Jaguars Coach Doug Marrone Talks Importance of Minicamp

The biggest news coming from Jacksonville Jaguars head coach in his press conference prior to the team’s first mandatory minicamp was everyone was on site and ready to go.

Both Jalen Ramsey and Leonard Fournette returned to Jacksonville after missing the 10 OTA sessions the past three weeks. With both players in the fold, Marrone and the Jaguars coaching staff can continue to implement the game plan that will hopefully take this team to Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta.

"“We have everyone here, which is obviously a good thing for mandatory minicamp. I’m excited to get the full team out on the field. We have a couple guys that … I think every player will be on the field and their work may be different.,” Marrone said in his opening statement.“Some guys you will see off to the side still working to come back. Some guys we are just going to evaluate today in the individual and see how that goes and maybe increase their reps tomorrow during the team period. We don’t just want to go out and throw some players out there right now. You will have the ability to see those guys on the side that are working.”"

Just knowing there is a full house on hand is good news. Both Ramsey and Fournette participated in drills in scrimmages with the first team offense and defense. Ramsey, the first-time All-Pro cornerback in 2017, spent time in Tennessee with his father preparing for Tuesday’s practice. Fournette has been in Louisiana, staying in shape and taking care of personal business as he told the media in the locker room following the workout.

Both stars figure to have a major impact on the success of this team once again this season. Both are hoping for bigger and better things with this roster.

Marrone stuck to the same script he talked about the past three weeks – working on drills, staying positive, learning how to get better and improve. Again, there were no pads, no hitting and players were spirited in their drills as they still showing a willingness to trust in the process, to prepare like this team did last season.

"“We’re still not in pads, so the safety part of it comes back. You will see the practices as pretty much the same as the OTAs,” Marrone explained. “Every player will be out there, so you are at full strength. You will be able to see things from that nature. Really the only difference is one is voluntary, the next one is mandatory.”"

With only three days to finalize this part of the offseason, Marrone and the staff will look for players to maintain what they learned, to make adjustments now and continue to work on them when they return for training camp the last week in July.

"“There are certain things that we want to get in – things that are new,” he said. “Things that we want to carry over and continue to work on to see if it fits what we are doing, and obviously we’re still trying to evaluate the best personnel, the best matchups, the best calls.”"

Fournette looked to be in solid shape out there and look fluid in drills carrying the football. He, T.J. Yeldon and Corey Grant will receive the majority of the carries in camp. It’s not a matter of Fournette getting up to speed with this offense – it’s more a matter of progressing from what he learned last year. Marrone said he has not set expectations for his second-year running back, only to make sure he is putting in time and effort while on the practice field.

"“I don’t think I go out there with any expectations. I just want to go out there and see how we’re communicating and how we’re working with each other, how we’re handling the installation, the grasp of what we are doing. Obviously, there are new things that are in that we will want to take a good look at. This is really the first time to take a good look at it,” Marrone said."

The premise of minicamp, according to what Marrone told the media last week, was to focus on execution of some of the things the team installed on both sides of the ball. Instead of moving forward and missing a step or moving too fast, he wants the players to work on getting plays down and making sure what the coaching staff has implemented works well before moving on to another facet of the offseason game plan.