Jaguars Happy Hour: Thursday, June 2

will join us in studio. Oh and about fifteen minutes or so, we'll get his thoughts on arriving in Jacksonville, settling into the Jaguars offense, the o t as, working with a quarterback, all the above, his past in Arizona. He's actually from the Phoenix area and then played for the Cardinals of course the first four or five years of his career before coming over here in free agency. Will will visit with him coming up. Senior writer John

Osier will join us as well. That's at the bottom of the hour and he'll finish the show with us today. Jeff Loghman is out, but he'll be back at some point next week and we'll hear from Bloggs again in the final week of organized team activities will go around the National Football League as well well. Earlier this week, the organized team activities got back underway on Tuesday after

the Memorial Day holiday. Three practices last week, and then the team was off Friday through Monday, the holiday actual holiday on Monday, and then back to work Tuesday. Three practices on the schedule for this week, and by league rule, they can't have more than two in a row this week. Next week there will be four on the schedule at least, and historically teams on that tenth and final O tier it's scheduled for Friday of next week. A lot of times do a team building activity or even you know,

sometimes give the team off. We'll see what Doug Peterson as in mind on the tenth and final O t A of next week. But I will get a chance as media to be out there one day per week. We're out on the O t A number one last week and then out there on Tuesday this week. They started practice on the game field and then a little pop up shower came along. The rain was fine enough, and then a rumble of thunder and and bang, there

you go. The lightning moved the practice indoors into the Dream Finders Homes Flex field for the remainder of the workout, and you know, of course, all eyes are on the quarterback Trevor Lawrence and this offense and how things feel.

And maybe you get a better sense after a week of practices, at least from a head coach Doug Peterson three practices in going in to that fourth practice, he spoke before Tuesday's practice about maybe an overview of the team what he feels after one week of organized team activities.

It was a good week, you know for us. Um again, it was the first time since that first mini camp several weeks ago to be you know out there and the way the way I've got to set up, you know, Um, we're working some first and second down, some third down, some red zone stuff and throughout the courts of the week. So we're throwing a lot at the guys. And right now, the guys have really handled the information. They've taken it from the classroom to the practice field and and that's

really what we want to see right now. You can't see physicality and all that kind of stuff and tackling and all that yet, but um, you know, the guys are they're moving in the right way. They're they're practicing fast, they're they're protecting each other, and that's what we want to see, and that's what I want to see this time year. You gotta love that attitude from Doug Peterson. He just understands the pace of the off season. And

we've talked about this and shows before the last few weeks. Um, I'm not gonna win the super Bowl today, but you can win the super Bowl by being ready to go for the regular season with your team healthy and motivated and locked in and ready. And that's what they're going for right now. The pace of just bringing in the class from the classroom to the practice field. Don't get

anybody hurt right now. You know, we know exactly what we're gonna go over today in this time of year, and we can handle the rest, come training camp and into the regular season to get ready for the opponent week to week. So I'm not gonna reinvent the wheel and do this a different way. He's done it before, he's built it before, he's been in the league, as we've said all over this offseason, since he knows the schedule of how things are supposed to feel, and look

around here, now. Part of the situation here is taking over what happened last year with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Of course, for Doug Peterson, taking over the remnants of the Urban Meyer regime and an organization that was shattered in a lot of different ways in that locker room after everything that happened a year ago. And there's a fine line though on as he said earlier this offseason, regaining the trust of the football team and the people on the

football side after every thing that happened a year ago. Well, there's a fine line between that but still getting work done and pushing the team forward and striving for a few things. Yes, there might be limits to that in the off season program, but there's still some checklist of things they need to get done, and they have to push towards certain things and certain milestones in the off season.

And Doug Peterson earlier this week understands that fine line between regaining the trust and still pushing the players the right way. As as I gained their trust, I can push a little bit harder, um, And there is a fine line there, and there is a balance there, and that just comes from just understanding and really reaching out to the players and and kind of you know, seeing how they react to certain things. Um, you know, I

want to push them in practice. I want to challenge them in practice, but at the same time, I don't want to I don't want to really overstep my bounds a little bit right now, you know with them, and and uh, at the same time, when I do that, I want to see the turn you know, back, you know, towards towards what we're doing. And and That's what I've seen. And so the more the more that we continue to have that that that two way you know, communication and dialogue,

I can continue to push a little bit harder. Obviously, you know, in the off season, we you know, we go a little bit easier. But I think it happens more in training camp when the pads come on and and it gets a little warmer outside and and we can we can really challenge them a little bit more. Yeah, So, you know, step by step, understand that relationship has to grow at some point. And once that relationship grows in, you can push the team a little bit further. He's

been through it before as a player. He gets that whole push and pull that goes on between coaches and players and in the way. This thing has really started. Up here. It's Jaguars Happy Hour on Tintin XL A M and Jaguars dot Com. J P. Shadrick with you, Jeff log him and out this week coming up Christian Kirk Jaguars wide receiver, and then John Osan coming up at the bottom of the hour. Let's hear more from

head coach Doug Peterson. Last week, Trevor Lawrence spoke and talked a little bit about the pace of the defense after the first O t A practice. There were a few plays in the eleven on eleven that we saw in that open practice and in O t A number one where defensive linemen are getting free and rushing the quarterback and he's having a hustle a couple throws out of there. Well, this week Peterson asked about the pace

of defense. Is there really a limit to it? Yes, we know there's no contact officially, but is there a rule on the or a Jaguars rule of sorts against um maybe going a little too hard in practice. And here's what Peterson said. Listen, it's full speed, you know, full speed drills and again, because you're not in pads, it's really hard for the offensive defensive lines to really you know, kind of control the pace of place sometimes and and you know it's just it's hard, it's really hard.

But at the same time, you know, um, it's sort of it's sort of the fun of it, you know, the competition of it, and and really to see the competitive juices flowing a little bit out there on the practice field and you know, um, you know, obviously the quarterback feels it when when the pocket you know, is collapsed a little bit. But again, because we're not in pads, it's really hard to to anchor and you know, grab a hold of something you know, I guess like a

shoulder pad to to stop a rushing line. Yeah, so it's tough to evaluate. Especially in the trenches this time of year, you'll get a little bit of work and they actually have flipped at least in the practice we saw this week on Tuesday, some of the positions on the offensive line from drill to drill. There was a walker little working at left tackle and then over at right tackle and the Jowan Taylor was getting some left

tackle reps also. Just at least put him out there in a scenario or two and just see what you have Cama. Robinson was not available on two day and there was a report that he is back in the building or was back on the building on Wednesday and maybe the rest of the weeks. That's good news moving ahead, and maybe next week we'll see a little Cam Robinson in the building after he signed that big contract a

little earlier this offseason. Another position group of note for the Jaguars, and it's been something this organization has been trying to deal with really since Marcedes Lewis left, and that's the tight end position, and they've thrown money at a bunch of different guys over the years. Of course, we know that Julius Thomas that didn't work out, Austin Seferi and Jenkins nope, Tyler Eiffort at a moment but

not really. Um. Meanwhile, Morcedes Lewis, by the way, is still playing for the Green Bay Packers, and uh, you know it's going to take him a few years, but if he hung around a couple three more years, he'll be close to the most all time games played by a tight end in league history. It's Jason Witten at two seventy one, Mercedes at two thirty four. He's a Packer. He's not a jag R, but he was a long time Jaguar. They've been trying to figure it out since then,

but now they've made some changes to that. Of course this year, Evan Ingram comes in this year and we'll hear from John Oser coming up. I think he caught up with Evan Ingram earlier this week, who came in in free agency and was a former first round pick. And we'll see what he can do in this offense. And you know the feeling just talking to guys like Bucky Brooks and some and Jeff Lockman who's seen him in practice. It's at least a time or two. The early field is that it's not just a true online

tight end. I mean he's gonna be out there wide and making plays on the outside. That's the idea behind it. Dan Arnold's the same way he had moments of that last season and is healthy now and he's out on the practice field and that Luke Farrell was a draft pick last year. Chris man Hurts is the lead blocking option there. That was the idea going into last season and actually caught the first ever touchdown pass from Trevor Lawrence last season. Trivia answer a little later down the

line in his career. But there's some other tight ends on the roster right now that our project idea type players. A guy like nas Bohannon who came in and the rookie minicamp as a tryout player, and well he's he played basketball at Clemson to wrap up his career and has not played football, but at least early looks the part, moves the right way, can make some plays in this o t a period. That's a project moving ahead. Other guys on the roster, great Grayson Gunner a rookie, and

Garrett Prince also a rookie. So a deeper room right now. And Doug Peterson asked about the tight ends earlier this week. A lot of bodies in there, um, which is exciting. You know, I think it's uh, I think it's a

strong part of our team right now. Um, it's a it's a really good group, veteran group, you know, leadership in there with with Dan and Chris and and even with Evan now you know, adding there and really like we're whoke is and how he's progressed this offseason and and then the young guys are still learning, you know, they've only been with us a couple of weeks now, but um, I'm I'm encouraged by that group, you know,

and and really looking forward again too. I think training camp when when the Pats come on and watching them and their their physicality and blocking and and um, you know how how well they perform, and think about the tight ends and what the importance of that position was for the Eagles back in their championship run in and you'll get an idea of what that means for Doug Peterson and Press Taylor in this offensive group going into the campaign. At least, that's the hope that tied end.

You mix those guys in with wide receivers like Christian kirk wool here from coming up and a veteran receiver like Marvin Jones who has a long streak of games with a reception, and you know, younger guys on this roster they feel like can be an impact group in this passing game than an improved quarterback on top of all that, that could be a nice combination for this Jaguars offense. That's the idea, at least moving into this season.

We've got putting ahead on the show a little later we'll hear from John Ozer, Jaguars dot Com senior writer. That's at the bottom of the hour and also coming up in a moment, Christian kirk Jaguars wide receiver, the

free agent signing from the Arizona Cardinals. The Jaguars are future focused and ready for a new look in join us to the bank this season as head coach Doug Peterson and quarterback Trevor Lawrence leave the charge through a great home schedule the games in Jacksonville this year preseason, the Browns and the Steelers are coming in and then in this order in Jacksonville the home games the Colts, the Texans, the Giants, Raiders, Ravens, Cowboys, and the Titans.

Tickets available Jaguars dot Com Slash tickets are called nine oh four six three three two thousand Wide Receiver Christian Kirkins Studio. And we return. It's Jaguars Happy Hour on the Jaguars Digital Network. Welcome back Jaguars Happy Hour on tinton x, l a M and Jaguars dot Com plus the Jaguars social media channels Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Busy schedule at Daily's Place coming up Saturday, June four, The

Jacksonville Taco and Margarita Festival. The Doobie Brothers June five, two nights of the Dave Matthews Band The Black Crows. Much more ahead this summer. Tickets if they're available at Daily's Place dot com wide receiver Christian Kirk. Are you gonna go to any of these shows? You a concert guy? What's up? How are you? I'm great? Thanks for the time. I'll see. I was just looking at the at the schedule. I'll see if I can I can make one of those.

It looks fun. It's a great schedule, and that it's only the beginning. I mean it's all June, July, August, going into the season, which you may not have time during the season. But right, thanks for the time. Welcome in. It's our first opportunity, I think to sit down together. And how are you feeling so far? O? T A S. Are here? Week two? What's up? It's great? You know,

like you said, it's week two. O. T A S. And I was just talking about it a little bit early or it's it's hard not to to get into that that groove and and feel like, oh I gotta be ready, you know, and and be ready to play like we have a game on Sunday, and just the competitive juices are flowing and we're going against the defense, and just the important thing right now is just working

through all the kinks. These are the times to make mistakes and uh, now that we're learning a new system and whatnot, you know, we're just trying to learn all the nuances and you know, get ready for training camp. I'm curious about that process of learning a new offense. We talked about the quarterbacks part of it all the time. He's got so many things to worry about. Line play, you guys on the outside, running back, the running everything.

But from a wide receiver's perspective, how friendly is this offense for a guy like you? And how difficult is it to to learn all the nuances of it? Yeah, it's very you know friendly for a receiver and you know, all of us as weapons because it allows us to be all interchangeable, and you know, it challenges you to know every position on the field and the more you know, the more opportunities you get to be in different ots

to go out and make plays. And uh, Coach Peterson and you know Press have done a great job of you know, making this offense, Uh, you know, fairly easy to learn, and the transition has been you know, very fairly simple. And you know, we get a lot of time during O t A s you know, in the classroom man on the field, So uh, they don't just

throw it all at you and tell you to learn it. Uh. They do a good job facilitating, you know, being able to to get through and get some reps and and just learning all the things that they want to accomplish. When you hear Trevor Lawrence talking through the offense and those different things you guys install over time, I'm guessing it comes out pretty clear from him that he knows

what's up on this offense. Yeah, and you know he does a great job and meetings, um, you know kind of adding you know what he's thinking on a certain play or you know what he's expecting in certain expectations, you know, for us, and it keeps that open line of you know, communication and everything's transparent. So uh, you know he's done a great job in that aspect. Christian Kirk is with US Jaguars wide Receiver here on Jaguar's Happy Hour. You know there's a lot of new faces

around here. You're one of them. Here's a Jones coming in, got a couple of Vets in that room, and Marvin Jones has been in the league forever. It feels like, um, how difficult is it or is it at all to to get that camaraderie? Is that overplayed? Is that overhyped sometimes that oh they gotta get time together and figure out the room or is that a real thing for wide receivers. I would say it's like the first week. Uh, you know, it's like it's like going to a new school,

you know, especially for me. You know, you're you're learning all your classmates and you know who's who, and you know the different personalities. But you know, like I said, after that first week, I mean you settle in and you know, we're all guys out there playing football and having fun and um, you know, just our room in general, you know, we have so many good guys like you

mentioned Za, you have Marv. You know who's the vet and you know it's played a lot of ball and it's always good to have a guy like that in the room and you know, still compete at a high level. And then you have Laviska and La Kwan, you know, and some younger guys that you know, it's it's a good dynamic that we have and you know, we have a lot of fun with it. And you know, Coach Jackson has done a great job just pushing us every day. What does coach Jackson do, especially you know, the first

time with him, So what what stands about out about him? Honestly, I haven't had a chance to meeting yet, So what stands out about his his coaching? Yeah, I mean he brings energy every single day. And I think the big thing for us is, you know, we have so much talent in our room. We have to hold ourselves to a high standard and there's a lot of expectation from us and we know that and and that's our job

to deliver. And so anytime anything is not up to our standard, uh, they're gonna, you know, be held accountable and uh, you know we like that, and uh, you know, we just want to go out and be the best group on the field every single Sunday and that's what we're working towards. Now. Christian Kirk is with us. It seems like, you know, we're just kind of meeting for the first time. But you've settled in a little bit here, right you've you're you're in the in the element now.

But how much of a whirlwind was this offseason leading into free agency and everything that happened and all of a sudden you're at a press cott, for instance, this contract coming in. Uh, it seems like that was just boy, let me get through this and get back to football. How wild was this offseason? It was nuts? You know, looking back at it, Um, there's so many unknowns and you have expectations and then your expectations are flipped upside

down and you because everybody's process is different. You know, the guys that have been through a free agency and you know, I had to talk to a couple of guys that have been through it, and uh, they're like, it always ends up the opposite of what you think. And you know that's what it was for me. You know, I I had known that about Jacksonville. Obviously we had came here and played last year. But uh, obviously had

no clue where I was gonna end up. And you know, after you know, got the call and then the next thing I know, I'm on a fly. I land here at two am. I'm up at five am for over here in the suit my suits you know, halfway wrinkled, and I'm trying to pull it all together. You know, it's it's a little bit of a whirlwind. But I couldn't be happier, you know, being here, Christian k it was with us a Shiaguars happy hour on tinton x l a M and Jaguars dot Com. And all right,

let's go back a little bit now. I mean, you grew up in Arizona, right Scott's just Saguaro High School. Did a little research here, David Spade went to school there, the comedian, A handful of NFL guys. Who else in the end, I mean, you guys had some really good football teams with Saguaro. So who other guys are anybody else in the league right now? Yeah? Um, you know, we we have Byron Murphy who was a teammate of

mine in Arizona as well. Me and Byron played a year together at Sorrow, and then Dj Foster as well. Dj was a senior when I was a freshman. Um, but we've had you know, Mike Brown, and you know a couple of other guys you know go to the NFL. But um, you know, coach Mons has been coaching me since I was about I would say seven or eight years old, and he's the head coach over there now and they just won the Open division, you know, state championship. That that means you get the crown in Arizona. And

I couldn't be more proud than than them. But um, you know, that was definitely some of the highlight of years of my career. You guys want a lot of state titles, right, don't call me sir, my bad, my bad. We won, We won three. We went three while I was there. Yeah, only three, only three? You missed one. Yeah, that's okay. It was sophomore. We're in a little bit of a rebuild. Were young. I'm curious to you go

from Arizona to you go on the recruiting trail. I'm sure at some point and all of a sudden end up at A and M. That was coach someone's time there were you like being courted. That was probably when Manzielle was still quarterbacking at A and M. Right, was that that time period Johnny had left I want to say two years, so two years I was on the trail before you came. So, so Kenny Hill was a quarterback the year before I got there. So, um My, one of my best friends from Arizona, Kyle Island, who

now plays for the Houston Texans. He was quarterback at Texas A and M and Kyler Murray. Me and Kyler Murray were in the same class. Uh so I had a lot of ties there and I wanted to play in the SEC, had always wanted to. And uh, coach someone had brought that spread offense and that dynamic offense to the SEC and had the opportunity to play early as a freshman. So it was a no brainer for me. Freshman of the Year in the SEC back in that mentioned Kyler Murray right then all of a sudden you

get to play with him in Arizona. That kind of a quarterback, that kind of a dynamic player who all of a sudden Kentucket and run for fifty yards. How challenging is that? How rewarding is that for an offense too? Can go both ways when you have a guy like Kyler Murray's status. Yeah, you know he was. He was always dynamic and it was just another um facet of our offense that you know, you had to deal with.

And uh that's what makes them special. He does things like that makes plays with his legs and with his arm as well, and all a sudden, you're running down field. Wait a minute, you're running by me. What's happening right right? Yeah, No, there's there's there's plenty of times where that happened. Christian kirk Is with US Jaguars wide receiver. A couple more

men us with you here. Um so a few weeks into this offseason program, now with two weeks left, well, this week, next week's the final we go tis, then there's the mandatory mini camp after that, all of sudden, us the off season, You've had all this time in the offense, as you said, step by step getting this thing going. Well, what's the field? Can can this be a unit that turns it in one year? It's possible with the NFL to do that. But do you have

some of those pieces that foundation in place? You feel like right now, I definitely think we have the pieces and we're we're still laying the foundation. Um. I think some of those questions will be answered a little bit more and when we get into training camp. We want answers now. We don't want to wait to training. Hey, I want all the answers now too. I I want to know how many games we're gonna win and you know go to the playoffs as well. But uh, like

I said, this is what this process is. But um, I have been you know, fairly impressed with how we've been able to progress every single day, you know, offensively and defensively. And um, like I said, just the energy in the culture around this this building, and you could tell there's just there's a sense of excitement and you know I have it as well, and you know we're gonna we're shooting, you know, for the for the for

the sky's the limit. Starts with Doug, right, Doug Peterson and the way he kind of walks around every day and he's been there and done that as a player. As a coach, he's want to ring. He doesn't flash it in your face and everybody just goes to work. It's like, I mean, that's this game is confidence and uh, you know, having that mentality that uh you know, when you step on the field, you know you're you're the best team that day, and uh you know, especially individually too.

So he definitely brings that swager in that confidence and it rubs off on all of us. All right, final thought here with the off season coming up. What are some of your plans. Do you're gonna get away, do you get to work? You're gonna do some work with a quarterback? How does that work in your off season

coming up? Yeah, I'm definitely gonna spend some time with Trevor and Um, you know, making sure we're we're still you know, keeping connected, you know, going into training camp, and I'm gonna head back to Arizona and pack up the rest of my stuff and bring it on out here to Jacksonville and get ready for an incredible season. You got all the stuff out there, but the golf clubs made it here apparently right, both says the golf clubs made it up. Yeah, yeah, both says made it

out here. I don't travel without my golf clubs. That's a good, good way to live. So, who's the best golfer on the team? At least you've played with so far? Oh, final Tuck. I mean, I haven't played with a ton of guys. I'm sure the specialists are always good, so sure of you know, Logan is probably really good or you know, I I have Honestly, it's it's usually me and Trevor that play Um and I heard CJ is pretty good as well. You know, some of the QBS

backup quarterbacks a lot of times are pretty good too. Yeah, so how's the starting quarterback. He's getting there, he's getting there, but he's not there. I mean, are any of us there? We're never always Yeah. I mean, if you're an amateur golfer, are you are you even there? So where are you going? It was the question that that is I think we all I want to act like we can make it on tour at some point, but that's never gonna happen. So I don't think we're ever gonna You're already talking

yourself out of it. I mean, you're already beating hopeful. Hopefully I play football long enough to where that that's not even a venture for me. Excellent point. Hey, Christian, thanks for the time. Man. It's great to see you, and I'm actually to have you as part of the Jaguars. We're back at the moment, we're just getting started. It's Jaguars Happy Hour on the Jaguars Digital Network. What you want to see from elite quarterbacks. One, when they're throwing,

the ball doesn't hit the ground. The ball doesn't hit the ground because there's a level of execution and consistency between thrower and catcher. Easy the ball doesn't hit the ground. It looks like they're in rhythm and is scenk and I saw that today. I saw what I would deem to be a high level set of execution up practices and what they're being asked to do from Trevor. I wanted to see the ball in the strike zone consistently. When we talk about the strike zone, the strike zone

is Torso ball ways to hire inside the window. The receivers are not having to work a lot to make catches, and we're seeing that Revor Launce is very accurate. We're seeing the ball come out with plenty of pace and those things. And then the final part of it is when you transition from doing individual to group stuff to then compete against the team. Does Trevor know where to go with the ball and doesn't know how to do

it in a timely fashion? I think he saw that even when they rented up in seven or seven and nine or seven things against the defense, he looked like he had a pretty clear idea where to go. That is Bucky Brooks from the Huddle Up podcast earlier this week. Um Jaguars dot Com imagine this. It's on the podcast link on the team website or the official Jaguars podcast network. Welcome back, It's Jaguars Happy Our J P. Shaddrick with you today and Jeff Flagerman will be back, will be

back with us next week. John Osier is with us now Jaguars dot Com Senior writer. He's also a part of the Huddle Up podcast, Am and You heard it replacement for Jeff Logerman. I tell you that we we're glad you're here though, thank you for taking the time. We're should cheers to you, and um, there's plenty to discuss this week. O T a second week, you know, and then after the end of this week there'll be six O T s down, four officially left to go

next week. Who knows about the tenth win. A lot of times that's a either a canceled or a team building or a one of those days. But hey, that that comment there from Bucky about just the cleanliness of the offense, right, that's that's kind of what you're looking for your You don't want the ball over the ground, all over the place. And I think you and I were kind of talking on the practice field the other day on Tuesday about this. It's really about sixteen. That's

really what this thing boils down to. It's about him and how he's performing and feeling and the rest is great. But you don't have to get a trigger in the football. Yeah, I mean, you know, oversimplify it what you want right now. With Trevor, they've chosen. I mean, he's a guy number one overall. You choose he's the guy, and you better

build everything around him to succeed. And then you want to get to a point where your roster is you know, similar better worst been in the same range as other rosters, and then that guy elevates you. Maybe that's not fair to every game, but over the course of time, if you're equal and you've got that guy behind center, then all of a sudden, games should start going your way and you get to nine wins, ten wins, eleven wins. Um. You know. So, because he was number one overall pick,

it's very much built around him. And then after five years and that contract goes up, he better be able to elevate everybody. Uh. I can't rightfully tell you JP based on a summertime, no pad practice. If he's elevating people. Yet, but as Buckey alluded to, the ball looks right coming out of his hand. It is going and the proper strikes own. You don't have a lot of guys reaching for it in seven on seven where it's horrible passes and you wonder what in the world this guy is doing.

I mean that can hurt players too, if they're like reaching weird places and tweaks and this and that, and it overall just hurts confidence efficiency. Right now, this time of year, for a quarterback, it's supposed to be easy a lot with with you know, especially in non seven on seven, nine eleven. He looks comfortable. He looks, you know, like he's not clouded with his head, he's not thinking

about other things. He looks like he's supposed to look, which you know, after nine ten years of talking this time of year, JP, you know, I always say at this point, you can't prove anything about how you're going to do next season, but you can look as good as you can possibly look. And right now, Trevor Lawrence in the offense, you know, to me, they look the

part so far. I don't know what that means when not a had to go on but I'd rather be saying that than oh, we just hearned from Christian Kirk a moment ago Jaguars wide receivers in studio here and our first real chance to sit down with him, um since he since really the press conference, I think and uh kind of getting his head and it felt like

that press conference just wasn't his comfort zone. Like every everything's going on, big contract everything, there's some outside criticism all that, but just hearing his tone in the last twenty minutes or so, he's locked in now and it feels like he's in his element where he's I don't know if he's running the wide receiver room per se. There are some veteran guys in there, but he might have that type of personality where he just does his business and kind of people follow the way he goes

about it. And his skill set, obviously is something they were searching out in free agency. His ability to to learn and play different positions on the offense. And I don't think that's just his role. I think that's a lot of these receivers roles as you've got to learn these different spots, so play callers like Doug Peterson, the O C and press Taylor can move you around and match you up in different situations, and that's that's going

to be perfect. I think for Christian Kirk, everything you hear about him is that he's a guy you want your wide receiver room. He approaches everything the right way. He's a pro if you will. Uh. That feels like what they were going after in free agency and the draft. He seems to define that. You know, at at five eleven six ft, I can't sit here and rightfully say that he's ever going to be a quote true X outside I mean true why wide receiver guy that's going

to dominate opponents physically. But it does very much seem like if their goal was to upgrade the wide receiver position overall, create more talent, more ability to strain defenses, a guy who can play everything that you want him to play for you offensively at that receiver position. It seems like they've got that guy. Uh. I've had a lot of conversations about Christian Kirk with Pete Prisco, who covers the NFL Here covers the NFL and CBS Sports.

He's very tight with Sean Jefferson, who coach Christian Kirk. Pete keeps telling me John Sean Jefferson believed really highly in this guy, says he controlled the room in Arizona with DeAndre Hopkins Larry Fitzgerald as an influence. UH. That seems real to me, you know, and it seems to line up. I talked I talked with Christian uh a day or two ago. He's impressive in how he approaches things. He's impressive and seems very professional. It seems like he's

going to fit into this. You know, I can never pre dick when you first bring a guy in, how good they're going to be. You can get a bad feeling about a guy. Though. You don't have that feeling about Christian Shirk. Christian Kirky feeling no matter what happens, he's going to figure out a way to contribute and make this room better. I don't know how you look up to a contract and free hd JP. I mean, so throwing that out the window. What they wanted to do with free agency is raise and get and get

this thing better. It seems like Christian Kirk did that eighteen million dollars better. I don't I don't know how you do that, but I don't think they care about that. That much in terms of how do you do that. I believe they're better with this kid on the team. You get a base level of player level better this team and that helps that. I mean, you just gotta have better players. Yeah, and it cost money. It certainly seems like he fits that bill to me. John Osan's

with the Jaguars dot Com senior writer. It's Jaguars Happy Hour on tint xel am and Jaguars dot com and the Jaguars social media channels Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. Oh you go from one pass catcher to another. That you caught up earlier this week with John and Evan Ingram. Another free agency edition that Jaguar spent some money, I think the most in free agency this year around the National Football League. I think a total of three million

dollars over the contracts we're put out. That's that's a lot going out. A lot of that on offense, of course, Christian Kirk got the biggest bulk of that. Evan Ingram got a year's share of that though, and a former first round pick, uh, you know, and another guy who you can move around. He's not just a tight end off the right tackles, hit blocking, he's out there and they can catch us down the field wide. As we can see if you're watching on Jaguars dot Com. He

he did some with New York with the Giants. That's the idea again here in Jacksonville, I think, and again this time of year, you're trying to project and you're trying to put in perspective what in my all mean. I there's something about the Ingram signing to me that seems overlooked. It seems like there was so much focus on Christian Kirk and so much talk among fans and

observes about what they didn't do. Um. I think the way Ingram plays, I don't know that there's going to be that much difference in a lot of plays and how he's used, as it would be with the wide receiver. So there was a lot of anks among the families where they didn't improve wide receiver enough. They didn't do this enough. You know, Ingram is a tight end, but conceptually, if what you were doing was trying to add elements around Trevor Lawrence, this was a guy who did that.

And again we're not gonna try to give away too much with what they're trying to do scheme wise, because they're not gonna show us everything anyway, But this guy is moving around a lot in the offense. Uh, he is going to be a piece. And I can't imagine that there aren't a lot of plays where he plays a role much like that quote one wide receiver that

everybody wanted in the offseason. So, um, he might be the key of the free agent class and he might be the and Kirk's gotta be good, don't get me wrong. But the thing that pushes him over the top, thing that gives him that tool that maybe people thought they didn't go get is Angram And and he's I'll tell you, I don't always say hey, go listen to the podcast. You know Ingram is really an interesting guy to talk to.

He has a really good perspective on this. Um, you know, he knows this is a huge chance and the one year deals approved deal, one year nine million dollar contractor Yeah, he's I have a good feeling about this guy and his his ability to do what they're asking to do in this game. He certainly thinks this is going to be the year that pushes him into I don't know what elite means, but but pushes him into a place

where he goes and makes a lot of money. Uh. He thinks it's gonna be a year where he breaks out. He loves Doug Peterson's offense. He's wanted to play for Doug Peterson tight end. We've been talking about it for how many years? J V we talked about earlier. I mean I listened to some guys Julius Thomas, Safarian Jenkins, Tyler Eifford. I mean, I've tried so many different ways to figure it out since Mercedes. It feels like this group with Ingram Arnold ah manners more of a block

and we can catch it. Feels like Ingram and Arnold. Uh. I hate to say it, but might be the guys at this position if this team has been waiting for for so long long and I laugh because we've been saying it for so long that it'll fall on deaf ears, But boy do they look different in O T A S. Then that position has looked ever here. I'm excited to hear the podcast because I haven't had a chance to visit with Evan Ingram yet. We'll be on our Jaguars media Yeah, on the website Jaguars dot com. On the

podcast where that you listen to your podcast. Yeah, wherever you download your comment, but whatever you want. It's uh. We we love feedback. We didn't feed that exact if it's bad, and then I don't love to feed that. At least you know what it is. Criticism either way is constructive. No, you're not. You're not buying into all about praise. Okay, I love it. Hey, we'll take a time out. We'll come back. John. We're gonna go around

the National Football League that you're sticking around with us. Sure, thanks not feedback. I appreciate it. Thank you. I really do around the league with John Osan when we come back and listen to his podcast. The ozone podcast on the official Jaguars podcast network is Jaguars Happy Hour on the Jaguars Digital Network Welcome Back Jaguars Happy Hour on a Thursday, and they look outside on Jaguars dot Com and the Jaguars social channels at the footprint of the

Football Performance Center. Well earlier this week there was actual steel going up for the first time it's been concrete. The foundation. Some walls on the side are kind of there now being held up by props on the side, but they actually put some steel beams across a couple of those today, earlier this week. Actually, um, so they're moving right along. It's hard work. I spent some time out there of steel JP. I thought you looked strong. Well, yeah, I mean it's in the morning. That's what I did.

That kind of a d drive I was that I was. That's yeah. I was going to mention something. You you look like you've been in the weight room. Yeah, it's a task. It's a heavy lift, as they said, it certainly is. That's why you leave it with the professionals. And of course that is scheduled to open training camp of three. And you know, we we eat lunch here

um every day. Right, So after lunch I come, I walked down the ramp outside and I just I stand out over the ramp overlooking this thing, just to see what's going on, right, and just think on it, and just think on it, you know, think through it. See what's next. I wonder what beam is next, right, all right, wonder what concrete they have to pour next. But I stood out there a few weeks ago and watched them

tear down the old coal zone building. Talk him about twenty minutes, I was gone, and here comes the beam. The other day. And um, I mean every day there's something new going. It's it's it's fascinating. So the footprints massive too, it's huge. It's it's been needed for a long time. Uh, it's it's tough to win free agents to maintain what you want in this league right now if your facilities are not at least on par as the league goes for it have to be the best

every year. But you know, there is a changing face of the league and it does reflect Uh, players love that kind of thing, as they should. It reflects the direction of the organization. And I think this will be a a a huge thing for player retention, image, etcetera. It's been needed for a while and it's gonna be

cool to say. I mean, it's and then they've talked about this, Mark Lamping has talked about it in the public settings before the space inside the stadium was so, I mean it's the original footprint and it's the smallest footprint in the NFL. And then you've got coaches and hallways and closets working, and the weight room spills out onto the concourse. I mean, that's the smallest in the league. The NFL um in was a different beast than it is now. You didn't have nearly as much marketing, you

didn't have nearly as much forward facing. Our department didn't exist, it was none of that. It was well, there was a broadcast department, but it was it was smaller only digital. Uh my job didn't exist, which would be arguments to be made now. But yeah, but remember when I got to the Colts in two thousand one, which a few years after that. By the time I left there ten years later, that place had had to add on to it's building if I'm remembering right, at least once, perhaps twice.

But they were off site. They were not inside their stadium, so there was room on their campus if you will to grow here. Remember there's no inside the building. You're inside the building. Um. So it's been very necessary, and you know, I would anticipate this place being built for growth not being an issue anymore. But it's been very necessary and it will be state of the art. It's been you know something, he's not updated for twenty seven years. It gets out of date. This new place will in

no way be that. It's the first step in a line of things to come around and to the stadium. Of course, the Football Performance Center is number one to open the shipyards project four seasons. The office building over there is next on the docket, and I think they'll really start the summer to to make some true moves there. Um. And then the state of you in the future will will come up at some point down the line for

the latest. Checkout first Downtown Jack's dot Com and you'll get the latest on the happenings around and with the stadium project and everything around the stadium too. And there's a lot there's dust flying, there's roads closed, John, you feel it every day. I remember a few weeks ago you try to come in and you got twisted and turned around. I couldn't find your way, but they were

gonna let me in. I did make it. And you know, um, people who watch and read these shows, note I was here ninety three when they got the team, and then here when it first came about. Uh. I'm glad forever, however much longer I have in this business. There is a point of pride. It would be really cool to see this place. Go up the performance Center, to see the stadium renovated, which at some point it's going to be renovated, To see this environment down here. Uh, dramatically changed.

I don't know. I don't know how close the prototypes will eventually be to what actually is. But considering where it came from DP old MANU to death, I can remember ninety four I was coming to the University of Florida and yes, yes they were uh, and I didn't I was living in Middleburgh. I was living sort of between Jacksonville and Games. Were working for the Florida Times Union,

so I didn't drive into town that much. I remember one time driving across one of the bridges and looking over and seeing and people who were in town in the nineties will remember this dynamic You drove through and the stadium was basically up on a jacket, looked like because everything else had been taken away and it was

just one of these pieces of the stadium was up there. Um. And I remember going to the old Gator Bowl, so so all that stuff to see what it's gonna be now, to see that it's going to be stable going forward, and state of the yard as it would be. Uh, it's a cool feeling for this old sentimental type. Good for you, man, I might even bring a tear to my eye. It looks like it might. There's no crying in baseball, No, there's not. Or football, Curly, let's go

around the National Football League quickly. The Richmond Times Dispatch in Virginia is reporting this week the Commanders or proposing a new stadium that would have just fifty five thousand seats. Accordinated Pro Football Talk, FedEx Field had the league's largest capacity from old Ford to thousand. That's a big difference. Yeah, it's uh. I grew up a huge fan of the

Washington football team. UH two. I think that they're going from is staggering and telling um when I was a kid, which back in the day, the sellout streak was one of the staples of the league at that place. And it's understandable why they built it so large when they did it in uh go four four because the thinking

at that point is bigger, bigger, bigger. It's telling that that stateium in that mark, even the team has struggled, is reducing to that's about the right number for the NFL these days, and it's about bringing it back in line. It's more about premium seating, luxuries, et cetera. But these cavernous stadiums of old uh you know, it's just too big. News nine in Denver reporting this week the Broncos ownership bidding down to a second round coming up Monday. Four

groups are in the hunt. The hope is to have the transaction finalized by the start of the regular season. And John, you can probably hit the a t M for the price of five billion dollars and get the team if you wanted it. Well, it's it's but you know that it shouldn't be overlooked these old traditional franchises, which the Broncos are one of those, one of the successful, one of the glamour teams. I think they're maybe not quite in that old school, but they're there. Don't change

hands that often, so it's a significant thing. Fully. Pat Bowling was a major owner in this league for a long time. We'll look forward to the ozone podcast coming up. It'll be good. I've been listening to it. Thanks for the time, man, Thanks always great to see it. Well, just walk outside with each other, that's true. John Ozar, Jaguars dot Com senior writer. Thanks to Christian Kirk as well Jaguars wide receiver Brent Reeber on the video side,

Joe Fortunado on the audio. For everyone, involved. I'm JP Shadrick. We will catch you next time. It's Jaguars Happy Hour on the Jaguars Digital Network.