JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — We are nearing the final preseason game of the year, and the Jaguars still have the Falcons to get through.
For the Jaguars, it's just another game, but for defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, it's a small reunion.
On Monday, Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said he plans to play the starters for "maybe" two quarters. Defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen said the focus for this game is alignment, assignment, and fundamentals.
Despite his history with the Falcons, Nielsen emphasized that his priority is the Jaguars' success.
"The relationships with the players, the coaches—I was around some of those guys for a long time, not just in Atlanta, but in years past. I care about a lot of those people up there. But our focus is here, our guys here. It'll be good to see them, but we're going up there to win the game. That's the most important thing," Nielsen said.
Additionally, the Jaguars' rookie class is showing significant improvement, crediting the veterans for their guidance. Rookie defensive tackle Maason Smith is one of those standouts.
Last week, powerhouse linebacker Josh Hines-Allen praised the rookies' development. Smith, who attended LSU, said the veteran class has paved the way and led by example.
Since being drafted, Smith said he commits an extra 45 minutes to watching film or studying schemes as he strives to make consistency a standard.
"Really just consistency. Coming into the next level, that's something that I really wanted to focus on. Just not being up-and-down and not having a great game and then falling back. It's just more about being consistent. I think that still applies to this day—just being able to stay at a high level each and every game, each and every practice. You've got to bring it every day in this league. So just being able to do that and continue to grow in that aspect," Smith said.
The Jaguars are set to kick off their final preseason game on Friday, Aug. 23, in Atlanta at 7 p.m.