Training camp for the Jacksonville Jaguars is just a little over a week old, but if enthusiasm and energy account for anything the Jaguars should be noticeably improved heading into the NFL season.
Urban Meyer came out of retirement and will try his hand in the NFL after 17 years as a head coach in the college ranks.
Jacksonville averaged just 19.1 points per game last season. But Meyer has the rookies and veterans looking ahead. And not in the rearview mirror.
An early focus is on first draft pick Trevor Lawrence at quarterback and a work in progress. Tim Tebow’s transition from quarterback to NFL tight end.
Both have received words of encouragement early in the camp.
Lawrence’s battle is not as uphill as Tebow’s. He’s competing against Gardner Minshew, C.J. Beathard and Jake Luton. And I will go out on a limb and say he is roster worthy. A starting nod is the only suspense.
“A guy that’s always asking questions and wants to get better,” associate head coach Charlie Strong said of Lawrence. “And here he is, a guy that comes in as the first pick, and it hasn’t bothered him at all. The players respect him for how he goes about it and how he carries himself. It’s a big deal how you carry yourself.”
Jacksonville has keen competition for a roster spot at tight end. The position is vital in establishing an anticipated expanded running game.
Chris Manhertz is known as an exceptional blocker. Another blocking tight end is Luke Farrell, a fifth-round pick from Ohio State. Along with Ben Ellefson, veteran James O’Shaughnessy, Tyler Davis and Tebow.
“He has good hands. In his drill work, he’s great, but when you get in a competitive moment, just [because of his] lack of experience he wants to body the ball,” Meyer said of Tebow. “When you get to a point where two people are going after it, you have to go get the ball. He is fighting through that a little bit, but he has the skill set to catch the ball.”
Tuesday was the first padded practice of Jaguars ‘21 training camp.
“It was good,” wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. said. “We got after it. It was physical. We got after it before, but it’s always good to have pads to see who really has it or not.”
So, the position battles continue to see who is in black and teal and will start at quarterback on Sept. 12 in the season opener at Houston.
CAMP NOTES: The Jaguars will hold the final three open practices of training camp Friday-Sunday…The Jaguars announced additions to both the coaching staff and scouting department. By way of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship, the Jaguars have hired Martin Bayless (special teams) and Kiel McDonald (running backs). Through the Nunn-Wooten Scouting Fellowship, the Jaguars have hired added Aashon Larkins and Byron Archambault. ... Jacksonville placed quarterback CJ Beathard on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced Monday afternoon. CJ Henderson and remains on the list. ... Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney attended Jaguars practice Tuesday morning.
