Takeaways from Jags’ Saturday scrimmage: Timmy Jernigan, Luq Barcoo have strong showings

The Jags’ defense had themselves a day in Saturday’s scrimmage with new additions like Timmy Jernigan and Luq Barcoo standing out.

The Jacksonville Jaguars took the field for their fifth padded practice Saturday, which doubled as a scrimmage (minus the fans). With the offense having a good week heading into this point, the defensive unit was the better of the two Saturday as Friday’s maintenance day seemingly helped them.

Here are some takeaways we gathered from Saturday’s session which proved to be another productive day for the Jags:

Timmy Jernigan begins to make noise for DL

The signing of Timmy Jernigan on Monday was the news of the week for the Jags and he’s beginning to find his footing it appears. His name was one mentioned by several in attendance Saturday as he gave the offensive line issues in the trenches and found himself disrupting plays on several occasions.

 

John Reid of The Florida Times-Unionnoted that Jernigan’s presence was felt during the Jags’ 19-play scrimmage. In particular, he had a play during a goal-line snap where he shot the gap and overpowered offensive lineman Blake Hance. Had it been in a game, the play would’ve been a sack for Jernigan on rookie quarterback Jake Luton.

Young secondary members step up

Thursday we noted that the Jags’ young secondary members struggled against Keenan McCardell’s receivers group Thursday as they were without starters Ronnie Harrison (concussion protocol) and C.J. Henderson (non-coronavirus related). Since, Harrison has returned but Henderson remains out, which has given the staff a chance to look at other young players in his spot.

One player in particular who was mentioned frequently was undrafted rookie Luq Barcoo, a player who’ve we told our readers to be mindful of in the past. During Saturday’s scrimmage, Reid noted that Barcoo stepped up to break up a 20-yard post pattern to camp star D.J. Chark Jr. This just adds to many noteworthy plays he’s made over the last few days as he pushes for a roster spot in what is a crowded group of corners.

Speaking of the cornerback group being crowded, fourth-round draft pick Josiah Scott has been active, too. He’s done it all from acquiring multiple picks, to causing pass breakups, and has been near the ball frequently. Those all are good signs for a player who the Jags probably believe is their nickelback of the future.

First Coast News’ Mia O’Brien also singled out seventh-round rookie Chris Claybrooks for making a play on receiver Michael Walker as he ran a curl route. Claybrooks was able to make a full extension breakup on the pass (by Luton).

O’Brien also singled out second-year safety Andrew Wingard, who is being viewed as a special teams leader by the staff. During Saturday’s practice, he was calling out checks and commands for the unit as they are looking for a new leader with players like Lerentee McCray and Cody Davis gone.

LB Myles Jack and RB Leonard Fournette go back and forth

Two of the team’s leaders, Myles Jack and Leonard Fournette, exchanged blows in 1-on-1s with Jack striking first in a blitz pickup drill. Jack was able to catch Fournette with a swim move as the fourth-year running back dipped his head and lost track of him. When it came to coverage, however, Fournette proved to give Jack issues who struggled with his footing on multiple occasions.

Other notes and tidbits

  • Tre Herndon spoke with the media Saturday to discuss this offseason and how he’s helped his fellow defensive backs.

  • Secondary coach Tim Walton also met with the media before Saturday’s practice. He discussed the growth of C.J. Henderson, the personalities within his group, and more.

  • The Jags made a signing after their scrimmage, adding tight end Matt Flanagan. They waived/injured second-year tight end Charles Jones to make room for the transaction.