JACKSONVILLE – Malik Jackson's feeling a good feeling right now.
That's to be expected for a newly-signed free agent during the first week of organized team activities, and it's absolutely Jackson's vibe.
Jackson, a defensive tackle who signed with the Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent from Denver in early March, appeared on Jaguars.com LIVE Wednesday with John Oehser, J.P. Shadrick and Brian Sexton. Among the topics: Jackson's role and how he's meshing with teammates on what many believe will be an improved defense.
Jackson also discussed the state of the defense as OTAs open.
"Around this time, everybody has high spirits," Jackson said at Mellow Mushroom in Avondale early Wednesday afternoon. "Everybody feels like we can go out there and go far. Everybody's just got to keep working. Everybody's got to stay healthy, keep learning the defense and keep working their craft.
"It's fun. We look good."
Jackson was one of three high-profile defensive free agents signed by the Jaguars this offseason, with the others being free safety Tashaun Gipson and cornerback Prince Amukamara. Rookie linebacker Myles Jack, rookie cornerback Jalen Ramsey and second-year defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. are also expected to play key roles.
The Jaguars are also implementing new looks and personnel packages – particularly in third-down situations – under new defensive coordinator Todd Wash.
Jackson said so much newness makes OTAs an important time.
"There's a lot of chemistry-building on and off the field right now," Jackson said. "Off the field, we like to hang out and go places and do things with each other. On the field, now that we're back on there, we can talk about things and get in the same mindset with each other.
"It's nice to have OTAs because you can get in that mindset before camp and when you come back for camp it's, 'Let's go.'''
Take a look at images from the Jaguars second day of organized team activities.
Also on Wednesday:
*Jackson discussed Fowler, who missed his 2015 rookie season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament: "He's a talented kid. He reminds me of a young [Denver Broncos defensive end and Super Bowl 50 Most Valuable Player] Von Miller. He definitely has the speed. He just has to go out there and get back in the swing of things. He's going to be a good player. He's not going to go out and get 10 sacks a game, but he's trying to prove a lot to himself and to us and I think he's doing it the right way." …
*His role in the defense after two OTA practices: "It's definitely clearer, going out there on the field and kind of seeing what they want. The first day I was still kind of back in the Denver days, playing the technique a certain way. By Day Two, I understood what they want after talking to Coach Wash. … The three-technique (Jackson's position) gets to go out there and just play; I'm definitely glad I get to do that. I just have to get in that mode and just go. I'm used to kind of sitting back and reading things and looking at things. I have to switch it up a little bit but it will come along." …
