Jaguars Training Camp, Day 6: Observations on First Day of Pads as Tank Bigsby, Zay Jones Shine
Football is, essentially, back.
The Jacksonville Jaguars put the shoulder pads on for the first time of the season on Tuesday, with the physicality of practice going to another level than the first five practices.
So what did we see during practice No. 6 at Miller Electric Center? We break it down below.
Tank Bigsby, Zay Jones have statement days
It was always expected that rookie running back Tank Bigsby would be even better with pads on than he was in shorts and a helmet. But it was still staggering to get an up-close view of what defenses will now have to prepare for when it came to Bigsby, who lived up to his name in a huge way. Bigsby scored two rushing touchdowns during a red-zone period against the starting defense, showing impressive downhill acceleration to combine with his hulking size. Bigsby looked like a runaway freight train when hitting the hole and if Tuesday was any indication, he could be in line for short-yardage touches early in his career.
As for Jones, he was Trevor Lawrence's favorite target during the red-zone-focused practice. He caught three different touchdowns from Lawrence, beating a different defender each time. He would have had a fourth score, too, if he wasn't ruled just barely out of bounds. With Calvin Ridley not participating in team drills, it was Jones' turn to steal the show as a reliable and crafty red-zone target.
Calvin Ridley, Anton Harrison sit out team drills
Two important offensive starters stayed on the sidelines during the majority of Tuesday's practice, with Calvin Ridley and rookie right tackle Anton Harrison both taking periods off as the starting offense took the field. Ridley began practice and even participated in a drill against defensive backs in the early stages of practice, but he got no reps in team drills and was later seen in the team's cool-down area with his pads and helmet off. The Jaguars have stated they want to be precautions with Ridley, and we should get an update from Doug Pederson on Wednesday.
As for Harrison, the Jaguars' first-round pick said after practice that he was dealing with shoulder soreness and wasn't experiencing a serious injury. Still, it meant the Jaguars weren't able to see their prized rookie in the first day of pads, while also meaning first-team reps at right tackle for Josh Wells and Blake Hance.
Trevor Lawrence has his best practice of camp
Through three training camps of watching Trevor Lawrence, one thing has become clear: he is a gamer. He will always be better on Sundays when it counts than he will be during July and August practices. With that said, Lawrence was able to bounce back from some up-and-down practices from last week to have his best practice of camp so far on Tuesday.
Lawrence was on fire in the red-zone on Tuesday, missing just a handful of throws while throwing multiple touchdowns. It felt like it was the most automatic that Lawrence has been all camp, with Lawrence hitting a variety of throws: layered passes, touch passes over defenders, bullets into tight-windows, no-look passes, looking off defenders with his eyes, and a few impressive sideline tosses while on the move. Lawrence showed off his full skill set on Tuesday and he did it in a big way.
Which rookie DB made plays
The Jaguars have seen their young defensive backs step up and make plays throughout camp. From Gregory Junior to Antonio Johnson to, on Tuesday, Erick Hallett II. It was Hallett who came up with several big plays for the Jaguars during the first padded practice, with the sixth-round Pittsburgh product making a significant impression.
On his first big play, Hallett was able to break downhill and cut in front of rookie tight end Brenton Strange for an interception off Trevor Lawrence. Hallett was able to take advantage of Strange running the route short and finished it with great ball skills. Hallett then continued to establish himself later on during red zone drills, ripping the ball away from Josh Pederson to prevent a touchdown.
Play of the Day
There are several plays that could be in consideration here, but we will go with a Trevor Lawrence touch pass just over the outstretched hand of Devin Lloyd to Zay Jones for a touchdown. It was a huge day for Jones and this was the biggest play in a day full of them.
Other notes
- Takeo Spikes was roaming the Jaguars' sideline in Jaguars clothes and with a practice schedule in hand -- normally something reserved for staff. It looks like he could be a potential addition to the team in some form or fashion, likely as a scout based on how he participated in Tuesday's practice.
- Evan Engram made a great touchdown grab with Rayshawn Jenkins draped over him. Engram may drop a pass here or there in practice, but he also consistently makes the most impressive grabs.
- Another day, another pair of red-zone touchdowns for Gerrit Prince. It has officially been a coming out party for him.
- Antonio Johnson recorded his second interception of camp off C.J. Beathard.
- Josh Allen gave Josh Wells fits during one-on-one pass-rush drills, while K'Lavon Chaisson split a pair of reps against Cam Robinson.
- Devin Lloyd had a few nice plays on Tuesday to continue what has been a solid camp. Even when he is beat, it doesn't seem like he is significantly out of place like he was last season.
- Travon Walker beat Walker Little for a would-be sack during team drills.
- Caleb Johnson had a nice two-play stretch, intercepting C.J. Beathard on one play before making a perfect run fit to stop a goal-line run shortly after.
- The receiver whose snaps seemed to increase with the first-team offense when Ridley came off the field? Kendric Pryor, who has had a good camp thanks to his reliability as a pass-catcher.
