JACKSONVILLE – Dawuane Smoot is not giving up on the 2022 season.
The Jaguars defensive lineman, one of the most tenured players on a young and improving team, says he’s far from alone on that front. And the ’22 season?
Despite the Jaguars’ struggles in recent weeks, Smoot said it’s far from over.
“We must stay together,” he said.
Smoot, a sixth-year veteran currently tied for the team lead in sacks, joined senior writer John Oehser for this Week 9 2022 O-Zone Podcast as the Jaguars (2-6) prepare to take on the Las Vegas Raiders (2 -5) will play at TIAA’s Bank Field in Jacksonville on Sunday at 1 p.m.
He discussed many topics, including why he believes the Jaguars can start winning despite a five-game losing streak — and why he believes 2022 is different than recent Jaguars seasons.
“There were a lot of ups and downs this year,” Smoot said. “But the one thing that was consistent was that we were in every one of these games. We lost by three points or less than any goal. That’s different than any other year.
“I feel like we have a lot to look forward to. As long as we can finish games and win a few more, I feel like we’ll be in a good place.”
Smoot, a third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, has been with the organization longer than any active player except center/guard Tyler Shatley (2014) and left tackle Cam Robinson – the latter of whom was drafted multiple times the hour before Smoot in. 2017. He has seen multiple leads for the franchise during his career, and said he likes the current course under Doug Pederson – who took over as Jaguars head coach in early February.
“It’s been a rollercoaster the last six years,” Smoot said. “I’ve been through a coaching change and different things and a lot of turmoil. But this year I think it’s a lot of positive things. There’s a lot of good things going.
“The culture change has been there since Day 1. Ever since Doug came in, he’s instilled that in us right away – that we have to come out and win. We practice hard and make sure we’re preparing to win every week. That’s what he did, saying – that we have to be prepared.
“That’s one thing that’s definitely different.”
Click below to view the entire O-Zone podcast with Smoot. Subscribe to the O-Zone podcast on Apple or Spotify.
