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Jaguars 2019 Training Camp: Focus on the O-Line

Jacksonville Jaguars offensive linemen Bunchy Stallings (64) and Cedric Ogbuehi, right, perform a drill during an NFL football practice, Friday, May 31, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jacksonville Jaguars offensive linemen Bunchy Stallings (64) and Cedric Ogbuehi, right, perform a drill during an NFL football practice, Friday, May 31, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

JACKSONVILLE – Cedric Ogbuehi understood the line of questioning.

But when the former first-round selection of the Cincinnati Bengals was asked Tuesday about getting a "second chance" with the Jaguars, the veteran offensive tackle clarified something:

"It's not really a second chance; it's a fresh start," Ogbuehi said.

Whatever the term, Ogbuehi is an important part of an offensive line story coming together early in Jaguars 2019 Training Camp at the Dream Finders Homes Practice Complex adjacent to TIAA Bank Field. Head Coach Doug Marrone on Tuesday talked about several offensive linemen during his Day 5 media availability, and we'll cover those thoughts later in the story.

One development on the offensive line Tuesday involved Ogbuehi, who worked with the starters at left tackle after working primarily at right tackle early in training camp.

"I've been very happy with him and we'll see as we go along," Marrone said.

Ogbuehi, originally projected as a potential Top 10 selection while at Texas A&M, sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the Liberty Bowl following his senior season. The Bengals selected him No. 21 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft, but he started just 25 games in four seasons in Cincinnati and played in two games with no starts in 2018.

Ogbuehi said he had "nothing but love" for the Bengals and considers the Jaguars a good fit.

"I'm glad to be here," he said. "They believe in me. Coming out, Coach Hop (Jaguars offensive line coach George Warhop) wanted to draft me (to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), so that's part of my decision to come here. They believed in me, and I know they believe in my talents."

Ogbuehi has the chance to play a significant role this season. With projected starting left tackle Cam Robinson yet to practice after sustaining a torn anterior cruciate ligament last season, and with a rookie – Jawaan Taylor – projected to start at right tackle, swing tackle is a key training camp question. Potential answers include Ogbuehi, veteran reserve Josh Wells and free-agent signee Leonard Wester (formerly with the Buccaneers).

Ogbuehi's first-round ability makes him an intriguing possibility, and he is confident he will get a legitimate opportunity in his new situation.

"It's all what you've done for me lately," Ogbuehi said. "The past is the past. If I go out there and show what I can do, the sky's the limit. You see it: I'm out there. As long as I'm out there, there's always the opportunity."

Here are highlights from Marrone discussing the offensive line Tuesday:

*On Robinson. Robinson, a third-year veteran, is the projected starter at left tackle along with left guard Andrew Norwell, center Brandon Linder, right guard A.J. Cann and Taylor. But Robinson also is the major question of that group because he remains on the physically unable to perform list. "We have a plan right now in place, and when we get closer to it I'll give you a couple days' notice of when he's going to come back," Marrone said Tuesday of Robinson. "But he's done well."

*On Taylor. Taylor, a second-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft from Florida, has worked sparingly with the starters early in camp – partly because Marrone believes in making rookies earn starting positions – but Taylor worked with the starters Tuesday. That's a trend that seems likely to continue. "Jawaan Taylor, I'm very happy with," Marrone said. Marrone also specified that while many linemen will play multiple positions, that won't be the case with Taylor – meaning he will play solely right tackle. "He's done a nice job," Marrone said.

*On Will Richardson. A fourth-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, Richardson spent much of his rookie season on injured reserve with a knee injury and did not play a snap. He hasn't appeared to work with the first-or-second team line much early in camp but drew praise from Marrone Tuesday. "Will Richardson [Jr.] has really, really has done a nice job if you watch," Marrone said. "I think that from last year to this year it's like night and day, I think he's going to be competitive in there."

The Jaguars returned to the practice field Tuesday morning after a day-off on Monday.

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