JAGUARS HEAD COACH DOUG PEDERSON
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2022
(On the team captains) “Before I announce them, this was voted on by the team. I don’t have any say on
the captains. These are guys that are representative of the guys in the locker room. I think it’s a special
honor to become a captain, and there’s a lot of responsibility that comes with that. Again, it was voted
on by their peers. On offense Trevor Lawrence (QB) and Brandon Scherff (OL). Defensively, Foye (LB
Foye Oluokun) and Josh Allen (OLB). Special teams is Logan Cooke (P).”
(On if there is a sixth captain each week) “Yeah, that’s just my discretion each week, the sixth one, I
rotate that every week.”
(On if there are players he leans on more than others) “I rely more on the player council because it’s a
bigger group, but these guys can be a part of that group. I lean more on the player council as far as
messaging with the team and leadership and all that, but who’s going to represent us on gameday will
those five, plus the sixth guy that I pick.”
(On how much the focus has narrowed down from last week to this week) “It does. Guys know what this
week and really everything beyond this point really means. Last week was just a matter of cleaning up
the roster a little bit and adding some new additions, finalizing the practice squad and all that stuff, and
now we’re into game week. Every little thing we do matters, every little thing, how they take care of
themselves away from the building and prepare themselves. It’s a good group, I think, that will handle it
well. They can eliminate some distractions around them and just focus on ball, at least while they’re
here. I think it’s important, too, that we are practicing, and it’s warm weather, and how they take care
of themselves.”
(On how important it can be to start week one with a win and start the season strong) “I don’t focus on
the end result. I focus on the process and the journey, and if you take care of the small things, those big
things will take care of themselves, and that’s the final score. I just know if we work hard this week and
prepare and go up there and play hard and do the right things, good things will happen. I don’t focus on
necessarily wins and losses. You just hope at the end of the day you have more points than they do. But
it’s a process to get there. We don’t play the game on Monday. We play it six days from now. We’ve got
this journey to go through this week.”
(On how this roster compares to some of his previous rosters as a head coach) “I think the biggest thing
is that we’re younger this time around for me, which I like. The guys understand, too, the new additions
to the team are all guys that can help us. They’re here for a reason. It’s unfortunate that the team they
were on probably had to let them go, but it’s fortunate for us that we got them. We’re excited to work
with these guys. They understand that it’s a process for them, too. They can’t just exhale that sigh of
relief like, ‘I’ve made it.’ They’ve got to continue to work and prove that they can still hold a job next week. I think it’s the practice squad guys that it’s on a week to week basis, but it’s a good group, I’m
excited to work with these guys, it’s an energetic bunch. We’ve got a sprinkle of veterans in there, too,
so that’s good, too.”
(On if he has a decision about OL Jawaan Taylor and OL Walker Little) “I sure do. And I sure won’t (tell).
Or Sunday (when they’ll have to wait to hear).”
(On the competitive edge of withholding starter and playing time information) “I don’t know, sometimes
it’s just fun. I know you’re having a great time. Sometimes, too, your opponent is looking at everything
too. We’re looking at their stuff, and they’re looking at our stuff, and sometimes just game planning
specific guys and who’s going to be in there, you can kind of get a beat on something. There’s no need
to reveal anything right now. We don’t play for a few more days. We’ve got to get everybody ready to
go.”
(On if there is a lot that Washington may not know about him given the newness of it all) “The newness
of it, yes. They’re familiar with me. They’re familiar with Press (Offensive Coordinator Press Taylor) and
what we’ve done, me a couple years ago and Press last year and together a while back, but there’s still
some newness to it. It’s different faces for us, for them, for us, and a different set of circumstances, but
it’s still football. They’re going to prepare, they’re going to do their best, and we’re going to do what we
do best and go play.”
(On if he has told the OL starters who they will be) “I don’t know if I’ve told them that. I haven’t told
them that. Now, don’t go run in there and ask them. Yeah, they know.”
(On what it will be like facing his former quarterback Carson Wentz) “It’s going to be fun. It’s been a
while, been a year since I saw him last with Indianapolis last year, and he’s a great player. We drafted
him there in Philly in ’16, and it’s going to be fun to watch him play, and obviously he’s on the other
side, and we want to win, but he’s a competitor, he’s going to do everything in his power to win that
football game as well, and I’m looking forward to competing against him.”
(On if QB Carson Wentz has lost some confidence) “It’s hard. I’ve answered a ton of questions about
that. I think, honestly, he’s better suited to answer those. I just know that every decision we make is for
the best interest of the team. Now that we’re here in Jacksonville, that’s what we do, and all I know is
that Carson is the starting quarterback there, and we’ve got to prepare. He’s athletic, a big guy, and if
you get a chance to tackle him, you’ve got to get him on the ground, he can make you pay with his legs. I
think he does play with a lot of confidence, honestly, and those guys around him will definitely support
him.”
(On if he feels like RB James Robinson is in a good place to play Sunday) “Yes.”
(On if he looks at RB Travis Etienne as a rookie) “A little. He has played, last year preseason. He got all
the reps this year preseason. A little bit. There’s some learning there, still with him, just understanding
running lanes and routes and all that. A young player, and he’s done a great job. He’s picking things up,
studying, and learning, putting himself in a position a little bit like a rookie, but I think more in like that
first-year mode where he’s a little bit more like a veteran.”
(On what has impressed him about QB Trevor Lawrence since he started working with him) “I think what
has impressed me the most is just the maturity level with him. How he’s survived a year as a rookie with everything surrounding him that took place and how he was able to handle that. I think now, stability
around him with the team, with the coaching staff, but you see the maturity, you see the leadership in
the locker room, you see what he’s been able to do even with the new additions to the offense and even
to the team. That, to me, is kind of the one thing that stood out to me. You see the athleticism, you see
the arm strength on tape, but when you get to know him and the kind of person he is. That part of it, his
leadership, I think caught all our attention.”
(On OL Brandon Scherff’s leadership of the offensive line) “I see it in him, and I see it in Cam (OL Cam
Robinson). I see it in both of them. Cam is another one that has come back in the right frame of mind.
Both of those guys, but Brandon is probably a little more outspoken, a little more of the rah-rah guy up
front, but I also look at Cam in kind of that same role. The two of them together really tackled the
offensive line room, and have done a great job leading those guys.”
(On the message he has for them this week) “We’ll get into more of it Wednesday with the guys, but at
the same time, I just want them to know we’re in the game week, and everything matters. It’s about us,
obviously, taking care of our business. It’s a one day at a time mentality. We had a great day today, day
off tomorrow, and back at it on Wednesday.”
(On if LB Devin Lloyd will start on Sunday) “I honestly don’t know because we’ve got to get through
Wednesday and Thursday first, and I’ll have an answer for you later in the week.”
(On if LB Chad Muma has earned a spot in the thought process for starters) “Oh, definitely. That’s why
we’ve got to figure that spot out, health-wise and all that. He’s healthy, but he’s missed some time, and
we’ve got to see where he is going into the rest of this week.”
(On if he has any thoughts walking in today about how it is for real, being a regular season week) “Yeah,
you’re excited for getting to this point. You’re down to 53, you’ve got your 16 practice squad players,
really 17 with the extra guy in Ayo (S Ayo Oyelola). It’s your guys, the guys you go to work with every
single day, and that, … now is the fun time. The game planning and the scheming and preparing each
week. It’s another set of challenges each and every week, and that’s what the NFL provides every day.
For me, it was just that excitement of, now we’re here finally at the regular season, just looking forward
to the next week.”
JAGUARS OL BRANDON SCHERFF
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MONDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2022
(On how it will feel running out of the tunnel in Washington this weekend) “It’s going to be really weird.
I’ve spent my seven years there, had a lot of fun, a lot of memories, but it’s going to be different. I’m
excited because it’s a start to the new season and we’re playing football, and this is what we dream
about doing.”
(On if it is strange hearing them called The Commanders) “Yeah, it’s strange, but they’re the same team,
a lot of good guys there. We’ve been watching film, and we’re excited for the challenge.”
(On how it feels to be named a captain) “It feels great. That was one of my goals, to do everything the
right way, just to lead by example, and for them to vote me as a captain is a tremendous honor for me,
and I don’t take it lightly. I’ll do everything I can for absolutely anybody in this building.”
(On what he has seen out of the offensive line group) “I think we’re physical. I think we’re going to be
tough. I think we’ve got a heck of a quarterback behind us. We’re excited to block for him. Some great
running backs, some great receivers, so if we can put it all together, I think we’ll be pretty dangerous.
It’s all about, like Coach says, just take it one day at a time, and when Wednesday comes, put the game
plan together and get ready to go.”
(On what about QB Trevor Lawrence gives him confidence) “I’m saying he’s young, but he’s really
confident, and he can move around the pocket. He can run, he can throw the ball, and he’s smart. When
looks come, he kills it to the right look, so to be able to pick apart a defense like that at year two is
pretty impressive, and he’s really confident.”
(On the growth he has seen in OL Luke Fortner) “He’s really smart. When Phil (OL Coach Phil Rauscher)
asks him questions, he doesn’t hesitate, he knows the call, and he’s really confident, so that’s what
you’ve got to do. You’ve got to be confident. Like we always said, if you make the wrong call, just make
sure we’re all on the same page, and we’ll get through it. It’s all about us five being on the same page.
He’s done a heck of a job. Coach says just go one day at a time, one percent, always getting one percent
better, and Luke’s done a great job for us.”
(On what makes someone a good offensive guard) “I just try to do what I’m asked to do, whether you’re
athletic, if you’re in the pass pro, if you want to get out in space, everybody has got their own thing
they’re good at, so I’m just trying to do what Coach asks me to do.”
(On if a win Sunday would mean more to him going against his former team) “A win is always big, and
that’s what you’re always striving to do, so one day at a time, and work through Wednesday and
Thursday, and when it comes game time and we come out with a win, that’s what we’re all striving to
do, and that’s the end goal.”
(On how important an early win could be for the season overall) “Like I said, it’s always what you strive
to do, so if you can knock out the first one with a win, that’s always going to give you a boost
confidence.”
(On what it is like going up against DT Daron Payne and DT Jonathan Allen) “They’re really strong, and
you’ve got Daniel Wise in there, too. I practiced against him every day last year, and he’s a heck of a
player, too, Jonathan is as good as they come. He’s strong, he’s physical. Daron Payne, I’d say he’s really,
really strong, and he’s fast. He’s sneaky fast. He’s an underrated pass rusher. He’s a really good football
player. John Allen is, like I said, his stats speak for themselves. Montez Sweat, I have never seen anybody
that big run that fast. It’s going to be a heck of a challenge for us, because I know how they practice
every day, and they practice really hard.”
(On if any Jacksonville defensive teammates have asked him about the Washington offense) “No, they
haven’t yet. If they need or want anything, I’ll answer questions, but all I know is they’re a heck of a
defensive front.”
(On what Head Coach Doug Pederson has been able to accomplish in his time here so far) “He’s a great
head coach. He’s played in the league, so he knows what players go through, so whether you need a
taper or a practice down, he’s going to put you in shells, but it’s all fundamentals then, and speed. He
knows how to take care of a player. He leads by example, and we all love him as a head coach. He’s a
heck of a leader for us.”
(On if he watched the Iowa game on Saturday) “I was fishing. They won, so a win’s a win, baby.”
JAGUARS LB FOYE OLUOKUN
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MONDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2022
(On being named a captain) “Just that the guys on the team look up to me, have the confidence in me to
lead them. When I come to a team, I definitely play for my brothers around me and for them to give me
that respect that they trust me to lead them is the utmost respect, so just how I do everything, since I
came here, just doing everything for my brothers and my teammates, trying to get as many wins as
possible playing with them.”
(On how the younger guys lean on him quite a bit) “Yeah, just teaching them work ethic, but they have a
great work ethic already. Just trying to teach them what I see in the games, and same thing, they can
teach me stuff that they see. If I think I like it or can use it, I’m always open to trying to get better, and
we’re getting better as a room, so I just take that mindset and apply it to the rest of the team, and not
only on defense but trying to get better on offense as well. It’s everybody cohesive as a unit, one team,
all going toward the same goal.”
(On the importance of getting the season off to a fast start) “We are definitely trying to get off to that
fast start. Everything starts with practice today. I told them, win this practice today. You don’t win on
Sunday, you win in your preparation, just making sure we’re doing everything right to be in the right
positions and then being able to make those plays as the week goes on, then we’ll have the confidence
to do it in the game. Definitely trying to get off to a fast start, keep our morale high going into the year.
Week in, week out, always trying to win that game. If we come off a win, try to win that next game.
We’ve got to be able to stack them. That’s how to be successful.”
(On how hard it is to flip the switch from preseason to regular season) “Hopefully it’s not hard. It’s my
fifth year, so I’ve been accustomed to it. I had a different mindset my first couple years. I always had
that make the team mindset, even this year, coming to a new team, I wanted to make sure I got off on
the right foot, make sure I’m in my spots and stuff, learn the defense as quick as possible. Once the
games matter, it’s all trying to do what’s important now, what have you done lately in the league, so I
think it matters in the preseason, personally, but impressing the right people. We don’t do it for them,
but being in the right spots, get off on the right foot.”
(On if he can feel a ramped-up focus from last week to this week) “It does come naturally from the first
game coming and it counting, but like I said, our attention to detail shouldn’t shift from preseason to
now because when you’re trying to make the team, you should to be trying to be perfect in everything.
Now because the game counts, you should take that same attention to detail and put it towards game
planning and stuff, so maybe for a young guy that it’s new to them, heightened awareness on stuff and
being able to see the same looks now expect to see them in a game.”
(On how he has seen the defense grow) “I’m just trying to get everyone communicating louder, faster,
and now we have a game plan. We’re seeing some looks we haven’t seen all preseason coming from a
team with a new quarterback. Really, that’s what we’re trying to improve on is our communication,
what we can expect out of certain looks. I think if we’re fine on that, I trust my boys one on one in their
matchups, being in the right spots and having the right expectations play in and play out.”
(On how Head Coach Doug Pederson has worked to put them in a good spot) “I like the way he’s
coaching us. Definitely putting accountability on the team leaders and the team in general. I would say
he runs a tight ship while still being a players’ coach, but he tells us what he expects and he expects us
to do that. He holds us accountable, and we’re all playing for him, too, just like he’s coaching for us.
We’re all on the same team here, trying to get as many wins as possible. We’re trusting him that he’s
leading us the right way, and we’re going to put our best foot forward.”
(On Defensive Coordinator Mike Caldwell) “Same kind of thing. The way he’s relaying his message
through the players, not just speaking at us. Really kind of galvanizing the defense, making sure we’re
putting on our best effort and really that competing aspect of it and telling us what we should expect
from ourselves. I think that’s really important.”
(On Defensive Coordinator Mike Caldwell’s confidence) “I think he has to project that confidence. It
would be weird if he didn’t believe in what he was trying to teach us. He’s showing us stuff that’s
worked in the past, so if we run it the way he wants us to run it, I think we’re going to do well.”
(On what it meant to him to see LB Devin Lloyd make his debut in Atlanta) “It’s good for him, for sure.
Now he gets to work off what he put on tape. He’s a great athlete, and I think he has potential to be
really special. I was just happy to see him running around out there, get that confidence in and be able
to make plays on the ball and keep building off that, so I’m excited for him.”
(On if LB Chad Muma and LB Devin Lloyd have done things to prove he can have confidence in them) “I’v
I’ve had confidence since they stepped in, and it’s their demeanor toward working. We can always get
better from whatever they were about to put on film. It’s their demeanor towards work, and they’re
ready to be coached and work, so I was excited for them”
(On if anything has stood out to him about the Commander’s offense) “They’re pretty good, they way
they run the ball, they way they throw the ball. They’ve got some talented playmakers. They’ve got a
nice scheme with a lot of eye candy back there, too. Athletic quarterback, so we’re going to keep him
contained and do our best for our game plan to stop him.”
(On what will be the hallmark of this Jaguars defense) “As Coach Caldwell likes to say, we’re going to
stop the run first. That’s our first and foremost thing, then in the pass game we’re going to try to create
turnovers with the DBs and our athletic linebackers, kind of mix up the coverages and try to confuse
quarterbacks with our pass rush. If we can get our hands on footballs and stuff, making plays and being
able to get the ball back to our offense.”
(On the emotions about being named a captain) “It’s kind of like next step. Being named captain, I just
feel gratitude towards my teammates and that they have that respect of me. Maybe I think about it one
other day when I’m just zoned out thinking about it, but yeah, it’s been a crazy journey. That’s another
thing I have to prove. You named me captain, now let me prove to them I’m a good captain, so that’s
where my head’s at now. Let me try to win as many games as possible as a captain, get these guys with
the right mindset and just prove that I belong.”
