JACKSONVILLE – Jaguars 2023 Training Camp continued Thursday.
It was the eighth day of the second training camp under Head Coach Doug Pederson, featuring a practice in shells at the Miller Electric Center. Each day throughout camp, four members of Jaguars Media – senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton, senior reporter/editor J.P. Shadrick and team reporter Kainani Stevens – will share an observation.
Here are Thursday's "campservations:"
John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…
- With camp's "dog days" approaching, and with the team working in pads Tuesday and Wednesday, Thursday was a comparatively light practice with starters such as quarterback Trevor Lawrence and wide receiver Calvin Ridley working sparingly. Two rookies stood out on this day, with third-round running back Tank Bigsby again flashing impressive speed/physicality and third-round tight end Brenton Strange turning in his best reception of camp. Bigsby has looked like a player who can make a significant contribution if needed, and Strange has the feel of a player who could add significant depth and versatility to an improving tight-end room. Bigsby will be a particularly interesting story to watch in preseason. If he continues to flash in that environment, how the Jaguars use him this season could be an intriguing storyline.
Brian Sexton, Jaguars Senior Correspondent …
- The Jaguars specialists look like they're going to be able to give Head Coach Doug Pederson a lot of strategic opportunities this fall. I spent a good bit of time watching kicker Brandon McManus on the practice field Wednesday and he doesn't look like a 10-year veteran. There is a distinct difference when his kicking foot strikes the ball from when James McCourt's does. Pederson will feel comfortable taking the points when he gets near the 50-yard threshold. Meanwhile, Logan Cooke is one of the NFL's best punters by the numbers – but the numbers don't tell you how high he kicks the ball. And unless you're a coach or scout, you don't know how long he can hang it up there for the coverage units to get down the field. Those two guys are valuable assets for a team with sights set on something super.
Kam Nedd/Jacksonville Jaguars
J.P. Shadrick, Jaguars Senior Report/Editor …
- Thursday had a toned-down feel from the last couple of days, as the team was back in helmets and spiders. The Jaguars still got plenty of team work in, but a few guys were off to the side – including rookie right tackle Anton Harrison, who was dealing a shoulder issue. The team is off Friday to gear up for the toughest part of training camp yet: three straight days of padded practices, with one in the stadium Saturday before returning to the practice fields Sunday and Monday. Pederson drew up the schedule this way to ratchet up the physicality and intensity. It may not be Junction, Texas, circa 1954, but in the modern NFL Saturday through Monday could be as close as these Jaguars will get.
Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer ...
- After two days of longer practices in full pads, we saw players return to just shells Thursday, working the fundamentals and getting back to the basics after a couple grueling days. We're starting to see some of the vets take mentorship over the rookies, with rookie pass rusher Yasir Abdullah going over technique with veteran Josh Allen on the field after practice today. I'm excited to see some game-like action on Saturday in the stadium.
