Jaguars running back Chris Ivory grew up in Longview, Texas, and played his first three NFL seasons in New Orleans so he knows about the heat. But …

"It's definitely different coming from the [upper] East Coast," said Ivory, referring to his three years with the New York Jets.

Ivory got a taste of the Jacksonville weather during the offseason program, but the bigger transition was learning a new offense.

"For the most part, it's been pretty smooth," Ivory said last month. "The only thing is trying to adjust to the new terminology. It's the same stuff, but new terminology. I'm just trying to wrap my mind around it and get more comfortable with it so I can just go out and play."

The Jaguars' running back situation, chiefly how the carries will be divided between Ivory and T.J. Yeldon, is a frequent question. Most expect Ivory to be the starter and Yeldon a third-down back. But don't be surprised if it ends being a more even split (55-45 range).

What will be interesting is if the Jaguars coaches take the Hot Hand Approach, giving Ivory and Yeldon equal first-half work and then leaning on one guy in the second half.

Ivory rushed for 1,070 yards last year and has six years in the league. Yeldon might have reached 1,000 yards if not for an early December knee injury and is entering only his second year.

Ivory said the offseason program was beneficial for him to get up to speed.

"It was mentally and physically," he said. "[May and June] was the time of year to catch up on what you don't know and get ahead of the curve so when we come back to training camp, I have the memory of what to do."

Delegating duties

New Jaguars defensive coordinator Todd Wash will juggle the responsibilities for how the game plan is presented to the players.

Defensive backs coach DeWayne Walker will work more on the first- and second-down passing package.

Walker and linebackers coach Robert Saleh will present the first- and second-down run plan.

Assistant linebackers coach Scottie Hazelton, in addition to working with the strong-side linebackers, will do advance work and present to the staff.

Mike Rutenberg, formerly the assistant defensive backs coach, is now a defensive assistant and will be responsible for researching third down.

This and that

� The Jaguars still have an open spot on their 90-man roster. The guess is they sign a kicker in time for the first practice on July 28. Right now Jason Myers is the only kicker. Even if a new one is signed, Myers is the overwhelming favorite to make the team. "A lot more [comfortable] when you know day in and day out what's happening," he said of entering his second year with the team.

� Maybe one of these years, the Jaguars will be in the news cycle on the final day of negotiations for players under the franchise tag. Since the tag's inception in 2007, the Jaguars have used it twice - on tight end Marcedes Lewis (2011) and kicker Josh Scobee (2012). Lewis signed a five-year, $35 million deal after the lockout and Scobee signed a four-year, $13.8 million deal before the deadline.

� Defensive end Jared Odrick last month on OTAs/mini-camp practices: "What OTAs show is who can play 9-on-7 better. You can't do everything as an O-lineman or a D-lineman. You're not taking on double teams, you're not pulling jerseys or bull-rushing or throwing guys to the ground. It's glorified 9-on-7."

Ryan O'Halloran: (904) 359-4401