Jaguars Insider Podcast: Is the Defense Evolving?

Today’s Jacksonville Jaguars Insider podcast focuses on some big changes that could be coming for the defense.

To listen to today’s episode, watch above.

Jaguars safety Darnell Savage spoke out this week. Below is a transcript.

Q: Is there any extra excitement in his former team’s game?

Savage: “No, because this is already an exciting game as it is. It’s championship week for us because it’s next week, so we’re ready to go 1-0 every week, just keep going in the right direction.”

Q: How has he adapted to his role amid changes to the supporting staff?

Savage: “Yeah, I mean we don’t have Tyson (CB Tyson Campbell), injuries, that’s just a big part of this game, just kind of what comes with it. I missed a little bit of time as well, so I’m working with everyone there and getting on the same page in terms of communication and playing together again. We haven’t all been there at the same time since camp so we’ve gotten back into the swing of things and improved communication and stuff. I think the unique thing about our room is that we can all play a lot of different positions and then when you have a guy like Tyson back, I mean, he can go toe-to-toe with anybody, so that makes it a lot easier as well. “

Q: How to account for all of Green Bay’s offensive weapons?

Savage: “They certainly have a lot of good weapons there, which a lot of good teams in this league have, but at the end of the day there is football. So you just have to do your job every play and be ready and believe the ball is coming to you every play no matter what. As long as we continue to maintain that mindset and just make plays when they come to us, we’ll be fine.”

Q: On his transition to playing safety full time?

Savage: “Yeah, I thought it was decent. I thought the communication itself was good, me and Dre (S Andre Cisco), just talking about some things there. I thought it was good. It’s a lot easier to write it off after a win, but yeah, I definitely thought it was good. I felt comfortable there and all that, so that’s good.”

Q: What does he think of CB Jarrian Jones’ progress this season so far?

Savage: “J-Dub, he’s a good player. We’re just trying to keep it fresh for him. It’s easy for things to get a bit repetitive and the same as a beginner. So keep it fresh for him, keep showing him different looks and keep him attentive. But I think he’s doing really well. He’s not afraid to ask us questions or anything like that. We also have some great DB coaches, so they keep us ready for anything as well.”

Q: About the impact of DE Josh Hines-Allen and DE Travon Walker in the secondary?

Savage: “We talk about it all the time, just hustle and coverage, working together. We have to cover long enough for them to get home, and they have to rush fast enough so we don’t cover too much. So we work together. It won’t always be perfect. They won’t always go back there, but now they seem to go back there a good amount. Well, those are big, strong guys, so it’s kind of scary for a quarterback out there trying to read or read or whatever when you’ve got those guys trying to bring you down. We really enjoyed having them rush the way they did.”

Q: On his assessment of Green Bay’s secondary?

Savage: “Yeah, they’ve definitely got some good players there and like I said before, like most of the good teams in this football league. As for me, I’m worried about the offensive side of the ball. I’m not too worried about those guys over there. I know Doug (head coach Doug Pederson) and Trev (QB Trevor Lawrence) and all those guys will be ready to go. So yeah, it’s going to be a fun game.”

Q: Who is he most excited to see from his former team?

Savage: “Like friendly stuff? No, I’m here to play a football match. It’s not a reunion. We’re here to go 1-0 this week, so that’s how we treat it, that’s how I treat it.”

Q: The outside versus inside perception of the team’s handling of adversity in the weeks leading up to the win against New England?

Savage: “Yeah, you kind of answered because you started with the outside and then you talked about the inside. I kept things inside. We have family here and we try to keep it that way. At the end of the day, we’re the ones who come to work every day, and there comes a point in time where you have to work through things together. You can’t worry about what everybody else is talking about on the outside, you have to work together and I think we did a good job coming together, getting on the same page offensively and defensively and playing special teams as well. . Park (WR Parker Washington) had a big return. Just playing free football. That’s a big part of this league, so we’re just trying to keep building on that.”

Q: About the team’s optimistic outlook moving into the latter part of the season?

Savage: “Yeah, 100%. As I have said many times before, this week will go 1-0. Like I said, every week is a Championship week because it’s the next game, so keep building.”

Be sure to follow on X (Twitter) @JaguarsOnSI and @_John_Shipley and never miss another breaking news.

Please let us know what you think when you like our Facebook page WHEN YOU CLICK HERE