By admin 
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen spoke to the media for the final time during the 2024 season on Thursday, and we were there.
Watch his interview above.
Jaguars center Mitch Morse spoke earlier this week. Below is a transcript of what he had to say.
Q: What does it mean to beat a division rival like Tennessee?
Morse: “Yes, you can call anything a spade. This year has not been what we all thought it would be, and it has tested us as professionals. I think when you can play a game like we did together yesterday, it’s just a celebration of the hard work you put in because we worked. It’s not because of a lack of work. So to answer your question, it was a great experience to be in that locker room after a win like that, and then we understand that we’re going to be in a hostile environment against a division opponent that is very good. Listen, we all want to end with a win, but as professionals you have to put your best foot forward and that’s what we plan to do on Sunday.”
Q: About playing late in the game to secure the win?
Morse: “Yes, it feels good to be on the other side of those one-score games. When you really look back and take a step back and see the games we lost, it’s heartbreaking and heartbreaking. It affects your soul. To end up with a game like that while sitting on the other end of the line calmed us down to say the least.
Question: Has Head Coach Doug Pederson’s message about addressing mistakes to win one-score games resonated with the team?
Morse: “I mean, listen, when you’re in the middle of it, no one’s trying to make mistakes, and no one’s trying to take something into their own hands that they think will hurt the team. I don’t think it’s a lack of listening to someone’s message. I think we all understand that we could have executed the plays better, and yes, I think there are a lot of unfortunate learning moments this year that I think a lot of guys will carry on throughout their professional careers. ”
Question: Will he remember this season for a long time?
Morse: “Yes, absolutely. I mean, some guys use this as fuel, some guys use this as a learning experience, some guys use this as both. For me, in the later years of my career, I think this has been a unique experience, to say the least. I learned a lot about myself, and I learned a lot about overcoming losses and trying to come in the next day and the next week and progress as a player and as a person. So yeah, I think that question is a good question, and I think it’s going to be very individual for each person. There are about 90 guys in this locker room, a little less. Everyone will have a different answer to that.”
Q: Whether it is easy for players to focus on preparing for next season when there is uncertainty about leadership?
Morse: “To be honest, it’s one of those things where you just… this isn’t my path. My job is to understand the game plan and put myself in a position where the guys around me can be as successful as possible. If you try to get outside your lane or what you know is within your reach, you are just playing a game of mental gymnastics. First of all, it’s not healthy and it won’t help you get your work done on Sunday. So that might not be another answer that’s just for me personally, but I feel like other guys share the same sentiment.
Question: How he deals with losing?
Morse: “Well, it hasn’t gotten any easier, has it? As a competitor, and not only as that, but also as a person, you invest time away from your family all week long, you invest your body, you put yourself on the line, you are disappointed when things don’t go your way, at your to say the least. The first thing you do is look at yourself and the one thing I’ve learned is that that’s the only thing you can worry about. That’s it: as a mature competitor, you need to focus on the things within your control. Look, I can’t control other things and I’m not saying it wasn’t mine. I’m not trying to emphasize any other message. It’s just the truth. It’s like, focus on the things I can control, go out there, do your best to mitigate those, and then you have a different game plan and try to mitigate that, and so on. So yeah, hopefully this answers your question.”
Q: Why has the team specifically struggled in the run game?
Morse: “I think there are so many different variables at play in both passing and run blocking. I think the run game needs everyone to be on the same page, just like the pass game. There are so many different variables that play a role in this. I don’t know if I can quite give you the answer that there is only one thing that stands out to me. So yeah, I don’t know, I really don’t have anything for you.
Q: How can the run game be fixed for next season?
Morse: “I can tell you next year.”
Q: How QB Mac Jones has developed and if he thinks he can start in the NFL next season?
Morse: “Well, I think Mac Jones is not only an infectious personality, but also really brings the boys along, really great to have in the group. His confidence is not cocky. It’s hard to explain. He has confidence in his guys, he has confidence in what he’s doing, and he’s great at recovering from mistakes but also learning from him, not just a bit of laissez-faire, running around with the football. I think Mac has a bright future in this league and I think if a team gave him the opportunity to make it, made him a regular, they would be lucky to have him. It’s been a privilege these last few weeks and months to play with him, just like it was with Trevor (QB Trevor Lawrence), especially as a guy that you kind of hated when you were in Buffalo with the Patriots, right? We joke about it all the time. He’s just such a great guy, a vibrant personality and one of the most loved guys in the locker room. So I don’t know the answer to that. I wish I had a crystal ball like the run game, but I think it’s great that he gets this opportunity, he puts his best foot forward, makes mistakes, learns from them and goes from there.
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