JAGUARS HEAD COACH DOUG MARRONE
(On an injury update on WR Laviska Shenault Jr. and OL Brandon Linder) “Laviska will be out there and Brandon will not be out there at practice. I think Brandon’s doubtful to play.”
(On incorporating RB Dare Ogunbowale more into the game plan to give RB James Robinson rest) “No, I don’t know if that’s the plan. I think he [Robinson] just took a pretty good shot during the game and just came back from it and I think that was one of the reasons why. James will obviously be limited today so he’s in a limited mode.”
(On QB Gardner Minshew II’s workload in practice) “It’s actually too much workload, so we’re working through that with [Offensive Coordinator] Jay [Gruden] and [Quarterbacks Coach] Ben [McAdoo] and Gardner to know exactly what that workload is, seeing him go out there in practice and throw. That’s been in my discussions so we’re trying to work through it trying to understand it.”
(On if a poor performance by QB Mike Glennon would be the cause to reinstate QB Gardner Minshew II as the starter) “I don’t know. I mean there’s a lot of things that go into it. Practice is a big thing for me, when people are practicing and how they’re doing in practice. You don’t want to go into a game hoping someone’s going to be able to do well. I think your evaluations are day-to-day during the week and then obviously on game day for the players that are playing. They’re being evaluated and if we feel like someone can go in there and help our team win, then we’re going to put them in there. I think that’s pretty much the process of what’s always been done.”
(On OL Ben Bartch’s progress in his rookie year) “I think early on you can see the finish in the run game. I thought he was doing a good job there. I think like a lot of players, especially coming from small schools and not having the preseason, the pass protection stuff, you’re going to get caught. It’s at a much higher level here than the run game. I think it’s always one of those things that I know as a line coach and evaluating linemen, to me it’s a little bit easier to project how someone’s going to be in the run game from what I’m seeing on tape or what I’m seeing on film than in pass pro[tection] because sometimes some guys are just athletically gifted better than everyone else. Some guys, they get away with things technically and in the NFL you’re going to face someone that’s better than you at some time and technically you’re going to be in trouble. But I have seen improvement from him. I think he did a much better job in protection last week, so he’s trending in the right direction. I’m happy with him. He’s a tough guy, he can move, he’s a big guy, plays multiple positions. I think it’s one of those things where as we work our way through the season and him playing, it’s going to make him better and I think we have to figure out what’s the best position for him because he can play multiple positions.”
(On the value of OL Ben Bartch playing multiple positions) “As a position, it’s a little bit different now that you’re allowed to dress eight linemen in a game, but when you were dressing seven, which pretty much everyone did with the roster limitations, [it’s extremely valuable]. If you’re not coming into this league with a team and really have a spot, like you’re just going to walk in and be a starter, you’re going to have to play multiple positions to be up on game day. I’m not going to say you’re not going to be on the roster, but up on game day. So you have to have that type of flexibility and I think it gets overlooked. People are like, ‘Well if you play guard, you play guard,’ but just think about it, it’s the opposite, all the footwork and the technique and the hands. Everything left and right’s opposite and it’s a whole lot more difficult. Then, [it’s] who you’re playing with. Obviously you’re on the right side playing with someone else, left side. If you’re swinging at guard, the only constant is the center that you’re working with. There are a lot of things you have to go through, but Ben’s done a good job for his first year and he’s trending in the right direction, which is good, and he’s getting experience which will help him down the road.”
(On what WR Collin Johnson needed to improve on to get more playing time later in the season) “I think what happened was early on in training camp, we saw him making a bunch of plays, kind of like what you’re seeing right now, and doing a really good job. Then when we went out there and [with] the opportunities that he had, [he] just really didn’t take advantage of it. It’s a little different. I think we can all appreciate how different it is from college and practice and then all of sudden now you’re in an NFL game because things are going to happen a lot quicker. Collin’s a very bright guy, so I think he might have been thinking too much. That’s one of the conversations we had where you get on the field and you overthink things and you put this anxiety on yourself not to make a mistake and to make sure you’re doing everything correctly and running the right things. It’s just like, ‘Hey, you just have to get out there and play. Let it loose, just go ahead and run,’ and that’s what I meant by carrying that stuff over from practice because he’s always done that in practice. Just in the games early on he didn’t seem like the same type of player that we were seeing in practice on the game field. But now I think we’re starting to see that, or you’re starting to see that, so now he’s starting to make those plays and he’s doing a really good job.”
(On his favorite play from WR Collin Johnson) “It’s hard for me to pick one, but he made a lot of plays in training camp. I think it’s one of those training camp things where you see a guy that has size, that’s big, that can run, that can pluck the ball and catch, and do those things. Then you get excited and want to see that stuff on Sunday where you’re scoring touchdowns and making plays. It doesn’t always happen as fast as the coach wants or the player wants, so he’s worked extremely hard to do it and he constantly will make plays throughout practice and throughout the week.”
(On constantly having to make changes at the quarterback position throughout his career as the head coach in Jacksonville) “I think anywhere you look around the league, if you’re not stable at that position it’s going to be difficult, it’s going to be challenging. We’re trying to make sure we’re trying to find the right fit, the right guy to lead this team and lead this franchise. We have guys that we just keep trying and just keep putting them in there. But I think if you look at teams that don’t have that [stability], it’s the most important position. It doesn’t matter where you are or what coach you are. They’re going to say, ‘What’s the most important position?’ And first one’s always quarterback, it’s not even close. It’s an important position and it’s one that we continue to keep working on and keep trying to get it right.”
(On his reactions to QB Gardner Minshew II’s comments that he begged for playing time) “There’s a lot of players that will say, ‘Hey, I want to play,’ whether it’s practice squad, whether it’s a backup role that wants to play more. Daniel Thomas, prior to him being hurt and starting to play, every week he was [saying], ‘Coach, I’m ready. You have to get me in.’ You want that as a coach. You want that competitiveness. It’s the same thing I would tell Daniel, ‘Hey, you have to go out there and practice and practice well, not make any mistakes, know we can trust you and put you on out there, perform well in practice, and you’ll start getting snaps,’ and that’s exactly what happened to a point where he started to play and go. I think you get a little bit worried if it’s the other way where someone doesn’t want to get out there, he’s not a competitor, he’s comfortable in his role of maybe not playing. You can have all these emotions as a player and sometimes on the outside you’ll look at it and say, ‘Oh man, he must be really upset that he’s not doing this or that,’ but at the end of the day that’s not how they are around their teammates and how they practice. They’re still working to get better and do it. There’s some guys that you would know that. You can get a sense of that, but we don’t have that issue at all. We’re all trying to communicate, we’re all trying to work through things during these tough times, so we’re just going to keep working on these guys and keep getting better.”
(On RB James Robinson being limited in practice today) “He took a shot. He takes a lot of shots. I think that I’m not worried about him slowing down. It just happens and you just kind of catch your breath a little bit and then go back out there. Coming back this week, we’re going to limit him, but he’ll be fine. We’ve had this conversation before about the workload and everything. I think he’s good where he is and I don’t have a problem keeping him in there for as many plays as we need him in there. I really don’t. Obviously, at that position, you’re going to get a blow now and then depending upon what goes on during the game, but he’ll be full go. He’s ready to go. I’m not concerned about him.”
(On getting to know RB James Robinson’s character throughout the season) “I think both with success and failure with players, you can just look, watch them, and see how they react to things. I think you have to be guarded with both. I think if you’re not doing well, then you’re looking at your attitude, how hard you’re working to overcome that. I think if you’re doing well, what’s going to happen now? Are you going to start cutting corners or trying to save yourself or do things like that or are you going to continue to keep pushing and work hard? I think that’s probably the thing I’m most impressed with I would say with James is just his consistency. I mean just a consistent effort, a consistent work ethic, a consistent demeanor of everything that goes on. The greatest thing I think for a coach is to know… I’ve had players when I was a position coach where I knew that when they came into the building, I knew what type of day it was going to be, meaning like, ‘This guy’s ready to go. He’s focused. Oh, I’m going to have to kick him in the butt and get him going.’ [With] James, you know what you’re getting every day. You’re going to get everything he has every day and I think, as a coach, I know for myself that’s greatly appreciated. That’s what I meant about him and he’s focused. I try to bring up things just to try to get a feel of what’s going on around him, but I have no feel because his focus is just on playing and doing the best job he can. It’s a little bit unique. It’s unique and it’s greatly appreciated.”
(On the challenges the Tennessee Titans present this week) “I still see the same challenges. You have a team that they’re big, they’re strong, they’re physical. They’ve had a couple injuries, but up front their inside players are playing extremely well. They’re a load in there. Offensively you look, they have receivers that are all good size, can run, tight ends that can run. Obviously we know about [Titans RB Derrick] Henry. He’s leading the league in rushing, is an outstanding back and [Titans QB Ryan] Tannehill’s dangerous. He’ll run when he needs to run, and he can run. He’s a former wide receiver, we all know that. Special teams, they’ve had a lot changes going on there with the kickers, but their core guys are still strong. They’re whatever they are, tied for first in the division, and there’s a reason for that and they’re a heck of a football team. They’re coming in here and they’re coming off a tough loss to Cleveland, so we’ll get the best of Tennessee. [Titans Head Coach] Mike [Vrabel] does a great job with those guys. They have a really good coaching staff. They’ll be ready to go and we’ll get our guys ready to go.”
JAGUARS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR JAY GRUDEN
(On WR Collin Johnson’s improvements) “I think when the plays have presented themselves, Collin has started to take advantage of them. I think earlier in the year, he might’ve been pressing a little bit too much to make a big play. Now, I think he’s letting it happen and letting his size take over, and understanding concepts and where to be. And the quarterbacks are—especially Mike [Glennon] is gaining trust in him and giving him opportunities to make plays. So, a lot of that goes hand-in-hand. The quarterbacks have got to have trust in you as a player. And then when you do get the opportunity, you’ve got to make the plays. And Collin has definitely done that the last few weeks.”
(On whether WR Collin Johnson’s size overshadows his speed) “Yeah, probably. I don’t think he’s a burner, but he’s not slow by any stretch of the imagination. I think when you’re a long strider like that, you do gain ground rather quickly. So, he’s got a good combination of a lot of skill set that is necessary to play the position. But size is definitely his number one quality; length and ability to jump and high-point the ball. We had some opportunities earlier in the year, he must’ve timed his jump a couple times and that was a little bit of a concern. But I think he’s got that figured out and [he’s] a little anxious to get off his feet. But now, he’s making the plays.”
(On what he’s learned about RB James Robinson since the beginning of the season) “Well, I think consistency. You never know, about a young player, how he handles the week in and week out approach of football. This is a long season for these guys coming out of college; sixteen games, training camp and all that stuff. They’re not used to that and the wear and tear can break some people down. But James is doing excellent as far as taking care of his body, staying healthy and continuing to understand what we’re trying to do in the running game. Getting better and better in the passing game, there’s still some things we’ve got to correct. You know we’re probably having to play him a little bit too much, like I mentioned last week. But I think just the consistent level that he’s performed with, over the course of these 12 games, has been very impressive for a young player.”
(On whether he’s had a deep conversation with RB James Robinson) “Deep? No, I don’t have deep conversations with anybody, I’m unable to do that.”
(On OL Ben Bartch’s development) “Yeah, that’s exactly right. I think we’ve seen the talent that he has, the skill set that he has for an offensive lineman. He’s smart, he’s got great feet, he’s strong. Now, it’s just a matter of putting it all together. And we’re asking him to do that rather quickly. You know, for a guy from a small school, like he came from up there in St. Johns, Minnesota, to come in here and play pro football, just 13 or 14 weeks later is a tough challenge. But he’s up to it and he’s getting better and better. We don’t expect him to be perfect, he’s going to have his problems here and there. But it’s our job to make sure we get him some help when we can. But for the most part, he’s just got to go out there and play, and he’s going to learn from this, he’s going to get better because of it. But we love the skill set, we love his attitude, we love his toughness. Now, it’s just a matter of being consistent with his fundamentals and his eyes, and where he’s going and how he’s getting there.”
(On WR DJ Chark, Jr.’s performance thus far) “Yeah, we’ve started him quite a bit. I think the target/catch ratio, I don’t think it’s very good. It’s not DJ’s fault, all of DJ’s fault, it’s not all the quarterbacks’ fault. So, it just hasn’t happened like we would like it to happen. That’s part of the reason we’re sitting here on an 11-game losing streak. He’s our number one guy and we’ve got to figure out better ways to get him the ball. He’s got to do a better job of getting open, we’ve got to do a better job of getting him balls when he is open. So, it goes hand-in-hand. But DJ is a phenomenal player, he’s a great young player. He works hard, he’s very unselfish. I’m sure there’s been times in the course of some games where he hasn’t gotten targeted or he hasn’t gotten the ball, that he could really blow up like some receivers do. But he stays the course, stays positive, and I think it’s going to make him better in the long run. So, we’re going to keep trying to feed him, keep trying to get him the ball, but we’ve just got to get better around him and protection. Routes have got to get better, throws have got to get better, we’ve all’ve got to get better. Play calls have got to get better. But yeah, we definitely have got to get DJ more the ball.”
(On the difficulty of being the play caller with three different starting quarterbacks this season) “It’s hard. I had three in five games last year in Washington, I had three or four the year before that in Washington. So, I’ve had about 10 quarterbacks I’ve dealt with in a small amount of time. And the consistency at that position is really important. It’s critical to have success, you have to have consistency in that position. Talking to one guy, speaking the same language, catering to their strengths. And when you’re changing week in and week out, it’s hard to get a gauge on what they like, what they’re comfortable with. So, that’s the most difficult thing. So, I think we’re dealing with three great kids. Guys that want to be great, they work extremely hard. But as a play caller, getting to know what they like and them getting to know me a little bit, that’s the biggest challenge that we have. And now, this will be the third week with Mike [Glennon]. Hopefully I’m starting to get in his head a little bit, he understands where we’re going and what I think he likes. So, it’ll hopefully be beneficial.”
(On whether QB Gardner Minshew II is close to reaching the threshold of the workload considered by Head Coach Doug Marrone) “Well, we have high hopes that Mike will play well and there won’t be an issue. You know, that’s number one, that’s the one thing we’re focusing on right now. As far as making a change to Gardner, that’s up to Coach Marrone. And his workload is up between him and the trainer and his personal masseuse or whoever the heck he talks to, I don’t know. I know quarterbacks have to throw the ball in order to get better. That’s the only way you get better, is by repetition and throwing the football to your guys, different cuts, over and over and over again. If you’re not able to do that, then it’s hard to show the team that we should have confidence in you making that happen on game day. So, I think Gardner has got to get his arm right with the trainer, he’s got to continue to progress and throw a lot of balls in practice for us to see that he’s ready to go. But as far a making that change back to Gardner, that’s up to Coach Marrone. And obviously, hopefully Mike Glennon plays well this week and there won’t be an issue.”
(On QB Gardner Minshew’s performance during practice comparatively before and after his injury) “Yeah, it’s really difficult because we don’t throw the ball a lot. I mean, obviously we throw it in practice. But we have individual periods, then you have team periods and the team periods, you’re trying to get the starter ready. So, Gardner doesn’t get many reps, he gets a few with the starters and then he does some of the scout team stuff. Which you know, over the course of practice, you’re throwing about 30 team reps and then the individual reps, he’s gotten some throws as well. So, we’re trying to cater to Mike Glennon right now, but also keep a close eye on Gardner of where he is. To me, his arm looks fine, I don’t see any difference from now to when it was in training camp. But that’s something between [him], and the doctors and trainers that—I didn’t see any difference when he had the so-called hurt thumb. Not so-called, when he had the hurt thumb, I didn’t see a difference either. So, only Gardner can tell you how his arm is feeling and then obviously, only Coach Marrone can make that decision to go back to Gardner if he sees fit.”
(On how much the game plan changes or stays the same from week to week) “Well, I think there’s going to be some change, obviously, we’re not going to run the same plays. I think we’ve gotten better, a little bit better. Different ways to attack different personnel groups. But Tennessee’s defense has changed a little bit, not a whole lot. You know, they had Johnathan Joseph at corner, he’s not there anymore. So, they’ve had some different people rotating in at corner. But for the most part, it’s a good defense, they do the same stuff. They have simulated blitzes, blitz four or five different guys. You don’t know where they’re coming from, different fronts. [Jeffery] Simmons is a great player. I mean, inside, obviously, [Jadeveon] Clowney played last time, he’s not playing this time. So, some of their key players aren’t available this week, but they’re still a very good football team. Obviously, they’re in the hunt for the AFC South championship, so they have a lot to play for. As do we, trying to break this losing streak. And it’s a big rivalry game. So, there’s a lot to play for on both sides. Both teams are very good and I know Coach [Mike] Vrabel is going to have his team ready.”
(On Washington Football Team QB Alex Smith and his comeback story) “Yeah, it’s incredible. I would’ve bet my life that there was no way he would ever play again. And here he is, playing and beating the Pittsburgh Steelers. I mean, it almost makes you choke up when you think about what he’s gone through to get to where he is. It is the most unbelievable comeback story that I’ve heard of. And he’s such a great person, great guy, great leader. When we lost him, we were 6-3, 2-game lead in the division, and then obviously, we finished 7, we went and finished 7-9 that year. And obviously, [we] had our struggles and I got let go. But that type of player, the leader of your football team, when he goes down and has the issues that he has, it hurts everybody. But to see him come back from what he’s gone through, is just an incredible feat. [I’m] so happy for him and his family, they’re such great people, that you can only smile and just—it’s just incredible, it’s unbelievable. I would never even think about coming back after what he’s been through.”
JAGUARS QB MIKE GLENNON
(On getting on the same page with WR DJ Chark Jr.) “Obviously, DJ [Chark Jr.]’s our No. 1 receiver and a big part of our offense, so we will have more success. We had a bunch of targets, not a ton of completions, but some games are like that. I don’t know if it’s especially me and him, it’s just some games that’s how it works out and we’ll continue to build on it and get better.”
(On his cleats for the NFL’s ‘My Cause My Cleats’ initiative) “I’m doing Project ALS and the person is Chris Combs. Chris used to work at the NC State Booster Club, got diagnosed with ALS a few years ago, and unfortunately passed away a couple months ago from it. I became friends with him and it’s a terrible disease that hopefully we can raise awareness for, help find a cure, help find ways to lower the suffering people go though. It’s just a nasty disease that’s kind of gained some attention over the past decade with the ice bucket challenge, [former New Orleans Saint safety who has been diagnosed with ALS] Steve Gleason and some guys, but [I] just wanted a way to honor him and the battle he fought.”
(On throwing to WR Collin Johnson) “I think that first go ball to him is a case of my trust in him that even though the corner kind of bailed on it, that I trust him to go up and make a play. I know you guys probably saw it all of camp, but he had plenty of those plays through training camp. Me working with him a bunch, I have a ton of trust in him. Like you said, he’s a tall guy that plays even taller. I don’t know what his wingspan [is] or whatever it might be, but he covers a lot of ground between his height and when he’s in the air with his long arms. He definitely plays to his strengths and is something that hopefully we’ll continue to feature.”
(On his style of play) “I still think even though we lost the game and had some plays, there was still a lot of good throws out there. I think there’s always going to be stuff to build on, but I feel confident in myself in both games.”
(On being the starter for the third week in a row) “I felt comfortable both weeks and I feel comfortable again this week.”
(On his comedian Frank Caliendo making jokes about him on ‘Hard Knocks’ when he was with the Raiders) “I’ve heard the jokes my whole life, it’s nothing new. [He was] throwing a recycled joke but he was hilarious. [I] had a lot of fun with him. We talked after and he’s a good guy. I’m more than used to it.”
JAGUARS WR COLLIN JOHNSON
(On Head Coach Doug Marrone’s comment that he is bringing his level of play from the practice field to game day) “I definitely think the more I play, the more comfortable I get. I think what he meant by that was I do it in practice and finally I’m seizing the moment in the game now. So, I’m just happy it’s finally showing and I’m just excited to keep getting more comfortable and building off of it and pushing myself each and every week.”
(On his vertical leap) “38 [inches].”
(On his cleats for the NFL’s ‘My Cause My Cleats’ initiative) “Basically, I’m bringing awareness to Type 1 Diabetes. My fiancé [Sara Machado], she got diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when she was like ten years old and so I’m just bringing awareness to that. It’s something big in mine and her life and I just feel like it’s the perfect opportunity to shine a light on that for people who don’t know much about it.”
(On his platform as an NFL player) “It’s huge. With more power comes more responsibility as they say. There’s a lot of eyes on you as an NFL player, but it could be a good or a bad thing depending on how you use it. I’m trying to use it the right way and just spread light on things that mean a lot to me personally and [things that] I feel like other people will benefit from learning as well.”
(On his growth this season) “I always feel like I can always get better. My mindset’s I just want to be better than yesterday and I just take it day by day. I know that sounds cliché, but I really just try to push myself in that regard. I’m just getting more comfortable out there the more I play. The game’s slowing down for me. I feel like I fully understand the offense, multiple positions, so I’m just taking it week by week and just trying to improve each and every week.”
(On the value of getting more reps as the season progresses) “For me, [it’s] very valuable. I’m a competitive guy. I just want to be out there as much as possible to help my team and stuff like that. I definitely feel like I can get in a rhythm playing more snaps and I love it and I’m trying to take advantage of every opportunity that I get.”
(On adjusting to three different starting quarterbacks) “They all have different styles of play obviously, so each guy’s just a little bit different. For me, I just think it’s important in practice no matter if it’s the starter that week or the backup that week, whenever you get a rep with any of the guys, you just have to take it serious[ly], whether it’s routes on air, scout team, or going with the one offense. You just have to take it serious because you never know how things could go with injuries or coaching decisions or what have you. But it’s all about just taking advantage of those reps in practice so whatever happens on Sunday, you’ll be ready.”
(On which quarterback throws the best spiral) “They all throw good balls. I caught a ball from all three and they wouldn’t be in the league if they didn’t belong here.”
(On working with WR DJ Chark Jr.) “He’s a beast. He taught me a lot and his energy is just contagious. DJ Chark [Jr.], when he’s in the room, you feel it and that’s something that I really appreciate because when the room’s kind of down, he’s just kind of that guy that’s just always having fun and it kind of rubs off on us as receivers. It’s definitely been a positive having him in the room. It’s been great.”
