The Jacksonville Jaguars are set to face the Miami Dolphins on the road for their season opener this week. After a strong performance in the preseason, the Jaguars are hoping to carry that momentum into their first regular season game. Head coach Doug Pederson addressed the media this week, discussing the progress of the team’s defensive secondary and how they are preparing to face Miami’s offense.
Regarding the strides made by the defensive secondary since finalizing the roster and the challenge of facing Miami’s wide receivers, Pederson acknowledged the high level of skill and speed that the Dolphins bring on offense. He emphasized that the Jaguars have revamped their secondary, and the new defensive scheme implemented by Defensive Coordinator Ryan Nielsen and Defensive Backs Coach Kris Richard has been beneficial. Pederson also noted that while the Jaguars have some young players in the secondary with limited game experience, this week’s matchup presents a great opportunity for them to focus and compete. He specifically mentioned looking forward to seeing how cornerbacks Tyson Campbell and Ronald Darby perform against Miami’s talented receivers. Pederson expressed respect for the Dolphins’ skill positions and their quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, highlighting Tagovailoa’s ability to quickly get the ball out and make plays.
When asked if he’s glad to be facing Miami’s receivers in Week 1 and how that could prepare the defense for facing other top receivers later in the season, Pederson joked about being reminded of the challenging opponents ahead. He acknowledged that facing a team like Miami is a significant test, but emphasized that this is the kind of competition they want. He noted that while preseason games are important, the regular season is where everyone brings their best, and the Jaguars are ready to put their best foot forward. Pederson sees this as a great opportunity for the entire team to compete at a high level in their first game of the season.