Jackson, Virginia In this article, senior writer John Oehser analyzes Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson’s post-game news conference after his team defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-7 on Saturday at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville during 2024 Preseason Week
2. Improving quickly. Running back Tank Bigsby has been a major Jaguars 2024 Training Camp storyline – and Pederson on Saturday praised the second-year veteran after another strong performance against the Buccaneers. Bigsby, a third-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, rushed for 37 yards on 10 first-half carries with three receptions for 19 yards a week after he rushed for 28 yards on three carries in a Preseason Week 1 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. “I think Tank is really improving; obviously still some work to do,” Pederson said. “He did a nice job again. He ran tough, took care of the football. Obviously, we’ll take a look at the tape and watch it. I really think he’s done some really good things for a young player and is going to help us offensively and just continue to grow as a running back.”
Mac is back. If Bigsby has been a major camp storyline, quarterback Mac Jones has been another – and the fourth-year veteran appeared to move toward solidifying a backup role Saturday. Jones, the No. 15 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft and a starter for the New England Patriots the past three seasons, was acquired by the Jaguars in a trade with the Patriots this offseason. He has been solid in the offseason and training camp, completed 16 of 23 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns Saturday in his first start for the Jaguars. “I thought overall, Mac played a solid football game,” Pederson said, “He was obviously into it. You saw his intensity out there. Made some great throws. Just led the team like expected. He loves playing the game. He did some great things tonight and helped us win this game.”
Solid up front. The Jaguars’ defense registered three sacks on Buccaneers quarterbacks, with the offense allowing Jaguars quarterbacks to be sacked five times. Backup quarterback C.J. Beathard sustained a hard sack and left the game with a groin injury in the fourth quarter. The Jaguars also rushed effectively for a second consecutive preseason game, rushing for 140 yards on 38 carries. It marked the Jaguars’ second 100-yard rushing performance in as many preseason games. “I think the offensive line did a nice job there – backs, tight ends and even receivers on some of the perimeter stuff being able to block,” Pederson said. “That’s what it takes in the run game. It’s not your five O-linemen. It takes everybody. I thought they did some really nice things. Defensively, just keeping guys fresh. You see all the different rotations and substitutions that they do. Just keeps guys fresh for four quarters. We came up big at the end, and because guys were a little more — I don’t want to say completely fresh, but they were a little more — had a little more juice there at the end.”
Good work week. This past week marked the third time in as many seasons as head coach that Pederson has had the Jaguars practice against another team in preparation for a preseason game against that opponent. Pederson this week stayed with his familiar pattern of playing few starters following such “joint practices,” and he said Saturday he was pleased with the results. “You get a chance to get your starters a lot of reps in a controlled environment against another football team,” he said. “I thought both teams really showed great sportsmanship during the week. I was proud of the way our guys handled themselves. To get our starters the number of reps they did for two days in a controlled environment really is good work – because in a game like tonight, they would only get maybe a quarter again or a quarter and a half. Sometimes you don’t get the scenarios or situations you want, so doing a joint practice like that you can do that and really get some good work.”
Pederson on the five sacks allowed by the Jaguars Saturday: “They (the Buccaneers) did a great job. Some of their pressure packages were timely. We got edged a little bit on a couple of those sacks. Their secondary covered our guys. So, a little bit of everything. We’ve got to take a look at the film and obviously make some corrections and improve a little bit there.” For more sport news visit lifestyleroom.net
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