Jacksonville Jaguars: 5 Keys To Success In 2015

Dec 7, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Denard Robinson (16) runs after a handoff from quarterback Blake Bortles (5) in the first quarter of their game against the Houston Texans at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

3. A running back must emerge from the pack

The last time there was a 1,000 yard rusher in Jacksonville was when Maurice Jones-Drew did it in 2011. The Jaguars were 21st on the ground in 2014, and need to improve that if they want to improve as a team.

But, despite their pedestrian total numbers, the Jaguars averaged an impressive 4.5 yards per carry last year, good for ninth in the league. What this says to me is that there was a lot of potential for running production, but there was nobody there to take advantage of it.

Part of this was certainly due to the team’s overall lack of offensive production. They often found themselves down in games and in a position where they had to throw the football to compete. They also gave up a franchise record 71 sacks, and it only makes sense that it’s hard to be effective running the football when you are in second or third and long situations after giving up a sack.

What I think the main problem was, however, was that none of Jacksonville’s backs stepped up and made the best of their opportunities. Four different running backs received carries last season, and none of them were able to distance themselves greatly from the rest.

Denard Robinson was the team’s leading rusher with 582 yards after starting nine games, but he failed to be consistent week-in and week-out. In weeks seven and eight he accumulated 235 yards on 40 carries for an average of 5.88 yards per carry. These numbers are outstanding, but games like week eleven where he averaged less than 2 yards per carry on 14 carries. He believes he’s done enough to make himself the starting back:

"“I want to show the team they can count on me. Last year, I showed growth so people could say, ‘That’s not the same Denard. It’s night and day.’ This year, I want them to say, ‘Man, Denard has grown even more,'” said Robinson, per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk."

Last year’s week one starter Toby Gerhart also showed some promise. He tweaked his ankle on an illegal horse-collar tackle in the season opener, and then lost his job to Robinson later in the season as he was never able to fully return to form. He did finish the season as the team’s third leading rusher with 326 yards and 2 touchdowns.

He looks to have a better year this year, as his style of play should better fit the inside-zone blocking scheme that will be put in place by new offensive coordinator Greg Olson. According to Mark Long of the St. Augustine Record, he was disappointed last year when he realized the team would mostly be running on the outside:

"“I knew we were going to run some outside zone, but when we showed up in April for our first practice and our offensive vision was to be the best outside-zone running team in the league, I was like, ‘Dang, that’s not what I thought,'” Gerhart said. “It was difficult.”"

Storm Johnson showed some flashes of excellence in 2014, but failed to really emerge, and now is fighting to even make the roster. This offseason, the Jaguars signed veteran back Bernard Pierce and used the first pick in the second round of the draft on former Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon.

Pierce has been a serviceable backup in Baltimore for a few years, but has never been able to take a long-term starter role. Yeldon, on the other hand, is widely expected to take the No. 1 role on the Jacksonville squad this year. Yeldon comes from an Alabama backfield that housed current New Orleans back Mark Ingram and the 2013 Rookie of the Year in Green Bay back Eddie Lacy, so the expectations are very high.

All of these players will compete for roster spots this offseason and carries in the fall, but I think it most likely that Yeldon comes out on top. Jacksonville managed only 9 rushing touchdowns in 2014, and Yeldon’s 37 touchdowns in three seasons at Alabama would be an excellent influx of scoring.

Regardless of who manages to secure the starting job, it’s important that they can be successful and efficient, or the team will struggle. In 2014 there were 13 players who ran for over 1,000 yards, and 11 of their teams finished at least 8-8.

One of the best ways for Jacksonville to instigate team improvement is by establishing a strong running game headed by a back who is able to carry a heavy load and make some big things happen. There should be some room to run with the team’s improved offensive line, all that is left is for one of these running backs to take advantage of it.

Next: The Linebackers