Out of the Box: Beachum and Joeckel Guarded
By Steve Box
One of the storylines playing out in Jacksonville Jaguars training camp is the ‘competition’ at left tackle between incumbent Luke Joeckel and newcomer Kelvin Beachum.
Tied to this is the assertion by the coaching staff that the ‘loser’ in this battle will end up at left guard. The problem is, in this scenario, that former Pittsburgh Steeler Kelvin Beachum has been limited in camp as he recovers from his knee injury and hasn’t taken part in any of the preseason games. Whether he does in the two remaining is yet to be seen.
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During this time Luke Joeckel has manned the left tackle spot, whilst also racking up a few left guard reps with the second string line. Long pilloried by many Jacksonville followers,
, Joeckel has been better this preseason so far, but the hope remains that Joeckel improves, whilst also losing out to a player deemed by most in and around the team, as a better option.
Beachum has practiced 3 days this week and looks likely to see action at left tackle against Cincinnati this weekend. Joeckel will then get his extended reps at guard which brings us closer to an idea of how we potentially may line up to open the season.
Head Coach Gus Bradley has insisted that this arrangement versus the Bengals does not mean that Beachum has won the left tackle job, but rather reflects his opportunity to show his wares to assist that decision making.
Whilst this return to live action is promising for Beachum, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the left side of the line, there still remains some uncertainty.
But with the lack of clarity around Beachum’s status, noted regularly as him just ‘working his way back slowly’, are we likely to see Joeckel open as Day 1 starter at left tackle? If that is the case, and indeed if Beachum isn’t good to go, what does that mean for left guard? Maybe this week’s preseason game will remove any of the doubt and a healthy engagement and recovery by Beachum will put minds to rest.
Keeping Bortles upright and paving the way for Ivory and Yeldon with success would mean a legitimate shot at competing for a playoff spot. We watch on and wait with interest.
What are the options at left guard beyond the aforementioned Joeckel and Beachum? Former Carolina Panther Mackenzy Bernadeau has started this preseason (and previously in Carolina), but the word out of Jaguars camp has been underwhelming. As potential depth, or indeed as a legitimate contender in the two deep, the Jaguars resigned a previous member of the Jaguars locker room with Jacques McClendon ten days ago.
The Joeckel transition to left guard was laughed about to begin with, but as the season approaches, and with the better play of 76, a healthy Kelvin Beachum, this tandem may prove to be the line that is the best option and one that could be the best we have had in Jacksonville in recent years.
Keeping Bortles upright and paving the way for Ivory and Yeldon with success would mean a legitimate shot at competing for a playoff spot. We watch on and wait with interest.