The NFL announced the dates for each team's start to training camp. On top of that, the league confirmed that the Jacksonville Jaguars will hold three joint practices against all three of their preseason opponents.
You could make the case that this was a formality, as head coach Liam Coen had already revealed the Jags would have joint practices. Either way, it will present several perks regular practices don't regularly offer.
For starters, the coaching staff will get to assess the roster, while the starters will have the opportunity to get live reps without suiting up in the preseason. But aside from the obvious, former NFL offensive lineman Marques Odge recently discussed other advantages of the joint practices.
The Jaguars will benefit greatly from the joint practices
Marques Odgen made an appearance on the Jaguars Squad Show and told co-hosts Mia O'Brien and Tony Wiggins that the joint practices will be beneficial for Jacksonville, noting that the team will practice against players who don't know their tendencies.
"Yeah, absolutely, you're ready to hit somebody else, because at that time the guys you go against know everything about you, your moves, your tendencies, what you're strong and what you're weak at, and so they tend to not go what you're strong at, but what you're weak at," Odgen told co-hosts Mia O'Brien and Tony Wiggins (4:06 mark). "When somebody new, they don't know your tendency, they haven't seen you on, so they haven't seen your progression. I look at you every single day."
Odgen continued, "So absolutely it's great to hit different people because they're saying, 'Wow, it's not fighting I'm used to hitting. They don't know how I play, they don't know how I react to things.' So it's absolutely great, and I think as long as you can control, which I think you know a lot of people doing a great job of this control, all the aggression, all the emotions out there, you're fine as long as you can keep that in control."
On the other hand, Odgen thinks the starters will still need to suit up in the preseason. For instance, he argues that Trevor Lawrence needs to get a few series so he gets used to feeling the pressure and getting hit. Similarly, players looking for a roster spot or vying for a featured/starting role will also get extended playing time.
When will the Jaguars hold training camp?
In case you were wondering, Jacksonville will hold 11 open practices in training camp. Rookies will report for training camp on July 25, and veterans will show up July 28. The joint practices will be held on August 8th (New Orleans Saints in Metairie, Louisiana), August 19th (vs. the Carolina Panthers at Miller Electric), and August 25th (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miller Electric). Below are the dates at Miller Electric:
- Wednesday, July 29
- Thursday, July 30
- Friday, July 31st
- Sunday, August 2
- Monday, August 3
- Friday, August 7
- Sunday, August 9
- Wednesday, August 19/with Carolina
- Sunday, August 23
- Tuesday, August 25/with Tampa Bay
Since Liam Coen became the head coach, the Jaguars have looked for ways to get whatever edge they can. Getting to face other teams in joint practice most definitely fits the category.
