Almost all eyes on Jacksonville Jaguars training camp are focused on WR/CB Travis Hunter. Surely there is a lot more happening at Jags’ camp, but until the Jaguars can win more than four out of 17 games in a season, the NFL world will be looking to see what the first potential two-way player since 1962 can do.
Talking to Rich Eisen on Monday, Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said he actually thinks it’s achievable for Hunter to win both Offensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year. Seriously.
“I do think it’s possible,” Coen said. “You know, he is committed, man. Like, he is committed to driving, not just himself, but his teammates as well. And I think that his teammates…these guys are challenging him. Every single day. Like, he doesn’t get a free pass because he was second-overall pick, and he’s Travis Hunter.”
What’s telling about his statement is that it could be an indication of how Coen plans to use him. You’d have to play a lot of snaps on each side of the ball to win both of those awards.
“Like, they are in his grill trying to jam him up, trying to hem him up, trying to make it as hard as they can possibly make it for him in a great way, like in the most healthy way as possible, where they’re going at it and chirping at each other,” Coen continued. “But it’s truly…iron sharpening iron. That’s what it feels like. And I wouldn’t expect anything less from those guys.”
Hunter played two-way football in Friday night scrimmage
On Friday, Hunter played both sides of the ball for the first time in a single training camp practice session. He had a bigger impact on offense than on defense, but Coen was happy with what he saw overall.
“We got him the work that we wanted,” Coen said. “It was quality. I thought when he had the ball in his hands, he operated at a high level.
“That was what we were hoping to do tonight. Just get him on both sides of the ball, quality work. I know he didn’t get much [action at corner] because the D-line was getting a good rush.”
Will the Jaguars actually commit to playing Hunter on both sides?
It’s great that the Jaguars are really trying to use Hunter to his fullest. It remains to be seen if they stick with that plan as it’s asking a tremendous amount from any player in today’s NFL.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio says it’s going to be difficult for Hunter to win two Rookie of the Year awards (although it will be fun to watch him try).
“It won’t be easy,” Florio writes. “Beyond the physical demands inherent to rarely leaving the field is the mental toll of preparing. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence won’t be thrilled if he has to tell Hunter what route to run before every single play, if Hunter isn’t fully engaged in the offensive playbook.
“At this point, it appears that the Jaguars will try. That’s why they gave up next year’s first-round pick to move up three spots to get him. They think they’re getting two players for the price of one.”
If nothing else, this should all give the NFL fans in London more reason to watch their home team.
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