him and get forehands on him and bring him down when you
can. It’s a challenge, very much so, because if you get out of your rush lanes, he can make you pay with
his legs.”
(On QB Trevor Lawrence’s touchdown pass to WR Zay Jones in the Chargers game) “It’s something that
we work on. We work on red zone scramble and the rules that apply in a tight, condensed area of the
field, every team, every offensive team goes through it, having a plan for when the quarterback starts to
run, and Zay and Trevor were on the same page, and Zay did exactly what we asked him to do and it
worked out.”
(On the team handling the increase in attention and media) “I expect the team to handle it, one, with
class, and two, with just the fact that that’s fine, we still have to go to work every day and prepare for
another football game and that starts with me during the week and setting the tone that way and just
keeping us focused on task.”
(On what led to the Eagles getting 9.0 sacks last game) “It’s a great pass rush. They can do it with four,
they can do it with five, a combination of the two. I think Fletch is still Fletch (DT Fletcher Cox), and he
can push the pocket. They’ve got edge guys that can still bend. Josh Sweat is playing good. He’s long and
kind of slithery. BG (DE Brandon Graham), you watch him, and he’s a guy that can get under your pads
and push the pocket. All of these guys have talent to do that, and that’s what you’re seeing. A lot of
them, too, the secondary, covering the receivers have nowhere to go with the football. That’s part of it.
That’s a challenge just to defend four, possibly five guys.”
(On the challenge of rookie OL Luke Fortner going up against a player like DT Fletcher Cox) “It’s a big
challenge, huge challenge. You’re talking about a guy who’s been in this league for a long time and
knows how to rush, and he’s crafty at it. He’s smart, very skillful. He’s calculated. Luke’s going to have to
watch a lot of tape this week, and we’re going to have to help him when we can, whether we slide to
him, use a back, or whatever we can do to disrupt some timing. That’s what you do with good pass
rushers in this league. We did it last week with Bosa and Mack (OLB Khalil Mack). Each week, you never
know who that guys is, and this week it just happens to be an interior lineman.”
(On how good the third quarters of the Jaguars recent games have been) “I think it’s a credit to the guys
really. We make subtle adjustments at halftime then come out and really execute the game plan. I think
the guys feel some energy with a lead at halftime, there’s some of that. Leaning on the run game a little
bit has helped, opened up some things. We talk about that sort of middle eight of the game, there at the
end of the second quarter and beginning of the third. It’s important that the offense gets points and the
defense gets off the field, and those are things we talk about and stress all the way back to the
offseason.”
(On his decision to stay here instead of going to practice somewhere north to avoid more of the
hurricane) “It’s really the families. If we leave, the families are still here kind of fending for themselves,
and as husbands and dads, we want to make sure they’re well taken care of, and the organization can
help take care of the families. Then just monitoring the storm, too, seeing where the impacts are going
to be, and I would say if it was more of a direct hit, and things were going to be a little bit worse, we
would probably consider leaving, but I think other than some wind and some rain, I think Friday we’re
going to be okay, and just stay here.”
(On his time in Miami when Hurricane Andrew hit) “Yeah, I was there. My wife had to leave. She
evacuated. She was in the car heading north. We had to get as far north as a team as possible. It hit
South Miami down in there. We got as far up as Fort Lauderdale and that part of town away from the
facility and tried to just ride it out.”
(On if handling this storm is a sign of the level of maturity the team has) “Yeah, this is something that I
talked about this morning. The storm is coming, and it can disrupt lives and the order of business each
week, kind of gets you out of your routine a little bit. The biggest thing is just maintaining focus and
concentration. We’ve got people in place to help the players and the coaches and their families, and
let’s stay on task and game plan today, tomorrow, and Friday, and if we have to adjust, we adjust. That’s
just part of it.”
(On if this week is a test of his emotions from going back to Philadelphia and the Jaguars players saying
they want to win for him) “That’s great and everything, and I appreciate that from the team. Look, this is
a good football team, and it’s still Week 4 and there’s a lot of football ahead. We’ve just got to prepare
and do the right things during the week, and that includes me. I’ve got to stick to my routine and staying
diligent with that and the studying and the planning and prepare myself just like the players do. It starts
with me, and I’ll keep relaying that message to the team.”
(On how rookies OLB Travon Walker and LB Devin Lloyd have played so well) “I think some of it could be
the fact that they have played a lot of football on a big stage in college, some of it, so it’s not unfamiliar
territory to them, but these guys both are just tremendous workers and prepare so well during the week
and practice hard. They want to be great players in this league. That’s what you’re seeing with both of
them, and it’s paying off in games.”
(On what QB Trevor Lawrence getting AFC Offensive Player of the Week says about his progress) “It just
shows that he is progressing, number one. I think the guys around him are playing extremely well, the
offensive line and really everybody on offense. It’s part of the progression of our offense and the steps
that we need to to be a great offense in this league. We’re not there yet, but it’s a step in the right
direction. He understands, too, that he can’t get that type of recognition without the guys around him.”
(On CB Darius Slay and if he may shadow WR Christian Kirk) “It’ll be interesting. I had him. We brought
him to Philadelphia and he is playing extremely well right now, a top defender, corner in this league,
getting some turnovers and takeaways. He matched receivers the last two weeks. The only thing that I
would say is that he doesn’t necessarily go inside as, not a nickel, but a corner that goes inside if
Christian were inside, but that’s something we’ve got to be aware of and understand where he’s going
to be, maybe lean toward Zay a little bit on the outside, but a great player, got to understand where he’s
at and how they want to use him.”
(On the health of CB Shaq Griffin and how CB Tre Herndon played stepping in for him) “Shaq’s doing
good. He’ll be back on the practice field today, and Tre played well. He played really well. It was good to
see Tre, probably great for him to get back out there and really have meaningful snaps, and he did a
really nice job for us.”
(On any other injuries) “Van Lanen, Cole (OL), is the one that has a hamstring coming out of the game,
so he’s going to miss today and potentially this week, so he’s the only one.”
(On how tough the environment is in Philadelphia for the visiting team) “It’s tough. It’s extremely tough.
The second you pull into that stadium the fans are cheering, fans are booing, and fans are yelling. It’s a
great environment for a football game, but it’s loud. The stadium is kind of right on top of the field. It’s a
challenge to be able to handle crowd noise and try to keep your composure.”
(On if you can learn a lot about a young team going into an environment like that) “Certainly. That’s
something we will talk a lot about this week, just how to handle that. We say block out the noise. It’s
going to be loud, but you do have to block out the noise and just focus on your job, and we’ll try to
simulate that some this week in practice.”
(On if he has ever had five straight days without anyone on the injury report in his days of playing and
coaching) “I can’t say I’ve had that many days. That might be a first. Again, I just think it’s a credit to the
players and obviously our medical staff for keeping those guys on the field.”
QUARTERBACK TREVOR LAWRENCE
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2022
(On how the offensive line has taken good care of him and if the Eagles look similar to the Commanders)
“It’s funny how that works. Every week you’re going to play a good pass rush, whether it’s interior,
exterior, on the edges or both, so I think this team presents some challenges, really both on the outside
and the inside. They’ve got a couple really good players, so same challenge, just game planning certain
things, putting us in the best position. The way our group has played up front, I have all the confidence
in them. I think the way we’ve executed the last couple game plans has been great, and today was a
good day, good step in the right direction.”
(On if the offense is still evolving) “I think we have things that we know we’re good at, things that we
like to do, but it’s always evolving. I think that’s what good teams have to do, is each week your game
plan is not going to be the same. It’s a lot based on who you’re playing, and obviously you have to find
ways to do what you do and the things that you do well, but at the end of the day, you have to scheme
to your opponent, and I think our staff has done a great job of that, and as players, we’ve done a good
job executing it and really just staying on schedule, especially the last two weeks. I think that’s the
biggest difference between week one and weeks two and three.”
(On how he thinks the team will handle being in the spotlight more than they have years past) “I think
we will handle it great. For us, we don’t really want any of that. We’d rather just be on the back burner
and just let us do our thing, and that’s our mindset. We’re not really worried about any of the attention
that we get. Obviously, the goal is to play really well every week, win a lot of games, so you’re going to
get some attention. I think we’re doing a good job of doing that, but I think at the end of the day, we’ve
got to keep the same mindset that got us here, the work that we put in through camp, through OTAs,
playing with that edge, playing with something to prove, and we’re just going to keep carrying that
through every week.”
(On the attention being part of the growth process) “Definitely, it’s just the ebbs and flows, ups and
downs of the season. Whether you’re playing great or not playing great, it’s a long season. You’ve got to
find your way and you’ve got to figure out a way to get better and better to where the last bit of the
season you’re playing your best football and giving yourself a chance to make the playoffs and go far in
the playoffs, so that’s the key to it. We know it’s still really early. It’s Week 4, and it’s a long season, but
we love where we’re at right now.”
(On being AFC Offensive Player of the Week) “I think it says more about this organization, this team
specifically, the staff, the players that are around me. Obviously, I’ve been able to play well the last few
weeks, but most of that is the guys around me and the coaches around me. We’re all putting each other
in positions to be successful, and that’s just kind of the way it works. Everyone just does their job, and
it’s been a lot of fun. Obviously, I’m happy with the way I played, but there’s still a lot of growth that still
needs to happen, and I know there’s things I can do better, there’s things that this offense can do
better, so we’re going to focus on the things we need to improve on. Monday morning comes, you look
at the things that you did well, and there are certain goals that we’ve been hitting the last couple weeks
that we’re proud of, but as an offense, we’re looking at all the things we can do better.”
(On if he was told about the last time a Jaguars player was Offensive Player of the Week, QB David
Garrard, 2010) “Wow, it’s been a while. Hopefully a lot more in store. Like I said, it speaks volumes to
everyone, the defense, too. When you have a defense playing as well as ours is right now, it gives you a
lot of confidence and doesn’t put a lot of pressure on you, so I’m thankful for those guys. Like I said, the
staff, the guys up front, they’re playing amazing. I’m sitting back there having time; they’re doing a great
job taking care of me. It’s been great.”
(On if he is going to have Coach Pederson call the Philly Special this week) “Well, if I was, I’m not now.
(Laugher around the room) I’m just kidding. I think that’s how everybody is. You have certain tricks, and
more than half the time, you don’t even use them, so we’ll see what happens.”
(On the touchdown pass to WR Zay Jones against the Chargers) “A big part of this game, especially in the
red zone, is scramble plays. I don’t know what the percentage of touchdowns in the red zone, a high
percentage of them are scrambles. That’s something that we always talk about, especially I feel like I’m
good outside the pocket, and that’s something that we work, and it’s really about how quick the
receiver reacts and his feel for whether it’s zone or man and getting open back there. Zay did a great job
reacting immediately, found a little soft pocket, and I was able to locate him quick and put it on him, but
really, that’s a huge part of this game, and that’s something that hopefully we can keep doing more and
more of, because I think that’s something that’s really important to be successful.”
(On what he remembers about QB Jalen Hurts in college) “Interesting actually. So I met him when I was
in high school, I believe. One of my tight ends, I don’t know if you know the name, Miller Forristal
(Browns TE), we went to high school together, and he went to Alabama, and he and Jalen came in
together, and he brought him home for some type of Christmas party or something, so I met him back
when he had the dreads and everything back when he was a freshman at Alabama. That was the first
time I met him. I saw him throughout the years, I think I saw him when he had just gone to Oklahoma. I
have a lot of respect for him the way he carries himself. He’s a great player playing really, really well this
year, so I respect the way he plays the game.”
(On if he is aware there is a statue of Coach Pederson outside the Eagles’ stadium) “No, I wasn’t. I didn’t
know that. That’s pretty sweet.”
(On if he thinks that this may be a meaningful game coach Pederson going back to face the team he won
a championship with) “Yeah, I think it would be hard for it not to mean something to you, and all the
history he has there, all the success and the Super Bowl. I’m sure there’s a lot of emotions going back to
that place for him, a lot of good, I don’t know, maybe some bad. I don’t know all his experiences there,
but I know that’s got to mean something to him. No matter who we’re playing, big game, going on the
road, hostile environment, it means something to you, but especially going somewhere where you
coached for five years or something like that. I know it means a lot to him. It means a lot to us. We’re
just taking it one day at a time, really.”
(On rookies LB Devin Lloyd and OLB Travon Walker) “It’s only my second year, but I think just since they
came in, just their work ethic, one, is the first thing you notice. Those two guys are just super hard
workers. Devin is one of the first people in, last people to leave almost every day, so that’s how he’s
been even since the spring. This has been going on five months now. Just to see him come in and really
have that maturity from day one has been cool. Same thing with Travon, him and Josh (OLB Josh Allen)
have been like hip-to-hip since he came in, and I think that’s been great for him. Josh is obviously a guy
you can learn from, does things the right way. I think they’ve done a good job surrounding themselves
with the right people then just really putting their head down and going to work, and just the plays they
made in the spring. Devin is so rangy. I knew since our first go, I think he picked me off twice in just a
handful of practices early in spring ball, just so much range, great in zone, can fly, just that type of
athlete with ball skills is special. Then Travon is just a grown man. He can run, great instincts, you saw
the play he made in Washington. Both those guys are really good players.”
(On if he knew of Travon Walker through Georgia high school football) “I mean, I had seen him a little
bit, maybe as we got a little older, maybe my last year at Clemson and or the year before when he was a
freshman and then sophomore and junior in college. That’s kind of when I saw more about him, and
then obviously when he was on Georgia’s team. I went to the first game of the year when we played
them in Charlotte and they kind of wrecked our party up there, so I knew about him since then.”
(On if James Robinson’s performance makes him forget he tore his achilles) “It’s impressive. That just
goes to show the medical staff we have and look at how healthy we’ve been this season. Obviously, it’s
the beginning of the year, but that’s huge. Like I said, you’ve got to be healthy if you want to go a long
way, especially in this league. You’ve got to keep your guys healthy, and we’ve done a great job of that.
And then also, us as players and James specifically, the amount of work he’s put in to be ready to go
Week 1, I mean a lot of people didn’t think he was going to play until now or last week or whatever and
he was able to go Week 1 and has been playing well. Obviously when you have him playing, it’s a huge
difference. He’s a great player.”
(On if James Robinson looks faster than last year) “I don’t know. He looks just as good as he did before.
Maybe. Those were two of the longer runs I’ve seen him had and both have scored. He looks great. No
one is catching him. You’ve seen corners chasing him. No one is catching him so he looks great.”
