Consecutive #1 draft picks, The Urban Meyer effect, loss after loss, so much negativity in the fanbase and the front office. The saying the grass isn’t always greener on the other side didn’t apply here at all, Doug Pederson arrived with a history of getting the best out of QBs.
Just so happens the Jags drafted a high level talent just waiting to be unlocked and pushed forwards, in Trevor Lawrence they got a QB with all the assets to be elite, size, underrated speed, and arm strength to do damage downfield, and a football IQ that has shown him to be capable of changing plays and schemes when needed at short notice.
The Jags outperformed expectations last year but the writing was all on the walls as soon as free agency hit , units were being formed strategically, weapons brought in to help a rookie QB play with more freedom and a RB that returned and formed a college partnership that was lethal at times, Travis Etienne is a very efficient, versatile player that can open up defensive units effectively, and it’s no coincidence the teams offense picked up momentum early on. Continuing to answer all questions asked of them.
The defensive side of the ball was also impressive, sacks, holes plugged, picks were just natural with these guys, the spine of the team was all too evident, and leadership shining through, you could see opponents just feeling uncomfortable, while trying to break this team down.
The Jacksonville Jaguars give fans a real last to first storybook year and nobody could deny the work that had been done to transform this once heralded franchise, they had the cap space, and took it with both hands to the next level, knowing this was their chance to right the wrongs and utilise their draft picks.
A phenomenal effort in the postseason against the Chargers was a huge rollercoaster, a deficit that looked like a step too far for this team, was it just to early for the Jags to take on a stacked and talented team with their own sharpshooter QB?
Not at all, this is a different Jags team it’s a team with grit and playmaking ability to haul themselves back from the brink of an embarrassing defeat and take that next step, in losing to the Chiefs (the eventual SB winners) there’s no shame but there’s a benchmark to reach, so now to the upcoming season with enthusiasm and excitement, Calvin Ridley has joined an already strong WR duo in Zay Jones and Christian Kirk, to form a very competitive trio.
An important piece has been tied down in Evan Engram an unlikely safety blanket for the QB, and really giving the offense another dimension to use, some contracts to get sorted out soon for the Jags, but most importantly they have a strong core performing brilliantly for them, and can cement cornerstones for this group to be successful from now forward, don’t sleep on the Jags they’re well equipped to WOW fans once again in 2023.
–Ben Clarke
*Photo courtesy of WYFF
WE LIKE SPORTZ SHOW 