Jaguars could run some 4 LEO end packages

The Jacksonville Jaguars defensive line has been revamped somewhat, both on the front line and with the depth, but that doesn't mean the Jaguars are going to roll out their base line all the time. The team developed a "lightning package" last season that utilized three LEO ends on the field at once, but it appears it's evolved this season.

"I think we have some more speed and I think that's going to be important," Jaguars defensive line coach Todd Wash told reporters Tuesday prior to practice. "I think we'll disrupt the quarterback more than we did last year."

One thing the team is experimenting with doing is rolling out four LEOs in a pass rushing package, just to try to get the best pass rushers on the field at the same time in obvious passing downs.

"That’s a big part of Gus, Bob and I, getting the best players on the field. If it’s four LEOs, we feel they all deserve to be on the field," Wash said when asked about getting four LEOs on the field.

"It’s just how we can get them on the field and how we can use their skills to their advantage. We’re going to start looking at it. We’re going to do a little bit of it today in practice. Look at it in the two-minute situation," Wash said about the package. "The big concern is you’re still going to get push with LEOs in the game. That’s something we’re going to have to figure out: is one of those guys stout enough to get the push in two minute and third down? If it is, we have a lot of speed on the field."

It makes sense for the Jaguars to try to manufacture pressure however they can, even if it's lining up four LEO ends across the line of scrimmage. The team does have Ryan Davis, who was a big part of the lightning package last season and used lined up inside rather than out wide, a role he excelled in. Wash confirmed the team would likely use both Davis and rookie Chris Smith in the package.

"Chris has a definitely skill set with his power and his strength. Ryan has the ability to get on the edges," Wash said. "So we have to figure out what’s best for our team and also what’s best for them also."

This package will likely only be used in very specific situations however, such as third and long. It could be one of those packages that's highly susceptible to a draw play, so I wouldn't expect it on something like third and five, because most teams would just audible to a running play out of their current formation.