O-Zone Podcast: Judy Battista Copied! Tony Dejak/Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell holds a Jacksonville Jaguars jersey as he announces that the Jaguars had chosen Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the first pick in the NFL football draft, Thursday April 29, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
JACKSONVILLE – The feeling was obvious and overwhelming.
It was the energy of a new era – and a new beginning – and it was Judy Battista s major takeaway from a first-hand look at one of the biggest stories in Jaguars history. My first impression is how much optimism and energy there was, Battista, a columnist and reporter for NFL.com and NFL Media, said recently when discussing her visit to Jacksonville before and during the 2021 NFL Draft.
Rick Scuteri/Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved Clemson running back Travis Etienne runs for a touchdown against Ohio State during the second half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
JACKSONVILLE – Travis Etienne is good. Really good.
It s how the Jaguars new running back thinks of that concept that could key his development as he moves from Clemson University to the NFL. What makes Travis special is he really doesn t fully comprehend how good he is, Tony Elliott told jaguars.com this week. It keeps him humble; it keeps him working. I m amazed at some of the things he s able to do on a football field. I can see the potential he still has ahead of him.
Young Kwak/Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Stanford head coach David Shaw looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State in Pullman, Wash., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
JACKSONVILLE – He s a natural tackle, born to play it.
That s one thing Stanford University Head Coach David Shaw will tell you quickly about Walker Little, an offensive tackle selected by the Jaguars in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Another thing Shaw will tell you:
If not for some unusual circumstances in the past two years, Little likely would have been one of the first 15 or so players selected this past weekend.
Mike from Atlanta, GA
Running back Travis Etienne isn t the only one who can line up wide and in the backfield. Wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. can take handoffs, too. He s built like a running back. What will the offense look like? Is running back James Robinson a mostly early-down running back? Is this sort of going to look like a modernized version of the old Houston Oilers run-and-shoot?
Precisely what the offense will look like will be among the fascinating storylines of 2021 Jaguars Training Camp and preseason. I would expect a lot of run-pass-option looks with heavy emphasis on the running game – particularly next season. It feels like coaches will emphasize the run to avoid undue early pressure on quarterback Trevor Lawrence to carry the offense. But while I don t expect the offense to be traditional under-the-center with straight handoffs to a tailback, I wouldn t expect a modernized version of the run-and-shoot; the run-and-shoot was heavily skewed to the pass with