We’ve gotten a close look at who will be going to camp along the offensive line. You can check out last week’s post on the offensive tackles right here.
Whether they are someone in the spotlight, or just a guy who is a long s...
We’ve gotten a close look at who will be going to camp along the offensive line. You can check out last week’s post on the offensive tackles right here.
Whether they are someone in the spotlight, or just a guy who is a long shot for even the practice squad, I’m sure to take a look at each individual player. On a roster as young as this and with this much competition, you just never know who will start turning heads in OTAs, training camp and preseason games.
It’s no secret. The Jags running game last year was flat out embarrassing. Between the Maurice Jones-Drew holdout, to his season ending injury, to the stable of spare part running backs the Jaguars fielded last year, the Jaguars running game was just another thing that went wrong in 2012. Fortunately, it looks as if we’ve gotten some new pieces and I am looking very much forward to seeing exactly what the backfield will look like come September.
So just how did Jacksonville improve the position? It started with the signing of free agent Justin Forsett back in March. It only got better, when in April, Caldwell drafted one of the most explosive players from college football in Denard Robinson and it was decided that running back would give him (Robinson) the best opportunity to make a difference come game time.
Before we continue I have to note (even though it’s been noted plenty in the last week) that FB/RB/Special Teams Ace, Montell Owens was released last week in order to make room for center Dan Gerberry. This move came as a shock to most. It wasn’t necessarily shocking to me seeing as how the Jaguars want to get younger and faster, but it was a bit upsetting. Owens is a blue collar player who stepped up and did everything he could to help the team. It’s easy to do that…when you’re on a winning team. Most of the time Owens was not on a winning team, yet he always put it on the line, and he made two pro bowls as a special teamer on the way. Owens had a visit with Buffalo yesterday, and I wish him nothing but the best.
We continue our position battles series today, taking a look at the running backs:
Maurice Jones-Drew: After coming off of a record campaign in 2011, claiming the league’s rushing title, Jones-Drew faced a tumultous offseason in 2012 that included a hold out, but that’s neither here nor there. A foot injury claimed his season in week 6 and that was it. I’m focused on Jones-Drew’s health this year. Not only does he have to be healthy, but he has to return to 2011 form. Jones-Drew has been the lone threat, the lone weapon for this team for years. One of the last of the workhorse backs, a healthy Jones-Drew returning to home run threat form would certainly be advantageous to young players in a new system, and it would definitely help take some of the load off of Gabbert or Henne’s shoulders.
Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Forsett: Forsett was the second free agent signed after free agency opened on March 12. Forsett played in Houston last year backing up Arian Foster, but before coming to Houston he played in Seattle. Forsett has always been a solid complimentary back, and he has shown that he would be able to handle the job if the primary back goes down. One of the things that was so terrible about last year (one of the many, many things) was seeing just how much depth this team DID NOT HAVE. Forsett provides quality depth at the position.
Denard Robinson: Selected in the 5th round of the 2013 draft, the Jaguars selected QB/WR/RB/KR Denard Robinson. Everyone who watches college football, and especially if you’re a Michigan fan, can see just how special of an athlete Robinson is. Hands down one of the biggest playmakers in college football, Robinson did have to make a position switch upon arriving to the pros. Wanting to contribute, and not being selfish whatsoever and understanding he’d be a better fit somewhere else on the football fiel