The best thing that the Jacksonville Jaguars can di on offense is continue to make progress both running and throwing the football. That means both Gardner Minshew and James Robinson are proving to be the right fit for Jay Gruden’s offense.
It also means any discussion of adding a quarterback in the first round of the NFL Draft in April or taking a look at another bruising running back won’t be a discussion worth having. It might be only two weeks into the NFL season, but it appears the Jaguars front office has made the right decision to move on from Leonard Fournette. The coaching staff us equally correct in its decision to give the football to Robinson, an undrafted rookie free agent, who has shown he can handle the workload.
This week, shortened in preparation for the Miami Dolphins, the combination of Minshew and Robinson will once again be called on to push the Jaguars to victory, their second in three weeks. A 2-1 record heading into games with Cincinnati, Houston and Detroit would help make the first half of 2020 a but more enticing.
Remember, the Jaguars have a tough list of opponents on the back end of their schedule. Combining wins early will take some of the burden off this roster and allow the coaching staff to continue to build its game plan on both sides of the football.
Head coach Doug Marrone praised his players after the loss on Sunday, a nail-biting 33-30 defeat at the hands of the Tennessee Titans. It is an example of how Minshew, Robinson and the rest of the roster have come together to play a tough brand of football and to play as a team instead of individual effort.
He also praised Robinson for his effort and first 100-yard game of professional career.
“What you guys are seeing now is probably what I’ve been seeing all of camp,” coach Doug Marrone said. “Just a real steady, good football player. If there’s something there, he’s going to find it. He’s not going to make mistakes and lose yardage for you, and [he’s going to] try to keep the chains going. He’s a tough runner.
“He’s got a little burst getting through the second level. I was happy to see him take that one to the end zone.”
Robinson is explosive once he gets to the line of scrimmage and takes the smallest opening and pushes through to daylight. There should also be praise for the offensive line, that has looked better in the first two weeks of the season.
Marrone told the local media all offseason he thought the line would be much improved in its second season under coach George Warhop. Obviously, he knew something that many did not. Minshew has had time in the pocket so far this season. The six sacks he has taken where not because of a lack of protection.
Offensively, this is a team that can compete with any opponent this season. The defense is still a step behind in its development. It will be interesting to see how the short week plays into the success of this youthful team. Jacksonville will be a favorite for the first time this season.
Hopefully Minshew and Robinson play like they have been here before. That would go a long way toward securing a second win of the 20202 season.
