Category: Minicamp

Podcast: Takeaways from Jags minicamp, explaining why team is a perfect fit for ‘Hard Knocks’

Jags Wire’s James Johnson discussed his offensive, defensive, and other takeaways from Monday and Tuesday as the Jags wrapped up minicamp.

In this week’s episode of “Bleav in the Jags,” Jags Wire’s James Johnson discussed some key takeaways from the Jacksonville Jaguars’ mandatory minicamp practices. Most of them came on the offensive side, however, there were some important things discussed on defense and special teams, both of which are units with solid competition.

Afterward, James discussed why the Jags make so much sense for HBO’s “Hard Knocks” and why fans and the team should at least consider it. With a decision needing to be made on the team (or teams) who could be featured on the annual show, this is an episode fans might not want to miss as the Jags could have a solid chance to get the nod.

The episode can be heard below in the media player, while archived episodes can be revisited here.

Feel free to subscribe to “Bleav in the Jags” via Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or Spotify.

Jags add WR Laquon Treadwell to 90-man roster after minicamp tryout

The Jags are adding a former first-round pick to their receivers corps in Laquon Treadwell, who was a tryout player for them in minicamp.

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The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed receiver, and former Minnesota Vikings first-round pick Laquon Treadwell to their 90-man roster after he was one of four players to try out at minicamp. To make room for his addition, the Jags waived Jon’Vea Johnson.

Treadwell, 26, was the No. 23 overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons with the Vikings after they drafted him and spent 2020 with the Atlanta Falcons. While with the Vikes, he accumulated 65 catches for 701 yards, and two touchdowns and was only able to add six more catches for 49 yards and two touchdowns to his total last season.

With his signing, Treadwell is set to join the Jags during training camp in late July. He was a player who Urban Meyer spoke positively about this week when asked what he thought of Treadwell, who was the most notable name of their four tryout players.

“Yeah, I first saw his name and I remembered him very well from high school, obviously and he had a great career at Ole Miss,” Meyer said. “[He was] a first-round draft pick and I spent some time with him today. But I think we brought an offensive lineman, two defensive players and Treadwell.

“So, I thought he looked pretty good, big body that can run and big hands. So, I was surprised that his name—when I saw his name and Trent brought him to me, I just remembered him very well and he didn’t disappoint today.”

The veteran will join a receivers group that is loaded and currently has DJ Chark, Marvin Jones, and Laviska Shenault among notables.

Brian Schottenheimer tight-lipped on Jags’ starting quarterback situation

Though Trevor Lawrence is expected to win the job, the Jags’ passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach said no decision has been made.

Ever since Jacksonville secured the first-overall pick back in December, it was assumed that Trevor Lawrence would be the starting quarterback this fall. Though the rookie is well on his way after some impressive moments at minicamp despite recovering from shoulder surgery, it appears he hasn’t done enough to lock up the job, at least at this point.

According to ESPN’s Mike DiRocco, passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Brian Schottenheimer wouldn’t give a definitive answer when asked if there’s been a decision made.

“It’s still too early to say how this thing’s going to play out,” Schottenheimer said on Wednesday.

While there’s certainly some smoke and mirrors going on here, it’s far from a foregone conclusion that Lawrence will be ready to start Week 1. It’s not like the Jaguars necessarily need him to be, either.

He’s clearly the future, but the Jags still have a quarterback on the roster who’s thrown for 37 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions in two years in Gardner Minshew II. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Minshew wants to win the starting job in camp this fall. He’s a clear trade option for Jacksonville, but if no deal materializes and Lawrence isn’t ready for the opener against Houston, the cupboard is nowhere near bare.

Still, it would be at least a minor upset if Lawrence doesn’t start Week 1. Though he’s dealing with lingering issues from the surgery, it seems he’s getting closer and closer to 100% each day. He should be fully healthy by the fall, and it would likely take a herculean effort from Minshew to unseat him as the presumed starter, assuming he’s still on the roster at that point.

Ben Roethlisberger required attention from trainer at day 1 of Steelers minicamp

Pittsburgh Steelers minicamp kicked off on Tuesday and already there were a few concerns.

Steelers minicamp kicked off on Tuesday and already there were a few concerns — the biggest being Ben Roethlisberger. He was observed by attending media as needing attention from a trainer. JuJu Smith-Schuster also left practice early and David DeCastro did not participate.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said there’s nothing to worry about. “If I thought injury circumstances or reasons why people were not participating were significant, I would share them with you, but I’m not going to address day to day like things in this environment. It’s not required,” said Tomlin in a press conference.

As to whether Big Ben and Smith-Schuster are expected to return to the practice field this week, Tomlin added, “We’ll see what tomorrow holds.”

Steelers minicamp wraps up on Thursday.

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Trevor Lawrence ends minicamp on an impressive note

Lawrence ended his first NFL minicamp in impressive fashion and showcased his skills in the red zone during the Jags’ Tuesday practice.

After starting his first minicamp session as a limited participant due to a minor hamstring injury on Monday, rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence seemingly used his “frustration” as fuel Tuesday to end the two-day period. In fact, the 2021 No. 1 overall pick appeared to be the star of Tuesday’s practice as the Jags slightly increased his reps, catching the eyes of many in attendance.

Per Mark Long of the Associated Press, Lawrence had his best day in the red-zone (where the offense struggled at times during OTAs). ESPN’s Michael DiRocco added that Lawrence’s ball placement and decision-making was solid on the day as the rookie’s hamstring appears to be getting better.

Jags fans couldn’t ask for a better ending to minicamp as Lawrence’s day is positive news for his stock report. Per Hays Carlyon of 1010XL and Jaguars reporter J.P. Shadrick, the two most notable passes everyone was raving about went to speedster Phillip Dorsett. One was in tight coverage and the other was a back-shoulder throw.

Lawrence’s day is a testament to what the coaches have been saying about his ability to bounce back and not get too high or low. It also speaks volumes about the coaching he’s receiving from coordinator Darrell Bevell and passing game assistant Brian Schottenheimer, both of whom he spoke on Monday.

“[The learning process with them] has been great. Obviously [they’re] two great offensive minds that have been able to work together and come up with a great scheme,” Lawrence said on Monday. “I think the best thing about the offense is it gives the quarterback a lot of answers. So, you have a lot of tools, you just have to know how to use them.

“That’s something for me, now that I pretty much know most of system, it’s figuring out how to put us in the best situation because Coach Bev[ell] and Coach Schotty give us answers. [It’s] just being able to use them, like I said, and that’s something that takes a little bit of practice and reps. It’s something that I’m not really that used to in college, so I think that we’re making great progress there.”

Now, it will be on Lawrence and his coaches to transfer their success to training camp when the pads go on. With that set to take place in late July, the young quarterback should be fully healed and ready to go for the phase of the offseason that will be the most important for him.

Trevor Lawrence ends minicamp on an impressive note

Lawrence ended his first NFL minicamp in impressive fashion and showcased his skills in the red zone during the Jags’ Tuesday practice.

After starting his first minicamp session as a limited participant due to a minor hamstring injury on Monday, rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence seemingly used his “frustration” as fuel Tuesday to end the two-day period. In fact, the 2021 No. 1 overall pick appeared to be the star of Tuesday’s practice as the Jags slightly increased his reps, catching the eyes of many in attendance.

Per Mark Long of the Associated Press, Lawrence had his best day in the red-zone (where the offense struggled at times during OTAs). ESPN’s Michael DiRocco added that Lawrence’s ball placement and decision-making was solid on the day as the rookie’s hamstring appears to be getting better.

Jags fans couldn’t ask for a better ending to minicamp as Lawrence’s day is positive news for his stock report. Per Hays Carlyon of 1010XL and Jaguars reporter J.P. Shadrick, the two most notable passes everyone was raving about went to speedster Phillip Dorsett. One was in tight coverage and the other was a back-shoulder throw.

Lawrence’s day is a testament to what the coaches have been saying about his ability to bounce back and not get too high or low. It also speaks volumes about the coaching he’s receiving from coordinator Darrell Bevell and passing game assistant Brian Schottenheimer, both of whom he spoke on Monday.

“[The learning process with them] has been great. Obviously [they’re] two great offensive minds that have been able to work together and come up with a great scheme,” Lawrence said on Monday. “I think the best thing about the offense is it gives the quarterback a lot of answers. So, you have a lot of tools, you just have to know how to use them.

“That’s something for me, now that I pretty much know most of system, it’s figuring out how to put us in the best situation because Coach Bev[ell] and Coach Schotty give us answers. [It’s] just being able to use them, like I said, and that’s something that takes a little bit of practice and reps. It’s something that I’m not really that used to in college, so I think that we’re making great progress there.”

Now, it will be on Lawrence and his coaches to transfer their success to training camp when the pads go on. With that set to take place in late July, the young quarterback should be fully healed and ready to go for the phase of the offseason that will be the most important for him.