JAGUARS HEAD COACH DOUG MARRONE
(On the situation with DE Jabaal Sheard) “I mean Jabaal, he’s a veteran guy, he’s been around a long time. We brought him in, [the] thought process was, ‘Hey, let’s bring him in just to make sure we cover ourselves with Josh Allen being out.’ Now, he played eight snaps and then we looked at, ‘Okay, well Josh is going to be coming back, so how can we get him snaps and keep K’Lavon [Chaisson] going and [Dawuane] Smoot and a couple of the other guys.’ So, we couldn’t really guarantee a lot of snaps and a veteran guy is going to make a move where he can go there [New York Giants] and get increased playing time.”
(On using veto power over offensive coordinators calling plays changes and if that depending on who that coach is) “No, I think it’s always remained the same. I mean we go in there, you check the game plans, go over all the game plans, what we want to call, what situations, and everything like that and then just try to keep the flow of the game right, so that’s not an issue.”
(On if he’s over-ruled Offensive Coordinator Jay Gruden this year) “I mean those conversations are private. I like the way the game’s called and I think I could’ve helped him at times, like whatever it was two games ago, maybe we should’ve run the ball more, things like that. But I work with all three coordinators and help them with the calls and what we want to do.”
(On if they’ve tried everything to get a spark offensively) “I just think we’re working on just keep communicating with the players: things they feel comfortable with, things that we think schematically can work well. I thought early in the year, we did do well offensively [on] opening drives and we’ve kind of stalled out on it, so we have to do something to make a play to get it sparked. I think that’s the whole key in any phase of what you want to do. I spoke about it with the team. We’re in this intensive protocol this week that changes some things up and I’ve told our players, ‘Hey, we need to embrace that.’ We need to obviously be changing things up and we’ve talked about being able to change things up so we can get out there and get a better start in the games.”
(On if focusing too much on getting a spark can be detrimental mentally for players) “That’s a good question. I don’t think that really applies as much to the professional athletes. I think it’d be a bigger mistake not to mention it. In other words, not to acknowledge it, not to try to put a focus on it when it is a problem, so I’d rather make sure that we bring it up, change it up, and then let’s go play and do it than worry about [it]. I think that’s a little bit over thinking, over analyzing going the other way and I think it’s avoiding the subject matter, which is what you have to do and we haven’t done it and it needs to be addressed.”
(On injury updates) “Josh [Allen] is progressing and he’ll still be limited. DJ [Chark Jr.] will be limited. Abe [Abry Jones] we’ll look at, see where he’s at. Myles [Jack], the same way, same with [Tyler] Eifert. I think those three guys we have to just keep watching and see where they’re at. Jarrod Wilson, maybe later in the week we’ll see how he progresses. I think Ben Bartch will be limited. A.J. [Cann] will be limited and then Brandon Linder has a scheduled day off, but he’ll be fine.”
(On who will take over if LB Myles Jack can’t play this weekend) “I feel good about it. I think Dakota [Allen] has done a nice job for us when he’s gone in there for Myles [Jack] before, and I think that Quincy [Williams] did a nice job when he went in there for Dakota when he had to come out with his shoe being undone. So, I think both players are more than capable to step in for us.”
(On the concerns with the Chargers high-scoring offense) “I think the quarterback, the young kid from Oregon [Justin Herbert], I think he’s got a big arm and he can run. I think he’s dangerous from that standpoint of really using his legs to extend plays. I think when you look at them from a standpoint of skill positions on the outside, [Keenan] Allen’s probably one of the best receivers, best route runners, been really productive, real steady player. Really, he’s played at a high level for a long time. Hunter Henry’s one of the top tight ends that you got to make sure [you’re aware of], he’s a matchup problem, so it’s tough there. Mike Williams, big, tall, stretch the field, jump balls, can out-muscle, out-body guys. So, I think obviously they’ve lost one of the running backs [Austin Ekeler] who’s a really good football player who is truly a matchup nightmare, but they have a good running game. So, offensively, they’ve done a nice job. I think the quarterback’s really playing well. You look at his stats and even though it’s not a lot of a body of work, but you can see the success that he’s had and you can see how dangerous he is.”
(On if the protocols this week have been an obstacle) “So my thought process is it obviously comes down and it’s nothing you can change from our perspective, meaning that, ‘Hey, I want to do this or I want to do that.’ I think it’s put in place or I know it’s put in place for the best for the league and the team and all that. Like I said before, I told the team, ‘Hey listen, we need to embrace this really and not look at it as a distraction or anything like that.’ We needed to make a change, meaning we’re not playing well and we needed to change things up so, ‘Hey listen, it’s been done for us where we have no choice, so let’s go ahead and embrace this.’ Really today is the only day that it’s really [going to affect us in terms of] how I look at it, how it affects practice without the players that we need to be here, so practice will be affected a little bit from that standpoint and then Thursday and Friday we should be right back to normal.”
(On managing the confidence of a young team with five losses so far in the season) “I think that’s a good question. Whether it’s the cliches of ‘no one’s going to feel sorry for you’ or anything like that, but from what I try to do is I try to pick the plays individually or collectively that when we’re doing all the things that we need to do, that we’re successful. You take those plays, and you try to show them that, ‘Hey listen, when we do it like this, we can do it well. Now, can we do it play in and play out?’ and that’s always been the case in this league. Can you do it all the time and then can you make the plays that can literally either keep you on the field offensively or get you off the field defensively? Can you make the plays on special teams that can help us with field position or maybe change the game or the momentum? Those are the things we keep striving for and talking about. If you just go the other way where you’re just harping, harping, harping [it’s not effective]. I’m more of acknowledge, what’s the thought process, how can we change it, how can we help you to get what we want, and I think that keeps it going. The other thing that helps is I think when you have older players that are struggling, then you have to make a move. When you have younger players that you see it in them but you’re looking for that consistency, you have to keep them going and they’re hungry to go. That’s the one thing because they know that what they put on tape is their resume with everyone else and right now, it’s not good enough for anyone. So, that’s the one thing we keep striving for. I don’t see that. What I do see is kind of a feeling out process early on in games. That’s what I’m trying to push this team to get over, that process of feeling things out instead of just going and just playing and let it loose. I’ve been talking about that with them for a while and I want them to play like that.”
(On if the confidence to get the team back on track is decreasing in the locker room) “I think I would acknowledge that that’s something that we’re always trying to guard against. I think those things are natural that they’ll happen that if one person feels like they’re doing their job or doing a good job. I think you’re right that frustration can creep in. I just look at it as it’s an emotion that you have to show I guess at times for people to vindicate that you haven’t been winning and you’re not playing well as a team. I think those things come up but I think they’re moments of emotion and you can’t have that be inside you the whole time because if you do that, it’s going to cause problems, it’s going to spread, in other words, that frustration. So, if we can just get everyone together collectively and be able to pull in the same direction and be able to make these plays at these times where we need to and then I think that emotion kind of bleeds out, it’s not there anymore. I think that’s normal. I think when you have [a guy say] ‘I did my job this time’ and then you could have ten guys do their job and one guy not be able to make a play and not be able to get off the field or stay on the field and there’s a level of ‘ugh’. I think that’s the thing you have to guard against, that you have to keep everyone going where if you put so much pressure on every single play and all of a sudden it’s not working, then you lose them for the next series or multiple series after that. These are the things that go on in the game of football that it’s my responsibility to keep them going in the right direction and that’s what I’m striving to do.”
(On being cautious with K Josh Lambo this week with a bye week next week) “I don’t think I’d ever put anyone out there that I don’t think was going to be able to do the right thing. I think it’s probably too early for me to say that because I haven’t seen him [Josh Lambo] out there yet. Today he’ll be out there, we’ll see how he feels. I think there’ll be a lot of communication in that to see where he is and make sure he’s comfortable with it and then if he feels that he can do it, then yes, he’ll be out there. If he feels that, ‘Well, I’m really not sure’, [if] there’s any type of doubt in it, then I wouldn’t put him out there. That’s what I’ve done with pretty much every player no matter who it is from when it comes down to coming back from injury. A lot of times, players will come back, and we’ve had players [that say], ‘I want to go, I want to go’, but when they’re on the field, they can be cleared medically but they still can’t do the things that they need to do to be successful. Then as a coach, you have to come in there and explain it to them and then tell them why you’re doing it and most of the time they understand, but I know it’s an appreciation I have for the player of wanting to get out there and be able to play.”
JAGUARS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR JAY GRUDEN
(On if there’s anything different to try to get a better start offensively) “We definitely have made it a focus point the last five weeks, six weeks. We’ll always want to start fast, that’s never going to change. I mean anytime you come out of the tunnel, you’re excited for a football game, you put a lot of work in during the week from a preparation standpoint, you feel good about your first set of plays, your group of plays you want to hit early, and then if you don’t execute, it’s kind of a letdown. It takes a lot of air out of the energy on the field, so obviously you want to start fast, but we are trying things. [We] tried to get the run off the ground in running last week, it didn’t work out. [We] got stuck in some third downs, obviously didn’t convert on those so fell down early again. We have to do a good job of trying to figure out ways to either push the ball or get some plays that are positive, get our team going, get the juices flowing a little bit so we have some momentum early. We have not had that in a while. It’s going to be critical for a young football team to get out to a good start, so they play faster, have some more fun instead of having to play from behind all the time.”
(On if the idea of getting out to a fast start can put too much pressure on a young team) “That’s one of the biggest challenges you have as a coach, offensive coach, head coach. As a player, you can’t let one play, or one series dictate how you feel or what you’re thinking about going on to the next series. We always try to talk about a one play mentality. It’s on to the next one and it’s very important in pro football because they have defenders that get paid, they have coaches that get paid, and they’re going to make their stops here and there. it’s important for us to stay on track, focus on our job, do our job, and move forward.”
(On if the play calling or execution has changed since the first two games) “That’s a good question. We’ve had some opportunities, missed some opportunities. I think the key is, against the Titans we were 10 for 14 on third down. It keeps you in rhythm as a play caller. That’s the big thing and then we’ve struggled a little bit on third down as of late, even though [it] looked like we were like 50 percent, but it wasn’t quite as good as that. We got a couple late. I think we were 2 for 10 one week, 3 for 10 the next week, and as a player caller, if you’re not in rhythm, if don’t convert those third downs, it’s hard to get in rhythm. Mix in play passes, the boots and all that stuff, now you’re trying to figure out a way to get 10 yards or a chunk play. You get a little bit behind the chains and it’s tough, so I think third downs’ the key. Tennessee, like I said, we’re 10 for 14, we’re keeping rhythm, staying on track, staying in third down-and-medium, first-and-10, second-and-3, so the whole playbook’s open. The playbook closes when you’re down 14 late in the third or early in the fourth quarter. You only have a few sets of drop backs that you have to get going and those make it tough.”
(On how they were able to come back against the Colts and the Titans) “We did come back and make some big plays and they were able to still have some running game threat against the Titans. But, like I said, when you go 10 for 14 on third down, you’re going to get more plays and I think when you’re talking about only having 50 or 60 plays in a game as opposed to 75 probably against the Titans, things change a little bit. We have to do a better job of just getting some chunk plays here and there and staying on track.”
(On using last year’s game against the Chargers as a learning tool for QB Gardner Minshew II) “Yeah again, they got down early, and they became one dimensional and that’s tough. The Chargers do a great job. They don’t play a whole lot of different coverages. What they do, they do very well. They can rush a passer with four guys. They’ll get [Melvin] Ingram [III] back this week, obviously they have [DE Joey] Bosa. They’re very effective with their four-man rush and the zones that they play, and they sprinkle up different nuances to change it up to confuse you. But at the end of the day, in order to beat some of there zone coverages, you have to have time. You don’t have a lot of time and Gardner [Minshew II] was under duress a lot and the Chargers did a great job in that game. Again, it’s going to be critical for us to try to stay ahead of the sticks, stay in the third-and-mediums, the shorts, then I think we’ll have a great opportunity to have a lot of success. Then if you get down a couple touchdowns, make it a one dimensional game and let Ingram and Bosa stick their hand in the ground and rush the passer every snap, it’s going to be very difficult.”
(On keeping the team together despite the frustrations) “You know we have quite a few games left and for us to get out of this rut, we have to stay together and we have to continue to push ourselves in practice, in meetings and to try to get better and be relentless in our preparation. And our work ethic, that can never change as a professional football player or as a coach. No matter what your record is, you have to go out and prepare, be relentless in it and that’s what we have to do, and we have to stay together. There can’t be any finger pointing. [Head Coach] Coach Marrone does a great job preaching that and I think the players all rally around each other and figure this thing out. It’s a young football team, we get it, but youth is no longer an excuse. Guys have been together for enough time now. We should be executing better and hopefully we will be moving forward.”
(On how to get QB Gardner Minshew II out of this rut) “I just keep preparing him. Every week is its own entity. This team will play an entirely different defensive structure than the team we played last week against Detroit and then the next week we play, we have a bye week and the next week we play [the] Texans and they’ll be different than the Chargers. So, you have to get it in your frame of mind each week’s going to have a different nuance, different plan. You have to study, you have to prepare, and you have to do the best you can and continue to work on your fundamentals, understanding the concepts, what we’re trying to do, where your matchups are, your protection issues, and go for it. There’s a lot on a quarterback’s plate and he’s a young player and he’s continuing to learn and grasp it, but we don’t expect perfection right now. We’re going to have some growing pains here and there. That’s our job to try to protect him and put him in the best situation as possible.”
(On when he realized the potential of WR Keelan Cole Sr.) “Well, I hadn’t really, not a lot of knowledge of him. I know that just watching him on film last year, he had some talent but now we’re playing him more inside and it’s a tough position to jump into for the first time. He’s done a great job. He’s getting better and better as far as running routes from in there. I know he can do stuff outside, but we’ve asked him to move inside. He’s a great target, he’s long, got great hands, not afraid, he can block. He’s been very impressive so far. I think he’s going to get better and better the more he sees in the slot and the more he understands the route detail that takes place in there, the depths, the breaks, the suddenness you have to have in there. I think he’ll get better and better, so I’ve been very impressed with him on and off the field and he’s made some big plays for us.”
(On if WR Keelan Cole Sr.’s targets increasing is due to move in position or being a comfort for QB Gardner Minshew II) “A little bit of both. I think the slot receiver has an opportunity to make some plays. He actually caught a couple balls outside as well. Yeah, I think a little bit of both. I think he can do stuff in the slot and outside, but Gardner [Minshew II] is getting more and more comfortable with him as far as the intermediate stuff and obviously some of the deeper stuff. He’s doing a great job.”
(On if the injuries contributed to the offensive line not performing as well last week) “Probably some of that’s true. Detroit did a nice job. They lined up in a couple fronts that were very difficult to run the ball against. We tried to force the issue early and didn’t have much success. They were basically daring us to throw it. [We] probably should’ve went to the pass a little bit sooner, then let the pass set up the run as the game went on. But they did a great job, so hat’s off to Detroit first of all. Losing A.J. [Cann] hurt us. A.J.’s played extremely well. It was Ben [Bartch]’s first experience in an NFL game, so it was fun to see him in there. He’ll get better and better. Man, he’s a tough kid, he’s smart, but playing for the first time, you’re going to have some struggles against that front. They were very good, very big, very strong, and not to mention we were very one dimensional there late in the third, early in the fourth quarter, which made it even more difficult. So, hopefully A.J. can go, but if not, I think that experience will help Ben moving forward.”
(On combatting the pressure from opposing defenses on QB Gardner Minshew II) “Well definitely against Detroit, that was the case and I think this week you’ll see a lot of loaded boxes as well from the Chargers. They’re going to give you seven in the box and you’re 11 personnel or give you eight in the box and you’re in your regular in tiger, the two tight ends sets or the three tight end sets. So, we’re going to have to get them blocked. Somebody’s going to be an unblocked player. We’re going to have to run away from them, we’re going to have to get a hat on a hat and get some movement. The way to combat that is obviously we’re going to have to hit them with some play actions or some deeper type throws to get him out. But some of these defenses, they’re going to play the way they play. They’re coached to play this way. They’ve made their adjustments. We’re going to have to make our adjustments and try to hit some big plays based on where they are and how they’re playing.”
JAGUARS QB GARDNER MINSHEW II
(On using audibles this year) “I don’t know, I think it depends on the play. There’s certain plays where we have a few checks kind of built in. I’d say that’s typically when we’d have the opportunity to audible.”
(On how many times he’s changed the call completely this year) “A decent amount, I’d say a few times a game, whenever we’re not looking for perfect plays, we’re trying to just stay out of the bad, the negative plays.”
(On if the execution is what’s missing on offense) “Yeah, I think so. I think that’s football at the end of the day. That’s what it is, it’s execution, who can execute more consistently and that’s something we’re still working on.”
(On how his college journey has prepared him the ups and downs of the NFL) “No doubt. It’s these trials that produce perseverance and that produce endurance and there’s no shortcut to get there. You don’t have all easy times and then everything just all of a sudden is just going to work out for you. Sometimes you have to go through these tough spots and I think we’re growing a lot as a team right now and I really do believe that we’re going to come out better at the other side of this.”
(On not letting frustration distract his focus) “That’s a great point that [Head Coach] Coach [Doug Marrone] made. It’s one of those things, it’s easy to get frustrated. It’s sometimes hard to find the bright side of things, but that’s what we have to do, and I think that’s what we are doing right now. I think we have everybody trying to pull together, trying to find solutions, had some great conversations already this week, and just trying to find and getting back to that excitement that we were playing with earlier in the year.”
(On the similarities in the Jaguars and Chargers defense and how going against them in practice helps their preparation) “Yeah, it’s very similar, kind of the same system, coming from the same tree, so we have a lot of reps at it. But one of the things that’s always tough about these defenses is everybody tries to beat them the same way each week, they’re used to seeing all the looks, so you have to be very good and consistent and execute, and they’re going to be a tough challenge.”
(On WR Keelan Cole Sr.) “He might be quiet around y’all, but that’s not the [Keelan] Cole [Sr.] I know. Honestly, I always saw it. Last year during camp, during OTA’s and everything, I thought he was as good as anybody we had. So, ever since I’ve been here, I’ve seen what Cole can be and really any time he’s gotten on the field he’s shown that, and I still think he can continue to grow.”
(On if his confidence in WR Keelan Cole Sr. is the reason his targets have increased) “Yeah, I mean I’d say that and just opportunity. He’s finding the [spots] more. We’re putting him in positions to where he can get more balls and I have a ton of faith in him too.”
(On why the efficiency between him and WR DJ Chark Jr. wasn’t as high last week) “Yeah, I don’t know. You look at times, those few times like I was off a little bit, he was off a little bit. We just couldn’t seem to get in get in a rhythm and I think that’s one of the big things with DJ [Chark Jr.] is you think if you get him involved, get him going early, then he can be really good for you and he has that confidence going. That’s something we’re going to try to do a better job of is just getting him involved in the game because we know what he can be and the player he is for us.”
(On if they can correct the connection between him and WR DJ Chark Jr. this week) “Yeah, I sure hope so. That’s definitely the plan. I think we’re at our best when DJ [Chark Jr.]’s at his best, so we’re going to try to get him the ball, as well as the other guys in that room.”
(On if he has a relationship with Chargers QB Justin Herbert) “No, I don’t think I’ve ever met him.”
(On the challenges the Chargers defense present) “[Joey] Bosa, he’s really good, man. There’s reason he’s drafted as high as he was. He’s that talented, he’s produced like that. Melv[in] Ingram, another guy, if he’s healthy, he’s a force and then they also picked up Linval Joseph, fellow ECU Pirate. Man, he’s a force in there too, so they’re very talented upfront. When that defense or that side of the defense works, it’s when you can get pressure with four and when they’re at their best that’s what they’re doing.”
