JACKSONVILLE – Jaguars 2021 Training Camp continued Wednesday.
It was the 12th day of the team's first training camp under Head Coach Urban Meyer, featuring a practice in light pads at the Dream Finders Homes Practice Complex. Each day throughout camp, four members of Jaguars Media – senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton, team reporter Ashlyn Sullivan and senior reporter/editor J.P. Shadrick – will share an observation.
Here are Wednesday's "campservations:"
Oehser…
A play a day, at least. As you look back on Jaguars rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence's first NFL training camp so far, that's what stands out – that during most practices, he has made at least one play that makes you realize why analysts considered him not only the best quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft, but perhaps the best quarterback to enter the NFL in a decade. Wednesday's practice wasn't stuffed with big-time offensive plays, but Lawrence later in practice had an impressive 25-yard completion to wide receiver Josh Hamilton – and multiple other impressive throws. He shortly thereafter had a very impressive red-zone drill – with touchdown passes on four consecutive repetitions, including a quick read and a pass with pace to wide receiver Jeff Cotton Jr. It may not have been a SportsCenter Highlight play, but it was thrown with big-time velocity and – again – made you realize why he was selected No. 1 overall.
Sexton…
I haven't spent a lot of time writing about the quarterback in this space. Why tell people what they already knew? But Lawrence was so astoundingly good Wednesday I couldn't pass up the chance. His sense of timing, touch, anticipation and understanding of what's going on around him make him look like a seasoned veteran instead of a really talented rookie. The kid is so talented you just don't ever get tired of watching, but you're always amazed he can show you something else. He dropped a pass into tight Chris Manhertz's hands over at least six defenders' outstretched arms. In the tight red zone, it was almost unfair the way he delivered the ball to tight end Luke Farrell, Cotton and O'Shaughnessey. No one is perfect, but as a quarterback, Lawrence looks like he has the chance to get as close as a human being can. He has far exceeded where I hoped he would be by this point in training camp.
Shadrick …
Newly enshrined Pro Football Hall of Fame Head Coach Jimmy Johnson visited practice Wednesday and plans to speak to the team later in the day. Johnson carried his college coaching success at the University of Miami to the Dallas Cowboys, and led the rebuild of America's Team from 1-15 in 1989 to Super Bowl champions in 1992 and 1993. Jaguars Head Coach Urban Meyer and General Manager Trent Baalke might not have a Herschel Walker-like deal to stockpile talent like Johnson did, but the Jaguars equivalent is a strong start: they picked a quarterback No. 1 overall and spent a lot (but not all) of their available salary cap in free agency to solidify the roster around current stars. The Jaguars in time may not be as dominant as those Cowboys teams – because few teams are – or maybe I'm proven wrong in the long run. Either way, it feels like a similar beginning.
Sullivan …
Defensive end/outside linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson looks like a different person than he did last season and is optimistic about his new role in this defense. This 3-4 scheme has him dropping in coverage, floating and covering players such as running back Travis Etienne Jr. and rushing the passer (his favorite). He had some practices that challenged him going against rookie left tackle Walker Little in one-on-one pass rush drills, but now has strung together five great impressive days at practice where you keep hearing his name when winners are announced over the loudspeaker.
