Tag: Trevor Lawerence

Doug Pederson encouraged by Jaguars defense through first 2 games

The Jaguars offense is still trying to sort things out, but Doug Pederson is encouraged by the defense’s performances so far this season.

Going into the 2023 season, the Jacksonville Jaguars offense was what held the national spotlight. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, wide receiver Calvin Ridley and running back Travis Etienne Jr. were set to lead one of the most electric offenses in the league.

But the Jaguars’ defense has been the difference maker through the first two weeks.

“They’re playing physical — that’s something that is the pride for the defense right now,” Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson said Monday. “Two weeks in a row, they’ve kept the offense in the game. They did it in Indy until the offense caught wind at the end of the game and then all day [Sunday], they did the same.”

The Jaguars held the Indianapolis Colts to 21 points and the Kansas City Chiefs to 17. The 38 total points allowed through the first two games of the season — 19 points per game — are the 10th lowest total in the NFL.

Outside linebacker Josh Allen racked up three sacks in the season-opener against the dynamic Anthony Richardson. Safety Andre Cisco picked off Patrick Mahomes and racked up 10 total tackles against the Colts. And linebacker Foye Oluokun and safety Rayshawn Jenkins have shown an ability to make plays on ball carriers in the open field.

Pederson singled out Allen, Cisco, Jenkins and outside linebacker Travon Walker for their individual efforts. But it’s the combination of their play that’s paying dividends.

“That’s just a credit to the scheme, what [defensive coordinator] Mike [Caldwell] is doing, utilizing the personnel this year,” Pederson said. “You’re seeing Travon and Josh up their game a little bit on the edge. The secondary is more in-sync this year; just the communication has been better. They’re playing faster, they’re stymying the run and shutting that down.”

Defensive lineman Folorunso Fatukasi also credited Caldwell for helping the team improve in his second season as the team’s defensive coordinator.

“He’s continuing to do what he needs to do,” Fatukasi said. “He’s giving us every opportunity for us to continue to be in the right positions.”

Fatukasi said the defense had its share of good and bad moments against the Chiefs but said the team is focused on working out the kinks.

“It’s just really more about the defenses gelling even more together, talking more, getting our eyes and hands right, being more technically sound,” he said. “If we get those things together, it turns out a little smoother.”

Jacksonville forced three turnovers and allowed only 17 points, but still lost Sunday. Pederson stressed following the gameplan and putting the offensive players in the best position Monday following the loss.

“The defense kept us in this football game,” Pederson said. “We’ve got to do better. We’ve got to execute. We got too many guys on offense, veteran players that we all need to do better, starting with me.”

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Why Jaguars vs. the Chiefs is the most important home opener in years

The Jaguars were bounced by the Chiefs in the playoffs last season, but now have a chance to get revenge.

The best quarterback in the league leading a dynasty, arguably the best head coach in the league, and a budding rival who bounced Jacksonville in the playoffs the season before.

Yes, this describes the Kansas City Chiefs — the Jaguars’ Week 2 opponent — but it also describes the team Jacksonville played in its 2018 home opener.

In 2018, a Week 2 matchup against the Patriots was the most important home opener the Jaguars had in years. Now, their tilt against the Chiefs is just as significant.

During the 2017 season, Jacksonville came out of nowhere. The Jaguars went 10-6 a year after a three-win season to earn their first playoff berth in a decade. They beat the Buffalo Bills. Then they defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Jaguars were one game away from the Super Bowl; the only thing in their way — the New England Patriots. Jacksonville had a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter, but future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady led a comeback to rip the AFC title from the Jaguars’ hands.

Then the Jags got their chance at redemption in 2018. After their best season in years, Jacksonville beat the New York Giants in Week 1 and met the Patriots in Week 2. This time, Duval came out on top; the Jaguars won, 31-20.

Last season, Jacksonville had a similar, yet more disappointing start to its season. However, the team turned its year around and found itself with a playoff spot.

The Jaguars beat the Los Angeles Chargers and found themselves slated to play the AFC’s next top dog: the Chiefs. Like in 2018, Jacksonville found itself on the losing side; it fell to Kansas City 27-20 to end its Super Bowl aspirations.

If history repeats itself, the Jaguars would find themselves on top.

The gravity of the game speaks for itself. Jacksonville has its shot at redemption. And it will need top performances from its best players.

The Chiefs are coming off a one-point loss to the Detroit Lions in the first game of the NFL season. If there’s one team that has proven it can bounce back from anything, it’s the Chiefs.

However, this Jaguars team looks to be much better than the one that got revenge over New England. The 2023 Jaguars have what figures to be one of the league’s best offenses, led by one of the best coaches, conducted by one of the best quarterbacks. And the defense showed it can give offenses trouble in Jacksonville’s win over the Indianapolis Colts in their first game of the season.

A win would mean everything to Duval. Jacksonville’s fans were disappointed but understanding of the Jaguars’ Divisional Round exit at the hands of the eventual Super Bowl champions. Now, the fans could see the Jaguars secure an upset victory over the team that ended their season. And the win would be in front of the home crowd.

Regardless of the result Sunday, the Jaguars have the opportunity to prove even more. In 2018, Jacksonville went downhill after its win over the Patriots. The team won only one of its next nine games and regressed significantly compared to the year before.

This time, the Jaguars have stars in all the right places. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is unquestionably one of the best passers in the league. He’s got receivers Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk, running back Travis Etienne Jr., and tight end Evan Engram to make plays for him. The defense also appears to have taken steps forward since last year.

Last year’s success wasn’t a fluke. And a win over the reigning Super Bowl champs who knocked Jacksonville out of the playoffs would cement the Jaguars as one of the best teams in the NFL.

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5 Colts players who could cause problems for the Jaguars in Week 1

Which Colts players do the Jaguars have to worry about most?

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be in Indianapolis this weekend to break in Lucas Oil Stadium for the 2023 season.

The Jaguars just had their most successful year since they made the 2017 AFC Championship. The Colts, on the other hand, had a season to forget. Still, they’ve got young talent they’re hoping can develop into players of the future.

Here are five Colts players the Jaguars will need to watch out for in their week one matchup:

Where to draft the top Jaguars players in fantasy football

The Jaguars are as relevant as they’ve ever been in fantasy football. Here’s where to draft Jacksonville’s top players:

Last year, the Jaguars showed flashes of what could become a top offense in the NFL. With their recent offensive success comes high expectations for many Jacksonville players in fantasy football.

With the emergence of quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the second year in head coach Doug Pederson’s offense, and the arrival of wide receiver Calvin Ridley, many Jaguars will be considered when fantasy football players are drafting their teams.

This is where fantasy footballers should target the top Jacksonville players in their drafts:

Where will Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk rank among all-time Jaguars WR duos?

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ duo of Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk have high expectations, but how will they rank against former Jaguars receiving pairs?

Ahead of the 2022 NFL season, the Jacksonville Jaguars invested in the Trevor Lawrence era in a big way. The Jaguars gave former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk a four-year, $72 million contract to give Lawrence his biggest target to date.

The move was met with criticism, but Kirk was crucial to Lawrence’s development into a projected 2023 Most Valuable Player candidate. The Jaguars then made a move for the future ahead of the 2022 trade deadline.

Jacksonville sent a 2023 fifth-round pick and a conditional fourth-round pick that could become a second-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons for wide receiver Calvin Ridley.

The former Falcons receiver became the featured target in Atlanta due to Julio Jones’ decline and departure. However, he dealt with injury during the 2021 and only played five games because of a fractured foot and time off to address his mental health.

Ridley was then suspended for the entire 2022 season for violating the league’s gambling policy. If he can return to form following his nearly two-year-long break from football, Ridley and Kirk will likely form one of the best duos in Jaguars history.

Based on production in a single season, Jacksonville hasn’t seen many dominant receiver pairings in its short history. Ridley and Kirk will automatically be one of the most talented duos Jacksonville has seen, but how do they stack up compared to past Jaguars pairs?

5) 2012: Justin Blackmon and Cecil Shorts III

Heading into the second year of Blaine Gabbert’s tenure in Jacksonville, the Jaguars decided to give him the top receiver in the 2012 NFL Draft. They selected wide receiver Justin Blackmon with the fifth overall pick.

Blackmon didn’t have a great career, but he looked the part of the fifth overall pick in his one full season. The former Oklahoma State Cowboys star earned 132 targets and tallied 64 catches for 865 yards and five touchdowns in his rookie year.

Blackmon quickly became Gabbert’s favorite target, but Cecil Shorts III — who was in his second season in Jacksonville — was the second half of a solid receiving duo. The reliable Shorts had the best season of his career in 2012.

Shorts garnered 105 targets and capitalized on them for 55 receptions, 979 yards and seven touchdowns.

The duo of Blackmon and Shorts didn’t last long in Jacksonville, but their production in the 2012 season ranks among the best single-season receiving duos in Jaguars history.

Blackmon and Shorts combined for 119 catches, 1,844 yards and 12 touchdowns.

4) 2010: Marcedes Lewis and Mike Thomas

In a season in which the Jaguars went 8-8 and missed the playoffs, the 2010 pairing of Marcedes Lewis and Mike Thomas made the season somewhat memorable. Lewis is now a Jaguars legend, but in 2010, he was in only his fifth of 12 seasons in Jacksonville.

He is most known as a blocking tight end, but Lewis had his most productive receiving season in 2010. The former Jaguar pulled in 58 passes for 700 yards and 10 touchdowns to earn his first and only career Pro Bowl appearance.

Outside of the Jags legend’s best season, 2010 also featured the heroics of Mike Thomas. The receiver made the Jaguars’ play of the year when he caught a deflected hail mary to beat the rival Houston Texans on Nov. 14.

Thomas contributed 66 catches for 820 yards and four touchdowns in total during the best season of his career.

Lewis and Thomas combined for 124 catches, 1,520 yards and 14 touchdowns in the season.

3) 2022: Christian Kirk and Zay Jones

Few expected Kirk and Zay Jones to form one of the most productive wide receiver duos in Jaguars history when they first joined the team in 2022. However, by the end of the season, it was hard to deny their impact.

Kirk’s contract distracted NFL fans from the player Jacksonville was adding to their roster. He was a consistent contributor for the Cardinals throughout his four seasons with the team.

The former Cardinals receiver spent the first three seasons of his NFL career in the shadows of Larry Fitzgerald and then DeAndre Hopkins. However, Hopkins was suspended to start the 2021 season, and Kirk produced his best season to date, tallying 77 catches for 982 yards and five touchdowns.

In one season in Jacksonville, Kirk quickly proved his worth. He registered 84 catches for 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns as Lawrence’s featured receiver.

However, he had plenty of help from another misunderstood route runner. Former Buffalo Bills and Las Vegas Raiders receiver Zay Jones had been in the league for five years. His best season came in his sophomore year when he produced 56 catches, 652 yards and seven touchdowns.

Despite his career slowing down, the Jaguars brought Jones into Jacksonville, and he quickly became the No. 2 option. Jones caught 82 passes for 823 yards and five touchdowns.

Jones and Kirk helped Lawrence transform into one of the league’s top young quarterbacks. The pair combined for 166 receptions, 1,931 yards and 13 touchdowns.

2) 2015: Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns

The 2015 season was former Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles’ second year in the league, and his surrounding cast lifted him to the best season of his career. Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns formed a highly productive duo to help Bortles achieve 4,428 yards and 35 touchdowns.

Robinson looked the part of a true No. 1 option and is still trying to replicate the numbers he produced in 2015. He reeled in 80 passes for 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns in his second season in the NFL.

His yards were the second best single-season total in franchise history, and his 14 touchdowns stand as the most in a single season in Jaguars history.

Hurns played the perfect partner alongside Robinson. He was a dynamic second option that turned 64 catches into 1,031 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Robinson and Hurns combined for 144 receptions, 2,431 yards and 24 touchdowns. They are one of two pairs in Jaguars history to each have 1,000 receiving yards in a season.

1) 1996-2001: Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell

And if there was ever any doubt, Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell are the best receiving pair in Jaguars history. It was impossible to pick just one season for them, as their six seasons together would all rank in the top 10 receiving seasons in Jaguars history.

They are the only other duo in Jacksonville’s history to each contribute 1,000 receiving yards in the same season; they did it four times in six seasons.

Smith and McCardell are also the only duo to have sustained success for more than just one or two seasons.

Smith is easily the best receiver in Jaguars history. He leads the franchise in career targets, receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns and was a Jaguar from 1995 to 2005.

McCardell checks in as the second best receiver in franchise history. He is second in franchise history in targets, catches and receiving yards and is third in receiving touchdowns.

Smith and McCardell played together from 1996 to 2001 and consistently got open for former Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell. Smith never had less than 1,200 receiving yards during the stretch, and McCardell never had less than 800.

The Jaguars legends combined for 1,061 catches, 14,365 and 71 touchdowns during their six years together.

Where will Ridley and Kirk rank?

Assuming Ridley and Kirk are healthy for the entire season, they will likely become at least a top-three receiving duo. Ridley’s past suggests he’s a clear upgrade from Jones. If Kirk plays the same as he did in 2022 and Ridley returns to form, they will surpass Kirk and Jones’s production in 2022.

Ridley’s 2020 season showed his ability to excel in the No. 1 receiver role. He produced 90 receptions, 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns in 2020, so he could give Robinson’s 2015 season a run for its money.

If Kirk reproduces his 2022 numbers, he and Ridley would pass Robinson and Hurns for the second-best receiving duo in Jaguars history. While it isn’t impossible for them to put up numbers similar to Smith and McCardell, they likely won’t catch them unless they stick together for a long time in Jacksonville.

It’s entirely possible for Ridley and Kirk to become the second-best duo in Jaguars history, but they have much to prove in their first season together.

Trevor Lawrence’s voice ‘carries a lot of weight’ in Year 3 with Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence is a key leader for the Jaguars’ offense and a source of relief for the defensive unit as he enters his third season in Jacksonville.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has grown tremendously in his first two seasons, going from a struggling rookie to a projected dark horse Most Valuable Player candidate.

As the Jaguars prepare for his third season under center, Lawrence is viewed as a key leader for the offense and a source of relief for the defense.

“His voice carries a lot of weight,” Jaguars quarterbacks coach Mike McCoy said. “When he speaks up, whether it’s in practice, whether it’s in a meeting, whether it’s on game day, everybody listens.”

This year, Lawrence doesn’t have to learn a new offense for the first time in his young professional career. Lawrence knows all the details of the offense, McCoy said, so he needs to communicate with his teammates if something is off.

McCoy said Lawrence had to work to learn the new system early on. He improved from the first day of the 2022 offseason to the first regular-season game in Washington to the final game of the playoffs in Kansas City, McCoy said.

Senior defensive assistant Bob Sutton said Lawrence proved himself as a “really good quarterback” last season and said the team got better as he improved.

“We played really good team football, complementary football,” Sutton said. “Anytime you have a quarterback like that, there’s a feeling like, ‘OK, just get him the ball one more time.’”

Lawrence and the offense have enough talent to give the defense hope in crucial moments of games, Sutton said.

“You never really get totally down,” Sutton said. “You just say, ‘Hey, we gotta go to work, we gotta make these stops,’ and this guy’s got a chance, and he’s got some really good people around him as well.”

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Check out Lawrence’s postgame interview after win

After arguably his best game as a pro to date on Sunday, NFL on CBS had Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence on for a quick postgame interview. The former Clemson star completed 25 of 30 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns, leading …

After arguably his best game as a pro to date on Sunday, NFL on CBS had Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence on for a quick postgame interview.

The former Clemson star completed 25 of 30 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Jags to a 24-0 victory over the Indianapolis Colts at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville.

Check out Lawrence’s postgame interview below:

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

Lawrence and Etienne: How did they do in Sunday’s season opener?

Despite the Jacksonville Jaguars’ season-opening, 28-22 loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday, there were certainly a few bright spots to take away from the game for former Clemson stars Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne. Lawrence played …

Despite the Jacksonville Jaguars’ season-opening, 28-22 loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday, there were certainly a few bright spots to take away from the game for former Clemson stars Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne.

Lawrence played decent overall, despite some shaky play from his O-line, but still struggled at times. Missing a few open receivers, he finished the game 24-of-42 for 275 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

The touchdown came on a 3-yard toss to running back James Robinson, and the interception came on what was a 50-50 ball on the Jags’ final drive of the game. Etienne also dropped what most likely would have been a touchdown on a quick out route.

Etienne was a similar story. Playing in his first regular season NFL game after missing all of last season with a foot injury, Etienne finished the game with four rushes for 47 yards and two receptions for 18 yards. He also had a big run called back because of a hold, as well as the aforementioned dropped TD. He also took a massive hit at the end of the second quarter.

Overall, it was a decent outing for both, hopefully just a slow start to what will be a special season for the former Tiger duo. They’ll return to action next Sunday when the Jaguars play host to the Indianapolis Colts.

–Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images 

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

 

Trevor’s First TD Pass of the New Season

Trevor Lawrence finds the endzone for the first time this season. Hitting RB James Robinson out of the backfield for a 3 yrd strike. It’s been a up and down game for Lawrence so far. His Jags trailing 9-14. But former Tiger Travis Etienne has made a …

Trevor Lawrence finds the endzone for the first time this season. Hitting RB James Robinson out of the backfield for a 3 yrd strike.

It’s been a up and down game for Lawrence so far. His Jags trailing 9-14. But former Tiger Travis Etienne has made a few plays so far. with 2 rushes for 17 yards. And 2 receptions for 18 yards. He also had a nice run called back on a hold.

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence on relationship with Doug Pederson: ‘It’s been great’

Pederson, a former quarterback, seems to be keeping his quarterback happy ahead of the #Jaguars’ Week 1 kickoff.

In the first season of their latest rebuild, the Jacksonville Jaguars are leaning on first-year head coach Doug Pederson to develop the talent on their roster enough to improve on their disgraceful 2021 campaign. He has led teams to success before, but the dire situation he came into in Duval County may make this the most harrowing situation he’s had to deal with in his decade of NFL coaching.

Since joining the Jaguars in the offseason, Pederson has been focused on building chemistry between himself and Jacksonville’s roster, with a special emphasis on building a rapport with his second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The preseason wasn’t the best opportunity for the two to experiment with in-game situations given the limited time Lawrence played. Still, the time spent together in training camp seems to have left the signal-caller with confidence in the coach’s system that may translate to regular season wins.

When asked about the communication between himself and Pederson, Lawrence responded with a positivity that left no doubt about how prepared he feels before the season kicks off against the Washington Commanders.

“It’s been great,” He said of his budding relationship with Pederson. “We’ve had a couple weeks, all the meetings leading up to the games and discussing the call sheet, the plan, third down, red zone, and all that and us being able to communicate. I think he does a great job, then to hear him on game day, how he approaches things, and to have him calling the plays, it’s been good. It’s gone really well. Him and Press [OC Press Taylor] have done a good job at really putting their minds together for everything, and all the other coaches, too. We’ve got so much experience, so many smart coaches, it’s been cool to see it all come together.”

Jacksonville’s underdog offense will only stand to benefit from the clear lines of communication that have been built between their quarterback and head coach, and as the regular season draws nearer, their laborious training camp is finally starting to bear fruit.

Whether they’ll get off to a hot start in 2022 remains to be seen, but with so many improvements, even just in the way they stay on the same page, the Jaguars could sneak up on some opponents to steal some close games in 2022.