Your one-stop shop for Jacksonville Jaguars news, opinion, and analysis.
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Here is today’s roundup of the latest news, rumors, and analysis on your Jacksonville Jaguars.
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O-Zone: Wipe it up (Jaguars.com)
I was in the room when Jaguars Owner Shad Khan spoke to a small group of “football” media Wednesday. … And while it did seem he would like Head Coach Doug Pederson to call plays this season, he indeed made clear that he hired Pederson to be the head coach and that he wouldn’t interfere with football decisions.
O-Zone: Dance the night away (Jaguars.com)
I don’t expect Jacksonville to host a Super Bowl in the foreseeable future. While the Stadium of the Future absolutely will be at the level to host the game, the infrastructure of Jacksonville – specifically the availability of high-end hotels – isn’t yet close to what’s needed for a Super Bowl. I expect there’s a good chance the city will host an NFL Draft relatively soon after the stadium is completed.
Jaguars Mailbag: What Does a Successful Season Look Like? (Jaguar Report)
Q: If Travon had another 10 sack season, what kind of contract do you think he’d get this offseason?
A: I am not sure he would get one. The only first round pick the Jaguars have extended after three years during this regime — and most of the past others — was Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence is obviously seen differently in terms of negotiations because he is a quarterback. With two more cost-controlled years for Walker, there is no real reason to rush into a deal. Let’s circle back on this one in a year from now.
3 Reasons Why Doug Pederson Should Call Plays For the Jaguars in 2024 (Jaguar Report)
The biggest reason why Pederson should take over play-calling duties is obvious: he is good at it. Pederson’s play-calling ability and acumen likely ranks in the top dozen among head coaches. His Super Bowl run in Philadelphia showed that and so did his first year with the Jaguars. While Taylor did call plays at times for the 2022 Jaguars, the Pederson impact can’t be understated.
Return of the King: Yulee’s Derrick Henry inspires young athletes at Two-All Carnivall (Times-Union)
The Heisman Trophy winner and two-time NFL-leading running back held the inaugural Two-All Carnivall — the name derives from Henry’s No. 22 jersey with the Tennessee Titans and now the Baltimore Ravens — at the Yulee Sports Complex in Nassau County.
Johnson hosted the second annual free SlowGrind Foundation camp at Imokalee High School on Saturday, drawing an estimated 200-plus participants. They were given free shirts with Johnson’s likeness, participated in football drills, and had the chance to meet, get autographs and take photos with the former Indians football star.
Mitch Morse explains signing with Jaguars over another suitor (Jaguars Wire)
“It happened very quick. I got released on a Wednesday and committed to play I think Sunday for the Jags,” Morse said on the Love You Bro Podcast this week.
Every NFL team’s potential 2024 breakout player: Who for the Jaguars? (Jaguars Wire)
It’s fair to wonder if Walker, Jacksonville’s No. 1 overall selection in 2022, deserves to be on this list after producing 10 sacks during his second pro season, more than his three-season college career total of 9.5 as a multi-positional defensive lineman with Georgia. But five of his sacks came in the Jaguars’ final four games of the year, including two against lowly Carolina in Week 17, signaling a need for improved consistency as a true edge rusher.
Lloyd could be the biggest benefactor of the Jaguars’ scheme change under new DC Ryan Nielsen. The third-year pro could reprise his role as a SAM linebacker, which helped him earn high marks as a prospect in the 2022 draft class. A unique playmaker with instincts, awareness and pass-rushing skills, Lloyd can make his mark as a linebacker who attacks from all angles. He thrived in a similar role at the University of Utah, which helped him walk away with a plethora of honors after dotting his résumé with splash play after splash play. Though the Jaguars haven’t been entirely open about Lloyd’s expected role, it’s not hard to envision the third-year pro crushing it as a DPR (designated pass rusher) with on- and off-ball linebacker skills.
Engram is coming off by far the best season of his career, at least in terms of volume. He emerged as arguably Trevor Lawrence’s top target last season amid various injuries to the receiving corps, and he caught 114 passes. But he also posted a career-low 8.4 yards per reception and his 56.6 yards per game weren’t even the top mark of his career despite the fact that he smashed his previous high in receptions by 41. He’s also not much of a blocker. But a massive pass-catching role will keep him productive, and he shouldn’t yet be in the decline phase of his career.
The Jaguars’ three greatest wins have come in the divisional round, with the first one taking the top spot. A second-year franchise, the ‘96 Jaguars crept into the playoffs before stunning the Bills in the wild-card round. A week later, the Jaguars were even bigger underdogs in Denver against the 13-3, top-seeded Broncos. The Jaguars quickly fell behind 12-0 before taking a 13-12 halftime lead. Jacksonville’s lead swelled to eight points following Mark Brunell’s 31-yard pass to Keenan McCardell at the start of the second half.
Editor’s pick
Eagles to wear Kelly Green throwbacks against Jaguars, Cowboys in 2024 (Pro Football Talk)
The Week 9 matchup with Jacksonville is set for Sunday Night Football.
Must-see media
I saw David Garrard run 32 yards on 4th & 2 against the Steelers in the playoffs to set up a GW FG https://t.co/xVMimUyucJ
— Rev. Eric Dunn (@ericvdunn) June 30, 2024
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