Jaguars Notebook: Marrone after third OTA - 'We've got a long way to go'

Jaguars coach Doug Marrone’s opinion of this week’s first set of organized team activities? Meh.

“We’re a team that won three football games [last year],” Marrone said Friday after the third OTA. “We’ve got a lot to prove and a lot of work to put in on the field. We have to do those things and put the work in.

“I’m not the type of person that will stand up here and sell some [garbage]. Are there certain things out there that are good? Absolutely. But talking overall, as a whole, we’ve got a long way to go and we have to keep our nose to the ground and keep working all the way up to that first kickoff when everything does count.”

That first kickoff is not until Sept. 10 at Houston, but Marrone is semi-right in terms of embracing the clock-is-ticking mentality. The Jaguars have 10 more on-field practices before breaking for summer vacation.

Friday’s OTA was open to the media but reporting specifics about the practice were prohibited unless Marrone addressed it.

On the plus side, Marrone has been impressed by defensive end Calais Campbell (“couldn’t ask for anything better”), tailback Chris Ivory (“looks like he’s in much better shape than before”) and back-up cornerback Doran Grant (“unbelievable bounce-back day”).

Asked about quarterback Blake Bortles’ opening week, Marrone said: “I think I’d put him in the same category as everyone – everyone had a week that [left them realizing] we have a long way to go.”

FOURNETTE HAVING FUN

Fourth overall pick Leonard Fournette received a steady diet of work along with the other tailbacks during the third OTA.

“It’s been fun going against some of the best defensive players, especially the D-linemen,” Fournette said.

Fournette has leaned on Campbell, who lockers next to him, and Ivory for guidance.

“[Campbell] is always preaching to me about doing the right thing,” Fournette said. “Chris took me under his wing. Without him, I’d be lost right now.”

Marrone said Fournette showed “improvement” during the week.

“The one thing I have been impressed with is he has caught the ball well,” said Marrone, who added Fournette had one drop on Friday. “Leonard is progressing well.”

WESTBROOK LIMITED

Not practicing or were limited on Friday: Receiver Dede Westbrook, tight end Neal Sterling, tailback T.J. Yeldon, cornerbacks A.J. Bouye and Aaron Colvin and safeties Barry Church and Tashaun Gipson.

Westbrook practiced on Tuesday and Thursday. He watched the team drills with his helmet on and standing next to the other receivers.

Not present for the workout: Left tackle Branden Albert (still a no-show), tailback Tim Cook and receiver Kenneth Walker because of college graduation schedules. Guard A.J. Cann was not present but the team was aware.

Marrone said he hasn’t heard from Albert to alert him he was ready to show up for OTAs.

ETC.

Executive vice president Tom Coughlin floated around both practice fields to observe the position groups during the first hour of the workout. During the team drills, he watched from the sideline with World Series-winning manager Tony LaRussa. … The Jaguars have OTAs next Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. … Jaguars owner Shad Khan watched practice.