Jaguars coach kicks off minicamp with gift to veterans
The Jacksonville Jaguars are kicking off mandatory minicamp on Monday following the team's OTAs. Rookies, first-year players, and injured veterans will be required to participate in the three-day period. But head coach Doug Pederson is giving "select players" a very well-deserved gift: Some time off. Per Jaguars.com's senior reporter J.P. Shadrick, Pederson sent the majority of […]
The Jacksonville Jaguars are kicking off mandatory minicamp on Monday following the team's OTAs. Rookies, first-year players, and injured veterans will be required to participate in the three-day period.
But head coach Doug Pederson is giving "select players" a very well-deserved gift: Some time off. Per Jaguars.com's senior reporter J.P. Shadrick, Pederson sent the majority of veterans who participated in OTAs home.
"I appreciate everybody that's here," Pederson told reporters on Monday. "These three days we can really focus on the young guys and even some of the injured guys. (Veterans) have done all that I've asked them to do."
The strategy is unsurprising as it's the second consecutive year Pederson does it with the Jaguars. With the exceptions of TE Evan Engram and EDGE Josh Allen, the Jags had everyone at the facility for OTAs. Engram has yet to sign his franchise tag and is therefore not required to attend to mandatory minicamp.
Pederson's minicamp decision paid off last year as the team went on to win the AFC South title and made it to the Divisional Round in the playoffs. This year, the Jaguars will aim to build on that and take the next step to become legit AFC contenders.
The Jaguars will report to training camp in late July. In the meantime, some vacations are in order for the team's veterans. For the rookies, it'll likely be all classroom work this week.
"It's about refining everything," Pederson added.
Featured image via Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK
