The Jaguars Overhaul at Running Back Must Yield Results
By David Levin
With all the changes made to the running back position by the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team must produce better results this week.
Jamaal Charles is not the same running back as he was just four seasons ago. But given what the Jacksonville Jaguars need from the 31-year-old, and the fact he has fresh legs, he could be a difference maker here in North Florida.
The truth is no one really knows what the Jaguars will get from one of the newly signed running backs this weekend in Dallas, but knowing a veteran is second in the rotation behind T.J. Yeldon has to give the coaching staff a chance to exhale.
It also gives Leonard Fournette a chance to rest until he is completely healthy – something that might not have been the case if Jacksonville did not find someone of Charles’s caliber and his potential as a street free agent.
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Charles was ready to get after it on Wednesday, having spoken to the media for the first time after practice as the team prepares for the Dallas Cowboys this weekend.
"“I have been a vet for years now, for a decade at least, so football is like football for me,” he said. “It is a good thing I have been a couple places and playbooks, so I know the playbooks pretty well.”"
Charles doesn’t have to come in and become the lead back. Yeldon will assume that role until Fournette is ready to take it back. At the beginning of the season, the combination of Fournette, Yeldon and Corey Grant looked pretty formidable. If Charles is the right fit for this franchise and Fournette comes back strong in the second half of the season, this trio of backs could be a huge advantage for this franchise running toward the playoffs.
"“I’m trying to win,” Charles added. “That is what I am trying to get done down here. I’m trying to come in and contribute to the team and do what I can to win some games.”"
The addition of Charles is just one of the moves the Jaguars made this week. David Williams was signed off the Denver Broncos practice squad. The rookie is a big back who could see playing time in a pinch. The Jaguars will miss Grant’s speed and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, but the additions of the two new players is a nice grab for the Jacksonville front office.
Head coach Doug Marrone said having Charles on board will aid a running game that needs to be better.
"“T.J. [Yeldon] will be a guy that will carry the load for us, but we brought Jamaal in and Dave Williams off of Denver’s practice squad. Jamaal, he looked good,” Marrone explained on Wednesday while meeting with the media. “He looked in shape, he looked like he was ready to go. We’ll see him out on the practice field today. Dave, the same thing. A good downhill runner, he had 10 catches in the preseason. He can catch the ball out of the backfield. He’s a big kid. We need some help, so we brought those guys in here. We’ll just put them to work.”"
The Jaguars are still a team built around the running game. That theory has been tested often this year because of Fournette’s hamstring, Yeldon’s ankle, and Grant’s foot. The team made six moves this week alone to the running game, which is something most teams do not make in a year.
Next. Jaguars Face the Cowboys: Three bold predictions. dark
Injuries are part of the game of football. The Jaguars were one of the healthiest teams in the league last season. Now it seems injuries are decimating the offense.