Jacksonville Jaguars running back room is better than last season

Can the Jacksonville Jaguars running backs have an even better season in 2020?

Despite the changes in the offensive game plan this season, Jacksonville Jaguars running back coach Terry Robiskie is excited about what he sees from his stable of runners this coming season.

Robiskie, who spoke with Jaguars.com about the upcoming season, has Leonard Fournette back for his final year on his rookie contract and second-year running back, Ryquell Armstead, who showed glimpses of what he can do on the field last season. Add Chris Thompson to the mix and there are three backs that could make this running game much better in 2020.

"“I’m excited about my room,” Robiskie said. “We’re starting off with three guys we had last year. I have a good feel for those three. I have a good feel for their heart. I have a feel for who they are. I have a feel for their heart and their level of competition.”"

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The Jaguars running game was a middle-of-the-pack unit last season. This is a far cry from when the team led the league in rushing in 2017. Fournette will need more consistency this season, and will also need to find the end zone more. Last year, he hit paydirt only three times, which is unacceptable in today’s NFL.

This offseason has presented challenges for Robiskie and the Jaguars coaching staff. Those roadblocks have not stopped him or other members of the coaching staff prepare for the upcoming season. It also has not affected the players from learning the installation of the team’s offense.

"“We have to find a way to all come together and get on the same page,” he said. “The biggest thing is patience. We won’t be able to rush through things. We’re going through a whole new system.”"

What the Jaguars have this season that they lacked in 2019 is a true third-down back. Fournette showed he could stay on the field and carry the offensive load, but there wasn’t a change-of-pace runner who could make things more difficult for defenses the team faced. That’s where Thompson comes in. Knowing the playbook from being in Washington with offensive coordinator Jay Gruden does make a difference.

Also, having to teach more from a classroom environment is something the entire team has had to adjust to, but as has been discussed before with head coach Doug Marrone, the transition has been a smooth one.

Robiskie and the coaching staff have applied the concepts of the offense to the players. When they are allowed to get back on the field, it will be up to them to show what they have retained since the beginning of May.

"“We have to find a way to all come together and get on the same page,” he said. “The biggest thing is patience. We won’t be able to rush through things. We’re going through a whole new system.”"

The changes in the offense will feature more passing and moving the ball downfield. The goal is to score more points. Robiskie referred to the offense as “running-back friendly,” but there is a definite shift in the approach under Gruden.

The Jacksonville Jaguars score only 18.8 points a game last season. That must change no matter which part of the offense is featured first. And even if the changes in the offense are geared more toward the pass, Robiskie believes Fournette will still be able to showcase his talents on the field.