Out of the Box: Jack of all trades
By Steve Box
At UCLA he played running back, safety, linebacker even cornerback, going both ways for much of his sophomore season. In Jacksonville, there is no doubt that linebacker is where second round pick and mega-talent Myles Jack will play his craft.
In a league which values speed and on a team that has seen a player many declared too small to be an every-down player in the NFL become one of the best linebackers in the league – Telvin Smith – Jack figures to be a dynamic player as part of a vastly-improved defense.
One of the key questions is how the Jaguars intend to utilize Jack in the LB corps. Early thoughts at the time of the draft had Jack pencilled in opposite Smith on the outside to combine with veteran Paul Posluszny in the middle. But opening rookie minicamp the Jaguars and defensive coordinator Todd Wash had Jack work at middle linebacker. At the time, when asked, both Wash and Head Coach Gus Bradley indicated that this was to help Jack develop a feel and head space for the entire defense, but could it be a sign of more?
Jack undoubtedly has the potential to end up at the ‘mike’ position in years to come, and would likely remain on the field in Nickel sets and passing downs with Smith even if at MLB, but a full-time transition to the position would likely be a year away.
Just like the move of Linder to center to address the need for future stability at the position, has the drafting of Jack provided an answer to what many saw post draft as a glaring need – a successor to veteran Posluszny in the middle?
The Jaguars will look to capitalise on the good fortune that the concern regarding Jack’s knee saw him slide into the second round where the Jaguars could snatch him, but also be mindful of not wanting to overload him in physical duty early on.
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The Jaguars minicamp comments about it being part of the learning curve for Jack appear spot-on currently, but with Jack missing OTAs due to standard NCAA graduation requirements, we won’t know for sure that he will be working on the outside this year. Even with ‘Poz’ in the middle (noted for his sure tackling, instincts and motor more than his athleticism), the Jaguars now possess one of the more athletic linebacker corps in the league, a title that expansion-buddies Carolina probably hold currently.
Despite his noted athletic prowess and his flexibility and versatility shown through college, the Jaguars are hoping that Myles will be more than a Jack of all trades, but a master at one.