{"id":66719,"date":"2019-06-11T15:56:32","date_gmt":"2019-06-11T19:56:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=66719"},"modified":"2021-03-17T20:47:27","modified_gmt":"2021-03-18T00:47:27","slug":"no-more-excuses-andrew-norwell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2019\/06\/11\/no-more-excuses-andrew-norwell\/","title":{"rendered":"No More Excuses for Andrew Norwell in Jacksonville"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last season, offensive guard Andrew Norwell<\/a><\/strong> inked a five-year, $66.5 million contract<\/a> with the Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a>. The Jaguars front office felt they had the piece to revive the running game and lead the team even further than before. Unfortunately, it did not play out that way in 2018.<\/p>\n

Norwell was a part of an offensive line riddled with injuries and inconsistency in 2018. The offensive line was undisciplined and downright offensive in 2018. This cannot happen again in 2019. No excuses. The front office anticipates that addition of new offensive line coach George Warhop<\/strong> will inject a sense of pride among the group. It all starts with the high priced left guard, Norwell buying into the mindset.<\/p>\n

It’s Time for Andrew Norwell to Step Up for the Jacksonville Jaguars<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Owning It<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s easy to finger point and blame others for last season\u2019s collapse. However, based on a recent article on Jacksonville.com<\/a>, Norwell admitted to his fair share of the blame from 2018.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s no excuse, but it wasn\u2019t my healthiest season,\u201d Norwell said. \u201cI battled through it and ultimately had a significant injury there and that ended my season. I was very disappointed. I\u2019m not going to let my teammates down like that again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just struggled through some injuries the whole year. I really just couldn\u2019t get healthy. I wasn\u2019t practicing consistently every week. It was just pretty tough on me. You know what? That\u2019s why you fall back on your fundamentals and work hard. What got me here, you just fall back on that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Get back to the basics. Seems easy enough. The Jaguars hope that a return to his fundamentals results in positive yards.<\/p>\n

Recreate an Identity<\/h3>\n

Despite the addition of quarterback Nick Foles<\/a><\/strong> and new offensive coordinator John DeFilippo<\/strong>, the Jaguars still want an identity to punish defenses with the ground game. This type of philosophy continues to be right up Norwell\u2019s alley.<\/p>\n

Once again,\u00a0this was not the case for Norwell in 2018. Fast forward to 2019, and it is a chance for Norwell to prove his worth.\u00a0Therefore a\u00a0chance to get his body and mind ready to deliver blows at the point of attack and propel the rushing attack.<\/p>\n

Currently, head coach Doug Marrone<\/a><\/strong> sees a change in Norwell.<\/p>\n

\u201cAndrew doesn\u2019t really talk too much. I like that. I don\u2019t really talk that much,\u201d Marrone said. \u201cBut I think there might be a little chip there. There might be something there. \u201cThe only reason why I say that is because of the way he has gone about his business while he has been here (this off-season). He has been very professional. It\u2019s just kind of a heightened focus or heightened awareness about him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Perhaps\u00a0a change in attitude is needed for Norwell. Use that chip on his shoulder. In other words, be mean and vocalize it.\u00a0Maybe that involves stepping out of his comfort zone and be a vocal leader. If so, do it. Norwell has a couple of young tackles he can mentor and get ready for the grind of a full season.<\/p>\n

Last Word on Andrew Norwell<\/h3>\n

Regardless, 2018 is in the rearview mirror. No time to dwell in its misery and excuses. Rather, it\u2019s time for Norwell to shed a new layer and return to the dominant abilities that brought him to Jacksonville. In addition to a more aggressive mindset, he can become a mentor in the huddle and off the field. In conclusion, if\u00a0Norwell can keep the injuries at bay he will be the most valuable player on the offense in 2019.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>