Google News Jaguars HC Urban Meyer challenges WR DJ Chark to be 'big and strong'
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New Jacksonville Jaguars head Urban Meyer didn't like what he saw from DJ Chark last season so he talked with the wide receiver and urged him to get bigger and stronger. Meyer, who was hired as the new Jaguars head coach this offseason, watched film of his team to see what kind of talent he has on his roster.
After watching the film, he wasn't satisfied with what he saw from wide receiver Chark. "I just didn't like his size. His strength, I just thought, was way below average, way below what we expect from our receivers, and he was told that," Meyer said, per ESPN.
"He's a big guy that played little last year, and that can't happen. Guys like [Saints WR] Mike Thomas and [former Florida and NFL WR] Louis Murphy are those big, strong, fast receivers, and he's got to play big and strong." Luckily for the Jaguars, Chark had no problems with the criticism as he embraced it.
"I love the challenge," Chark said. "I love talking to Coach Meyer. He's a competitor. He's going to push me. "... But I love it, man. He'll push me to be better than what I am."
Chark hopes to bounce back in 2021
The Jaguars finished last season with a 1-15 record and they are certainly hoping to perform much better in 2021.
"I mean, we was 1-15. I don't think anybody played as well as we wanted to," Chark said. "Yeah, it wasn't my best at all. There were times where I let the circumstances get a little bit -- you know, control my output. I feel like if I'm going to be the guy I want to be, I've got to be that guy all the time." Coach Meyer was happy with the way Chark reacted to his criticism.
"It tells you he's a smart player," Meyer said. "This whole world's about increasing someone's value, and DJ Chark can increase his value by getting bigger and stronger and playing that way. And he can also help us win. I mean, I love the fact there was no resistance.
He acknowledged it, and [receivers coach] Sanjay [Lal] has been working with him. I love where he's at." Last season, Chark caught 53 passes for 706 yards and five touchdowns. "I definitely think I could be way better than what I was last year," Chark said. "That's definitely the floor for me the rest of my career. I won't be going back there."