Here’s what Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Marrone had to say about the Falcons on a conference call with the media Wednesday:
Q: Could you tell the folks a little more about quarterback Gardner Minshew?
A: "We picked him up late in the draft. He bounced around a little bit in college. He really had a heck of a year at Washington State. We kind of did our homework. Brought him in and interviewed him. He had great energy. He did a nice job and got a bunch of reps in the (exhibition) season. We really didn't know what we had. Then when Nick (Foles) got injured in the first game of the year, play 11, we threw him in there. He did a heck of a job. He took advantage of his opportunity. He's an incredibly bright young man. ... He can take it from the classroom onto the field. ... He's proved that he deserves to be in this league. He's done a great job for us."
Q: How has Leonard Fournette’s pass-catching ability helped your offense?
A: "He's really been good for us this year. He's really carried the load when you look at our production on offense and what he's produced on his own. He's done everything that we've asked. He's worked extremely hard. I keep saying the thing that gets overlooked is probably his pass protection, which he's done a really good job of. I think everyone can see the numbers with the catches and the runs. Again, he's been available. He's played a ton of players and he's been productive. I can't say enough good things about him."
Q: What do you see when you look at the Falcons’ defense?
A: "You can start up front. They are all powerful guys. They are strong. I think (Takk) McKinley was having a great year. … A couple of those guys were doing a heck of a job getting pressure on the quarterback. In the run game, I think the linebackers are really good. (De'Vondre) Campbell is straight downhill and will knock the crap out of you. Really good at diagnosing the offense's plays. Deion Jones being back, can flat out run. He can make every tackle from sideline to sideline. I really think they are getting a high level of play. Grady Jarrett is a heck of a three-down football player. He's a destructive force in there. Obviously, they are doing well on the outside. It's going to be a great challenge for us."
Q: What do you see from the overall picture of the Falcons offense?
A: "I have a ton of respect for (quarterback) Matt Ryan and how he leads that offense. Up front, it starts with (center) Alex Mack and (left tackle) Jake Matthews. The rest of those guys are doing a good job. (Running back Devonta) Freeman is a Pro Bowl-type player. He's a game-changer. ... (Tight end) Austin Hooper has done a great job at the tight end position running vertical routes and screens."
Q: How are your rookies Josh Allen and Jawaan Taylor performing for the Jaguars?
A: "When you look at Josh Allen he has double-digit sacks. He's everything that we wanted him to be. We really feel that he's just scratching the surface. He's been a better player week-in and week-out. We feel like he's going to be a fantastic football player down the road. He's having a heck of a year for us against the run and pass. He changed positions a little bit. He was a stand-up linebacker at Kentucky. We put him down (on the line) and he's shown that he can do a really good job there. With Jawaan, it's tough week-in and week-out when you're going against some really good pass rushers. He's getting better each week. He's probably coming off one of his better games. We feel like he's going to develop into a really solid (and) good football player for us."
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