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Countdown to Kickoff: Profile on Jacksonville Jaguars running back No. 33 Chris Ivory

By Russell S. Baxter

Jul 29, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Ivory (33) walks toward fans to sign autographs during training camp at Practice Fields at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Ivory (33) walks toward fans to sign autographs during training camp at Practice Fields at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Countdown to Kickoff series continues on with a profile on Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Ivory.

There are exactly 33 days until the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers open up the 2016 NFL regular season with a Super Bowl rematch. It’s also worth mentioning that the NFL preseason kicks off on Sunday night, August 7, in Canton, Ohio. This year’s Hall of Fame game features the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts.

In the meantime, we at NFL Spin Zone have been profiling a player each day as we countdown the days to the kick off of the league’s 97th season.

Related Story: Fantasy Football: Jacksonville Jaguars Opportunity Breakdown

We began months ago by previewing the rookie defensive end of the San Diego Chargers in Joey Bosa (No. 99). On Thursday, it was Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams. If you’re looking for the entire countdown, you can check it out right here.

The No. 33 has a pretty decent track record in NFL annals. Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Tony Dorsett spent the vast majority of his career with the Dallas Cowboys and only seven players in NFL history have rushed for more career yards. Fellow Hall of Famers Sammy Baugh and Ollie Matson are worth mentioning as well, as is versatile four-time Pro Bowler Roger Craig.

But here we take a look at the top rusher in the AFC in 2015. Only seven players reached 1,000 yards on the ground last season and then-New York Jets running back Chris Ivory was one of them. He racked up a career-best 1,070 yards rushing for Todd Bowles’ team. A free agent this offseason, he opted to take his talents to the improving Jacksonville Jaguars.

Jul 29, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Ivory (33) signs autographs during training camp at Practice Fields at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Ivory (33) signs autographs during training camp at Practice Fields at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

“For the most part, it’s been pretty smooth,” said Ivory in June to Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union in terms of the transition. “The only thing is trying to adjust to the new terminology. It’s the same stuff, but new terminology. I’m just trying to wrap my mind around it and get more comfortable with it so I can just go out and play.”

Although Gus Bradley’s team was much improved on offense a year ago, it was an imbalanced attack. Quarterback Blake Bortles, wide receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns and tight end Julius Thomas carried the load, while the ground game ranked 27th in the league and totaled only five touchdowns.

More nfl spin zone: Jacksonville Jaguars: Offense Will Be Elite

In 2015, rookie T.J. Yeldon led the team with 740 yards rushing. Enter Ivory, who should offer more of a sledgehammer effect to the attack, which may also help the club play a little more ball control and keep their defense off the field.

It’s an ideal addition for the Jaguars and a perfect setting for Ivory, who can school his second-year teammate as well. The Jaguars have been a popular pick for being one of the most improved teams in the league this fall and Ivory is a big part of that optimism.

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