Under normal circumstances, Jaguars starting cornerback Tre Herndon would be in the gym preparing for the team’s upcoming offseason program.
But nothing is normal right now.
Gyms are closed.
Restaurants are offering only takeout orders.
And all NFL facilities are off-limits to coaches, players, and front office personnel staff indefinitely because of the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus.
So Herndon has been going to his neighborhood playground alone to get in his condition work, doing pullups and pushups.
?It’s back like the old days when you are a kid and going to the playground on the monkey bars doing pullups, pushups on the benches and abs,? Herndon said.
?I’m trying to keep myself upbeat any way I can to kind of substitute for missing the weight room, using bands for resistance and that type of things. It has been kind of fun to find new workouts that I probably would have done back in high school before I was able to lift weights.”
Herndon has been in communication with the Jaguars’ strength and conditioning staff and his position coach Tim Walton during the pandemic.
He asked the strength and conditioning staff to send him resistance bands that he can use at the playground.
Herndon is expected to become one of the leaders in the secondary after the departure of veteran cornerback A.J. Bouye, who was traded last month to the Denver Broncos for a fourth-round pick.
Herndon became a starter when the Jaguars traded Jalen Ramsey to the Los Angeles Rams last October. In 16 games, Herndon had three interceptions, 13 pass breakups, and 55 tackles.
The Jaguars are likely to draft a cornerback in the early rounds of the April 23-25 draft. In free agency, the Jaguars signed veteran eight-year veteran cornerback Rashaan Melvin, who started 12 of 13 games last season for the Detroit Lions and made a career-high 68 tackles with 11 pass breakups and no interceptions.
?I think those guys (Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye) did a great job mentoring me while I was there,? Herndon said. ?That was a time for me to learn and grow from him (Ramsey) during the times he was sitting out and I was playing his role. He kept giving me tips, study habits, those kinds of things. A.J., we kind of have the same story as being undrafted guys. He’s always been a motivation for me. Out here in Georgia, I train with A.J. every other day, so I’m still getting those tips from him.?
Similar to his teammates and other players around the league, Herndon doesn’t have a clue if the season is going to start as scheduled in September.
But he’s holding out hope just like Coach Doug Marrone.
?I’m just trying to prepare myself for when they say, ‘Hey, let’s go,’ that we’re ready,’ ? Marrone said. ?That’s what I have to do for my part as a coach. I think the worst thing that could happen is they say, ‘Ready, let’s go,’ and you’re not prepared.?
With veterans like safeties Ronnie Harrison and Jarrod Wilson, Herndon thinks the secondary will be ready to go whenever the offseason program begins.
?As far as missing this time, of course, we can’t get together face to face and sit down and talk playbook-wise, X’s and O’s,? Herndon said. ?It could work against us kind of, but I feel like everyone in the DB room has a veteran kind of mindset. Whenever we do get a date and when we do return, we will be on top of it. I do not think it is affecting too many people as far as playbook stuff. I feel like everyone has the mindset that we want to come in ready to go when the time is.”
Not only is Herndon getting prepared, but he’s also giving back.
Herndon and his girlfriend, Treyleanna Robinson, pledged a donation with Feeding Northeast Florida to provide over 10,000 meals to those who have been affected by the crisis.
Herndon said he did an event in Chattanooga, Tenn., his hometown, last year to feed a couple of hundred people at a soup kitchen. He plans to do similar charity events every year to help out communities in need.
?I studied sociology and just ever since then, I have grown a passion for (helping out) areas with poverty, people with poverty and low-income areas,? Herndon said. ?With this virus going on right now and knowing that I am a part of another community, I felt that helping Northeast Florida in any kind of way.
?Those who may not be as fortunate to have money for meals and have to use their money for hand sanitizer and other supplies to protect themselves. I felt it was a great opportunity to help out another community that I’m a part of.”
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Woods officially signed: The Jaguars officially announced Wednesday the signing of 11-year veteran defensive tackle Al Woods. Woods played in 14 games last season for the Seahawks and registered 16 tackles and one sack.
“Over his career, he has proven that he can stop the run and take on blocks in the middle of the defensive line, which helps address an important area for us heading into the upcoming season,” Marrone said.
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