DEFILIPPO: 'FOLES HAS BEEN AWESOME' + MORE NOTES FROM JAGUARS OTAS

David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire

News and notes from day two of Jaguars OTAs!

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The Jaguars second day of organized team activities took place on Thursday. While media isn't allowed to report on specifics, we can still garner some information from interviews and press conferences.

Before practice got underway on Thursday offensive coordinator John DeFilippo (he'll be called Flip from here on out for obvious reasons: I'm lazy and don't want to type his last name over and over again) met with the media for the first time since he was hired earlier in the year. He raved about his new QB (whom he also worked with in Philadelphia during the Eagles Super Bowl season) Nick Foles, saying "he's been great for everybody. I mean he's been great for the coaches. He's been great for the players. He's been great for me. He's been great in the meetings. He's not afraid to speak up and say 'this is the way I see a route run; this is the way I see this pass thrown; this is the way I see this formation lined up.' He's been awesome that way in just getting everyone on the same page." 

It's evident that Flip and Nick Foles have an excellent working relationship. When Flip was asked about what Foles has improved on most since they last worked together in 2017, Flip mentioned his footwork. When Nick Foles learned of his coach's praise, he beamed with excitement. 

Flip went on to talk about the type of offense that he'll run in Jacksonville. He made it clear that this wouldn't be a pass-first offense or a run-first offense, by definition. Rather, he wants the Jaguars offense to be designed around what each of his players does best. Such a philosophy could see players that have struggled in recent seasons find more success.

He was also asked about rookie tight end Josh Oliver and his progress. Flip revealed that he thinks the F-position that Oliver is learning is the hardest on the offense — outside of QB — for a number of reasons. The F position has many responsibilities. He can line up as an inline tight end. He can be asked to line up in the slot or at outside receiver and can even line up in the backfield. Oliver has a lot on his plate, but Flip thinks he has the right demeanor and work-ethic to get the job done: "He's learning. He's doing a great job. He's seen but not heard, which is what you want out of a rookie in terms of keeping his head in the playbook and doing what he needs to do on the field." 

When asked about Leonard Fournette Flip praised his vision, a trait that many have believed Fournette lacks since he joined the Jaguars in 2017. If he can continue to show strong vision on the field once pads come on, he could be in line for a true breakout campaign. A player with his size and athletic ability who can process what he's seeing and make decisive moves is rare. 

Some other items of note:

Rookie DE/OLB Josh Allen was held out of the Jaguars second day of OTAs due to a knee contusion. Head coach Doug Marrone made it clear that this was a precautionary decision and that there was no need to worry about the injury moving forward. 

Dede Westbrook returned to practice after missing day one of OTAs for an undisclosed reason. He and the team were in communication, and the coaching staff was aware that he would miss the first day. Westbrook looked sharp in his return to the practice field. 

Quincy Williams, whom the Jaguars expect to take over as the starting WILL, has been noticeably fast on the field. When and if he fully grasps his assignments this summer, he could play even faster. ​