JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Travis Hunter likes the best way the Jacksonville Jaguars are getting ready him to develop into the NFL’s first common two-way participant since Chuck Bednarik in 1962.
The rookie receiver/cornerback spent the primary two practices of coaching camp on offense and the third on protection and he mentioned that method – as a substitute of flip-flopping sides throughout practices – retains his thoughts from getting overloaded.
“I would like to have the ability to course of every part quick, fast,” Hunter mentioned Friday. “After I’m on the defensive facet, if the offense modifications their energy, I’ve received to know what I am doing instantly. And if the offense modifications the play, I received to know what I am doing instantly. So I like that we’re beginning off gradual, getting me adjusted, ensuring I do know the place I must be on one facet of the ball every day after which it [will] all come collectively.”
“… We are going to [have days when he flip-flops]. I simply need to get to that time to the place I perceive each side instantly.”
Head coach Liam Coen mentioned earlier within the week that someday through the first six practices that Hunter will finally work on each side of the ball in the identical follow, however they did not wish to rush into that to keep away from overwhelming him. Hunter did that often throughout practices at Colorado the previous two seasons.
Up to now, Coen mentioned Hunter has dealt with the workload properly.
“It is most likely tougher — I discussed this earlier than — logistically for us as coaches to navigate it and guarantee that we’re making use of all his time,” Coen mentioned. “I feel it would not trouble him as a lot. He is fairly unfazed by some of these things.
“… He is been nice by way of his angle and simply type of the best way he approaches it.”
Hunter was on the sector for 23 snaps throughout 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 on Friday. He lined up towards receiver Brian Thomas Jr. one time and it did not seem that quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence and Nick Mullens focused him straight on any throws.
“I loved it, however I simply wanted to be on the sector much more so I can proceed to study the protection and proceed to do what I have to do,” Hunter mentioned.
On days that he works on offense, Hunter spends particular groups durations working with secondary coach Ron Milus and defensive backs coach Anthony Perkins. On defensive days, he works with receivers coach Edgar Bennett and assistant receivers coach Tyler Tettleton throughout these durations.
He splits his time between offensive and defensive conferences, and he mentioned it is the psychological a part of attempting to play each side of the ball that is tougher for him at this level than the bodily half.
“You’ve got received two playbooks and you have to do completely different phrases each day,” he mentioned.