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Jaguars D.C. Ryan Nielsen isn't concerned about chemistry due to depth-chart flux
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- Jaguars D.C. Ryan Nielsen isn't concerned about chemistry due to depth-chart flux
The Jacksonville Jaguars ' defense has been off to a roaring start during the first couple of days of training camp this year. With multiple interceptions on both of the team's first days, they're squarely in the crosshairs of onlookers for a unit that could surprise after a disappointing end to last season.
At the head of the unit's table is defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen , who was hired after Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson opted to move in another direction defensively this offseason. Pederson let go of the majority of the team's defensive coaches from his first two years on the job, bringing in Nielsen and a slew of new staffers.
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Training camp observations: Day 2 continues with defense getting better of Lawrence
Still, just as it's too early for observers to make grandiose claims about either side of the ball, it's too early for Nielsen to truly evaluate his defenders and the scheme he's laying the foundation for at this time during camp.
Still, Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson praised Nielsen for how he's addressing one of the most important units on the field on Sundays.
"I think it just suits the players, right? I think the players have really bought into that. You're going to see a lot of teaching, a lot of coaching," said Pederson.
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Thursday's practice included a lot of that. And Nielsen commented on some of his teaching style, including an example from Wednesday's session.
"Sometimes we're coaching you hard, we're putting you in adverse situations that we want you to be the best, you know?" Nielsen said when talking about his coaching style.
"Yesterday was a perfect example. 'Hey, let's align a little quicker,' so expect to go out there today and see guys down in their stances and aligning a little quicker. Then, the next day, it might be something else."
Through Nielsen's teachings and the team's expected playmakers, the Jaguars' defense should be functionally better this year, but who will play, where? That question won't be answered for a few weeks.
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Jaguars defensive depth chart remains a mystery on Day 2 of training camp
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen talks to the media ahead of the second day of an NFL football training camp practice session Thursday, July 25, 2024 at EverBank Stadium's Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla.
It's not that Nielsen doesn't want to tip his hand, the Jaguars as an organization simply want to put the best players in the best positions to succeed, getting a full grasp on the evaluations, he explained when asked about the team's defensive depth chart .
"It's probably just an organizational philosophy. Talking with Coach [Head Coach Doug Pederson] and Trent [General Manager Trent Baalke] about how we want to evaluate things like that. I just think it's really important that everyone gets an opportunity," said Nielsen.
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"You guys all know the stories: this guy's buried in the depth chart, he gets his opportunity and all of a sudden he becomes this great player, right? So, we want to evaluate and give those guys chances"
Though there are very likely guys penned in as starters and who get most of the team's first-team reps, the Jaguars are not stopping the buck there. At times through two days of training camp, the Jaguars have intertwined various defenders from all parts of the depth chart into working reps against starters.
Part of the philosophy, as Nielsen explained, is to get players' experiences and to understand which players are the best at their positions. Part two of the equation deals with injuries, and what happens when they inevitably come up. Players now will be better suited to fill in when the need arises.
"So, that's where we're continually rotating and you may see Josh [Hines-Allen] out there with a guy he's never played with, whoever that is," Nielsen said as an example. "Once we get to the season and we've got the guys going to the game, we should all feel confident that anybody who's dressed is able to go in and perform and help us win that game. That's the ultimate goal."
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The Jaguars will continue to operate this way through much of training camp. In about three or four weeks, the team will set the depth chart, Nielsen said.
Now, "we have time to evaluate," he added.
Jaguars not concerned with chemistry issues on defense
One of the primary concerns with the Jaguars opting to split reps up between starters and players further down the depth chart is their ability to remain cohesive and retain chemistry.
That's not a concern for Nielsen, though, who explained there are plenty of reps to go around and they have plenty of time to get the chemistry off and rolling.
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"It's a good question. It kind of takes care of itself. Camp is so long that those guys get enough accumulation of reps. I'm going to guess that we had 1,200 reps over seven weeks of camp, six weeks of camp in one of the places, so that's a lot of reps. Those guys get enough reps together," Nielsen explained.
For example, on Thursday, the Jaguars ran 54 total reps, and the day before they ran 38. That'll fluctuate throughout the summer, giving the Jaguars a better view of the team's front-line players.
"Then it just keeps adding up and adding up and adding up and there are only so many players you have and so many combinations. Those guys will be out there together and then by that time — we're meeting, and you've got walk-throughs. I mean, they're around each other so much, the chemistry is built over time."
The Jaguars will continue addressing the team's defense and adjusting as they receive more accurate of evaluations. That can help moving forward, and it can provide the team with more versatility within the unit as a result.
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"He's got to be able to do all those things, he's got to be able to do all those things well. It's always about, 'What do they do well, and what do we have to help the player get better at?'" said Nielsen.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 .
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars' Ryan Nielsen gives defensive philosophy, depth chart on Day 2
