LB Jack feeling good about defense
JACKSONVILLE — About to enter his first season as the Jaguars’ full-time middle linebacker, Myles Jack has more to think about before each snap than ever before. One pleasant surprise early in training camp is that worrying about what’s going on at the strong-side linebacker spot isn’t on the list of his concerns.
Calling the progress of Leon Jacobs “a breath of fresh air” following a grueling practice Sunday, Jack sounded confident the seventh-round rookie can meet the standard set by the rest of the defense.
“Leon has been awesome,” Jack said. “No. 1, he knows what he’s doing. That’s the coolest thing. Coach will ask him a question in meetings and he’ll be spot on, no hesitation. Leon is very bright, very intelligent. You can tell he goes home and he studies at night.”
Three days before the Jags’ first preseason game, Jacobs looks capable of putting one of the team’s few position battles to rest. He certainly looks the part. At 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds, he has the size and strength necessary to battle offensive linemen and help set the edge of the defense when necessary. Jacobs still needs to consistently prove he can provide adequate pass coverage, though his spot will likely be the one that comes off the field when the Jaguars play five defensive backs.
Jack said he would have “no problem whatsoever” if Jacobs, who had 60 tackles and 31⁄2 sacks during his final season at Wisconsin, wins a starting job. Jack even conceded that Jacobs is “further