Maurice Jones-Drew Makes Strides In Offseason of Change

Sep 30, 2012; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew (32) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Everbank Field. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The changes are coming swiftly for the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Players continue to be signed, released, and evaluated.  As OTAs continue and the new systems from new coaches continue to be installed and built upon, the Jaguars have a major improvement on a similar process last offseason.

Maurice Jones-Drew.

Not only is MJD not actively boycotting the Jaguars offseason this year, but he is being communicative as he rehabilitates from his ankle injury suffered last season.  He is welcoming to the new coaching staff, he is trying to do his (currently limited) part, and he is acting every bit as the team leader that the Jaguars expect and need from him.  He is making strides in maturity, and that’s huge for the Jags.

Perhaps the biggest indication of this maturity is found in the good rapport Jones-Drew is developing with the new coaching staff.  ““I said, ‘We need you here,’ and he did that and he said, ‘Okay, now that we’ve got all the installs done let’s take the next step,’” said head coach Gus Bradley about MJD during the offseason.  Jones-Drew is there when he is needed.  He is relied upon.  The Atlas for the team for so long, Jones-Drew is showing that he more than just dependable on the field.  He is dependable off the field as well.

This Maurice is the same as the one we’ve seen each season, but he is approaching the game in a more mature way than we have seen in recent years.  It’s a welcome change and I’m excited to see him make more strides as a man and a player during the 2013 season.

– Luke N. Sims

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