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Jaguars' Darnell Savage fine with wearing multiple hats in Ryan Nielsen's defense
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- Jaguars' Darnell Savage fine with wearing multiple hats in Ryan Nielsen's defense
Darnell Savage doesn't mind wearing multiple hats on defense for the Jacksonville Jaguars .
He's projecting to be featured in a variety of ways in defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen's scheme after joining the team via free agency this offseason.
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Savage is listed as a safety on the depth chart, but the team has used him as a nickel on the field. He's versatile enough to play the position, too, earning kudos from Nielsen for his sticky coverage and ability to keep up with receivers.
Savage says he just wants to make plays as he heads towards his first game as a member of the Jaguars on Friday against the Falcons .
"I just want to be around the ball, man," Savage said at the conclusion of Wednesday's training camp practice when asked about his role on defense. "I feel like I could really make the game difficult for offenses … I can wear a lot of different hats.
"Just moving around and just staying in it and just being all over the place, it's fun. It keeps me engaged."
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Darnell Savage (6) looks on during the ninth day of an NFL football training camp practice Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Today marked the first day of public practice inside the stadium.
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Savage shed the red non-contact jersey that he's had since he began training camp this week, participating in his first full-speed action since joining the team.
He was nursing a rotator cuff injury this offseason , but says he feels healthy as the team prepares for their final preseason game.
Doug Pederson joked earlier in camp that Savage wasn't a fan of the non-contact jersey and he couldn't wait to be out of it.
He showed that statement to be true on his first day as a full participant, intercepting Mac Jones in team drills and quipping that he was "breaking the new jersey in" while doing so.
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While Savage wasn't a full participant in most of training camp, he still was able to stay conditioned and active throughout each practice. He also got a close look at how high-powered Nielsen's scheme can be.
Jacksonville Jaguars safety Darnell Savage (6) leaps to catch a pass during the second day of an NFL football training camp practice session Thursday, July 25, 2024 at EverBank StadiumÕs Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]
It allows players more freedom to make plays and invites an attacking style of play rather than reacting to the offense. And with guys who can get after the ball, including Savage, it only adds to the confidence of the team.
"I feel like it's rare that you have a defense that's dynamic because normally you think of offenses are dynamic," he said. "But I feel like this defense is dynamic. It lets the playmakers go make plays. So, I think it's a perfect fit for me."
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So there's only one question left to answer about Savage. How would he like to be classified, safety or cornerback?
"However y'all want to split it, man. However y'all want to split it," he said while laughing and offering a shrug of his shoulders before eventually classifying himself as a defensive back.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars' Darnell Savage 'breaks in' his new jersey with Mac Jones pick
