Luke Joeckel Settles In At Right Tackle
By Luke Sims
May 3, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Luke Joeckel signs an autograph for fans after a rookie minicamp held at Everbank Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports
Jacksonville Jaguars first round pick Luke Joeckel is settling at right tackle during the Jags’ three-day rookie minicamp. It’s a new role for Joeckel, who played at left tackle throughout his college career at Texas A&M, but it’s a role he will have to fill for at least one year because the Jaguars have one of the better left tackles in the NFL with Eugene Monroe.
John Oehser of Jaguars.com notes that Joeckel didn’t feel “totally comfortable” in his new position, but that things are starting to come together for him. “It’s just playing football,” Joeckel said. For a guy who may be the best rookie tackle this season, that’s the right attitude. It sounds like it’s coming naturally to him even though it’s a new role for him to take on.
Oehser pulled a couple of lines from head coach Gus Bradley on Joeckel. “When he gets on the field, you saw him kind of switch into a different mode,” Bradley said. While Joeckel is noted that his first step wasn’t as quick as it was at right tackle but it still felt pretty good to him, Bradley thinks he’s “right on track.” “He just needs to get more and more reps. He’ll get it,” notes Bradley.
Joeckel has noted that there is still plenty of time until the preseason and week one for him to learn the position and offense. That’s good for him because there are high expectations for him in Jacksonville and the drop off from him to the next guy up could be considerable, even during his rookie season. It sounds like things are coming together and, while the optimism sounds cautious, we can expect big things from Joeckel. He reportedly looked very impressive if you believe the rumors and amateur opinions floating around Twitter and Reddit.
– Luke N. Sims
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