The Jacksonville Jaguars coaching staff is failing James Robinson. Yes, it’s that simple. Robinson is arguably the best offensive player on the team and his usage is questionable. In fact, to say his usage is questionable is putting it lightly. Urban Meyer, Darell Bevell, and Bernie Parmalee are either grossly incompetent or have something against Robinson. Regardless, their handling of Robinson this year is just one symptom of the overall lack of leadership and accountability in the Jaguars organization.
Jags RB James Robinson reacts to being benched after a second straight week with a fumble during his weekly appearance on @ActionSportsJax Jags Report Live. Watch the full video here (https://t.co/zje4Od0Ovy) for more thoughts on if he's getting the ball enough… #ASJax pic.twitter.com/pGiB6iu6AV
— BrentDanStuartMarcelAlivia (@ActionSportsJax) December 7, 2021
Jacksonville Jaguars Coaches are Failing James Robinson
Robinson’s Performance This Season
Robinson is the starting running back for the Jaguars. Though the team drafted Travis Etienne 25th overall this year, the Clemson standout suffered a Lisfranc injury in the preseason. Thus, Robinson was the unquestioned starter heading into the season. Here is a look at his performance so far.
Robinson has played in 11 of 12 games this season (missing one due to a heel injury). He has 137 rushing attempts for 678 yards and seven touchdowns. That’s an average of 4.9 yards per carry. He’s also got 28 receptions for 209 yards this year. For comparison, Robinson had 240 carries for 1070 yards and seven touchdowns in 14 games his rookie year in 2020. He also had 49 catches for 344 yards and three touchdowns (a total of 10 scores on the season).
Robinson has already matched his rushing touchdown total from last year in three games less time. He’s also averaging almost half a yard more per carry at 4.9 yards a carry compared to 4.5 yards a carry last season.
Carlos Hyde’s Performace This Season
The Jaguars added Carlos Hyde in free agency in March of 2021. Hyde played for Meyer at Ohio State.
Hyde has 71 rushing attempts for 251 yards and one touchdown this year. He also has 11 receptions for 59 yards. Hyde is averaging 3.5 yards per carry this season. As you can see, Hyde is not playing as well as Robinson. Robinson has 66 more carries than Hyde does. Though Hyde had more carries in week one, Robinson has had the bulk of them since.
Urban Meyer is Failing as a Coach
Meyer is failing in his duties as head coach. The Robinson situation is evidence of this fact. The way the team has used the young tailback is dumbfounding. Robinson missed the Jaguars week nine match-up against the Buffalo Bills due to a heel injury. He does not seem to be close to 100 percent yet. However, Robinson has still managed to add value to a team lacking talent.
Robinson has lost two fumbles this season (one in each of the past two weeks). He was benched both times. Last week, Robinson fumbled the ball and did not re-enter the game for 16 snaps. On Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams, Robinson fumbled the ball on the Jaguars first drive while being tackled by Aaron Donald. He only had six more carries in the game after that play.
#Jaguars HC Urban Meyer's exchange with media following today's game on James Robinson and the team's usage of him and Carlos Hyde, even after Hyde's own fumble. pic.twitter.com/rbToWgQExK
— John Shipley (@_John_Shipley) December 6, 2021
The above tweet displays Meyer’s exchange with the media following the Jaguars loss. Meyer attempts to say that Robinson was out of the game due to injury. However, if that’s true, why did he come back in the game at the end when it was already out of reach? Also, when pressed about whether Robinson was out due to health or if it was a benching, he deferred to the running backs coach and said, “I don’t micromanage that”. Meyer has a pattern of deflecting answers to other coaches (who conveniently do not have press conferences). This situation with Robinson is making it clear that he does not know what is going on with his staff and is unwilling to take responsibility for the team he is the leader of.
James Robinson Should Request a Trade if This Continues
Robinson should request a trade if this behavior from Meyer and the coaches continues.
James Robinson should be asking to be traded or released at the end of the season. Jaguars don't deserve or respect GOOD football players.
— Uche Nwaneri The Observant Lineman♎ #Snydercut (@Chukwu77) December 5, 2021
Former Jaguar lineman Uche Nwaneri expressed this exact sentiment after yesterday’s loss. He also mentioned that, “[The] Jaguars don’t deserve or respect good football players”. Jacksonville’s struggle to keep good talent in recent years is no secret. Jalen Ramsey is the most notable of the bunch. The team also played hardball with Yannick Ngakoue which led to his departure from the team. There is of course a new front office in Jacksonville and Meyer was not with the Jaguars when Ramsey and Ngakoue left the team. However, the point by Nwaneri is important.
The Jaguars have built a reputation for being dismissive of homegrown talent. Robinson is one of the lone bright spots on the Jaguars currently. If Meyer and company are not careful, the talented sophomore back could request a trade by season’s end.
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