After spending several months making changes to the roster, the Jacksonville Jaguars finally took the field and faced the Cleveland Browns in Week 1 of the 2021 NFL preseason. The Jags ended up losing 13-23. Although it won’t count in the standings, it highlighted several things the coaching staff needs to work on over the next few weeks.
Without further ado, here are a few takeaways from the Jaguars’ loss to the Browns.
1. Trevor Lawrence made his preseason debut.
For a moment, it looked like Gardner Minshew was going to start the game but the coaching staff threw a curveball at everyone and Trevor Lawrence ultimately got the nod. All things considered, it was a pretty solid debut. Although he was sacked on his very first play, he went on to complete five of nine passes for 71 yards. He didn’t enjoy optimal protection but he acknowledged that he may have held the ball too long and might have been responsible for the takedown.
Head coach Urban Meyer echoed Lawrence’s assessment and said during halftime that the rookie passer held the ball a little bit a couple of times. Later, the quarterback told the local media he felt like he was setting in as the game went on. He noted that there are things they need to clean up but believes that it was a pretty good day. All things considered, it was a solid debut and the Jaguars could name Lawrence the starter at any time. Speaking of…
2. There should be no doubt Gardner Minshew is the quarterback.
That’s right. Just a few days ago, Meyer said there was a quarterback competition taking place at Dream Finders Homes Practice Complex but the Jags’ first preseason made it clear that Gardner Minshew will be the number-two quarterback. The 2019 sixth-round selection went 4-of-8 for 47 yards with no touchdowns. Moreover, he averaged 5.9 yards per attempt while Lawrence averaged 7.9.
Several Jacksonville Jaguars stood out in Week 1 of the preseason.
3. C.J. Henderson wasted no time and made an impact.
Things have been hectic for second-year cornerback C.J. Henderson in recent weeks. After being placed on the COVID-19/Reserve list towards the end of July, the Florida product missed a good chunk of training camp. Also, a report surfaced about him possibly being available. In the end, no trade materialized and Jaguars assistant head coach Charlie Strong said not long ago that they were going to do everything they could to help the 2020 first-round pick get back on track.
In the end, it looks like the team’s effort paid off, as Henderson made an impact in Week 1, posting two passes defensed. If he continues playing the way he did against the Browns, he could secure the starting spot opposite Shaquill Griffin in Week 1 of the regular season.
4. Tavon Austin wants to make the roster.
If you thought that Tavon Austin was going to be a non-factor after signing with the Jaguars less than two weeks ago, you weren’t alone. After all, the wide receiver hasn’t done much of much since the Los Angeles Rams made him the eighth overall selection in 2013’s NFL Draft. But here we are.
It seemed like Marvin Jones Jr. was going to lead the Jags in catches in Week 1 but then came Austin, who registered four receptions for 52 yards and one trip to the end zone. If he keeps playing like that, he will make it difficult for the Jaguars to move on from him.
Not everything was sunshine and flowers for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
5. The Jaguars were good at stopping the run… the pass, not so much.
It’s true that the Jaguars’ offense had a hard time finding the end zone but the defense didn’t fare much better. Cleveland only got 26 yards on the ground and averaged a measly 1.6 per carry. On the other hand, they had no trouble throwing the football, completing 31 of 44 passes for 319 passing yards. Although it’s not time to panic yet, the Jaguars need to do a better job of stopping the pass in the following weeks.
Last season, Jacksonville’s defense ranked 31st in points and total yards allowed. They spent the offseason fortifying both their defensive front and their secondary. The Jags surely expect better results moving forward.
6. Tim Tebow didn’t do much in his preseason debut.
The Jaguars’ first preseason game highlighted the areas Tim Tebow needs to work on. The former Gator finished the game with no catches and showed he still needs to work on his blocking skills. He still has time to make the transition to tight end and compete for a roster spot but it won’t be an easy task.
As it is, tight end Tyler Davis is on the outside looking in but he caught a touchdown pass from Jake Luton towards the end of the game. Tebow will probably survive the first round of cuts but he needs to show up against the New Orleans Saints in Week 2 of the preseason if he wants to earn a roster spot.