HEAD COACH URBAN MEYER
SUNDAY, AUGUST 8, 2021
Talk about giving the guys a little bit of a break with the pads coming off today. “Yeah, the pads, that was always really the intent. Yesterday was really the 40-45 play scrimmage. Today was a mock game, simulation of a game.”
What are your thoughts on Bobby Bowden passing?
“I love Bobby Bowden. He couldn’t be more genuine of a person, him and Ann. Obviously we coached against each other, but compared to the time we spent together on those Nike trips, a dear friend and one of the greatest people I’ve ever met in my life. What a life he lived, though. 91 years of a great life.”
You’ve had some dynasties. His was kind of a little bit further, almost a ridiculous dynasty. Did he really set the standard for all coaches behind him?
“Well, you think about Coach Bowden and Coach Spurrier in that era, all young coaches grew up watching Coach Bowden in Tallahassee and Coach Spurrier at the Swamp, and that changed college football.”
Is there an update on DJ Chark Jr. and his hand?
“Yeah, he had surgery, has a minor break, hairline. They plated it, and he should be here for the first game.”
You have been out of it for a couple years now. Getting back on the headset, we haven’t seen you wear a headset, the play calling on the sideline, how is that going?
“You don’t usually get wowed by a stadium, but the first time I walked through there, I was like, oh, my gosh, this is beautiful. Beautiful stadium, great fans. It gets your blood pumping. I heard our players were tired, and then all of a sudden, this wakes you up, so appreciate our fans being here, and there’s no more excuses. We’ve got to win some games here.”
What’s been the progress at quarterback?
“I think they are doing really good. Not just Trevor but they’re all making nice progress.”
Walker Little working at both right and left tackle; just discuss his development as camp has gone on. “Yeah, that’s Coach Warhop. We’re trying to figure out who will be — just because of sheer numbers, they’re cutting this roster down pretty soon. Usually we have three tackles, three inside guys and one flip guy, and we’re just trying to find out — that’s been on purpose, why we’re trying to see if he can handle the right side.”
Can you talk about what’s happening with CJ Henderson?
“Personal reasons.”
Is it going to be difficult for CJ to overcome this?
“I don’t know.”
What have you seen from Tyson Campbell?
“Tyson Campbell is a very fast guy that plays — the reason we drafted him, he never panics because he’s got elite speed, and he’s been really good. He had a tough day on special teams yesterday, but defensively he’s been doing very well. We’re glad we got him.”
No pads today, just the spiders. In terms of physical contact that you wanted your guys to see, you want to see them giving 100 percent effort, but I know there was one collision. What’s your reaction to that?
“You know, you’d rather — I thought our defense did a nice job staying off of people today. Yesterday was a big contact day. Today was not.”
You’ve had Chaisson on almost exclusively at SAM. How have you seen him adapt to this new scheme over the past couple weeks?
“Yeah he’s SAM in our first down defense, which is mostly 3-4, but nickel, he goes to end, so that’s mostly four-down, so he’s been doing great. He’s had a good camp.”
Do you like what you’ve seen from Chaisson over the last two weeks?
“I do. I don’t know him very well. I’m getting to know him, I’m getting to respect him because he’s a, as we say around here, a 4-to-6, A-to-B guy and he goes hard. He made a couple mistakes yesterday, but that’s our job. His job is to go hard and he’s doing it.”
Does anything kind of ramp up internally knowing that Saturday night is your first preseason game? “Well, that’s where I’m going to really rely on our veteran coaches. Tomorrow we’re going to spend about two hours just discussing Saturday’s game. I guess the veteran team sometimes only played one series, the vets, so we’re going to work that — I have an idea, but tomorrow I’m going to have a much better idea, and I’m going to lean on [Darrell] Bevell and [Brian] Schottenheimer and [George] Warhop and Joe Cullen to really just do what’s right by our players.”
When you’re down so many receivers, finding guys like Laquon Treadwell and even Tavon Austin. It’s pretty impressive those guys were on the street and are now able to come in and make plays. “Yeah, it’s amazing to me. So what was this guy doing last week? He was at home. Next thing he’s playing for the Jaguars. So I admire guys like that, and they’ve been really good. Treadwell came in, and I’ll tell you, he’s in the hunt for a spot.”
Was Marvin Jones held out of team drills today?
“Marvin Jones had to go back for a family issue, all positive, and he came back late last night so we held him out today, but he’s good to go.”
Can we ask about Josh Allen?
“Yeah, I’m going to not steal his thunder, so he’s got some really positive, cool things going on, but that’s between him and his wife.”
JAGUARS QUARTERBACK TREVOR LAWRENCE
How did you feel about today?
“You know, having the fans out here is always awesome. I’m just really excited for the season. There’s just a lot of energy around here, so we’re pumped. We’ve had a great camp and it was fun to have a little scrimmage day in front of some of the fans.”
You didn’t have to put on the pads today.
“Yeah! We had a big day yesterday, we got after it. So, Coach [Urban Meyer]—he has a great feel for the team, where we’re at. We’ve been working our tails off, so he knows how to reward that and how to take care of us. So, I’ve been really impressed by that, and I think the whole team really is, too.”
How do you think you’ve done the last two days?
“Yeah, no, for sure. I think every day you’re evaluating, and you’ve got to constantly reevaluate what you need to get better at, what you consistently need to fix and I thought I had a pretty good last two days. There [are] definitely some things to clean up, just some communication and just continuing to perfect and master the offense. But I think these last two days, I’ve kind of bounced back and put two good days together; struggled a little bit earlier in the week. So, I was pleased with it. I think we had a good week as a team, though. We had to grind but that’s what [training] camp is about, and the guys really stepped up.”
What’s the biggest thing about working on situational drills?
“Yeah, it’s just realizing almost every game in the NFL comes down to 2-minute and what you do in those key situations. In college, we didn’t have that many close games, really. So, just getting better at the stuff that I haven’t done that much, which is 2-minute, some last play situations, the clock is ticking down, all of that stuff I need to get better at. I’m getting there but I’ve still got a lot of work to do.”
What are your thoughts on Jalen Camp?
“Jalen is great. He’s one of the guys—we’re down a few guys just as camp, guys get some bumps and bruises—and he’s been a guy that just keeps going. He’s getting all the reps and I’m just proud of how he’s learned the offense, really, and then taken his opportunities as he gets them. So, it’s been awesome to see.”
What has Laquon Treadwell brought to the offense?
“Laquon is awesome. He has some experience, just a guy that knows football, he’s really smart and works super hard. There’s not anyone that’s going to out-work him and he always just wants to get better. That’s something I’ve been impressed with. He’ll come to me [with] stuff he sees, stuff that I see. He just communicates really well and if he doesn’t do something right and you tell him and correct him, he’s right on it and fixes it. So, that’s a guy you like to play with and you’re always on the same page.”
Do you have a timetable for when you feel most comfortable in the offense?
“You just [take it] day-by-day. It’s one of those things. I do feel comfortable, but you’ve always got to get better. We’re at a point now where we’ve pretty much installed everything and now it’s just perfecting it. So, we’ve got a lot in, and the guys have done a really good job of absorbing it. I’m just trying to perfect it every day because there’s always these little nuisances that—you just keep digging as you learn it more and there’s always something else you can do a little bit better.”
Have coaches talked to you about how many reps you’ll get in the preseason? “Not really. We’ve been taking it day-by-day. I’m sure that conversation will come soon. I’m preparing just for whatever. It doesn’t matter to me. I’m going to make the most of whatever opportunity I get. So, for me, it’s just coming here every day, practicing hard and getting myself ready for whatever that is.”
What was it like to see Coach Swinney at practice this week?
“Yeah, yeah, it was great having him in town. It’s always great seeing Coach Swinney. He’s someone that’s deeply impacted my life and I’m just really close with him, so it’s always awesome to see him.”
How was the transition from college to NFL been for you?
“Yeah, the transition. I feel good, there are things you’ve got to learn and everyone’s better and faster. But at the end of the day, it’s still football. We’ve got really good players on offense, they have got really good players on defense. It’s just finding your players and at the end of the day not making it bigger than it is. It’s still the same game.”
