Jaguars Happy Hour | Deploying Preseason Standouts During Week 1 and Beyond

0:00It is Thursday September 3rd. This is Jaguars Happy Hour. And now back up. Breakfast squad. Blong snapper. Ryan Sexton. Oh boy. I'm still getting used to you Joe. Give me a couple more weeks. But I am absolutely used to Jaguars Happy Hour, which means I get to spend an hour with Mark Duffner. And we both get spent an hour with Jeff Lagerman talking ball. How are you guys going? Fantastic. How does by week by the way? I mean, it's loving it. This is a great week. We didn't this didn't always exist. You know, when they went to 17 regular season games, they eliminated a preseason game and that left a week off. Now it's not off. They're working. You are on their practice field. They're working, but it sure is nice after the craziness of camp and the preseason to have this week to kind of get ready for what's coming. I would think two from a coaching standpoint,

1:00you would like it because it allows you to kind of get settled a little bit. You know, because during training camp, it's fast and furious. There's no time to do anything and you don't spend any time with family that's going to amount to much. And this kind of gives you a little bit of break to kind of get re energized, but then also to kind of get the last pieces of your roster put together before you hit the ground running. Yeah, I think that's a key component right now. You got a chance to really without, you know, panicking, take time and do a good job of valuating your players, see who else is out there in the waiver wire, what's there constantly doing. And it gives you also time to kind of get settled in on your preparation for the game week, you know, all that stuff. Yeah, and I will say that there's a lot of guys that are happy that they made an NFL roster over the weekend, but don't get comfortable. Not for not so fast. It's not. Yeah, we got a lot to talk about. And the reason why, and the reason I say this is that look, you got to be on the roster, I think it's like on Wednesday of game week

2:01or whatever. After four o'clock on Tuesday of game week. Exactly. To be able to be guaranteed your salary if you're invested veteran and as a younger player, you're not guaranteed anything. So the evaluation process is continuing. That's what you're saying. It never ends. And that's tough on those young players now. Guys that are on the bubbles for us, that's concerned because every day they're kind of looking around, you know, see if they're going to be here or not. And I think sometimes you got to remind them of that that look, this is not scholarship anymore. That's exactly right. This is a job and it's competitive. And there's a lot of guys out there that are going to be wanting your job. Normally, we would not even think about talking about the last preseason game. But I want to share something with you guys because it was so much fun from my perspective. If you've seen the clips of Liam with the headsets on talking to us, I watched it on Jaguars.com Brian and amazing stuff. Unbelievable. Amazing stuff. So we've got this particular clip that we want to share with you from a touchdown. It's great stuff. Roll it. Roll pass. Touchdown.

3:01DJ Dallas. Touchdown. And you heard the coach. Touchdown Jackson. And I love the fact that he's calling the two point conversion. That is going to take it in South. And he lunges and he gets it. He's got it. Coach Lee and Paul. I've been a broadcaster for three years. He was part of part of the broadcaster. Of course, thank you guys for having me, man. I appreciate you. It was great TV. And that's what you have to do honestly in a preseason game where you're telling people we're not playing starters. You got to give him a reason to tune in. And they threw this idea at Liam because Sean McVay had done it in Los Angeles. He not only said no, he was an enthusiastic participant. I'm trying to imagine Tom Coughlin doing the exact same thing. No chance. No chance. But no chance. But it was just tremendous how he's calling the play.

4:01And the quarterback didn't even his back step before he says that touchdown. Well, I might say this. I think aside from that, which I think is outstanding, but he also let the coaches get involved in calling the game, not just the coordinators. Coach Campanilly was not calling the entire game on defense. Some of the other, I think, Tim Lucaboo was. And I watched it on offense to that Edwards did to. Yeah, so they gave those guys tremendous experience right now in terms of play calling, getting into that phase. I mean, as coaches, I'd be very thankful for that opportunity. By the way, if anybody want wants to watch that, they can go to jaguars.com. Just click on videos and scroll back in time and you're going to find Liam doing the preseason television broadcast, which is great stuff. A 14 play drive. It couldn't have been any better. 14 plays 74. Ends with a touchdown and a two point conversion. I've been in football for how many years? Your whole life. Okay, since 1989, that was as entertaining as it gets. Yeah. And let me just say this, the top call from us today might do that.

5:01Yeah, he might do that. By the way, happy birthday. Yeah, we just thank you. I'm glad you went there and I sent him a picture of a guy dancing in a bikini. Just for the special 80th birthday. Happy birthday, coach. 80 years. Yeah, I don't want to delineate. I don't want to say he would never do it. But in 1995, he wasn't doing it. No, he was not doing it. He wouldn't have done it 96. It was a second season. 1995 0.00. All right, say he was winning a lot of games. I'll say that there's absolutely no doubt. It just I had a speaking gauge with this morning and someone asked me, Brian, what's the biggest difference between the players when you first started? So Jeff's crew to now. And I said, I'm not sure I could even begin to describe how different the player experience is from then to now, but it all centers on social media. It's yeah, it's very different. But at the end of the day, I mean, it's still football. Oh, I'm still football players. I just mean, oh, it's totally different world. And here's the reality.

6:01We're different to. Yeah. Oh, yeah. I mean, we're all different too. I mean, we're all a part of it. Absolutely part of that evolution. All right, time for our C Breeze propane. Quarterback preview brought to you by C Breeze propane. Slow mascot fast delivery. Let's talk quarterbacks. And the folks at C Breeze allow us every week. I still laugh at the turtle on the surfboard. Every week to talk about quarterback, Jags, Go and grab quit yours off the practice squad. There's really no reason to talk about Trevor yet. He hasn't played the preseason. So let's talk about the back of quarterback situation because it was interesting that we had heard so much about how much they like Mullins, how valuable he is in the meeting room, all the little things he does to make Grant Udinsky's job just a touch easier. And then they go trade for yours. Cut Mullins, joy, Agalar, Carter Bradley, and then they bring Mullins back on the practice squad decipher this gentleman. What is the game plan with Mullins and yours?

7:02Well, I think obviously they value his input, his knowledge, his wisdom, his experience in a big, big way. And I think he'll help tutor Joey Aguilar, he'll help viewers as he's coming into his learning offence. So I mean, this guy's like a player coach, if you will. And I think the connection with Udinsky all strong, but obviously they have high regard and respect for what he brings. Not only as a player, but as a guy that's a mentor and a teacher and assistant coach, so to speak. Yeah, I think it was time to upgrade the backup quarterback position. And in a perfect world, you'd like to do that in the off season to where your backup has the entirety of the off season to digest the offence and get ready to play football if caught upon. In this case, nothing's perfect, right? I mean, so you have the opportunity to get a guy that you like and you get him. Now you also get the benefit of being able to keep Nick Mullins on the practice squad. So weeks one, two and three, if you need to have Nick Mullins up as a backup until Quinn, you

8:03or as can learn the offence, you just elevate them off of the practice squad. You could do that three times a year, three times. So that buys you a little time to allow Quinn Ewers to get the offence underneath of his belt. So that's an excellent point. And I also believe Mullins is going to be in the air of Aguilar and Ewers in terms of aside from coach Yudinski working with him, he'll be with him quite a bit again, sharing his knowledge of the offence and helping him progress. Totally. Totally. And here's the reality too. Let's say you elevate him three times and you you use him up. He can still stay on the practice squad. It's not like after three elevations, you got to cut him. Yeah, you can still keep him on the practice squad and at some point during the year, if nobody grabs him, you can elevate him to the active 53 at some point. If there's an opportunity to do so or and if all of sudden the the the history with or what you have established with Quinn Ewers doesn't go as expected. James Latzdown, who will be here with Tony Bacellian, Jags HQ in our next hour, talked on Tuesday

9:05at his press conference about the conversation they had to have with Nick Mullins. How do you suppose that went? This was very professional, very for right? Right? Right. I have a feeling it went very, very good. But I think we have to for him to be. Yeah, no question about it. But from a coaching perspective, what are you saying to a guy? You tell him the truth first and foremost. I mean, anytime you're fair and you're honest with a player, they respect you and they may may not hear everything they want. But when you're fair and honest, you are able to get through to them and I think they've been that way with him all the way. I think he understands that the value that the coaching staff has in him and appreciates him for. So I think that probably went pretty dog on well and for him to be in the position he is right now with the situation, I think it's great. Yeah, I think honesty is always the best approach, especially with a guy that's you just got a ton of respect for. Right? Nick Mullins. And I don't think that that relationship is typical with most coach player relationship because I think there's a high

10:06level of respect from the coaching staff. Nick Mullins because the reality is the OCA and a whole lot older than Nick Mullins. Right? I mean, so I'm not sure he is over. Let me go back and get close. Yeah, yeah. And then the decision on Aguilar just to finish up the quarterback conversation here. Just you saw enough from him in the preseason, his accuracy, his arm strength, his decision making. Boy, I like him a lot. I mean, again, given the task that he had in hand, he was really 17 for 20 in the preseason, all told, move the ball well, made good decisions, never looked like he was out of spot. You know, it was too big for him. Very confident, very much in command of the offense. I like him a lot. I think he's an ascending guy. And that's where I think again, Mullins will have an influence on him bringing him along. If this goes right, we won't be talking about any of these guys the rest of the year. So no, no, no, no, this is roster building. The best conversation needs to be about Trevor Lawrence. I mean, if this team is doing exactly what it's doing and we had him on the television show Monday night, he was fantastic. And I was talking to him off the

11:07air a little bit about the benefit of having the joint practices. And I was asking him how much that he enjoyed that. He said it was awesome. Yeah. He said because you know, look, he goes, we got like 50 reps against the Saints. He goes, we got, you know, 40 some against the Carolina Panthers. Another 40 some against Tampa. And he goes, the reality is he goes, we're playing games. We wouldn't have gotten those reps. And he goes, and the best part is got them reps. I didn't get hit. No, I think again, that worth is unbelievable. Dead on what you said there. Can't beat that right now in terms of experience. Wave of the future now. Yeah. I think so. Do you think, and I'm not just speaking Jacksonville here. I'm looking across the lead. Do you think we're going to see the fact that starters didn't play a lot in the preseason in the first regular season game? And will it be evident? No, to me, I don't think there's going to be a noticeable thing. And here's why Josh Hines down. Let's say he played in preseason game number one and preseason game number two. He probably would have got, let's say what in preseason game one? Put a number to series.

12:08Okay, 14 snap. Let's say 14. They're long series. And that's that's very generous, right? Yeah. Well, let's say week two, he ended up getting a half. Okay. So I have to at least 30 snaps. That's about 40. 44. So what you say is he got the snaps in he got more than 44. In one practice. He got 47 snaps in the joint practice with the Saints. Okay. Way more snaps. And that's that's that's dead on what Jeff saying right there. So those joint practices that they had of keep in mind. Now that we're talking four days, really three real good ones. But they had four practice opportunities in the joint practices. You add up the snaps and you have the quality of those snaps. Excellent preparation. So how does that change when they go to two preseason games? Do you still have joint practices and just have one the week before you have a preseason game against a completely different team? Yeah, I was lined up. I mean, would you say that they would do it again the way that they did it this year? Three teams? Oh, I absolutely think if lead cone can find a dance partner to do three teams with only two preseason games, he would absolutely do that. I mean, that's to me. Again, that's there's very few,

13:10I think situations to where you don't look at a joint practice as beneficial. The only thing that would come to my mind is maybe let's say you're putting a new staff together and there's this veil of secrecy about what you're going to be running as an offense, what you're going to be running as a defense. But other than that, I mean, the reality is is that everything that you're doing is going to be on film anyway. So I mean, you can't hide it. So I think it's extremely beneficial. I think it's a no brainer. And when you saw the quality of drills that they got, especially in the special teams, I keep remarking about that, but the live work they got coverage teams and protection and so forth. You mean, you can't beat that. You could never amount, get the amount of snaps that they got in that practice in a preseason game. The first joint practice that I ever had and I'll never forget it. It was the, I think it was the Philadelphia Eagles came to New York. And when they did, we had a one on one pass rostral, which was the first, I guess, period in which

14:11you were going against the other teams guys. And we were, I mean, there's a fence right there and there's, there's, I don't know, I mean, thousands of people like right there at the fence. I mean, you understand, and 10 feet away from them. And the intensity went from like a normal practice, let's say on a scale of, you know, zero to 10, normal practices like four. Okay. Now you add the people, okay, jumps to a six or seven and then the other team now it's going to like a 10. I mean, so, I mean, what's better reps? The ones that are, you know, at two or three on the on the scale or at a nine or a 10 and you're going against different guys that you're not used to every week like, you know, if I go against the sell, yeah, I know that, hey, look, this, this and this are not going to work. So I'm going to keep working this. Well, against different guys as a pass rusher is an offensive lineman. I want to work all the different array of tools that I have. Well, then let me ask the obvious question. What's the value of the preseason games anymore? Evaluating that that second tier

15:13of players under game conditions. And then also the exercise of the game itself for those young players and your coaching staff. So they'll always be preseason games. I think absolutely. And just what Jeff illustrated there, I think that's exactly what you're getting benefit out and you can't do that enough. All right. There you go. We are underway with Jags happy hour here on the first Thursday night of September, which means football is less than a week away. Next Wednesday. Patriots in the sea hawks, Wednesday night football, Thursday night football from Australia. Buckle up books were almost there. We're back with much more here. After this on 10 10 XL 92.5 FM and all the Jaguars channels. Gag was happy hour and in particular our defensive coverage of the game is brought to you by G E H A government employees. Health Association. Get a positive push.

16:14Daniel's looking right. Let's go. Let's go. Thomas Jr. Got him again. Coach give that manager. He has been every word tonight. He's earning it. Yeah, he is. It's 10 yard long. He's doing it. Listen, so much fun to have Liam Cohen on the television broadcast live last Friday night. You can look forward to more of that next free season. But in particular, it was fun to watch Brian Thomas Jr. emerge over the last couple of weeks. And he was an absolute force stuff. Unbelievable. I mean, he did everything. But so top corn and playing the man. And if he had, we would have bought it. And he could have done it better than anybody. Five tackles. I think he had four quarterback hits. Two and a half sacks. A special team's tackle. Are you kidding me? I mean, really a phenomenal effort by him. And I was really, he's been a guy that every, every day in camp, you kind of hear about him and a little bit more, a little bit more, a little more, a little more. Finish camp like that is good as it gets. So give us, give us the rundown. How do you see the backups to Trayvon and Josh?

17:15Where does it fall? How does he get active on game day? He may not be active right out of the gate, but I think at some point down the road, if he keeps playing like he did in that preseason game and executing him practice like he did, then at some point he'll be active. But when you've got six guys on the active roster, it's hard to have all six that are active. The one thing that he does have to his advantage is that he's a pretty good special team's player. We saw the one play that he made the tackle. And it wasn't, it was a little slow getting down the field on that play. And the returner kind of got flattened out and then he eventually got down there, made the play, which was a nice play. But he does an excellent job in the return games. I mean, really, I watched him on kick return and punt return and he does an outstanding job in both of those areas. He's firm at the point earlier in the game. He had a really good play on the nine technique. And as a past rusher, what was impressive about him is that one of his pressures early in the game where he got the past defense, it was a bend the corner

18:16and he actually fought through the chip of the running back, got a sack on the outside edge. And then he got another sack where he had an inside swim. His best move is a spin move. I mean, and really didn't even put that on display in that game to where it was that resulted in production. But it was, it was utilized. So this is a young man that I think, you know, every year you always want to find undrafted guys because they're really good for your salary cap. Yeah. And business. You know, and I'll say this, that was something I really cherish to do trying to find linebackers and guys that can make the team that were undrafted, the value club and just helping these guys for this organization to do it like they've done with BJ Green, with Striggo, with Brian Thomas, with a Y. I mean, geez, it's amazing, great work. Here's, I think, the one thing that I always look for and it was awesome to see this during the preseason game is that when you have young guys that are in a game and they're having production,

19:17is what's the reaction on the sideline? Okay. If guys are like, eh, guys, okay, the reaction on the sideline is like, eh, okay. Okay, the young guy made a play. When guys are light and you'll see when the guy comes off after making a play, there's a reception party for them. And the way that Brian Thomas Jr. was received on the sideline, the way where them was received on the sideline, when I think as an evaluator of scout and you're trying to find that culture or type of guys, when you see that, you know that they're gonna fit in with that culture. Well, I love it and I'll tell you what, I watched the sideline like that, like you did and those guys were in the game. They weren't, you know, looking around chewing gum and drinking gatorade, they were into the game just as Jeff said right now, watching the style of learning, taking the mental reps, but also responding like they did to their teammates. That's a team first attitude and that's what you want. All right, so you guys want to stay on the defense side of the ball. All right, let's talk about five linebackers.

20:18Obviously you've got Dennis Cardak, who's gonna start at Sam and for you at Luke on it will and then some combination of Ventrell and Branson and then you only have one of the backup. I'm gonna let this guy take this. That's his special team man. The linebacker is right up, Doug Sally. How would you do it with linebackers? You only have five. That seems a little bit light for a team, especially because linebackers play on special teams. Well, it may be, but I like the fact that all these guys are versatile. I mean, they've got, they're not just one trick pony, so to speak and to buy, I mean, getting him, I don't know if I pronounce that right, but get to the, to the, excuse me, to the, thank you very much. What he brings in terms of experience, he's a physical guy. He, I saw him assimilate quickly into this game, making calls, he had the helmet, you know, they're greened out of you alone. I mean, they got value big time. So I mean, I think what the versatility that they've got, the fact that these guys are athletic, that they can move, that they can run, guard acts of contribution, not wholly as a same linebacker, but also on third down as a rusher,

21:21and a darn good rusher, and when you impact that, it divides a good rusher. Combs is an excellent blitzer, both of these guys. So they've got contributions, not just on first and second down, as off the ball linebackers, but they've got pressure components to them that's gonna help this defense. Now, let me just add that you got two linebackers on IR that can be elevated at any time, Jaila McLeod, last year, six round pick, and then also, excuse me, third round pick, and then, Kai, it was a fourth round pick. So there's an opportunity to bring those guys up at any time, and let me just also add this. I think BJ Green gives you flexibility that if you don't have Jaila McLeod activated on game day from the practice squad, who's the backup Sam? Well, I don't know if it's Fentral Miller or anybody else, or Tavi for that matter, I think it would be a BJ Green. BJ Green this year has lost some weight now. Last year, I think it was probably around 270, and I don't know if you guys have noticed in practice. I mean, he's got a six pack as good as mine.

22:22I mean, he's... Nicely that mean. He lost weight. I love it. I love it. Hold on, I know you said he lost weight. I'm joking. He's like 250, and they feel comfortable, I think, with him, and having the possibility to play Sam with me. It just seems... And Krebik and Ron, they're asking this linebacker group to go above and beyond, to be able to be versatile, more so than I've ever seen this group. Well, I think that's great. And I think that challenge, and I think that opportunity for this group is exactly what, hopefully, they want it. I guess they do. I know that's what I would want, and I'm sure that's what Tim Lucuboo, the coach wants. Again, we want to be the leaders. We want to be the producers, man. So bring it on, I think it's awesome. Give tovies some credit, too. You know, he kind of came in late. Yeah. He was in Hawaii, and they called him, said, on a play? On a street, probably surfing big waves. You know, comes in town, and I think the first week he was out there, he established himself as, like, instead of a numbers guy, he has a legit candidate to make the roster. So give him credit.

23:23Oh, absolutely. I mean, when you started to watch him in that first week, it looked like he'd been there the whole time. I mean, that's big time. So again, this guy's got good decision-making. Obviously, he learns well. He can translate well in terms of what they're doing. I think great pickup. And I think he's going to be a productive guy. And we tried to kind of put our thumb on where the Ventrell Branson thing was going to fold. You don't know. I mean, they're both going to play. Yeah, I mean, they're both going to play. And I think there is a different skill set involved with each guy. And I think at times, I mean, is Ventrell going to be a first down player every time? No, no, no. I can tell you this, if I'm in goal line or short yard, I should look, I want Ventrell Miller out there. Right. And I know Vent's the Branson comb, but I think he can do it. Sure. But he doesn't bring that two by four wall up, you know? Touch two as well. When Ventrell hits you, you go down. I don't want to get hit by Ventrell. And he demonstrated that in all those joint practices. And heck, that's why a year ago, we're talking Ventrell or Devon Lloyd. So I mean, again, I think there's more here with this group

24:25than everybody thinks. And I'm glad we got him. How about a quick look at the secondary? And we'll just start it because we've got a break here in just a moment. Let's go to safety. Five safeties. Two recent third round picks. Neither one who played in an NFL game yet. How do you see this position with 32-year-old Eric Murray leading the way? I'm going to start this because I got some strong feelings about this group. And I think it starts with, obviously, how good Antonio Johnson is and how fortunate the Jaguars are to have a guy like Eric Murray, who's just a stabilizing force back there and productive. I think sometimes leadership can be a little bit over-weighted because you've got to have the production. And Eric Murray has that production to go along with the leadership. But the guys that are behind those two guys, they need to start up in their game. And I'm talking about Caleb Ransol, J. L. Husty. I think Ray on Lane is a guy that's going to be the special teams by God, but those two drippings that you got there,

25:27they need to elevate their game. Because if something happens to the first two guys, what I've seen so far, there's going to be a drop-off. And in the perfect world, which it's not, you'd like to say, hey, next man up, and there's no drop-off. I mean, Murray has 32 years old. He missed him time last year. Well, in a neck. I mean, that's a concerning injury. But I believe those two guys have it. I think they got some skills, but they've got to start advancing a little bit. There's no doubt about that. When you look at Ransol in particular, again, he's almost really like a rookie, because he was hurt last year, quite a bit, didn't get as much opportunity at all. But I'm with Jeff as far as that's concerned. They got the traits. They've had flashes. And now, again, they got to make sure they're preparing each and every week like they're starting, take advantage of that preparation. All right, we've reached the bottom of the hour, which means we will keep going until 5 o'clock. And then Jags HQ with Tony Bacelli.

26:27And Jeff Laghamon takes center stage. More to come right here on this fine program, with Mark Duffner and Jeff Laghamon. You're listening to Jags Happy Hour on 1010 XL, 92.5, Jaguars.com, Jaguars YouTube. You know where to find us. We'll be right here after the break. And the injury report is brought to you every week here on Jaguars Happy Hour by UF Health, the official health care provider of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Nothing official. The Jaguars won't put one out until next Wednesday. But a couple of guys were watching. Yeah. And I will say that prior to the game last week, it was fun to watch Cole Van Lannan. It was a real fun. In uniform and warming up. And he went through a whole bunch of drills without the pads on. But then when the team came out and passed, he came out. He warmed up with the team. He went through drills. He looked good. And we're talking about the two receivers also, Brian Thomas Jr. and Jacobi Myers. What brought me a wrong receiver, Brian Thomas now.

27:29Just want to make sure that he had a hit. Brian with an eye, the guy who spells it the right way. And Jacobi and the word is both of them should be able to practice. But we'll have official injury report next week. Yeah, when they have to give it. All right, let's go back. I tripped you up on McLeod. I had him wrong. He was a six. But you said that during the break he played. I thought he played well. He played well. And I give credit to some of those guys that played so many snaps. And I was looking at the sheet here. Some of the offensive linemen went the entire game, like Carvin, Obadeg, Wu, Zaire, and Ricky Lee. And then on defense, Jabbar Muhammad played nearly every snap on defense, which was 47. And then he added 14 snaps on special teams. There was a number of guys on defense that had the defensive snaps and also special team snaps. And that was Jabbar Muhammad, Brian Thomas Jr. And then Wesley Williams, who played a ton of special team snaps as well. And then Jalen McLeod. I think Jalen and Wesley Williams, they had like 19 special team snaps alone.

28:29So those guys I guarantee when they woke up the next day on Saturday morning, they were tired. Yeah, but they got opportunities. And that's all that's what players want. And they give them here in Jacksonville. What a dominant performance in that game. Really, when you think about a shut out that the defense had, I think they gave up six first downs, 87 yards. I mean, you couldn't draw up finishing training camp, any better than the dominant performance they had in the joint practice against Tampa Bay. And then the performance they had as a team in the last preseason game, well done. All right. So we've got two more position groups on the defensive side. You want to go to defensive tackle? Or you want to stay in the secondary and talk about the corners? Stay on the corner since we were just talking about Jermar Muhammad, who we're thinking that there might be a little bit of a battle between him and then also Braswell on the other for that last spot possibly. And I think that there was a little bit of an advantage because Jermar Muhammad has played mostly corner spots, whereas Braswell has a little bit more skill set,

29:32tailored to Nickel. And here's the question that I ask both of you. How much have we seen of Jordan Lewis? Who? Right. I mean, we've seen him at all. And I love him. OK. I love him too. Great player last year in camp. He was amazing. I know they're working them back in a little bit. But I think because of maybe a little bit of that situation with Jordan Lewis and we haven't seen him a ton, maybe they leaned a little bit towards the Christian Braswell for that final little, kind of experience. The defensive back spot. Yeah, he gives you position flex like you're talking about right now. And there's great value in that as far as that's concerned. The fact that he can't play the nickel corner, if you will. And outside too, so excellent. We're assuming that this group takes a big step up because Travis Hunter is the starting corner back on one side. Is he? I don't know. That's where I'm going. I'm asking you, big boy. I mean, I think it's going to be, I mean, I expect him to be. That's kind of what we've seen during training camp. He's running with the ones.

30:33Here's I think the thing that everybody's going to be showing up for game one against Cleveland Browns and going to be really intriguing. What's it look like? I mean, how does Travis Hunter rotate with the defense? How do you end up getting Jari and Jones in there? We haven't had a great game. They're all capable. And there's no question that Travis has the best man-covered skills by far of any of them. But how does it look? I mean, how do they handle the rotation of those guys? Is it going to be some packages? One guy is in. Another guy is in in another package because of the coach. Start doing that. Then all of a sudden, it's predictable. You don't want to give any tells away as far as that's concerned. But with the strength of the town at this position, it's a good spot to be in it if you are. Because there have been times in not that distant past in Jaguar's history, where we've been, who's going to play this week? Who you got? Well, look at it. Anybody on the practice squad?

31:33Are we going to look in on this street? I'd rather be sitting in the seat we are right now. What's it like in abundance of riches, to be honest with you? And I haven't been in that seat very often. This is a great spot for our team. Am I wrong? Are we overvaluing this group? Or do they have the ability to be as good as it appears? Well, I think you're overvaluing it a little bit. Just from the standpoint of, I want to see it first, you know what I mean? And I think last year, we thought it was pretty good. But if they're at that level, that's not good enough this year. It needs to jump a couple notches of performance in the back end. At that corner position. And I think Travis Hunter's presence will definitely help that. I don't think there's any doubt because when he was on the field on defense last year, he had a big impact. His skill set is one of those guys that you can put them on in the lead receiver and you can cover them. Now, last year, there was almost the impression that it was kind of a dabbling defense, dabbling offense. And I don't know what it's going to be this year, but I kind of get the impression it's

32:37going to be a lot of defense and dabbling offense this time around. I agree with you on that as far as that's concerned. And I would drown Travis in defensive reps. You know, he's been able to make plays because just highly gifted and lead athlete. And he's relied on that. Well, big boys are coming now and the game every way we coming up, that game speed is going to be faster and faster. He's going to go against the best they got. So technique is going to be critical. So the more reps that he can get in improving his technique, you know, lead to better execution. I think one of the biggest storylines going into opening week, I think from a national scale is going to be number one to Sean Watson, playing for the Cleveland Browns, which I think it's a bit unfortunate that that's going to be a big storyline for this game. Instead of, hey, look, you know, the Jaguar is coming back from 13 win season and primed to look even better. But the second biggest storyline will probably be Travis Hunter on the national scale.

33:39Should be. Yeah. People have been talking about the Jaguars. I listened to a lot of the national stuff and they get to Travis Hunter in the fourth or fifth minute of a conversation about the team. They talk about everyone but Travis Hunter. Hey, he only played seven games last year. We were just starting to see what he was all about. Hey, what are your thoughts on? What did you see from Matt Arujo, the new defensive past game coordinator? They brought him in because they thought that his style matched Campanilles to a little better degree. And Tony Bacelli have been beating the drum about stickier coverage. Yeah, let me say this. I watched excellent drill work, great teaching. I watched the guy high energy, good connection with the players. I've listened to them talk about him and how he's affected them. They've got high respect for this guy. I think he's a strong addition to this staff in terms of again, no wasted time direct applicable drills, not just drills to some people run, but wants to get these guys better in their

34:39technique. Seems to be a great technician, great teacher and a highly disciplined guy where he's not going to let these guys slide from being their best. I think we need to look at change in play colors this year on defense. I mean, you got a shut out preseason game. Right? He had a bunch of different guys called play. Where he'd go with his likes. What are we going on? What are we doing? He would laugh at that one too. Hey, how about shifting to the big guys up front here before we take our next break? Eric Armstrong's dead. Unblockable play. You should put the unblockable Eric Armstrong. That's what you call the unblockable Eric Armstrong. I mean, that's how good he's been. That's like a superhero. That's how that's how good he's been. We're talking more about that because we didn't see him hardly at all. But when we did, he was the unblockable. He has been fantastic. I can't wait to see what he's going to do in the regular season. I think his role is going to be very defined. He's going to be that second and long, third down guy. When you're in first down, it's all about stopping the run game and you're going to have Matt Dickerson along with Devon Hamilton, the two big, amovable forces.

35:42I think it's a great situation to be in and have those two guys in an Eric Armstrong said, sub-an-end to be that past rushing guy. Can't be any better than that. And boy, Kudos to Matt Dickerson and what he's brought in terms of the defense, the physical quality, the toughness and just his whole story. But I'm with you on that. I mean, when you can have the luxury of playing tough ball on first and second down and then you get this guy, Armsted in the game, where now his flash and his length and his suddenness on guard's interior, oh my gosh. I mean, you couldn't be in a better position. He's kind of a bully. Oh, gosh, yes. I mean, he's at the end of the play, there's Pushon and Shove and he's always in there. You know, he's got you on from your high down here. I'm talking about Dickerson. He's not a big money guy. No, I mean, Dickerson's that guy. He's kind of like that bully. You know, Devon Hamilton's so nice. I mean, he's got arms in there. Yeah, I think David Armsted there. Yeah, you know, Armsted now, he doesn't do that stuff. No, Dickerson, I like what I see on that guy. He's a brawler now. He wants to get in there and mix it up constantly. How about the two guys behind him? We saw a flash from Albert Regis in New Orleans and then he had to saw a tissue injury.

36:46What'd you see from Rook? A ro-ro-ro. I'm saying that fast in case you're hearing. Ro-ro-ro, you're both. I like his athleticism, but he's one of those guys that I put in the category with the safety. The two young safeties in that he's got to show it. He's got, he definitely has some athleticism. I like his past rush ability. His size is tremendous. His length is tremendous. He's one of those guys, you know, height weight, you know, you put him right. Check out the top box. Yeah, I mean, he's, you know, but there's a reason why he was traded here and then our guy was traded there. Mason Smith. So both of those guys have a lot to prove. Yeah, I think consistency is going to be the key. As it is for all players, you know, you want to see consistent production. He's flashed. Now in the evening and the two joints I saw here at Carolina and Tampa Bay, you know, he showed it be flashed and you go, woo, you know, but we got to see woo a lot more often. So consistent. Let's wrap it up then with the idea of Trevon Walker playing inside some and how this whole

37:48group of past rushing ends helps them get him inside on third down because that's been a lot of talk. Yeah, I think, you know, look, you don't have a lot of past rushing defensive tackles once you get past arm stead and Trevon, I think it's going to be that guy at times. It's not always going to be all the time, but the depth at the defensive end position is going to allow you that luxury of letting Trevon kick in. And when Trevon gets going and Trevon still got a really, I think dial in on staying on the edges of people instead of just trying to be this power guy all the time because it would be hard if you were that strong not to do that. Well, he is strong. Yeah. You know, he's incredibly strong. But in the NFL, there's a lot of people that are strong. And when the guys are prepared for it, you can stop the power. When guys think that you might go to the edge or speed or something different and they're not ready for the power, that's when Trevon looks like he's just this incredibly strong, non-human being. And so I hope he learns to stay on the edges of guys and to utilize the full array of

38:54moves instead of trying to push a lot. And that's how he's going to get his edge, just what Jeff properly described right there. But the offensive lineman, where it be guards or tackles aren't really sure that you're not just a bull or you can get on edges right now, they get a little nervous. We want them nervous all game. All right, one more segment. So, Sally had to meet him at his conversation all the time and he teaches offensive lineman. It's okay to get pulled. Especially if guys are big because if it takes them three seconds to bull you back to the quarterback, okay, go ahead and do it. I mean, it's the one you don't want to allow as an offensive lineman the clean wins. And so with Trevon, if an offensive lineman is being taught, look, just go ahead and take the bull, just slow it down a little bit. So it's not so fast. So if Trevon learns how to do that, and I think he's definitely increased his toolkit. So to speak, as far as working the edges of guys, if he sticks with that, he's going to have a really good year. All right, when we come back, Mr. Chubbies, players watch.

39:57We got to watch. We don't have wings. Oh, wings. I thought we were going to have to. No, I'm not sure if you're excited there for me. Somebody make sure there's your eyes here next week. Please, Mr. Chubbies, wings next week. We'll break your listening to Jags happy hour. Jags HQ, by the way, comes your way at the top of the hour. And happy hour continues after this on 1010 XL in 92.5 FM. And welcome back. This segment is presented by Mr. Chubbies, wings before the game after the game during the game. And hopefully next Thursday night when we reconvene for Jags happy hour, Mr. Chubbies, wings. And by the way, we go till straight up, 5 o'clock, and then 20 p.m. And Jeff Gladstone joined Mr. Lagamon and myself for Jags HQ. All right, players to watch. Start with you. The first number that came back to me was 75. A manual pregnant when I asked you about it yesterday. Yeah, he's a very rare guy.

41:00And there's not a lot of offensive linemen in the league that can truly move people. And he truly moves people. And I think that there's going to be some hiccups along the way because defensive coordinators are going to test them. If you're a DC Duff, I'd like to put in maybe a three-man game or some of those, what we call the chip rushes where the linebacker comes up and hits the hip of the guard and the end loops under the tackle loops under. I'm going to attack him a little bit. So he's going to have to be ready for a little bit of that. There's no doubt about that. And you're absolutely right. The pick games, the twist games, those TEs and ETs as we like to call them that they're going to try on him will be something, the defensive try. But I love the fact that they've got, again, they've got Tabon or Hamilton on one side and our center Haynes on the other side to help them in terms of the experience and the wisdom. Yeah, the thing that I really liked is that in the joint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,

42:02Buccaneers have a guy by the name of V2V8. And he's more like two guys. He's pretty good at this. He's like two guys, man. And he didn't get a ton of snaps. Vita and Vaya. Okay. Didn't get a ton of snaps, but there was a couple of snaps where E-man or Manuel Pregnon had and it was a very effective thing. And so I liked what I saw. And I'm excited about Pregnon. I mean, it's what he's been able to do with this offensive line, I think, was critical because when this football team went down to New Orleans and did not have a very good joint practice, the insertion of E-manual Pregnon, I think, really jump started this offensive lines performance into a more positive direction. And you saw it in the joint against Carolina. You saw it continue to get better as it went to the joint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and to be perfectly honest. And I think that's what Cleveland went from having a not very good camp to having and finishing with an outstanding camp at Wright Guard when he got moved.

43:03So it worked out. Big was the motivation or just being on the right hand side. If you all suddenly get taken out and then get moved, what's the next step? Yeah, I think that's what it maybe you thought maybe he's a better Wright Guard. I don't know. No, I'm right with you. I think after that, again, the New Orleans joint practice, a number of guys stepped up. I think Harrison, you know, again, new, new over there on the left tackle, but he had his best camp the last two weeks as did Ezra. So the insertion of E-manual, like you talked about, the left guard position had a ripple effect across the board. It did. Chase Young took Anton Harrison, just, you know, took him out back, being up a little bit in that joint. So it's interesting with the offensive line, you've got a new left tackle. You've got a rookie left guard. You've got a new right guard. And your right tackle has not practiced yet. So how do you feel about this offensive line group going into September? Work in progress or they're well coached and they'll be ready to go. I'm leaning towards the well coach and they'll be ready to go.

44:05Now these reps, even though there's, I guess, three practices this week, that group working together as much as possible. This will be more fundamentals and drills and techniques this week, probably, but all every snap from this point on is critical to their match, if you will, as a unit. I think Ezra Cleveland's proven he can play on either side and play well. And I think Harrison's and the spot he should be in, we're not worried about talking about that anymore. So I see a lot of those things coming along and, you know, Walker Little is going to have to step up for us. And but I kind of have a good feeling of where it's heading. I like the depth. I really do. And I think if this this offensive line group has an injury, I think that they can, they can handle it. Oh, yeah. Because they have some depth. And because you have depth, you also have a natural level of competition, which is going to allow or push people to be at their best. And if somebody's not at their past, the reality is it's a NFL not for long leave.

45:07And if your job is not at the level that's acceptable, then the guy that's behind you will be inserted in next. We don't know. But you've had the knee injury before and you've been on pop before. So what's your best guess on how long it takes cold to be ready to go? Are people who think you might play next week being a little too optimistic? No, I don't think there have been too optimistic. But I don't want to say that they people should expect that. The hardest thing coming back from NACL is in an knee injury is the tendonitis that can happen from the surgery procedure and the style in which they do it. A lot of time you get the patellar tendonitis that can be a little bit bothersome. And so you got to kind of work through some of that. As long as the knee and the structure of the knee is reached a time period where they're comfortable with, and the strength level is at an acceptable level. And then there's no discomfort that prohibits the player from being able to utilize that

46:09leg in a normal fashion. So he's not at risk of hurting something else because he's trying to make up for the lack of strength in that particular leg. Then I think he's going to be ready to go. The great thing is, is that with the depth that you have and the way that they have designed this roster, they can handle the absence of cold, van, linen for a period of time. And that's okay. So you bring him back when he's ready to come back, not when you need him back. Yeah, I fully agree with that. And again, the offensive line coaches and the staff have really invested in cross training and it got and hidden depth by doing that. And I saw that last season where guys moved from left to right, from guard attack, stuff that a lot of teams aren't often, they're very reluctant to do. They're not here. And so I agree with that. I mean, Monheim, Milum, the guys we've got, you know, I've got a lot of confidence in those guys. And then I think again, just a dovetail with Jeff said in cold, van, linen, you know,

47:11you don't want to rush right now. He needs to get the stress and the strain of football, not rehab drills, not even some of the good stuff I've seen him doing on the sideline. He's to get in the practice and get the torque and the strains that you're going to get with pads on in that position. It's a tough position played by tough men. So there's many reps as he can get, which may not be even enough for him to come out of it confident prior to the first game. It may take a little longer than we think. I think all fans of Lyman, too, it's a little easier to come back. I mean, the reality is they're not great athletes. I'll say that. I'll say that. I'll say that. I'll say that. I'll say that. Yeah, we'll have that one. Yeah. No, I'm not. Yeah. Good call. How about him on the right side? I think last year he started every position but center. So clearly he's one of those guys that can play anywhere you ask him to play. He can play center. Really? He actually was snapping last year for a period of time. So where's he best suited to play? Right tackle. Yeah, I mean, he and I had that conversation last year and that all fans of Lyman like

48:15to have and like most of us, okay, you're right handed. I'll right handed. And if I'm right handed, some guys like to have their inside hand be their dominant hand. So they want to play left tackle. Some guys actually like to have their dominant hand be the outside. So it's all comfort and then also the setting, you know, setting on the left is different than the right. So it's a matter of just kind of personal preference. But Cole told me that I prefer the right, but I'll play anywhere, which is obvious last year. He can play anywhere and play well. Just a note you mentioned depth. White Mylam is a name we've talked about. Jordan Blondheim is a name that we've talked about. The last time I checked, he was getting reps with the one. So, you know, I mean, what does that tell you? That's what you call nipping at the heels and lots of versatility because Mylam can play inside or out both sides of the line. Ezra, right? I mean, if you needed to, he could play tackle. Sure. Should have pinched. He didn't play in 2023. I think, you know, I think for for the start of the season is if you had an issue like

49:19it left tackle, let's say Anton has an issue. I think Walker goes left and then you could bring some like a white Mylam in the right. That's assuming Cole Van Lennon is not ready to go for that first game, but you've got a lot of flexibility to move guys around. Ezra could kick out and file Laley could kick in at right guard. So you got some options. That's the big guy, right? He's a really big guy. Let me say this. I've never seen a team in like 20 years in NFL that has promoted that type of position, flexibility. So we're in good shape there. All right. And we're in good shape. Here's we round out hour number one. Mark, you're taking off. We'll see you next Thursday to talk about the Cleveland Browns. Can't wait. Thank you. You're staying put because you have to answer for that question that comment about. I'll thank you for the assignment or lack of that. Absolutely. Sometimes you'll do it with a great big broad smile on your face. That'll do it for hour number one. Folks, thanks for joining us. We continue coming up here in the next 20 seconds when 20 Bacillian James Gladstone walk into the room.

50:20Thanks for joining us for Happy Hour. Stick around for Jags HQ.