Unsung Jaguars free-agent acquisition is having immediate impact in the trenches

One of the main reasons the Jacksonville Jaguars fell to 4-13 last year was a struggling run game. They were near the bottom of the league with 1,729 yards and 4.2 yards per carry. Short yardage downs—especially on third—were a consistent issue. They couldn't run when they needed to, forcing them to play constantly from behind.

Enter new general manager James "I'm running out of nicknames" Gladstone. He didn't bring in a ton of big names in free agency, though it's probably telling that two of his signings were voted (by the players) as team captains—center Robert Hainsey and cornerback Jourdan Lewis. This might say more about the state of the locker room last year than it does about the signings, but Hainsey has already proved himself a solid offseason pick-up.

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Jaguars center Robert Hainsey continues to dominate

When head coach Liam Coen arrived in Jacksonville this last offseason, he brought with him a ton of hope and optimism. He also brought with him—through free agency—former Tampa Bay Buccaneer center Robert Hainsey. Hainsey praised his time with Coen at Tampa.

"We had a great relationship last year," he said (1:15 mark). "A handful of us guys in Tampa were pretty close with him. I feel like we could all speak our minds, and there was a great mutual respect. Getting to have that now with your head coach is definitely very different. I've never had that with a head coach...He's leaning on me in a few things, which I didn't know if he was going to, but I was ready."

He continued, "I was definitely looking forward to building relationships [in Jacksonville], especially in [the offensive line room], but across the whole team, really. I think it's super important as an offensive line to be friends, honestly."

That unity has led to a massive improvement along the entire offensive line. While Hainsey himself has played stellar—he's allowed zero pressures on 79 pass-block snaps—the team O-line has only allowed a single sack in two games.

But the offensive line didn't just improve in the passing game. They lead the league in both rushing yards and yards per carry through two weeks (339 and 5.8, respectively). Hainsey shared his thoughts on running the ball, as well.

"I think as an offensive lineman, that's kind of what you hang your hat on: How well can you run the football," he said. "How well can you dictate what the defense is going to do and make them pay. Creating lanes for our backs who are unbelievable and have great vision...we're doing our job up front, they're making us right. It's complimentary football on just the offensive side of the ball."

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