MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter Kainani Stevens offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars' 14-6 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Preseason Week 3 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday
John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…
Ready for the closeup. We won't invest much time in these quick thoughts analyzing the Jaguars' offense from Saturday. With few front-line players playing on that side of the ball against the Dolphins, it's best to look at the preseason as a whole – and the first-team offense on that front provided reasons for hope in three preseason games. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence completed 14 of 17 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown while the first-team offense had extended drives on all three of its possessions, and the running game had some very encouraging spots. The offensive line feels like it will be at least marginally improved as a short-yardage running unit, and there's no question this is a significantly faster offense capable of more explosive plays. It's too early to project this as an elite offense, but it's hard to imagine it not being more consistent – and explosive – than was the case last season.
Impressive showing. With a few more potential contributors playing on defense than offense Saturday, the unit's effort was worth noting as what essentially was the Jaguars' third-team defense held what was close to the Dolphins' first-team offense without a touchdown for the first two series. Key during this time was second-year defensive tackle Maason Smith, playing for the first time this preseason after spending the first part of camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Also key: defensive linemen B.J. Green II and Danny Striggow, two collegiate free agent rookies who figure to either be on the active roster or practice squad and who each registered sacks Saturday. Rookie fourth-round linebacker Jack Kiser also had a sack Saturday. We won't overplay it here and say that Saturday's performance guarantees this will be a Top10 defense. But there are some young players on the front seven who are impressing and who are worth watching early in the season.