A.J. Cann Gains Support From OL Coach Pat Flaherty

While the Jacksonville Jaguars did many things to improve itself over the offseason, most notably adding All-Pro guard Andrew Norwell to the offensive line, I believe the unit as a whole will still be scrutinized in 2018. A.J. Cann, the team’s right guard could be under a microscope as well.

The play of left tackle Cam Robinson as a rookie and the brute strength of Jermey Parnell on the right side means the Jaguars have a solid pair of bookends. It’s the interior line that still may need some help. That’s where Norwell comes in. The Jaguars made a concerted effort to zero in on the top offensive lineman in free agency and shore up a unit that played better in 2017, but still had some deficiencies to correct.

The Jaguars rushed for 141.1 yards last season, tops in the league. They gave up only 24 sacks, a career low for quarterback Blake Bortles. The team was 17th in the NFL in yards passing last season. All solid numbers, but still an opportunity to get better.

Offensive line coach Pat Flaherty spoke with the media on Friday following the team’s final OTA practice of the week. He said he was pleased with the work his linemen have put in during these practices, especially on the right side of the line.

Parnell played in 13 games last season while A.J. Cann started 15 for the team. Flaherty said he saw improvement during the week, something that should be positive in 2018.

While the right guard position may be the weakest spot on the line, Flaherty was confident when he said right guard “will work itself out,” He was impressed with the improvement of Cann, who has had an up and down career in four years with the organization.

"“A.J. Cann did some things better in 2017 than what he’s done. I wasn’t with him those first couple of years. He has improved in a lot of areas,” Flaherty said."

The Jaguars have stated that Cann is one of several players who has not participated in OTAs this week for an “unidentified injury situation.”

Flaherty did say he has confidence in the fourth-year guard out of South Carolina. There has been some question if there will be a change at the right guard spot, something Flaherty said he will see how this all plays out.

"“I’m not going to kick him to the curb because I think he can be too good a football player, in my opinion. I have confidence in him,” he added."

Cann was originally a third-round pick of the Jaguars in 2015.