Telvin Smith Ready For Role As Leader Of Jaguars’ Defense
By David Levin
Jacksonville Jaguars’ linebacker Telvin Smith is ready to accept the role of leader on the team’s defense for the 2018 season.
Telvin Smith looked to be in mid-season form. The Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker broke up a play during a scrimmage on Friday morning, celebrating the accomplishment and stopping the offense from completing a pass. It’s that type of exuberance the coaching staff hopes will lead to even greater things the 2017 Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro performer.
Smith’s role with the Jaguars has already changed this offseason. With the retirement of his mentor Paul Posluszny, the leadership role on defense – especially in the middle – falls on No. 50. It’s a role he relishes. After an impassioned speech at Posluszny’s retirement ceremony in April, Telvin Smith now wants to play the game like his former teammate.
He is already starting to show signs of it during the Jaguars’ OTAs.
Smith told the media on Thursday the defense looks good, even this early in the process.
"“It’s going solid. We are out there working, putting it together,” he said. “We are understanding as a team what we left out there, what we really need to work on, getting a feel for each other, even more playing in the defense. Everything is just going well right now.”"
Posluszny is the only starter who is not returning from the 2017 season, which should scare the hell out of opposing offenses. Smith’s role will be expanded, which could lead to an even bigger campaign in 2018.
Jaguars’ defensive coordinator Todd Wash praised Smith for his work ethic and his ability to remain motivated in the offseason as well as continuing to get better in each season here in Jacksonville.
"“Well, once again, usually your good players have that mentality that good isn’t good enough. We are fortunate that we have a lot of them. Telvin [Smith] is another one,” Wash told the media on Thursday. “He comes in and works. I think where you see Telvin really mature is obviously with the loss of ‘Poz’ [Paul Posluszny], that leadership in that room. You see him taking extra time working with the younger guys regardless if it is Blair [Brown] all the way down to some rookies. You have really seen him mature within his leadership within the group.”"
The loss of Posluszny will be felt this season, a few players in a Jaguars’ uniform played with as much intensity as he did the seven seasons he part of this organization. Now, Telvin Smith must show he plays with the same kind of tenacity. Smith did say not having “Poz” on the field does have an effect on him and this team.
"“I am telling you, it’s tough. But I promise everybody that it still feels like he is here in the sense. His presence is what is felt more than anything as he is not here,” said Smith.“At the same time, it’s tough understanding his position and what he was and what he had to do for the team now that I am in the role in a sense.”"
Part of being the leader of the Jaguars’ defense means Telvin Smith will act as a teacher to the younger players on the roster.
"“I’m the oldest guy in the room. That is crazy going into my fifth year. You have to understand that these younger guys, they have seen you play a lot of snaps on Sunday, so they just want to ask me and pick my brain,” he said,“I try to give them whatever information that I can. It is easy, but tough at the same time because I’m still learning. Every time I go out there. I learn something new or something old that happened, I have to get reacquainted with it. Again, it’s slowly but surely coming along as the new ‘Poz’ in the sense.”"