All eyes are on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence ahead of the 2023 season. More specifically, pundits wonder if he and the offense can get to the next level. However, the defense also needs to take a step forward if the Jags want to keep up with other AFC powerhouses.
Working in Jacksonville's favor is that there Mike Caldwell is entering his second season as the defensive coordinator and most of the starters from last year are back in the fold. Having continuity will help Caldwell's unit be even better than they were in 2022. He met with the local media on Day 3 of training camp and addressed questions surrounding the group. Here are three takeaways from the exchange.
3. The Jaguars are emphasizing competition in training camp
There aren't many starting jobs up for grabs on defense but the rest of the Jaguars' depth chart is still taking shape, and players will be battling for a handful of spots ahead of the regular season. Throughout his presser, Mike Caldwell talked about competition and how they can get better because of it.
"There's competition up and down the whole roster", Caldwell said. "So when you look at competition, guys know that if I'm not at the bar, then there's somebody behind me is pushing me. That's how teams become better, that's how players become better. The more you have competition, the better you're going to be."
Wide receiver Calvin Ridley will give the offense a huge boost but Caldwell said that having to go against him in practice will also benefit cornerback Tyson Campbell and the defense.
"When you go against a good one, it helps you out, and Calvin's a good one. He's one of the ones, so it's all about competition within your group or on offense. Competition is what makes us the team we're gonna be. We're out there every day going against the offense. They'll hit a play, we'll hit a play. So it's going back and forth. You learn from that, and that carries over into game situations. When something happens in the game, you can get muscle memory back to what happened in training camp and be able to perform that way," Caldwell said.
2. CB Tyson Campbell is now a veteran leader for the Jaguars
Time passes by quickly. Just two years ago, cornerback Tyson Campbell was a rookie making the adjustment to the NFL. Two years later, he's become one of the Jags' best defensive players and a locker room leader.
During his exchange with the media, Mike Caldwell talked about the difference between Campbell last year and now and one thing that has stood out is his leadership role on the team:
"Really, the leadership stands out first", Caldwell said in regard to Campbell. "He's a guy that came was a young guy, really talented. And he's starting to put it together. And when he puts it together, he's able to let his experience show the other guys and help the other guys. Tyson's guy that has all the talent in the world and you can see the confidence grow in him and happy he's here and ready for big things this year".
Coach Caldwell then added that Campbell is the kind of player that he's willing to help his younger teammates.
"It's always good to hear it from a coach but when you have a veteran player that's been there and you see him on the tape all the time doing it and doing it well, as a younger player, that's someone that I tell them you ought to get right behind and listen to everything he has to say," Caldwell said.
Caldwell continued, "Tyson is the type of person who will help anybody. Whether they're staying after field or watching extra film with them. But being able to be that example of I was a young guy one time, here's the process I went through, and help the guys speed up their process."
Campbell's 80.8 Pro Football Focus overall grade ranked seventh among cornerbacks last year. He gave up less than 10 yards per catch and allowed a 58.5 percent completion rate when targeted. He's gotten lots of recognition from the national media ahead of the 2023 season and is expected to be even better in Year 3.
1. Jaguars OLB Travon Walker is aware of the expectations surrounding him
First-round draft picks are expected to contribute right off the bat. However, the Jaguars knew that Travon Walker was going to be a work in process when they made him the first overall pick last year. A highly athletic talent, Walker made the transition to outside linebacker full-time after hardly ever rushing the passer from a standup position in college.
The team's brass was aware Walker was going to need time to make the adjustment. And after a rookie season in which he flashed his potential, they're now expecting him to make a leap. Mike Caldwell said the former Georgia Bulldog is feeling more comfortable ahead of Year 2.
"He's the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, he was taken number one over everybody", Caldwell said. "So you can look at that as pressure but Travon and a bunch of guys in the looker, they've been the guy all their lives, so the pressure they're used to."
"But he understands now that I'm the guy, I'm the No. 1 pick but also Travon. I'm going to be Travon on the field, my Travon is good enough for the Jags because we trust in his ability and it's going to show and it'll pay big dividends for us," Caldwell said.
Caldwell then says it's time for Walker to live up to his draft billing.
"There's two things that go into it. He's the No. 1 pick and he's a rookie. So the rookie has to feel your way, and his personality, he's a real humble guy.... but at the end of the day, he's No. 1. So he should have that on his shoulders. He should be top dog and he plays like that in the run game. Now, it's time for him to play like that in the pass game, which he has all the talent in the world. We're ready for him to do it", Caldwell said.
Walke appeared in 15 games with 14 starts as a rookie. He registered 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and an interception. He should be able to double those numbers in 2023, now that the game has slowed down for him.