Jags QB Lawrence feeling ‘actually comfy’ in 2nd season

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons are anticipated to emphasise the competitions for the ultimate roster spots in Saturday’s closing preseason recreation for each groups.

Which means Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, like most starters, is predicted to be an observer in his return to his residence state. Lawrence expressed confidence in his play and the Jaguars’ offense because the 2021 No. 1 general draft decide prepares for his second season.

“I actually like the place I’m at,” Lawrence mentioned Wednesday. “So far as offense goes, I really feel actually comfy. I’m feeling increasingly more assured every day and really feel actually good with the place I’m at with all of the receivers, tight ends, working backs, safety.”

The Jaguars and Falcons had their second joint observe on Thursday.

Jaguars coach Doug Pederson says most starters gained’t play on Saturday. That features the workforce’s prime two quarterbacks. Backup C.J. Beathard (groin) just isn’t anticipated to play, leaving two longshots to make the roster — Jake Luton and E.J. Perry — to deal with the snaps.

Falcons coach Arthur Smith hasn’t revealed plans for his starters. There doubtless shall be prolonged taking part in time for rookie backup quarterback Desmond Ridder. Veteran Marcus Mariota is ready to open the season because the starter.

Requested Thursday about his plan for the sport, Smith mentioned, “That’s one thing we’ll finalize tonight and tomorrow as a workers. I really feel fairly good for the place we’re at and have gotten guys reps. … We’ll weigh that and alternatives for some younger guys who must get extra work.”

Mariota, the No. 2 general decide within the 2015 draft, hasn’t began a regular-season recreation since 2019. He’s trying to revive his profession in his reunion with Smith, his former offensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans.

Mariota appeared to strengthen his maintain on the starter’s job by main scoring drives on two of his three possessions in Atlanta’s 24-16 preseason loss on the New York Jets final week. He left the sport with a 10-0 lead.

Lawrence, from Cartersville, Georgia, hasn’t had a chance to play an NFL recreation in Atlanta. He accomplished 23 of 42 passes for 228 yards with one landing and one interception in a 21-14 residence loss to the Falcons on Nov. 28 final season.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) seems to be for a receiver in the course of the first half of an NFL preseason soccer recreation in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla.

The loss to the Falcons was one in all many low factors in Lawrence’s rookie season. He led the NFL with 17 interceptions and threw solely 12 landing passes. He additionally was damage by 9 fumbles and 32 sacks.

The Jaguars completed 3-14 with Lawrence and are 0-3 this preseason. Even so, Lawrence might be poised for an enormous season with the Jaguars’ new management of Pederson and offensive coordinator Press Taylor.

Lawrence mentioned Pederson and Taylor are “very conversational” in the best way they contain the quarterbacks in planning.

“I feel it’s all the time, they see one thing a sure approach, however they’re all the time choosing our brains and seeing what we like as a result of on the finish of the day … we’re the fellows which might be on the market taking part in, so if we don’t like one thing a sure approach, we’re not going to do it that approach,” Lawrence mentioned. “So it’s all the time a dialog.”

Taylor mentioned Lawrence has made a easy adjustment to the brand new workers.

“We’re precisely the place we wish to be with Trevor at this level and time,” Taylor mentioned.

The groups practiced in pads on Wednesday and there was no tackling on Thursday, when Lawrence was sharp when throwing two scoring passes to Marvin Jones.

NOTES: Pederson mentioned RB James Robinson, getting back from an Achilles damage in December, “actually seems to be like he’s been on the market a number of weeks now, fairly truthfully” and will quickly be cleared for contact. … Former Falcons LB Foye Oluokun had an interception on a go from Mariota off RB Avery Williams’ fingers. Oluokun, who signed a $45 million, three-year take care of Jacksonville as a free agent, mentioned Smith “made a joke about return on funding. I would as effectively make one play if I left for that a lot.”

___

Extra AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

SHARE: