JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One change over the past five years is that NFL training camps are nowhere near as physically demanding as they were in the past. Players can thank the newest collect bargaining agreement for that. After opening training camp in shorts and tops on Thursday and Friday the Jaguars will put on shoulder pads for the first time on Saturday.
In the mind of head coach Doug Marrone that is when the true evaluation process begins. “With my background I want training camp to be tough and competitive,” said Marrone as veterans reported for training camp on Wednesday. “I want to be a smart team and it starts with being physical.”
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How exactly does a Doug Marrone training camp look like on the field? He said we’ll have to wait until this week to find that out. One thing is for sure. If the Jaguars are going to be a more physical team it starts with the five guys on the offensive line.
Who those five guys will be remains a mystery for the Jaguars, but Marrone has a deadline for when he wants that to no longer be a question.
“We should have a very good feel about our starting five offensive lineman by the time we go up to New England to practice the Patriots,” said Marrone.
On Tuesday the Jaguars signed Brandon Linder to a 5-year extension. Although he’s played both guard and center, Marrone says that he will start off at center. One surprise is that Marrone said they haven’t even discussed, second round pick Cam Robinson playing any position outside of left tackle. The Jaguars have Branden Albert penciled in at LT but seemingly have an opening at guard. The expectation is that A.J. Cann will fill one of the guard positions and Jermey Parnell will play right tackle. Outside of the development of quarterback Blake Bortles this is likely the Jaguars biggest concern heading into training camp.
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It’s been a decade (2007) since the Jaguars last finished with a winning record. Marcedes Lewis was on that team and heading into his 12th season he has high expectations for this year’s group.
“If we're talking just talent first, we may have the most talent top to bottom since I've been here,” said Lewis. Now the challenge for the Jaguars is to get the most out of that talent. Marrone and team executive VP Tom Coughlin have a plan for how they want to do that and so far the players are on board.
“The leadership we have at the top, there's a different feel in a lot of ways,” said linebacker Paul Posluszny. “We're going to be very discipline and very physical. Mentally and physically this is going to be a very demanding camp for us. That's what we need so we’re ready to play on week on.”