Tag: Mike Caldwell

Jaguars DC Mike Caldwell isn’t worried about roughing the passer rules

The Jaguars’ Week 6 game against the Colts will be officiated by Jerome Boger, a ref who has a reputation for bad roughing calls.

Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travon Walker made a massive mistake in Week 5 when he slung Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills down on a dead play after jumping offsides. Just like that, a third-and-20 situation turned into a first down that gave the Texans offense life.

It was an easy call for officials to make and it set up Houston for its only touchdown of the game. Against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 6, the Jaguars might have to worry about the not-so-easy calls.

Assigned to referee the AFC South matchup is Jerome Boger, the official responsible for the worst roughing the passer call so far this season.

Making matters worse for the Jaguars is the fact that home teams typically fare well when Boger is the referee.

That could be a bad combo for a Jaguars team that didn’t have much difficulty getting to Matt Ryan, the NFL’s most sacked quarterback this season, back in Week 2. Defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell isn’t too worried about it, though.

“You can’t pull them down, horsecollar him in the pocket, but there are certain ways you have to land on a quarterback or try not to land on a quarterback,” Caldwell said Thursday. “We’ve gone over that and they understand it. It’s tough for a defensive player, but that’s what we’ve got to do—abide by the rules.

“If it’s your quarterback, you want him to have as much protection as possible. If you’re going after the quarterback, you want to go get him. It’s interpretation by the referees, and it’s a tough job that they have to do. We have to understand what we can do, how we can help our team. Just teach them the rules, let them understand what they can and can’t do and go from there.”

The Jaguars haven’t been called for roughing the passer (Walker’s penalty was unnecessary roughness) since Dawuane Smoot hit Carson Wentz late in a Week 1 loss to the Washington Commanders.

Jaguars DE Dawuane Smooth talks competing for sacks with teammates

Dawuane Smoot had to make a big play in Week 3 because he “wasn’t even on the board yet” in the Jaguars’ sack race.

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dawuane Smoot got the team’s only sack of the game in Week 3 when he came free off a stunt, ran through the middle of the Los Angeles Chargers offensive line, and forced Justin Herbert to fumble.

For Smoot, it was a chance to catch up to his teammates who were out to an early lead in their sack race.

“I wasn’t even on the board yet,” Smoot said Monday. “All three of those guys ended up getting a sack last week and I wasn’t even on the board, so I was definitely focused on getting on that board this week to accomplish that.”

Which three Jaguars players he’s talking about is unclear as Josh Allen, Arden Key, Roy Robertson-Harris, and Adam Gotsis all recorded sacks against the Indianapolis Colts. Travon Walker also got a sack in the season opening loss to the Washington Commanders.

“It’s a race to the quarterback each time,” Smoot said. “With Arden out there, with Travon, with Josh, it’s a race. We’re just trying to get there as soon as we can because we know the next guy is going to be right behind us.”

Last week, Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell talked about how emphasizing competition among teammates is an easy way to get results.

“Any time with an athlete, you want to get something out of them, just add competition to it because that’s what we do,” Caldwell told reporters Thursday. “You always want to be the best at it, so if my boy next to me is talking and he has three and I only have two. Well, I’m going to study a little more and make sure I get to catch him. Competition fuels what we do.”

Smoot, 27, was the Jaguars’ third-round pick in 2017 and tallied 17.5 sacks in the last three seasons. He’s currently set to become a free agent after the 2022 season.

Jaguars DC Mike Caldwell: We’re expecting Chargers’ Justin Herbert to play

The Chargers say Justin Herbert is day-to-day, but Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell isn’t buying it.

The Los Angeles Chargers say quarterback Justin Herbert is still day-to-day after suffering a rib cartilage fracture a week ago, and the team isn’t ready to say he’ll play in Week 3. But Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell isn’t buying it.

“You always prepare for any situation, as coaches that’s what you do,” Caldwell said. “But just talking about it, he finished the game last week, they’ve had 10 days, so we’re expecting Herbert to play.”

Herbert, 24, suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of a Week 2 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and exited the game for one play before returning to the field. He was clearly in pain in the final minutes of the game, but still led the Chargers down the field for a late touchdown.

Earlier this week, NFL Network’s Bridget Condon reported that Herbert “looked like the same old Justin Herbert” during a throwing session Tuesday and didn’t look to be in pain. On Wednesday, the Chargers said Herbert was limited in practice.

Herbert, who was Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2020 and a Pro Bowler in 2021, has six touchdowns and one interception through the first two weeks of the season.

The Chargers’ backup quarterback is Chase Daniel, a 13-year veteran with just five career starts and zero pass attempts since joining Los Angeles in March 2021.

Jaguars DC Mike Caldwell: Rookie LB Devin Lloyd will ‘settle down’ after jittery first start

Devin Lloyd was “trying to make every play” and will benefit from settling down, according to DC Mike Caldwell

Jacksonville Jaguars first-round rookie linebacker Devin Lloyd will benefit from settling into his role within the defense, according to defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell.

On Thursday, Caldwell said that Lloyd was trying to do a little too much during his regular season debut.

“He started off, had some great moments and had a couple that he can learn from,” Caldwell said. “I think, again, he was excited. He was really trying to make every play. He’ll settle down, and the plays will come to him, and he’ll continue to do it.

“First game of the season, everybody’s going to be amped up, and everybody’s ready to go. You just have to take a deep breath, calm down, and do what you’ve done in practice. The plays don’t change. Your technique won’t change. Just go out there and relax and play the game you’ve always played.”

Lloyd, 23, was the 27th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft after starring at Utah. In his first NFL action, the rookie linebacker finished with a team-leading 11 tackles and was stout against the run. Lloyd also thwarted a two-point conversion attempt with a sack of Carson Wentz that didn’t land in the statbook.

However, Lloyd missed some tackles in space against the Washington Commanders’ shifty receivers.

On Monday, Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said that Lloyd played “okay” against the Commanders with “room for improvement.”

Defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell speaks on the formation of Jaguars’ identity

Coordinator Mike Caldwell sees the #Jaguars’ defensive identity as a key factor for team success in 2022.

The Jacksonville Jaguars revamped their roster and coaching staff in the offseason with the intention of fielding a competitive team in 2022. Two failed seasons in a row have set expectations for their performance this year relatively low, but with an immense amount of talent under contract and a capable staff at the controls, Jacksonville should be able to turn some heads, starting with their Week 1 matchup against the Commanders.

Their defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell spoke to reporters on Thursday about his unit’s progression over the course of training camp and the preseason. Though he certainly understands that the team is still a work in progress, he praised his players’ effort and described what he sees as the core factor of the defense’s success will be in the long-term; identity.

“In the early days, we talked about, when I first got here, I think I mentioned and talked about how hard they played on film, and that’s carried over,” Caldwell explained. “I think they’ve increased it. We talked about building your identity, and I think they’ve done that. You get here, you don’t have any expectations, and you go out there and we’re going to form our team. And I have some things that I expect different position groups to do, and they’re doing it. So that’s their identity, and we’re going to continue to build that.”

Caldwell seemed confident in the defense’s ability to maximize their talent as a cohesive unit. With an eye toward mitigating any single weak link, Caldwell enters the 2022 season in an enviable position. His defense has the benefit of veteran leadership at every position, and the youth necessary to stay competitive and improve over time as the team begins playing to their full potential.

Jacksonville’s defense has a chance to accomplish something special this year, and Caldwell isn’t taking that possibility lightly. Under his direction, the unit will look to shut down the Commanders’ offense and deliver Duval County a desperately needed Week 1 win.

Jaguars DC Mike Caldwell says Foyesade Oluokun is doing better than expected as defensive leader

Though he was confident in Oluokun’s abilities when the #Jaguars first signed him, the preseason made a huge impression on Caldwell.

The Jacksonville Jaguars season opener is right around the corner, and the team’s defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell has been hard at work scheming up a strategy to get his squad a win against the Washington Commanders. He is at the controls of a defense that added some serious contributors at the linebacker position in the offseason, including linebacker Foyesade Oluokun, who will be starting in Duval County this season.

When he was asked his thoughts on if Oluokun’s services were on par with what was advertised in free agency, Caldwell left no question that the Jaguars got a bargain on a player that was somehow overlooked, even as a premium talent at a crucial position.

“He’s really more [than I expected],” Caldwell told reporters. “You watch him on film, and you see him, you always see other middle linebackers controlling that defense, and when you bring him here and have the expectations we have that you’re going to be the guy that you’re controlling everybody. You’re getting everybody lined up, and he takes it, and he runs with it. It’s almost like I can think something, tell him, and then he’ll go out there and execute it, so it’s really easy for me to be able to put that much pressure on a guy and he stands up to it and he’s been doing a great job.”

Though the work has just begun for Oluokun and the defense, the sustained effort that will be necessary for the Jaguars to take a big step forward in 2022 seems within reach for a unit that is so supremely capable. All of the pieces are in place for Jacksonville’s defense to be a top unit in the NFL, all the team needs to do now is follow through on the promise they’ve shown in training camp and preseason.

Oluokun figures to be in the mix on nearly every down for the team, so if his coach’s words are any indication, he’ll be a key factor in the defense’s success in the season opener and every game this year.

Jaguars DC Mike Caldwell reveals plan to slow Commanders WR Terry McLaurin

“He’s going to be a challenge for us,” Jaguars DC Mike Caldwell said of Terry McLaurin.

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ strategy for slowing down the most dangerous weapon on the Washington Commanders offense isn’t too extravagant.

On Thursday, Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell said the team doesn’t plan on having a defensive back shadow wide receiver Terry McLaurin.

“We really don’t have to,” Caldwell said. “Right now, we’re thinking ‘Let’s stay left and right.’ If we need to do something like that, we can do it, but we have confidence in our three starting corners that we can go out and do what we need to do.”

McLaurin, who turns 27 next week, received a massive three-year, $68.2 million extension in the offseason after averaging just over 1,000 receiving yards per year in his first three NFL seasons. While the Jaguars don’t plan on having a player follow McLaurin, Caldwell also made it clear that the team respects the threat he presents Sunday.

“I call him a five-star,” Caldwell said. “I know that might be a college term, but he’s a five-star. There are guys who are go-to guys, and he’s a go-to guy. He’s got the speed, he’s got the routes, he’s got the hands. So he’s going to be a challenge for us.”

Last season, McLaurin caught 77 passes for 1,053 yards with five receiving touchdowns.

Chad Muma pushing Devin Lloyd for first team snaps in Week 1

Third-round pick Chad Muma has a legitimate chance to start for the #Jaguars in Week 1.

As two of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ most promising rookies, linebackers Chad Muma and Devin Lloyd are in a fierce competition for a starting spot in the middle of the team’s defense in Week 1. Lloyd was the prohibitive favorite for the spot before a training camp injury gave Muma the edge after he played well in the Jaguars’ preseason games.

Now. just a little over a week before the season kicks off, the two are neck and neck to become a fixture on Jacksonville’s defense Defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell commented on the position battle in a press conference on Wednesday, saying only that both players would see action against the Washington Commanders.

“Well, right now we’re still working through that,” He explained when asked if Lloyd might earn the start in Week 1. “Chad [Muma] has had a bunch of reps, and everybody will play the first game of the season and everybody will play and get in the flow. There’s no pitch count for [Devin Lloyd], we’ll get him out there and just let him go when he needs to go, let Chad go when he needs to go, same way with Foye [Foyesade Oluokun] and Shaq [Quarterman].”

It’d be a huge upset for Lloyd if Muma sweeps in to make the team’s first start of the season at inside linebacker, but after the exceptional preseason he had, the honor of leading the defense would be well deserved. If it weren’t for the injury Lloyd sustained early in the training camp process, indications are that he would’ve been the Jaguars’ best option.

Even if Lloyd is fully healthy, Jacksonville may prefer that their starting inside linebackers be adjusted to the pace and rigor of an NFL game. With limited experience gained last week against the Atlanta Falcons backups, it may behoove the Jaguars coaching staff to let Lloyd take a few matchups to get into a groove before throwing him to the wolves.

 

Jaguars’ DC Mike Caldwell ‘pleased’ with Travon Walker’s development in training camp

Travon Walker is set to make a huge difference on the #Jaguars defense this season.

When the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted linebacker Travon Walker with the first overall pick in April, expectations were high for his performance as a rookie. His stand-out play at the University of Georgia warranted his selection as the top pick in the class, and with about a month of professional practices and preseason games under his belt, it would appear that he is acclimating well to the NFL’s torrid pace.

Jaguars’ defensive coordinator Mile Caldwell commented on Walker’s development ahead of the team’s joint practices with the Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday. He showered high praise on the first-year linebacker and seemed to hint that big things were in his future in 2022.

“We’ve been pleased with him,” Caldwell said. “You see him in the run game, you see his physicality, and you see the pass rush ability. He’s able to work on his get-off and continue to improve, but when you really see him, you see him when he’s against a blocker, and he’s pushing the blocker back, he’s creating a new line of scrimmage, which is something we’re pleased with.”

Walker’s ability to serve as a people-mover in the Bulldogs’ front seven reached legendary status last season, prompting Jacksonville to select him with the highest possible pick. It remains to be seen if he’ll live up to the almost impossibly high hype he has generated as a pro, but by all accounts, Walker remains on the right track to make a huge difference for the Jaguars this season.

With another impressive preseason performance against Atlanta this week, Walker could bring a head of steam into the regular season that might help Jacksonville re-establish itself as a competitive force in the AFC South. The Jaguars’ defense is primed to be the team’s strongest unit, and Walker’s presence will only serve to make it a more formidable adversary against every opponent they face.

CBS Sports says Jags’ biggest need is on defense

CBS Sports previewed the biggest needs of every AFC Team, and surprisingly it wasn’t the offensive line or receiver for the Jags.

The Jacksonville Jaguars had a busy offseason, which started with the hiring of Doug Pederson in February. They made several moves in free agency and the draft, too.

When looking back at the roster additions, most fans feel the defense was the unit that was improved the most this offseason. They especially did a lot to help the front seven portion of the defense, signing Foley Fatukasi, Foye Oluokun, and Arden Key in free agency, then drafting Travon Walker, Devin Lloyd, and Chad Muma.

Despite these moves, CBS Sports still thinks the defensive side of the ball has the biggest need on the team. In a preview of the top needs for all 16 AFC teams, analyst Josh Edwards listed defensive tackle as the Jags’ top need as the team has yet to find a standout at the position. 

While he considered other positions, here is what Edwards specifically had to say about the Jags needing help in the defensive trenches.

Jaguars: Defensive tackle

The offensive line and wide receiver positions are still concerning on offense, but Jacksonville lacks difference-makers along the interior defensive line. The additions of Travon Walker and Arden Key are somewhat neutralized by the limitations of that interior unit. The group — Roy Robertson-Harris, Davon Hamilton, Malcolm Brown and Foley Fatukasi — has had moments of success throughout their careers, but it is time for someone to step up and take advantage of the one-on-one opportunities sure to come from the upgrade in talent on the edge.

Edwards will have a hard time finding many to agree with him on this. Most would point to the receiver position, or maybe even the offensive line position as bigger needs.

Over the last few years, the Jags have put a lot of resources into the defensive line. This year they added Fatukasi, and Key. And though he will focus on playing outside linebacker, for now, Walker is a player who could help in the interior, too. Last season they added Roy Robertson-Harris and Malcom Brown (via trade), then the year before, they drafted DaVon Hamilton.

Most of these players have now been together for at least a season, which should help them to improve in 2022. They also have a new defensive coordinator in Mike Caldwell, who learned under Todd Bowles with Tampa and will look to get better results out of the big men this season.

As for the receiver position, the Jags came into this offseason needing a deep threat, and there are concerns that they still don’t have one despite paying Christian Kirk and Zay Jones like starters. Kirk can hurt teams deep at times, but it’s unknown if he can do it consistently, and the same applies to the rest of the group.

Then when it comes to the offensive line, most feel the Jags could at least use another interior lineman. They were able to draft Luke Fortner out of Kentucky in the third round, but he may not start. That said, there are question marks at the left guard and center spots where it isn’t clear if Ben Bartch and Tyler Shatley are more than backups.

Clearly, we aren’t expecting many fans to agree with Edwards, but we would like to know where would you all at home rank the Jags’ need for a defensive tackle? Let us know in the comments.

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