Tag: jacksonville jaguars football

Former Georgia Bulldog Travon Walker has excellent NFL debut

The No. 1 pick of the 2022 NFL draft and former UGA star defensive end Travon Walker had an excellent NFL debut for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Former Georgia Bulldogs star defensive end Travon Walker had an excellent NFL debut for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Walker, the No. 1 pick of the 2022 NFL draft, intercepted a pass and earned a sack in his first NFL game. Additionally, Walker finished with four tackles and a pass deflection.

Not bad for a rookie! Walker had a lot of doubters after he was selected No. 1 overall, but thus far he has impressed for the Jaguars.

Jacksonville lost to the Washington Commanders, 28-22. However, Travon Walker and the Jaguars showed significant improvement. Jacksonville held Washington to 85 rushing yards and forced a pair of Commander interceptions.

Walker did an excellent job of diagnosing the screen pass as he picked off quarterback Carson Wentz. Here’s a look at Walker’s first career interception:

The No. 1 pick’s first career sack showcased why he was a high draft pick. Walker used his quickness and bend to avoid the offensive tackle and record the sack.

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Why Georgia football’s Travon Walker could go No. 1 overall

Georgia Bulldogs defensive end Travon Walker has risen up NFL draft boards throughout the predraft process. Why chatter of him going No. 1 has some merit.

Georgia Bulldogs defensive end Travon Walker has risen on NFL draft boards throughout the predraft process. Walker has shown impressive mobility, versatility and athleticism.

Walker dominated the NFL combine and has arguably the best physical traits of any defensive end in the draft. The 6-foot-5, 275-pound defensive end was not often asked to directly rush the passer during his Georgia career. Many times, Walker’s focus would be on stopping the run or containing the opposing quarterback.

Walker recorded 6 sacks and 37 total tackles in 2021, so how can he be in contention for the top pick of the 2022 NFL draft?

Walker’s physical traits and effort are off the charts. His statistics are a bit underwhelming for a top pick, but keep in mind Walker was a part of a loaded defense that did not pad counting stats because it got off the field. Walker is strong against the run and is a true three-down player. He was a part of the No. 1 run defense in 2019 and 2020 and the No. 2 run defense in 2021.

Additionally, the team with the No. 1 overall pick, the Jacksonville Jaguars, has a general manager, Trent Baalke, with a history of picking pass rushers with a specific set of physical traits.

NFL Network’s Peter Schrager went into depth on Baalke’s history of selecting pass rushers with incredible physical traits such as Aldon Smith, Arik Armstead and Deforest Buckner.

Arik Armstead recorded 4 sacks in his three-season career, but his outstanding physical traits and potential was enough for Baalke and the San Francisco 49ers to select him with the No. 17 pick of the 2015 NFL draft.

Deforest Buckner recorded 7.5 sacks in the first three seasons of his college football career. Buckner improved statistically his senior year. Travon Walker is NFL ready and is not returning for his senior year. Baalke and the 49ers picked Buckner No. 7 overall in the 2016 NFL draft.

Lastly, Aldon Smith recorded 3 sacks in his final season at Missouri. San Francisco and Baalke picked Smith with the No. 7 pick in the 2011 NFL draft.

This trio of high-potential pass rushers is a clear example of why Travon Walker going to general manager Baalke and the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 1 is a serious possibility.

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Dallas Cowboys hire former Georgia OC Brian Schottenheimer

Former Georgia Bulldogs offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has taken a job with the Dallas Cowboys.

Former Georgia Bulldogs offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has taken a job with the Dallas Cowboys. Schottenheimer previously worked as offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks and the passing game coordinator for Jacksonville Jaguars.

Schottenheimer worked with No. 1 2021 NFL draft pick Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville during the tumultuous Urban Meyer era. He will look for more stability in Dallas.

Schottenheimer will work with Cowboys’ defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who was previously the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, and Cowboys’ offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. His role will be to study the NFL’s trends and how the league game plans.

Jacksonville Jaguars passing game coordinator Brian Schottenheimer walks down the sideline. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The former Georgia offensive coordinator (2015) has bounced around the NFL in several different roles as either offensive coordinator or quarterbacks coach before coming to Jacksonville for the 2021 season. Schottenheimer played football at the University of Florida in college.

Albert Breer reported the hiring:

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Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Tyson Campbell receives pro comparison

The Jacksonville Jaguars selected former Georgia Bulldogs cornerback Tyson Campbell with the No. 33 pick in the 2021 NFL draft.

The Jacksonville Jaguars selected former Georgia Bulldogs cornerback Tyson Campbell with the No. 33 pick in the 2021 NFL draft. Campbell’s selection addressed an area of need for the Jaguars and gives them a player with an incredibly high ceiling.

Campbell will be one of the most athletic defensive backs in the NFL as a rookie. The former Georgia star will look to refine his technique to succeed at the NFL level. Campbell has the ability to start in Jacksonville’s season-opener.

Here’s how NFL.com profiled Campbell’s strengths and weaknesses before the NFL draft:

Outside cornerback with undeniable physical traits and athletic tools. Smooth hips and agile feet guide him around the field, but he doesn’t always trust his footwork and overall technique, which leads to occasional bouts with imbalance in coverage. Length and quick-twitch agility could lead to robust improvement and success in man coverage. Poise and confidence in matching routes and playing deep throws are the first order of business and those areas might take a couple of seasons to fine-tune. Campbell’s traits outweigh the lack of polish and could lead to a solid NFL career.

NFL.com compared Campbell to Cincinnati Bengals cornerback William Jackson III. Jackson III has incredible closing speed and athleticism. The Bengals cornerback has started 48 NFL games in his four season professional career. Jackson III has three career interceptions and 41 career pass deflections.

Campbell will look to polish his game and have a solid NFL career like Jackson III. Both players have yet to reach their ceilings. If Campbell can improve his footwork and improve at locating the football, then he may end up having a special NFL career.

Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

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Former UGA OC Brian Schottenheimer takes job with Jaguars

Former Georgia Bulldogs OC Brian Schottenheimer takes job with Jacksonville Jaguars where he will coach with Urban Meyer

Former Georgia Bulldogs offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has taken as job as the Passing Game Coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Schottenheimer previously worked as offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks.

The Seahawks and Schottenheimer parted ways following a rough end to the season. The Los Angeles Rams notably shut down Russell Wilson and Seattle’s offense in the postseason.

Now, Brian Schottenheimer will work under Jaguars’ head coach Urban Meyer as the Passing Game Coordinator in Jacksonville. The Jaguars have the No. 1 selection in the 2021 NFL Draft and they are expected to pick Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

For Schottenheimer it will be a fresh start. Jacksonville has the pieces for an improved offense in 2021, so he landed in a fairly decent situation. The former Georgia offensive coordinator (2015) will look for more stability. He has bounced around the NFL in six different roles as either offensive coordinator or quarterbacks coach since 2001.

Interestingly, Schottenheimer played football at the University of Florida in college. Now, he’s headed back to The Sunshine State to coach with Urban Meyer.

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Oct 10, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Greyson Lambert (11) gets instruction from Bulldogs offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer prior to the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia Bulldogs safety J.R. Reed signs with AFC South team

Georgia Bulldogs safety J.R. Reed has shockingly gone undrafted after being a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Award.

Georgia Bulldogs safety J.R. Reed has shockingly gone undrafted. Now, he’s signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Reed was a playmaking defensive back for the Dawgs last season. He elected to return for his senior season and did not disappoint.

Reed was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Award, awarded to the top defensive player in the country, during his 2019 campaign. Reed defended seven passes last season and intercepted a pass against Notre Dame. He forced seven turnovers over his career in Athens.

Reed will be playing at the next level in the NFL despite going undrafteed. He’ll be a priority free agent for NFL teams.

He has excellent anticipation and helped Georgia make three straight SEC Championships. During his senior season the Georgia Bulldogs had the best scoring defense in the NCAA.

Before the NFL Draft, Reed has been compared to a Dallas Cowboys safety. Reed is NFL-ready and is fully capable of starting. He’s a little older than most prospects, but his experience and solid fundamentals should help him adapt to the speed of the game in the NFL. Reed will be extremely motivated to prove his doubters wrong.

Sep 21, 2019; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back J.R. Reed reacts with head coach Kirby Smart reacts after intercepting a pass against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

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Jaguars’ Chris Conley scores two touchdowns in comeback win at Oakland

Former Georgia Bulldog Chris Conley scored two fourth quarter touchdowns as the Jacksonville Jaguars knocked off the Oakland Raiders.

The Jacksonville Jaguars knocked off the Oakland Raiders in the Raiders final home game in Oakland. Jacksonville won 20-16 thanks in large part to Chris Conley’s pair of late fourth quarter touchdowns.

Conley, a Georgia Bulldog, scored with thirty one seconds left in the fourth quarter to complete the Jaguars comeback. Jacksonville trailed 16-6 prior to Conley’s late touchdowns:

 

The Jaguars are now 5-9  thanks to the comeback win in Oakland. Chris Conley and Gardner Minshew broke the hearts of Oakland fans looking for one final win in the Oakland Coliseum.

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