Jaguars
Jaguars WR DJ Chark knows that the team can’t regress this season and believes they have a chance under new HC Urban Meyer.
“Just to go out there and compete, be better than what we were last year,” Chark told NFL Network’s Omar Ruiz. “The 1-15 season is somewhere that we don’t want to go back. Everyone that’s here understands that. The guys that came in came from a lot of winning programs so we’re trying to develop that winning culture and just that comradery here and I think we’re going to do really good. I think we’re gonna shock a lot of people. I’m not one of the people that’s huge on setting record goals or anything like that, or saying how many wins or losses we’re gonna have but we’re gonna be an exciting football team, for sure.”
Chark also notes that the team is adding veteran WR Marvin Jones and that second-year WR Laviska Shenault will be returning as well.
“We take a lot of responsibility and accountability when it comes to the passing game,” Chark said. “Marvin coming in, [he’s] a dynamic player. Laviska being young and so dynamic, me still trying to reach new heights. I think we have a lot to prove but I think it’s gonna come together real smooth. And definitely being able to have Trevor back there, it’s crazy how that he’s so young and so talented. So, the sky is the limit, really, with us right now. We don’t know how great we can be but we know we can be great, for sure.”
Texans
Texans HC David Culley recently joined Texans Radio to discuss the benefits of the preseason on the team’s rookies.
“As a rookie, I found out last year, no preseason games, the rookies that I thought was ready weren’t quite as ready simply because the speed of the game just hit them like that,” Culley said via TexansWire. “I saw some rookies that were a little more hesitant than you expected because of not having those preseason games, and that’s why right now having the three preseason games, that is invaluable for new players, especially rookies, to get out on the field.”
Culley emphasized the opportunity to get players the opportunity to compete against another team and to implement his system against a live opponent.
“There’s no replacement for actually playing,” Culley stated. “There’s no replacement for putting in your system and putting it in against an opponent and executing what you do. You have to do that.”
“And, me, last year, I felt like when I was where I was at before, the one thing that I felt like not having any preseason games was I felt like we didn’t really start the season as well as you would have been as sharp as you normally would be because of not having those preseason games.”
Culley also pointed out that the preseason is a good opportunity for the QB and his receivers to get on the same page with timing.
“I didn’t feel like having as in the passing game is more so critical than the run game in timing, not being able to get that just through training camp. And having the preseason games now, you actually get to go out and execute those kinds of things and get a sense of timing and what not.”
Titans
Titans DL Jeffery Simmons said recently signed DL Denico Autry has been “coaching up” his teammates this offseason.
“He even coached me up,” Simmons, via David Boclair of Sports Illustrated. “Him being the vet he is, he is out there coaching up the young guys, and I think that’s the most exciting part about it. Just coming in, he doesn’t really know anybody, but he is willing to (share) what he knows about the game up front to us young guys.”
Titans DL coach Terrell Williams said he Autry brings experience in “multiple schemes” to their defense and is glad to work with the lineman again after coaching him with the Raiders in 2014.
“The thing I liked about him them and I like about him now is that he is he’s all business, works his butt off and he’s willing to do whatever we ask him to do,” said Williams. “I’m excited to get back with him. He brings NFL experience. He’s been a starter. He’s played in multiple schemes. He can do a lot of different things from a football standpoint.”
Simmons mentioned that he’s glad the team acquired Autry after he played on the Colts in 2018-2020.
“I’ve seen him twice a year for the last two years that I’ve been with the Titans, and I just know he can be disruptive,” Simmons said. “You can tell from the way gets off the ball, the way he does the drills. It’s been good just to watch him and be out there on the field and communicate with him. I think it’s going to be a great year up front with us.”
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