Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye focuses on improvements in 2019

Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye is focused on returning to his 2017 form after injuries played a part of his performance in 2018.

A.J. Bouye wasn’t the playmaker in 2018 that he was in 2017 with his first season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Injuries played a role in the cornerback’s performance, which was good but not on par with the Pro Bowl and All-Pro season of the year before. Now healthy and ready to tackle 2019, Bouye is participating in OTAs in preparation for a better season and more growth as a player on the field.

As Doug Marrone spoke the media on Tuesday, he said Bouye has come to the team’s OTAs with a bit of a difference in how he has prepared this offseason and for the upcoming year.

"“He’s kind of come back with a sense of, ‘I’m going to work on this, I’m dedicated to this, all of the little things, all of the little details’ … all of the things that got him to be such a great player, you see a lot of that emphasis for him being on it,” Marrone said prior to the team’s fourth day of OTAs on the practice field adjacent to TIAA Bank Field.More from Jacksonville Jaguars NewsJacksonville Jaguars should welcome Derrick Henry into the kingdomJaguars Rumors: Trent Baalke seems to be getting respect nowJaguars News: This division rival might be making a big moveFormer Jacksonville Jaguars S Johnathan Cyprien: “New Profession, Same Standards”Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram officially gets the franchise tag: 3 takeaways“You see it on the side. He may be doing something little – maybe a little footwork that he’s going to be in in press coverage, by himself, on air. He’s just very much engaged in the skill of his game. That’s what I see from him right now.”"

Bouye had six interceptions in 2017 to lead the team. Last season he was able to grab one. The secondary did play up to the standards set by the 10-6 AFC South champions in 2018. Bouye, the veteran leader of the secondary is hoping to change that, along with Jalen Ramsey and two new starters at safety from the beginning of last season, Jarrod Wilson and Ronnie Harrison.

"As John Oehser of Jaguars.com explained, “Bouye, who missed two games with a calf injury and one with a toe injury after playing all 19 regular- and postseason games the season before, said Tuesday 2018 was frustrating at times. He finished last season with one interception and eight passes defensed after registering six and 18, respectively, in 2017.”"

Those issues caused on the field make it difficult to play at a high level. Bouye acknowledged that when he spoke to the media on Tuesday and said he feels better than he did last year and is ready to get out there and prove again how he can be for this organization.

"“When you have soft-tissue injuries and you know you’re not at your best, you get frustrated – especially when the year before you made a lot of plays and put the team in a good situation,” he said."

Bouye spent this offseason also working on mental preparation for 2019, as well as trying to add strength and size to make improvements against the run. He has studied athletes such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Manny Machado. The physicality of the football is something Bouye has been well versed in.

Finding a mental balance should help him when he faces some of the top pass catchers in the league this season.