“Maurice Jones-Drew Will Have a Great Year” – Mike Mularkey

Dec 11, 2011; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew (32) takes a bow after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

In a recent interview with Pro Football Talk, ex-Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey said that he expects star running back Maurice Jones-Drew to have a great year.  Like all people associated with the Jaguars, it wasn’t shocking to Mularkey that the team has said they won’t trade MJD and that they will assess his contract at the end of the season.  It makes sense to almost all of us that Jones-Drew remain a Jaguar, but some media outlets insist that the Jaguars are thinking of cutting ties.

If the Jaguars do cut ties with Jones-Drew it will be after this season, not before it.  The reasoning is simple.  MJD is entering his contract year the season after he only played in six games.  He needs to show that he worth keeping around and worth big money at a dying position.  The NFL is a passing league and backs like MJD need to be durable as well as consistent weapons.  2013 is Jones-Drew’s year to show that 2012 was a fluke and he’s back on track to being the best running back in the league.

“He’s going into that last year of his contract.  Players that tend to go into that last year of a contract and have not had a chance to get an extension, like he was asking, typically go out and have a great year because they are trying to prove their worth to get that extension that they’ve wanted so badly,” said Mularkey.  “I see him having a great year,” he added.  MJD, being one of those players looking for an extension is poised to have a great year.  His ex-coach knows it and it makes sense that Jones-Drew knows he needs a special season to prove his worth.

– Luke N. Sims

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