Jaguars HC Urban Meyer needs better oversight, be more involved

Is Jaguars’ running back James Robinson held to higher standards?

Let’s get back to James Robinson for a bit. If he were a role player, his lack of playing time wouldn’t be an issue but he’s one of the few playmakers the Jaguars have on offense, and it’s concerning that Carlos Hyde ran the ball more times than him in Week 13.

The fact that Robinson has gotten fewer carries after fumbling the ball in the last two weeks makes you wonder how high the coaching staff has set the bar for him. After all, other players have made costly mistakes and they don’t see a decrease in their playing time.

Jawaan Taylor is the starter at right tackle even though he’s committed costly penalties. Safety Rayshawn Jenkins got disqualified in Week 11 for punching San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings and went on to start the following week.

Meyer was asked in his sitdown with the local media if Robinson is been judged more harshly for his performance, to which he responded that he isn’t, “I don’t believe is… on my end is not true at all”.

Even if that’s true, the optics aren’t the best. Hyde and Trevor Lawrence fumbled the ball during an exchange in the same game and neither of them was benched. Why? Nobody is justifying the fact that Robinson fumbled but it seems like his mistakes are magnified.

The only Jaguars player in a situation akin to Robinson’s is tight end Jacob Hollister. After dropping a pass that led to an interception in Week 3, he has barely gotten playing time has been inactive for several days. In fact, the team traded for Dan Arnold the following day. Other than Hollister, it seems like most players can make mistakes and won’t be benched.

The Jaguars’ offense is better when Robinson is on the field, and if Meyer meant it, he needs to make sure he gets the ball more often and is on the field when it matters the most, not with the game out of reach.