JACKSONVILLE -- Senior writer John Oehser's notes and observations from Monday as the Jaguars continued 2018 Training Camp at the Dream Finders Homes Practice Complex …
1.All was quiet on the cornerback Jalen Ramsey/defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. front Monday, with neither speaking to the media on their first day back with the team after a one-week suspension. But with the locker room open to the media for the first time in the 2018 season, the return of the two players was a topic. The consensus among veterans: the suspension is in the past and will stay there. "Guys are excited to get back and throw their hands in the pile and do what's required for us to be good," Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell said. Defensive tackle Malik Jackson said the team immediately went back to "business as usual" upon the duo's return. "It's like they never left, because they never did leave," Jackson said. "We'll put them right back in, so no need to make a bigger deal out of it than we need to." …
2.Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marrone as expected on Monday was asked about the NFL's new leading-with-the-helmet rule, which is the focus of much discussion among players, coaches and observers this preseason. After not being penalized under the newly-implemented rule in the preseason opener, two Jaguars players – cornerback A.J. Bouye and tight end Niles Paul – were penalized under it against Minnesota Saturday. Marrone said while he has strong opinions on the rule, he plans to share them directly with the league office as opposed to stating them publicly. "That's really the fair way, no different than if they had a problem with something I say," Marrone said. "I would hope they would call me first rather than putting it out there to the media. I do have some thoughts. Those thoughts will be conveyed, and I do not know what will happen after that, but I'm going to be a little assertive on this end and try to get something." Said Jackson: "I think we might all get hit (penalized), because they're trying to find an even scale to put it on." Jackson added of Bouye's hit: "It was crazy to me, because he put his head on the side. I'm trying to find an understanding of what we're supposed to do. I don't know what else he could have done. But we'll get an answer back [from the league] and we'll see. We'll try to grow as players and get an understanding. That's what we have to do. The league makes rules and we have to adjust to them."
3.Marrone on Monday also addressed left tackle Cam Robinson, who appeared to struggle against Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter Saturday. "I think Cam would be the first one to tell you; Cam would say he has to do a better job," Marrone said. "I think he understands that and we're working towards that goal to be more consistent and do a better job." Robinson, a second-round selection from the University of Alabama in the 2017 NFL Draft, started 15 games at left tackle as a rookie last season. Marrone was asked if there was a specific technique issue with which Robinson struggled Saturday. "Sometimes, you could have poor footwork, good hands and win the block," he said. "Sometimes, you could have poor hands, good footwork and win the block. I think there are a lot of different things that go into it. The mindset prior to [the play] and how you're going to set someone up and what you're going to do. There are a lot of things that go into it. We will do whatever we can, obviously, to make sure that he kind of gets out of it."
4.For the second time in three days Marrone had high praise for rookie safety Ronnie Harrison, who led the team with five tackles and a forced fumble Saturday. Harrison learned shortly before the game he would start for veteran Tashaun Gipson, who was held out for precautionary reasons. "He went out there, had good hits, jarred the ball loose and played extremely well," Marrone said of Harrison. "It was probably everything we were looking for when we drafted him. Is there room to improve? Of course there is. There always is. But I thought he did a nice job from how he handled himself, calls, what he was doing. He did a good job." Marrone also continued to talk highly of reserve running back T.J. Yeldon, who had 39 yards rushing on 10 carries and 73 yards on five receptions Saturday. That production included an 11-yard gain on a play in which both Yeldon and starting running back Leonard Fournette were in the game. Marrone was asked if he liked the play. "How many yards did we gain?" he asked. When told it was 11, he said, "Yeah, I like that play. If it was minus-one, then I would not like it." Marrone said Yeldon looks more explosive and stronger than in the past. "I think he can carry a load of carries," Marrone said. "I just think he has done a nice job. I really do."
