The Jacksonville Jaguars held their final practice ahead of Week 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, and Jaguars On SI was there.
Watch the Jaguars prepare for the Eagles below.
Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen spoke Thursday. Below you will find a transcript.
Q: About the Eagles’ quarterback sneak play?
Nielsen: “They’re doing a great job – I mean, the conversion rate is at an all-time high, right? I mean, so they’re stopped, and you just have to – it’s a game of tension and you just have to outsmart them. I mean, that’s what it really comes down to. You have to play lower than them, you have to push harder than them and they execute it at a high level. We’re going to have to do a really good job of just executing and pushing. And then the other thing: let’s not get into that situation. That’s a lot easier said than done, but let’s keep them out of the third and fourth ones.”
Q: About covering Eagles WR AJ Brown and WR DeVonta Smith?
Nielsen: “They have very good talent, very good talent. Since his return he has been playing at a high level. Physical receiver, real physical, catch point, strong hands. He is very good at press coverage and getting off the line, and he has great speed. So it will be a nice challenge. We just have to play our game. We have to get involved and make it a physical game for him. We’ve got to play some coverage over the top so he’s not just catching fade balls and things like that that people do. But two very good receivers. And then there’s the speed that DeVonta has: he can get to the top of any coverage. So just run it, we’re going to have to play some shell for it. You definitely have to stay above those guys and then mix it up. Just keep mixing up the coverage of him so he doesn’t get any high marks and goes to X or Z every time.
Q: How will getting S. Andrew Wingard back change their safety rotation?
Nielsen: “A little bit, but we have the guys who have: he’s been out for a long time and so he’s working on his return. We’d like to get it there and take a certain number of shots and see how that goes. But he is pushing. He pushes very hard. Yesterday he had a good day, today will be another good test. By the end of the week we will have an idea of exactly how much he is going through the week’s process.
Q: On the impact of getting S Tashaun Gipson Sr. back?
Nielsen: “It’s great to have him back. We are excited, very excited. But he hasn’t practiced yet. So it all goes in there. We take him there, let him move. Obviously we need to get rid of the rust, that kind of thing. Then get him into the rotation and give him some plays and see where he is, and then move on. We simply don’t know where the pieces will fall. It’s so early and he hasn’t even practiced yet. So we’ll go through the week and figure it out from there.”
Q: What has he seen from CB Jarrian Jones as he settles into the nickel role?
Nielsen: “Yes, trust. Really, he is confident. With every game, he even said after the game, he feels more comfortable there. He’s playing more snaps, the different coverages and the things that position has to do. The way he moves and plays physically, and the play he made in the red zone was a big play. Really very good. Just keep watching him grow with that position. He could still go out there if we need him, but he’s getting used to that nickel position a little bit and he’s doing well now.
Q: What happened on the last big pass against Green Bay?
Nielsen: “Yes, I have to change the reporting. It’s up to me, I need to change the opacity. So play a different cover in that situation.
Q: To get DE Arik Armstead more involved and have him play more inside?
Nielsen: “Yes, we spoke to the man inside and outside. When we signed him, it was more of an outside vision and we moved him inside at third, just in depth, map-wise and everything, where he wanted to play and things like that. A lot of the situational stuff, putting him in, he’s playing there in two minutes, things like that. But he can certainly go in. It’s just when we want him to work there and you might see him come here, go in there in tough situations, things like that. But he needs to continue playing the left end position and that takes some playing time inside and outside, and we need to get him a few more snaps out there and get him – he’s comfortable in it, just more snaps at Het. “
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