Today’s Jacksonville Jaguars Insiders podcast gives our prediction for Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers.

To see today’s episode, watch above.

Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen also spoke this week; Below is a transcription.

Q: What has he seen the most development in DE Travon Walker’s leadership?

Nielsen: “He did a very good job. You can see he’s with his teammates and coaching and coaching them. He encourages them and you see all the things you want to see in a guy in that position, and you do the things he does, and you’re very encouraged as to the direction he’s going, going forward. His game was really good. He does a lot of really good things and then he adds this play to it. He really understood it and we are delighted.

Q: On Walker’s preparation to face more double teams?

Nielsen: “He’s just fleshing out his plan. If there is a tight end on your side you have to rush a little differently or if there is a back on your side just be alert for a chip or elbow from a tight end or a guard who kicks you. All the good rushers, every week, that’s what they fight against. He’s just another guy that you have to keep finding a way to win and execute your plan. It doesn’t matter who is around you.

Q: On how Walker handled being double-teamed?

Nielsen: “He did a good job. Since the Indianapolis game, you have seen his plan when you watch it consecutively. One rush to the next. He has a plan. He executes his plan. It doesn’t matter if he has a helping hand or a chip on his side. He’s going to rush like that and so you’ve really seen him grow and take the next step in terms of football IQ, in terms of running. You’ve seen his game elevate even another level because he has power, finesse, hands. He’s at the limit. He can go down the middle. He can do everything and you see his progression grow and his confidence I think is the biggest thing that has grown throughout the season.

Q: On the return of S Andrew Wingard’s energy to the defense?

Nielsen: “It’s about getting a player back that you plan to contribute to. We expected it at the start of camp and things are happening and the other guys have done a good job. Just getting our full defense back was a good thing. You get Foye (LB Foye Oluokun). We are excited. We’re excited to have these guys back in what we’re doing.

Q: What if CB Tyson Campbell’s impact has a ripple effect throughout the secondary?

Nielsen: “Of course. He is a very good footballer who can do everything. Man coverage, zone coverage, speed. You watched the last game – the car ride, it came out of nowhere. It was an excellent play on his part. It just adds to the things that you can, ‘Hey, you’ve got this guy, you want to play cloud or look like a man, play zone,’ those kinds of things and really adds to the package.

Q: What if Campbell adds a level of confidence in the secondary?

Nielsen: “Of course. I think it’s not going to happen without bringing all these guys back. You just see the guys play and look, we’ve played a few games together now. There’s also that part of the guys knowing where each other is going to be. The continuity of the defensive back position, you see the communication getting better and things like that. We just continue to want things to get better and build on that again today.

Q: On how he’s seen Packers QB Jordan Love grow up?

Nielsen: “He’s a very good football player. He manages the position, the offense. He controls everything. He knows where to go with football. Matt (Packers head coach Matt LaFleur) has done a great job on offense, planning and putting them in position where he makes throws – he can make every throw. This was the case last year and this year. The guy can make every throw. The offense has just been building, obviously, from the beginning of his career to now. You see the progression of that. So with his legs, he can get out of trouble. You saw it in the Philly game, he escapes from the pocket and he throws the ball deep. The ability to move and throw on the run makes him an elite player at the position. It will definitely be a good challenge.

Q: On the impact of the safety of S Darnell Savage?

Nielsen: “He’s played there before. This wasn’t new to him. When we first got him here, it was always safety and we had him in that dual role. Just wanted to try it last week and good communication I thought there. He did some really good things in terms of disguise and things like that. He stole and made a few plays. It was really good to see. We’re just going to continue to grow with this.

Q: On the safety positioning when S Andrew Wingard returns?

Nielsen: “I don’t know yet. We’ll go through this. We’ll take care of that game. Then when Dewey comes, maybe we’ll have a different package.

Q: On what he saw from DE Joe Gaziano?

Nielsen: “He’s a tough guy, tough player, very good run defender, good rusher. He is excellent in the running game. Then as a runner, as a power, he rushes more with power and then can get to the edge and move around. Our plan is to give him a few more shots this week and see how it goes. But Gaz, the story with this player, he’s solid, you know exactly where he’s going to be. You know how hard he’s going to play and that’s what you like about the guy.

Q: What if he’s surprised by LB Ventrell Miller’s success?

Nielsen: “No, because you saw it in OTAs, you saw it in camp. He flew around. He did a really good job with the reps he got. He has command in his position and in the things he does out there. He is often in the right place. He does very good things. What really excites you is how physical he plays. He’s a physical, direct contact guy. He doesn’t stop his feet. It will speed up. There were a few hits in the last game that were very impressive. »

Q: On the possibility of seeing Miller and LB Foye Oluokun on the field together?

Nielsen: “Of course. But that’s what we’ve been doing since OTAs. We’ve had this rotation in this position group and you’ve kind of seen it work in the game, so when Foye comes back, we’ll have a rotation. These guys will continue to play. Ventrell definitely earned some shots. So he’ll play in this rotation and how it all plays out.

Q: On what he saw from DT Jordan Jefferson the second time against him versus the first time?

Nielsen: “Yeah, he did some really good things in the passing game. Getting off the blocks – maybe it didn’t show up in the stat sheet at the end, but you saw him coming off the blocks a little better this game. He played with a little better pad level and just his confidence. That’s the most important thing from one game to the next, is that the confidence has increased, ‘I have my place.’ I should play here. So he did a good job.

Q: If he thinks DT Maason Smith struggles with his confidence?

Nielsen: “I don’t see that. Maason is a very confident guy. He’s an intelligent player. It has nothing to do with that. He was sacked against Chicago. We stay with him and he will continue to improve, that’s for sure.

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