AFC Notes: Jaguars, Texans, Titans

Jaguars

Jaguars RB Leonard Fournette said he wants Jacksonville to live up to their 2017 season when they won the AFC South.

“At the end of the day, I want to win,” Fournette said, via Michael DiRocco of ESPN. “Who doesn’t want to win? I came from a 2017 season with a team who was 10-6, we had [a good] talent level and then the next couple of years went down the drain. So I just want to address a lot of things, too, especially since the media came out and said I was an angry guy. No. 1, would you be angry if you’re losing week in and week out? That is one of my biggest problems; I do get upset when we lose and it takes me a while to get over it. I expect, just like anybody else, if you put the work in, you want the W, but a lot of times last year it didn’t go like that.

Jaguars HC Doug Marrone said Fournette has maintained a strong mindset this offseason.

“His mindset is great. He’s done a nice job, he looks good, he’s in shape, he’s been working hard,” Marrone said. “He hasn’t said anything; he’s been working hard. Everyone right now is probably just getting used to the protocols and getting themselves ready, and he’s done a really good job. I mean, he looks good — he really does when he’s out there.”

Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell reiterated that Fournette is in good standing with the rest of the team.

“Leonard is in a good spot,” Caldwell said. “We have had conversations, and I think he does not like losing, like the rest of our players on our team. They all handle it in their own way, and I would agree with what he said.”

Texans

Texans HC Bill O’Brien praised UDFA RB Scottie Phillips‘ ball security and is in a “very competitive situation” at running back. 

“One thing that stood out was ball security. He’s in a very competitive situation. He’s working at it and he’s improving,” said O’Brien, via Aaron Wilson.

As for filling in for Texans DE Duke Ejiofor (ACL), O’Brien mentioned that OLBs Jacob Martin and Jon Greenard could have increased roles in practice to see how they fit. 

“Duke had a very unique skill set. It’s more about what these guys can do and how we fit it to what we can do,” said Wilson.

O’Brien also praised Texans S Eric Murray‘s versatility given he can cover deep, play within the box, and rotate to the nickel role. 

“He’s another guy that had another good day today. Murray can play in the deep part of the field. He can play down in the box. He can play nickel. He could be the PP on a punt. He’s a very versatile guy, a very good pro,” said O’Brien, via Wilson.

Titans

• Jim Wyatt of the team’s official site expects the Titans to start DT DaQuan Jones alongside DE Jeffery Simmons with competition for the other interior and defensive end roles.
• Wyatt writes that Titans’ new DE Jack Crawford should compete for a starting job, while fifth-round Larrell Murchison could challenge for playing time as well.
• Regarding the Titans declining WR Corey Davis‘ fifth-year option for 2021, Wyatt points out that Davis’ $16 million option price wouldn’t have made much sense for them to activate. 
• As for the Titans’ competition at kicker, Wyatt expects Greg Joseph to beat Tucker McCann for the starting job. 
• Wyatt lists DL Teair Tart, DL Kobe Smith, WR Mason Kinsey, WR Kristian Wilkerson, WR Kyle Williams, WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and LB Cale Garrett as Titans’ players who are “under the radar” to keep an eye on. 
• Titans first-round OT Isaiah Wilson said there’s “no awkwardness at all” with Dennis Kelly and they’re both competing for the starting right tackle job: “When I do things in practice that aren’t exactly right, (Kelly) steps in & says something or gives me a tip so I can do it better next time.” (Erik Bacharach)