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Michael DiRocco
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Travis Hunter likes the best way the Jacksonville Jaguars are making ready him to turn 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 stated that strategy – as a substitute of flip-flopping sides throughout practices – retains his thoughts from getting overloaded.
“I want to have the ability to course of all the pieces quick, fast,” Hunter stated Friday. “After I’m on the defensive aspect, if the offense modifications their energy, I’ve obtained to know what I am doing immediately. And if the offense modifications the play, I obtained to know what I am doing immediately. So I like that we’re beginning off gradual, getting me adjusted, ensuring I do know the place I must be on one aspect of the ball every day after which it [will] all come collectively.”
“… We’ll [have days when he flip-flops]. I simply should get to that time to the place I perceive either side instantly.”
Head coach Liam Coen stated earlier within the week that someday through the first six practices that Hunter will finally work on either 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 usually throughout practices at Colorado the previous two seasons.
Up to now, Coen stated 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 stated. “I feel it does not hassle him as a lot. He is fairly unfazed by some of these things.
“… He is been nice when it comes to his angle and simply sort 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 immediately on any throws.
“I loved it, however I simply wanted to be on the sector much more so I can proceed to be taught the protection and proceed to do what I must do,” Hunter stated.
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 stated it is the psychological a part of making an attempt to play either side of the ball that is tougher for him at this level than the bodily half.
“You have obtained two playbooks and you have to do completely different phrases every day,” he stated.