Five things you need to know
1. The Jaguars are one of the loosest teams around. How many coaches would allow NFL Films in to monitor their every move during training camp for a weekly show on the NFL Network? For this, Jack Del Rio is to be commended. In an era when most coaches are paranoid, he is the opposite. He sees the redeeming value in the access, using it as motivation for his players during the dog days of camp. The Jaguars are enjoying the chance to be in the spotlight.
2. There has been talk that quarterback Byron Leftwich is not having a great camp. Don't believe it. Though Leftwich hasn't had the "wow" practices, he has improved every practice and his recent work has impressed. Leftwich is one of the hardest-working players in the league -- a Peyton Manning type of work ethic -- and that will make him a star passer. He does have to learn a better touch on short passes, but that will come. Leftwich laughs when told the perception is that he has struggled. That's the type of attitude you want in a quarterback. He's going to have a big year.
3. First-round pick Reggie Williams missed almost the entire offseason because league rules prevented him from taking part in workouts with the team. That has him behind. But the coaching staff still believes he can make a major impact. He will likely open the season as the third or fourth receiver, but look for him to come up as the season moves along. Watch out for fourth-round pick Ernest Wilford, who has done more so far than Williams. "Reggie is doing the same thing Ernest has done," said one team insider. "It's just that when you're a first-round pick, you are torn apart more."
4. The main worry on the defense is the pass rush. With Tony Brackens now battling more knee problems -- which could shelve him for a while -- the Jaguars have to get more out of Hugh Douglas. After a disappointing season in 2003, his first with the Jaguars, Douglas came back motivated and has shed 15 pounds and says his attitude has changed. But at 33, does he have anything left? The coaches think he does. Look for the Jaguars to get creative in trying to get a pass rush if Brackens can't go this year. That could mean putting linebackers Akin Ayodele and Jorge Cordova down in pass-rush situations.
5. The Jaguars are thrilled with the play of rookie second-round pick Daryl Smith at linebacker. Smith is working at both the weakside and strongside positions, but is running with the second team at both spots. At some point this season, look for him to break into the starting lineup. He's too good a player.
By Pete Prisco
SportsLine.com Senior Writer
1. The Jaguars are one of the loosest teams around. How many coaches would allow NFL Films in to monitor their every move during training camp for a weekly show on the NFL Network? For this, Jack Del Rio is to be commended. In an era when most coaches are paranoid, he is the opposite. He sees the redeeming value in the access, using it as motivation for his players during the dog days of camp. The Jaguars are enjoying the chance to be in the spotlight.
2. There has been talk that quarterback Byron Leftwich is not having a great camp. Don't believe it. Though Leftwich hasn't had the "wow" practices, he has improved every practice and his recent work has impressed. Leftwich is one of the hardest-working players in the league -- a Peyton Manning type of work ethic -- and that will make him a star passer. He does have to learn a better touch on short passes, but that will come. Leftwich laughs when told the perception is that he has struggled. That's the type of attitude you want in a quarterback. He's going to have a big year.
3. First-round pick Reggie Williams missed almost the entire offseason because league rules prevented him from taking part in workouts with the team. That has him behind. But the coaching staff still believes he can make a major impact. He will likely open the season as the third or fourth receiver, but look for him to come up as the season moves along. Watch out for fourth-round pick Ernest Wilford, who has done more so far than Williams. "Reggie is doing the same thing Ernest has done," said one team insider. "It's just that when you're a first-round pick, you are torn apart more."
4. The main worry on the defense is the pass rush. With Tony Brackens now battling more knee problems -- which could shelve him for a while -- the Jaguars have to get more out of Hugh Douglas. After a disappointing season in 2003, his first with the Jaguars, Douglas came back motivated and has shed 15 pounds and says his attitude has changed. But at 33, does he have anything left? The coaches think he does. Look for the Jaguars to get creative in trying to get a pass rush if Brackens can't go this year. That could mean putting linebackers Akin Ayodele and Jorge Cordova down in pass-rush situations.
5. The Jaguars are thrilled with the play of rookie second-round pick Daryl Smith at linebacker. Smith is working at both the weakside and strongside positions, but is running with the second team at both spots. At some point this season, look for him to break into the starting lineup. He's too good a player.
By Pete Prisco
SportsLine.com Senior Writer
