Nick Foles receives praise from Jaguars defense

While the majority of praise so far has come from the offensive side of the ball, Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye had nothing but good things to say about quarterback Nick Foles.

The greatest compliment quarterback Nick Foles may have received this offseason so far may have come from Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye. The former All-Pro and Prow Bowler has been impressed with what he has seen so far of the team’s newest quarterback.

If the Jaguars defense is going to get better this season, practicing daily against No. 7 might be one of the best ways to do just that. Bouye, who is in his third season here in Jacksonville has marveled at the way the Jaguars offense looks better with the style of play Foles, who signed a four-year, $88-million deal this offseason, brings to the practice fields.

"“I was talking to some of the younger guys, some of the DBs last week, I was even talking to my coaches frustrated because you have a really good quarterback and there were certain plays that you were making in the past years …“You are there and even when you make the right breaks and everything, but the ball is only where the receiver can catch it,” Bouye said last week when he met with the media."

More from Jacksonville Jaguars News

• Jacksonville Jaguars should welcome Derrick Henry into the kingdom
• Jaguars Rumors: Trent Baalke seems to be getting respect now
• Jaguars News: This division rival might be making a big move
• Former Jacksonville Jaguars S Johnathan Cyprien: “New Profession, Same Standards”
• Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram officially gets the franchise tag: 3 takeaways

Those are all good things. While the secondary may be doing its job, knowing there is a quarterback under center who is more accurate throwing the football is a good thing to aware of, for both sides of the line.

Bouye was also impressed with Foles coming in and showing poise and gaining the respect of the roster once he walked into the building after signing his free agent deal.

"“You can see that he is a leader out there, the way he carries his offense. The tempo of the offense is different, they are more upbeat, they are attacking us,” Bouye added.“They are going to give us looks. For example, there was a deep ball that I broke up, but you could tell the way he was pump [faking] the post safety to get him off the field and then to come back and read his reads … We weren’t seeing that a lot.”"

With the number of offensive players who have spoken the past two weeks after practice and coaches who continue to praise Foles for his work, hearing one of the leaders of the defense talk about his excitement for the offense this season is refreshing.

Bouye himself is working to improve on a 2018 season that was riddled with injuries. He did not play up to the same level of 2017 where he was the team’s leader in interceptions with six.

Now, with a revamped secondary in place with Ronnie Harrison and Jarrod Wilson starting, the defensive unit will have a chance to cover pass catchers in a new offensive game plan, which should also be beneficial.

"“That’s only going to make us better going into the season,” Bouye added."