EXCLUSIVE: "He's playing like a seasoned veteran" - Mike Smith lauds Trevor Lawrence for incredible development
Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars are on a roll. They have won four out of their last five games and improved to 7-8. They sit atop the AFC South standings and can win the division in Week 18 when they face the Tennessee Titans.
Former Atlanta Falcons head Mike Smith joined Reggie Roberts on Sportskeeda's BallFather podcast. He lauded Lawrence for his development this season. Here's what he said:
"Trevor Lawrence, second year quarterback, he is really starting to play, like the first pick in the draft. It's just amazing what he's done. The maturity that you've seen in the last four or five games has been off the charts.
He added:
"He's, you know, he's playing like a seasoned veteran Reg, I think he's only thrown one interception, and seven touchdowns in the month of November. Right, your quarterback is taking care of the ball, you're gonna have a chance to win every week, and he's doing a great job of that."
Trevor Lawrence has officially arrived 🔥
#DUUUVAL https://t.co/7O2d7TsjsL
Doug Peterson is key to Trevor Lawrence's rise
Trevor Lawrence endured a rough rookie season. He threw for 3,641 passing yards, with 14 touchdowns and 17 interceptions under former head coach Urban Meyer (who was fired midway through the season). He was replaced by former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Peterson, and it has paid dividends for the franchise.
Anytime, anyplace just put the ball down!
@BonosBBQ | #DUUUVAL https://t.co/jgED4B5oh8
They have already won more than twice the number of games they did in the entire 2021 season, and Lawrence has also taken a massive statistical leap. He has more passing yards (3,749) and touchdown passes (24) than he did in 2021 and has thrown only seven interceptions.
Smith credited Peterson for helping Lawrence and turning the Jaguars' fortunes around:
"Let's give props to coach Doug Peterson because he's changed the culture there very, very quickly. And that's what you got to do. To overcome five-game losing streaks to overcome three-game losing streak, you know, in the second year (is incredible)."
Smith reckons Peterson will get deservedly get votes for the NFL's Coach of the Year award:
Doug Peterson will be in the running for Coach of the Year there's no doubt about it. Even though they've had a (multiple) game-losing streak. He'll get some votes because he's that place was a dumpster fire when he took over"
The Jaguars are two wins away from ending their five-year wait for a playoff appearance. Can Peterson and Lawrence lead Jacksonville into the postseason in their first season together? Time will tell.
The latest episode of the BallFather podcast will be out soon. If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Sportskeeda.