Myles Jack’s upside forcing Paul Posluszny out of middle linebacker to SAM
By Luke Sims
Paul Posluszny has been a stud at middle linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars the last six seasons but he is now being forced over to SAM to make room for Myles Jack.
Myles Jack has clearly already made an impression on the Jacksonville Jaguars. Drafted to be the heir to Paul Posluszny at middle linebacker, Jack has already forced the team to move the longtime middle linebacker to a new strongside, SAM, role.
Jack needed just 230 snaps on defense in his rookie season for the Jags to make the change. Even in that brief period, Jack has shown he has more than enough ability to take over for Posluszny.
It will be a big job for the young linebacker. Since joining the Jaguars in 2011, Posluszny has had the most tackles in the NFL. He has racked up 544, compared to the next-closest, D’Qwell Jackson’s 491. Posluszny has managed that production despite missing 12 games over the last six seasons. His 11 interceptions over those six seasons is also the third-highest among all linebackers.
Those are some big shoes to fill. Myles Jack had better be up to the task.
The move to outside linebacker will be new for Poz. Specifically, playing strongside linebacker will be a new experience. Posluszny referred to never having played on the ball and how being lined up on the tight end will be all new to him. He also mentioned how it will be the biggest challenge of his career, never having done it before.
Posluszny has shown the professionalism to take this hit to his job in stride. Going from being a star middle linebacker in the classic mold to a player who may not see the field all three downs could easily be seen as a downgrade. Still, it is one that he will take for the betterment of the team even though middle linebacker has been his entire identity through his 10-year career.
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While this may be couched as the best thing for the team, Posluszny told reporters that he sees it as not being good enough at his job. After a renaissance season, that may be tough to come to terms with. However, seeing Jack paired with fellow outside linebacker Telvin Smith will give the Jaguars a more athletic combination that could be better on the whole for the defense.
Hopefully the new arrangement works well. Posluszny has been excellent at times in his career, but Myles Jack looks like the future and the Jaguars front office has finally joined the fans in wanting to see him sooner rather than later.