Jaguars Notebook: 5 Observations on Josh Allen, Doug Pederson From Day 1 of Minicamp
The Jacksonville Jaguars held the first practice of minicamp with roughly two thirds of their roster on the field Monday, giving first- and second-year players and a select number of veterans the chance for more reps before the final phase of the offseason.
With the Jaguars set to have players report on July 21 and July 25 for training camp, minicamp is the last time for a month-plus that the Jaguars will be on the field together. So, what all did we see at TIAA Bank Field and what does it mean moving forward?
Which veterans were in attendance
With roughly 35 non-rookies at minicamp on Monday, there were a few notable names taking part in practice. Part of this was due to players continuing their rehabs, while the Jaguars also needed some players on the field to ensure they actually had enough bodies for all of their drills. Out of the Jaguars' Week 1 starters from a year ago, there were four players in attendance: rehabbing injured veterans such as offensive tackle Cam Robinson and offensive guard Ben Bartch, along with EDGE rusher Josh Allen, and second-year linebacker Devin Lloyd.
Other veterans in attendance included inside linebacker Chad Muma, inside linebacker Shaquille Quarterman, safety Daniel Thomas, cornerback Chris Claybrooks, cornerback Tevaughn Campbell, offensive lineman Josh Wells, and running backs D'Ernest Johnson and Qadree Ollison, tight end Gerrit Prince, and wide receiver Jacob Harris. Otherwise, most of the team's starting veterans were able to get an early start on the summer.
"Well, I'll tell you this, I appreciate everybody that's here. We have 91 guys and the ones that have been here have been working their tails off," Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said before practice.
"And it's a voluntary program, so obviously using my discretion, that given some of these guys these three days where we can really focus on the young guys and even some of the injured guys who can get another three days of treatment and rehab and just spending time with the young guys. But the vets have been doing an outstanding job. They've been here, they've been present, they've done everything that I've asked them to do and just felt it was beneficial for them to get the extra three days."
Josh Allen embraces return to TIAA Bank Field
One of the few starters on the field at Monday's practice was outside linebacker Josh Allen. Allen spent his time during Organized Team Activities working on his own away from Jaguars' practices, making Monday his first official practice with the team in 2023. Allen, who led the Jaguars in sacks last year and is entering a contract season, spent practice working one-on-one at times with outside linebackers coach Bill Shuey.
"I just want to see him run around. I want to see him, the type of shape he's in. I want to see him in the communication," Pederson said before practice. "It is going to be with some young guys in his group and I want to see that leadership this week and everything that he's shown last year and being a Jaguar now. And I want to see that this week. I want to just see that enthusiasm and that excitement to be a part of this football team."
"It's a mandatory three days. It's the only mandatory part of camp. I haven't seen him. And so this is an opportunity to see him and really just embrace him and welcome him back. I mean, it's not, listen, there's no bad blood or nothing like that. I mean. guys are entitled to the voluntary program. They can do what they want to do and it's just good to get him back in this building and embrace him and get him back with his teammates this week."
Allen spoke with local media following practice, noting that he wanted to focus and prioritize himself this offseason, working out locally and in Arizona.
"I mean, you know, I really wanted to prioritize myself this offseason. The focus you know, my individual growth. Last year wasn't good enough, just the tape that I watched," Allen said. "Gotta be real critical of yourself and I watched all the games and I was real critical and I knew I needed to not put that out there no more and I wanted to prioritize that and that was my main focus this offseason is really to work on that and to grow as a player overall
Now that he is in back in the building, he is all smiles
"It feels good to be back man. A lot of smiling faces man. I know I was excited to walk back again, I felt the positive energy from the first time I stepped in this building again. So it's been real positive around here. See what type of guys we brought in, these young guys man, just flying around, real coachable, real attentive to what they need to do moving forward."
Which rookies can gain the most from minicamp
The next three days could be huge for several young players on the Jaguars' roster. The next time they take the practice field for training camp, the primary focus will be on developing the Jaguars' starting core and preparing for the 2023 season, making this week the final week that a number of rookies will see significant reps. And while every rookie can benefit from this week, there are a few who can benefit more than others.
- Outside linebacker Yasir Abdullah: With Travon Walker, Josh Allen, and K'Lavon Chaisson set to take most of the EDGE reps in training camp, this week provides explosive outside linebacker Yasir Abdullah a chance to get more reps during team periods.
- Wide receiver Elijah Cooks: Cooks made one of the best players of the Jaguars' offseason on Monday, hauling in a deep pass from Nathan Rourke with one hand and drawing a ton of celebration from the offense. With most of the veterans gone, Cooks can use this week to leave an impression.
- Running back Tank Bigsby. With Travis Etienne and JaMycal Hasty not at minicamp, Bigsby has a chance to get as many reps in pass-pro and as a receiver as possible over the next week.
Former Titans GM Jon Robinson attends practice as a guest
50% of last year's AFC South general managers were on the practice field on Monday, which made for an interesting sight. The guest for the Jaguars on Monday was Former Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson -- who was fired last December despite compiling a 66-43 record with zero losing seasons and owning the ninth-highest winning percentage (.606) in the NFL since 2016.
Robinson obviously isn't working and won't be accepting a future role with the organization, but the offseason is a time for currently unemployed coaches and general managers to do some travelling and attend other practices. Robinson spent the bulk of Monday's practice speaking with Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke off to the side, similar to past years when Lou Holtz and Steve Spurrier have stopped by.
The final week of practices at TIAA Bank Field commence
After spending the last two offseasons practicing at TIAA Bank Field, the Jacksonville Jaguars will have their final practices inside the stadium this week. Next month, the Jaguars' new practice and training facility will officially open and will host the Jaguars for training camp. Considering the Jaguars have had to cram 91 players onto TIAA Bank Field for practices, the new facility is set to be a giant boost just in terms of spacing.
"I'm excited for the extra space. Yeah, because we can do more and we can put the quarterbacks and receivers over on another field and get more throws in. We can put the specialists over there," Pederson said.
