When it rains, it pours for the Jacksonville Jaguars and this was in full display in their 37-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13.
Although the Jags held the Rams to just three points in their first possession, things quickly got out of hand, as running back James Robinson went on to fumble in the Jaguars’ second offensive play of the game. Los Angeles recovered and made the most out of it, scoring a touchdown. They never looked back. That was the beginning of a blowout that seemed decided by halftime.
One thing that stood out in the loss was the number of carries or lack thereof that Robinson got. He finished the game with eight while veteran Carlos Hyde ran the ball nine times. After the game, head coach Urban Meyer told the media he wasn’t aware Robinson stopped getting the ball after the fumble but got a few carries towards the end of the game. He then added that running backs coach Bernie Parmalee is the one in charge of distributing the workload.
On Monday, Meyer said he was aware of the running back rotation but doesn’t call the shots.
"I’m aware of it. I’m not in charge of it, but I watch it and I’ll say what’s our thoughts here? What’s our thoughts here? And obviously, I didn’t do it there with James."
This is not the kind of comment you want to hear your head coach make. Meyer must know what’s happening at all times, and it’s fair to wonder how engaged he’s with the team. It would be one thing if his approach was working but it isn’t. He later said he would get more involved moving forward, so he can get things done the way he wants to. He’d better be.
You could make the case Meyer is learning the nuances of being an NFL head coach on the fly, but and his transition to the pros is taking longer than expected. He’s made several mistakes throughout his stint in Jacksonville and the team isn’t showing any palpable growth with him at the helm. Although he deserves the benefit of the doubt, his performance in Year 1 has been less than stellar, and not having a full grasp of his responsibilities as the leader of the team isn’t helping his cause.
The Jaguars’ decision not to give rookies playing time is baffling.
It looks like Trevor Lawrence may be the long-term answer at quarterback in Jacksonville and cornerback Tyson Campbell is here to stay but what about the Jaguars’ 2021 rookie class? Offensive tackle Walker Little started one game in place of Cam Robinson but has otherwise remained on the sidelines in 2021. Similarly, safety Andre Cisco got some snaps in the first two weeks but then saw his playing dime decrease.
With a 2-10 record and no chances of sneaking into the playoffs, you would think this would be a good time for both Little to get a look at right tackle. Jawaan Taylor has struggled with penalties this season and the rookie may have a higher ceiling. Similarly, Andrew Wingard’s tackling skills are average and he isn’t great in coverage. At this point, it doesn’t hurt the Jaguars to give Cisco the opportunity to show what he can do in extended action.
However, Urban Meyer cited the team’s desire to win games as a reason for not playing the rookies.
"Yeah, yeah, I’d like to win some games. That’s number one. And then certainly, you know, Cisco got some playing time yesterday. Walker is a guy that played one game will play pretty well. But you know we’re not second best so we’re gonna try to if they can help us win a game they’re gonna be in there. Good marks week is back at all yesterday I just muscular should be fine."
Wait a minute! Meyer’s reasoning would make sense if the Jaguars were in the thick of the playoff race. They aren’t, and Taylor and Wingard aren’t difference-makers. Would Little flop at right tackle? Maybe but there’s also a chance he can solidify the position and the only way to find out is to give him the starting nod. The same applies to Cisco. Let him play and see what he can do. If he struggles, at least you know will probably need to address the position in the offseason but riding the bench robs him of the chance to make an impression.
Give Cisco and Walker more playing time. At this point, what does the coaching staff have to lose?
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.