Tag: Chad Muma

Jaguars hire ex-LSU DC Matt House as linebackers coach

The Jaguars are reportedly hiring former LSU defensive coordinator Matt House to coach their linebackers.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are hiring Matt House to their new linebackers coach, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

House most recently spent the last two seasons as the defensive coordinator for the LSU Tigers before he was fired earlier this month. After the LSU defense ranked 41st in the country during the 2022 season, allowing an average of 354.6 yards per game, it plummeted to 108th in 2023 with the average yardage climbing to 416.6.

Prior to his time at LSU, House made a few coaching stops in the NFL. Early in his career, he spent one season as an assistant special teams coach with the Carolina Panthers and three as a defensive quality control coach with the St. Louis Rams.

House’s last NFL stop was a three-year stint as linebackers coach for the Kansas City Chiefs. He also worked for three years as a linebackers coach at Kentucky while Jaguars pass rusher Josh Allen was at the school.

While Jaguars coach Doug Pederson elected to fire most of the defensive coaching staff, outside linebackers coach Bill Shuey was among those who were retained.

That could mean that House is tasked with working with the team’s inside linebackers. That group currently consists of Foye Oluokun, 2022 draft picks Devin Lloyd and Chad Muma, and 2023 pick Ventrell Miller.

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Jaguars LB Devin Lloyd ready to play with a cast: ‘It feels fine’

Devin Lloyd isn’t worried about the cast on his right thumb. “I’ve still got my four fingers,” says the Jaguars linebacker.

When the Jacksonville Jaguars hit the practice fields at Miller Electric Center on Wednesday, linebacker Devin Lloyd was back with his teammates for the first time in more than two weeks.

Lloyd, 25, didn’t make the trip to London after undergoing surgery to repair a thumb injury suffered in Week 3. Now the second-year linebacker is hoping to get back in the lineup as soon as possible, regardless if that means playing with a cast on his right hand.

“Whoever made it, I forget the name, they did a really good job,” Lloyd said of the cast he was wearing at practice. “It’s comfortable, I’ve got a lot of motion, it feels fine. … It’s football at the end of the day. I’ve still got my four fingers, so it’s football.”

Lloyd’s second season in the NFL was off to a strong, albeit quiet start before the injury. The 2022 first-round pick had 19 tackles, one fumble recovery, and three pass deflections through the first three weeks.

While his 58.7 grade from Pro Football Focus doesn’t jump off the page, it’s significantly higher than the 35.2 grade his replacement, Chad Muma, has through the first five weeks.

Still, the Jaguars won back-to-back games during the London trip to get their season back on track. And while his team was getting its mojo back in England, Lloyd was doing everything he could to get back on the field sooner rather than later.

“Just rehabbing,” Lloyd said. “It’s kind of tough because I was limited in what I could do. So just rehab, get some motion, get the swelling down. Just basically do stuff to accelerate the healing process. But there’s only so much you can do too.

“I watched a lot of football. Sometimes you get back and watch the team, watch teams around the league, and just be ready mentally.”

Lloyd was listed by the Jaguars as a limited participant in practice Wednesday.

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5 Jaguars players to watch vs. the Bills in Week 5

Here are five Jaguars players to watch as they try to beat the Bills in their second straight London game:

Last week, the Jacksonville Jaguars won their first of back-to-back London games. This week, although marked as an away game, Jacksonville remains in London to take on a much more formidable opponent: the Buffalo Bills.

The Jaguars bounced back in Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons. The defense allowed a season-low seven points, and the offense scored its most points since Week 1.

But their game against the Bills is sure to be more of a challenge.

Here are five Jaguars to watch in their Week 5 matchup against the Bills:

Doug Pederson complimentary of Chad Muma after up-and-down first start

Doug Pederson said Chad Muma played well in his first start this season, but has room to improve.

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Chad Muma made his first start of the 2023 season Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

Muma’s performance didn’t translate to a high grade from Pro Football Focus, but his stats showed an ability to make plays.

He earned a 38.1 overall grade, including a 28.9 run defense grade and a 38.5 tackling grade. However, he notched seven total tackles, two hurries and two timely pass deflections.

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson was complimentary of Muma after his first start of the season.

“He did a nice job out there, obviously involved in special teams,” Pederson said. “Made a couple of plays and he’s a very instinctive player.”

Pederson thought Muma looked improved from last season. In 2022, Muma started two games, totaling 20 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

“Things that we saw during training camp that showed improvement from a year ago, it was really good to see him out there,” Pederson said.

While Pederson thought Muma played well, he anticipates improvements going forward. Muma is currently filling in for the injured Devin Lloyd, who didn’t make the trip and will be out for the Jaguars second game in London against the Buffalo Bills.

“He played well and it’s something that when he watches the film tomorrow, he can make those corrections and be better this week.”

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Jaguars PFF grades: Best and worst performers vs. Falcons

The Jaguars’ defense led the way again Sunday, making up for the still underperforming offense.

The Jacksonville Jaguars got back in the win column with a 23-7 win against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4. The Jaguars jumped out to a double-digit lead early in the second quarter and the Falcons never got back within one score.

While it was a relatively stress-free win for the Jaguars, it still wasn’t a smooth performance from the team’s underperforming offense.

Jacksonville only scored one offensive touchdown and needed a three-turnover day from its defense — including a pick-six — to keep Atlanta at bay.

Here are the Jaguars players who stood out and struggled most in the win, according to the grades at Pro Football Focus:

Toy Story Bijan Robinson jukes a Jaguars LB out of his mind

Watch the Toy Story version of Bijan Robinson juke linebacker Chad Muma into the next dimension.

The Seahawks aren’t playing today but if you’re deranged like us, you’re probably up early watching the Jaguars and the Falcons play in London. The biggest draw for us is seeing Atlanta’s first-round draft pick, running back Bijan Robinson in action. We haven’t been disappointed.

Watch the Toy Story version of Bijan Robinson juke linebacker Chad Muma into the next dimension.

Here’s what it looked like IRL.

Jacksonville leads 7-0 after a touchdown by Calvin Ridley on a blown coverage.

Now go back to bed.

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Jaguars trusting Chad Muma to step up as a starting linebacker

The Jaguars will rely on Chad Muma to take over as a starter with Devin Lloyd out due to hand surgery.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be without 2022 first-round pick Devin Lloyd for a stretch after the second-year linebacker underwent hand surgery Wednesday. Now 2022 third-round selection Chad Muma is set to take over in the starting lineup.

“He’s been ready,” Jaguars linebacker and defensive team captain Foye Oluokun said of Muma. “He’s a good guy, really a student of the game. Always ready to own his role. Good communication so far during the week, we’ve all got trust in him and he fits right into whatever role we put him in.”

Muma, 24, made starts in two games during his rookie season when coaches decided to temporarily bench Lloyd. The Jaguars’ other rookie linebacker didn’t fare much better and the two finished the 2022 season with similar grades on Pro Football Focus.

A year later, Muma says he’s much more prepared to be an impact player.

“Any time you’re in year two of the NFL, I feel like there’s so much growth and development into it,” Muma said in the locker room Wednesday. “Especially being year two of the same defense, you’re able to make communication faster in the field, diagnose plays quicker. So I’m definitely feeling much more comfortable at this time compared to I was last year.”

That growth wasn’t particularly evident Sunday against the Houston Texans, though. Muma was on the field for 19 defensive snaps in relief of Lloyd, who was in and out of the lineup while dealing with his thumb injury. Muma was credited with a missed tackle and with allowing receiver Nico Collins to break free for a 29-yard gain just before halftime to set up a short Texans field goal.

Muma said Wednesday that his stint on the field Sunday was instructive for how he should prepare for his first start since last December.

“There’s definitely aspects that I was able to look at in the film room and work on today during practice,” Muma said. “I’m just looking forward to this game and getting after it.

“It’s unfortunate what happened with Devin. I’m praying for him, hoping for a speedy recovery for him. But when it comes down to it, I’m excited for the opportunity. Ready to step up, the preparation doesn’t change. I’m just ready to be out there with the guys on defense, get their back, they got my back, get ready to run around.”

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Devin Lloyd undergoes hand surgery, will miss London games

The Jaguars will turn to Chad Muma with Devin Lloyd out of action for at least two weeks.

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd will miss at least two games after undergoing surgery on his hand, head coach Doug Pederson said in a press conference Wednesday.

Lloyd, 24, was in and out of the defensive lineup Sunday after suffering his injury early in the team’s Week 3 loss to the Houston Texans. During the times Lloyd was on the sideline, he was replaced in the game by fellow second-year linebacker Chad Muma. Lloyd played 75 percent of the defensive snaps and Muma was on the field for 34 percent.

After getting a couple screws put into his thumb, Lloyd will not make the trip to London where the Jaguars will play Week 4 and 5 games against the Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills, respectively.

Muma, a third round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, will step into the starting lineup in Lloyd’s place. Pederson also said that Lloyd may be available to return as early as Week 6 when the Jaguars host the Indianapolis Colts.

Through the first three weeks of the season, Lloyd is tied for third on the team in tackles with 19 and he’s added one fumble recovery and three passes defended.

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Jaguars 2023 roster review: LB Chad Muma

Chad Muma found a way to make an impact as a rookie with the Jaguars even with Foye Oluokun and Devin Lloyd on the roster.

The brunt of the offseason is in the books and training camp is still off on the horizon. Join us in the NFL’s dead zone with a player-by-player review of the Jaguars roster ahead of the 2023 season.

When Chad Muma was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft, a path to a starting role didn’t look realistic. The team needs just two inside linebackers in its 3-4 defense and those two spots were seemingly locked up by high-priced free agent acquisition Foye Oluokun and first-round pick Devin Lloyd.

It didn’t take long for Muma to work his way into the lineup, though.

When Lloyd began to struggle as the year went on, the Jaguars increasingly turned to Muma and eventually inserted him into the starting unit. After back-to-back starts in the latter half of the season, Muma suffered an ankle injury that propelled Lloyd back on to the field.

Still, Muma proved himself a capable player as a rookie and appears well positioned to be a long-term piece in the Jaguars’ defense.

Contract (2023): $901,642 base salary, $281,565 prorated signing bonus, $50,000 workout bonus, $1,233,207 cap hit.

Acquired: Jaguars drafted Muma with the No. 70 overall selection in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft.

PFF grades:

  • 54.9 (2022)

Statistics:

  • 1.5 sacks, three tackles for loss, 47 tackles (2022)

Highlight:

Quote: “You guys saw the tackles, but it was the physicality that was impressive of just getting off blocks, running his feet, just physical play. I challenged our guys, ‘Let’s play just as fast as them or match that,’ and our guys battled. They played hard, and he was a big part of it. He played physical, played fast, so he played unbelievable. That was impressive.” – Jaguars special teams coordinator Heath Farwell on Muma

Calvin Ridley (No. 0) Travis Etienne Jr. (No. 1) Rayshawn Jenkins (No. 2) C.J. Beathard (No. 3) Tank Bigsby (No. 4) Andre Cisco (No. 5)
Chris Claybrooks (No. 6) Zay Jones (No. 7) Logan Cooke (No. 9) Parker Washington (No. 11) James McCourt (No. 12) Christian Kirk (No. 13)
Kendric Pryor (No. 14) Tim Jones (No. 15) Trevor Lawrence (No. 16) Evan Engram (No. 17) Nathan Rourke (No. 18) Sammis Reyes (No. 19)
Daniel Thomas (No. 20) Latavious Brini (No. 21) JaMycal Hasty (No. 22) Foyesade Oluokun (No. 23) Snoop Conner (No. 24) D’Ernest Johnson (No. 25)
Antonio Johnson (No. 26) Divaad Wilson (No. 27) Tevaughn Campbell (No. 29) Montaric Brown (No. 30) Darious Williams (No. 31) Tyson Campbell (No. 32)
Devin Lloyd (No. 33) Gregory Junior (No. 34) Ayo Oyelola (No. 35) Christian Braswell (No. 36) Tre Herndon (No. 37) Qadree Ollison (No. 38)
Jamal Agnew (No. 39) Erick Hallett (No. 40) Josh Allen (No. 41) Andrew Wingard (No. 42) Kaleb Hayes (No. 43) Derek Parish (No. 43)
Travon Walker (No. 44) K’Lavon Chaisson (No. 45) Ross Matiscik (No. 46) De’Shaan Dixon (No. 47) Chad Muma (No. 48) Shaquille Quarterman (No. 50)
Ventrell Miller (No. 51) DaVon Hamilton (No. 52) Willie Taylor III (No. 53) DJ Coleman (No. 54) Dequan Jackson (No. 55) Yasir Abdullah (No. 56)
Caleb Johnson (No. 57) Raymond Vohasek (No. 59) Darryl Williams (No. 60) Samuel Jackson (No. 62) Coy Cronk (No. 64) Chandler Brewer (No. 67)
Brandon Scherff (No. 68) Tyler Shatley (No. 69) Cole Van Lanen (No. 70) Walker Little (No. 72) Blake Hance (No. 73) Cam Robinson (No. 74)
Cooper Hodges (No. 75) Anton Harrison (No. 76) Josh Wells (No. 77) Ben Bartch (No. 78) Luke Fortner (No. 79) Kevin Austin Jr. (No. 80)
Seth Williams (No. 81) Elijah Cooks (No. 84) Brenton Strange (No. 85) Gerrit Prince (No. 86) Jaray Jenkins (No. 87) Oliver Martin (No. 88)
Luke Farrell (No. 89) Henry Mondeaux (No. 90) Jordan Smith (No. 92) Tyler Lacy (No. 93) Folorunso Fatukasi (No. 94) Roy Robertson-Harris (No. 95)
Adam Gotsis (No. 96) Nick Thurman (No. 97) Michael Dogbe (No. 98) Jeremiah Ledbetter (No. 99) Brandon McManus Jacob Harris
Josh Pederson

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Trent Baalke: ‘I really like the maturity’ of Jaguars’ 2022 draftees

Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke likes what he’s seen this offseason out of Travon Walker and the other 2022 draftees.

The Jacksonville Jaguars didn’t make a ton of moves in the 2022 offseason to address their No. 24 ranked defense. Improvements on that side of the ball will largely rest on the development of the team’s early draft picks from last year: Travon Walker, Devin Lloyd, and Chad Muma.

Walker, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, finished his rookie year with 3.5 sacks. Lloyd and Muma split time in the starting lineup at the inside linebacker and received paltry 48.3 and 54.9 grades from Pro Football Focus, respectively.

That leaves a lot of room for growth and Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke is encouraged by the signs he’s seen during the team’s offseason program.

“Really like where those guys are headed,” Baalke said in a podcast with John Oehser of Jaguars.com. “Now it’s early, we’ve only been out on the grass for a few practices this year, but I really like the maturity that they seem to be carrying themselves with.

“They’ve been through it now for a year. They know how to pace themselves, and that’s always a good thing. They know what to expect. There’s less anxiety. They’re freer to learn.

Baalke later said the combination of anxiety that comes with trying to earn a spot, the new environment around them, and the step up in play, makes the jump from college to the NFL difficult for every rookie. After navigating those challenges in 2022, the Jaguars executive thinks Walker, Lloyd, and Muma are primed for bigger things ahead.

Jacksonville finished the 2022 season 26th in the NFL in sacks last season and did little to add pass rushing threats to improve in that category. The Jaguars lost Arden Key in free agency and haven’t yet brokered a deal to bring back Dawuane Smoot.

While the team added Yasir Abdullah in the 2023 NFL draft, expecting a fifth-round rookie to contribute much to the sack total is awfully optimistic.

The Jaguars still have time to add a veteran to bolster the defense before the 2023 season, but the development of Walker, Lloyd, and Muma is paramount for the team’s future.

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