There may not be a group on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ roster that looks as drastically different as the defensive line, which parted ways with some key veterans like Calais Campbell and Marcell Dareus before the draft. The coronavirus pandemic also put them in a bit of a pickle as Lerentee McCray and Al Woods decided to opt-out with concerns for their health.
However, one player who has survived the Jags’ purging of veterans is Abry Jones, who is the team’s longest-tenured veteran. Jones will be entering his eighth season with the Jags after the team brought him in as an undrafted free-agent in 2013.
In a session with the media Thursday, Jones discussed what it was like to have such an important title for the organization, adding that he was excited to work with the Jags’ young players:
“I see it as, I came in the league with dreams and goals and I feel like I’ve been accomplishing a lot of those and trying to be a true professional to keep continuing my job,” Jones said. “A lot of young guys come in and I like to talk to the undrafted free agents to let them know that there’s a place for you in this league if you just keep working. I’m just excited to keep this thing going on and keep having that title about myself.”
Jones, who has a total of 47 career starts with the Jags, could very well be starting again as the team’s oldest defensive lineman. Additionally, he’ll be tasked with helping Taven Bryan and Dawuane Smoot take another step, helping/ competing with rookie DaVon Hamilton in his rookie transition, and all the other roles that Campbell and Dareus took on as leaders.
As is the case for all teams, the Jags’ defensive line will be crucial to the team’s success and Jones is going to have to be a key part of the equation. In the early stages of camp, it appears he’s ready for the task in what will be a huge year for him and the Jags.
Listen to the latest from Jags Wire’s own James Johnson and Phil Smith on their podcast “Bleav in the Jags.” Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and check out our archived episodes via Bleav Podcasts.
[protected-iframe id=”87554dc7814cf3fb80425035780e34ad-105974738-159322853″ info=”https://art19.com/shows/bleav-in-the-jacksonville-jaguars/episodes/4e527196-b208-4481-a213-1b18c0fde6e0/embed” scrolling=”no”]