In 2018, the Jacksonville Jaguars were demoralized by injuries to the offensive line. No one is questioning that. But injuries affect every team, right? So this is not an excuse for the unit’s ineptitude in 2018. Week after week, the entire unit was downright offensive in many ways. The unit was undisciplined, overmatched, and inexperienced. Truly a disaster after the first couple of games.
The franchise hopes to make positive strides on the offensive line in 2019. Upgrading the unit with talent both via the draft and free agency. But will it be enough? Coaches and fans hope to get answers as training camp begins this Thursday. However, there are two keys for the offensive line to impact the 2019 season.
Taking a Look at the Jacksonville Jaguars Offensive Line Ahead of Training Camp
1. Toughness
In the off-season, the front office replaced right tackle Jermey Parnell with rookie Jawaan Taylor and free agent Cedric Ogbuehi. The move to release Parnell on March 9 was made not only for financial purposes but to get younger at the position. What the move did was send a veteran with a label as one of the nastiest linemen in the NFL packing.
Now it is time to develop the new faces. Enter in seasoned offensive line coach George Warhop. He brings close to 20 years to the Jaguars’ coaching staff. In addition to coaching the new faces and the veterans on the unit, Warhop will be asked to create an identity. An identity of toughness, grit, and nastiness that parallels the offensive philosophy of Doug Marrone.
The ability of the Jaguars to successfully run the ball impacts both the offense and defense. Grind out the tough yards in between the tackles while enabling the defense to rest. It seems simple enough. It all begins up front and winning at the point of attack. Intimidation and execution are keys to constructing the before mentioned identity for the offensive line. Harness and control the new mindset to avoid costly penalties, but don’t back down. Not ever. The maturation process begins on Thursday.
2. Consistency
Every successful company or team has one thing in common: consistency. The ability to do a job well every time should never be an afterthought. Unfortunately, it is most of the time.
Let’s be honest, if you experience repeated satisfaction at a restaurant, most of the time it goes unnoticed. Nobody receives applause, and the day goes on like business as usual. A model of consistency, right? However, as soon as there is an issue or something disrupts your experience, your friends and family know all about it.
The same can be said about an offensive line. A group that does not receive credit or accolades during a successful drive or season. Nonetheless, the unit immediately receives criticism for the team’s inability to gain positive inches at critical moments in a game. Unfair? Perhaps, but such is the game.
Consistency in the trenches requires leadership. An individual to instill a sense of accountability and challenge the supporting cast. It has been several years since the Jaguars have had this type of leadership on the offensive line. There are several names to choose from among the unit. Certainly left guard Andrew Norwell and center Brandon Linder should garner top consideration. Perhaps returning right guard A.J. Cann or one of the new faces. Whomever it is, a leader must emerge to pursue the value of consistency on the Jaguars’ offensive line. Applications for a leader begin Thursday.
Last Word on the Jaguars Offensive Line
The Jaguars offensive line holds the keys to success. Brewing a sense of toughness over the next few weeks is critical for the season ahead. The unit’s ability to put last year behind them and to take two steps forward is a must. With new faces on the field and on the coaching staff striving towards a goal of perfection play after play. Time for the unit to pivot and erase the woes of 2018, beginning on Thursday.
