Coachspeak: Falcons 28, Jaguars 12

ATLANTA, Ga. – Senior writer John Oehser examines Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson‘s press conference following a 28-12 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in a Preseason Week 3 game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Saturday …

1. Pleased with preseason. This wasn’t about Saturday as much as the entire preseason, but make no mistake: Pederson likes a lot about the Jaguars as preseason closes and Week 1 at Washington approaches. The Jaguars finished the preseason 0-4, but the first-team offense and defense fared well during their two appearances. The Jaguars led the Cleveland Browns 13-0 when the starters left the game in Preseason Week 2, and the first-team defense held the Pittsburgh Steelers without a score on the first four drives the following week. The first-team offense scored on five of seven possessions, missing a field goal on a point-blank possession and turning the ball over on downs after another long drive. “I feel good,” Pederson said. “I feel good about the starters, the way they’ve played the last couple of weeks and have really dominated while they were in there. Overall, I feel good about the starters and where they are and how they are focused and ready to get this thing going.”

2. This is a healthy roster. A major preseason objective is to enter the regular season healthy. Pederson said Saturday the Jaguars for the most part achieved that goal, with veteran defensive lineman Foley Fatukasi (calf) the lone starter who is an injury concern as the regular season approaches. Will Richardson, a veteran reserve offensive lineman, also missed Saturday’s game with an ankle injury. “We’re in a pretty good spot,” Pederson said. “We’ve got a couple of guys who are bouncing back. Foley, we’ve got to try to get him healthy and get him back out there. Other than that, I think we’re pretty good coming out of camp and into the regular season.”

3. Still open. Saturday began with the Jaguars’ kicking situation very much open. To hear Pederson tell it, it ended that way, too….