Preseaon Game 1 vs New Orleans Saints August 9 Saints_Digital_LAYOUT | Page 74

The Jaguars defense is brimming with confi dence entering 2018 after putting up one of the best defensive seasons in franchise history in 2017. “We have a chance to be really, really good – we know that, everybody in the locker room knows that,” All-Pro defensive end Calais Campbell said early in camp. “I’m glad we have high confi dence. At the same time, we have a lot of work to do. A team as talented as we are and as hard as we work, we should be very good.” For fi rst-team All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey, fi nding improvement on defense is pretty simple. “At the end of the day, win games,” Ramsey said on the fi fth day of 2018 training camp. “We can always ask for more – more turnovers, more touchdowns, more opportunities giving the ball back to the offense. Just more of everything.” The only major departures on defense from a year ago are nickel cornerback Aaron Colvin (in free agency to the Houston Texans) and linebacker Paul Posluszny (retirement). With so much experience returning on the defensive side, Campbell did not hesitate to show his faith in the group’s work ethic to take things a step further in 2018. AP Images “I’m pretty confi dent when I say we’re probably the hardest working team in the league. That’s a big statement because a lot of teams are working hard right now and doing things… they ask a lot of us, but the guys sit there and respond. “We go out there, we push ourselves and with that talent and that mentality and the work ethic, we should be pretty good.” Spotlight players for tonight With varying playing times expected for the Jaguars starting units, here are a few Jaguars to keep an eye on in tonight’s game against the Saints (in numerical order): • #6 Cody Kessler, QB: After Chad Henne departed in free agency, the Jaguars traded a conditional seventh-round pick to the Cleveland Browns for the third-year signal caller out of Southern California. He made eight starts in 2016 with Cleveland and had brief glimpses of solid play. Can he solidify the backup quarterback position in Jacksonville? • #13 Rashad Greene Sr., WR: The 2015 fourth- round pick out of Florida State splashed with punt returns his rookie season, but has seen limited action since with several injuries – including missing the entire 2017 season on injured reserve. Can he break through in what has become a very crowded wide receiver room? AP IMAGES