The regular season for the Jacksonville Jaguars begins in less than a week. Sunday will not be like last year when they faced a rebuilding team in the New York Giants. On Sunday, the AFC favorite Kansas City Chiefs roll into town. No doubt the Chiefs pack an offensive punch with a multitude of star-power. However one of the crucial matchups will take place on the edge when the Jaguars have the football.
Jacksonville Jaguars Offensive Tackles Must Grow Quickly
Despite not seeing the field often this preseason, offensive tackles Cam Robinson and Jawaan Taylor will play critical roles for the offense. They’re young, so the duo needs to grow up quickly as a pair of elite pass rushers from the Chiefs will be lined up against them on Sunday. Challenge accepted? Regardless, there’s no room for error on Sunday.
New Faces in Kansas City
The Chiefs struggled to keep teams out of the end zone in 2018, yielding 26.3 points per game. The unit gave up yardage in chunks and was ranked second to last (405.5 yards per game) among the league in yards allowed per game. Sure, the Chiefs had the offensive firepower to compete, but it wasn’t enough – as witnessed in the AFC Championship game against last year’s Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. Changes had to be made.
The Chiefs made some moves on the defense this offseason. The facelift began with the hiring of defensive mastermind Steve Spagnuolo as defensive coordinator and make a change from a 3-4 to 4-3 scheme. To assist with the shifted mindset, the Chiefs brought in new faces to create pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Perhaps the biggest move via trade from the Chiefs this offseason is defensive end Frank Clark. And by biggest I mean financially at five years, $105.5 million with $63 million guaranteed. A hefty price tag but the Chiefs believe Clark will be worth it at left end for years to come. During his four years with the Seattle Seahawks, Clark tallied 35 sacks, including double digits in 2016 and 2018. Without question, Clark is a handful for any offensive tackle heading into 2019.
The addition of defensive end Alex Okafor (6’ 4” 260 lbs.) from New Orleans appears to be the quietest of the additions. However, Okafor’s six years of experience and presence in big games will be an asset for the Chiefs. He has yet to hit double digits in sacks during a season, but that could change in 2019. The attention that Clark will receive opposite him and the fact that the Chiefs will be playing ahead the majority of the time favors a breakthrough year for Okafor.
Youthful Tackles on Stage
As you can see, the young offensive tackles for the Jaguars will be busy on Sunday. Are they ready to step up to the challenge? They better be if they want to keep quarterback Nick Foles of the ground during critical situations. Both Robinson and Taylor will need to be aggressive and quick to win the battle on the edge. Easier said than done. These two need to prove it play after play.
Pass Blocking Need
As with most offensive linemen, Taylor and Robinson are both better run blockers than pass blockers. The youngsters will need to use their strength to engage at the point of attack at the edge. In order to achieve this, the duo will need to focus on footwork and technique. Be balanced and get on top of Clark and Okafor immediately. Historically, both Taylor and Robinson have a history of struggling against speed rushers. Their youth and inexperience will be challenged by Kansas City’s veterans on the edge on Sunday. It’s up to who wants it more.
Last Word on the Jaguars Young Tackles
Perhaps the home crowd will be a motivating factor. However, one or two false starts and a missed block will turn those hometown cheers to jeers. Nobody wants to see that in Jacksonville. The time is now for Taylor and Robinson to grow up quickly. With that comes the opportunity to learn from mistakes along the way and avoid repeating them later. Otherwise it will be a long day for Foles and the offense at TIAA Bank Field.
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