Jacksonville Jaguars: Offensive line finally performing well
By Larry Brake
There were questions concerning the Jacksonville Jaguars offensive line entering the 2017 season. Most of those questions have been answered.
The Jacksonville Jaguars offensive line was patched throughout the 2016 season. As a result, Blake Bortles was sacked 34 times. Jacksonville was determined to improve the line in the offseason. Julius Thomas was traded to Miami in exchange for Branden Albert. However, Albert did not participate in any voluntary team workout. Consequently, he decided to retire shortly after training camp began.
Cam Robinson, the 34th overall pick in April, was slated to be Albert’s back up or perhaps moved to left guard. Since there was an opening at left tackle, due to Albert’s absence, Robinson slid into the starting left tackle spot. Patrick Omameh is the left guard. Jacksonville signed Brandon Linder to a huge contract extension in July. The right side of the line was set with A.J. Cann and Jermey Parnell. The line was set but how would they perform.
Jacksonville would face a huge challenge in Week 1 at Houston. Houston had the ferocious front seven. The offensive line performed at a very high level. Bortles has been sacked only three times though the first four games. Robinson is doing a good job protecting the blind side. Maybe Jacksonville has found their anchor at left tackle. Meanwhile, Omameh graded as the Jaguars highest lineman in Week 4 according to Pro Football Focus Edge. In his fourth NFL season, he is becoming a stable force in the middle.
The Jaguars are currently an top ten NFL offensive line. Football Outsiders ranks Jacksonville No. 2 in pass protection, so Bortles has been given time to throw. Since they are the sixth ranked run blocking line, Leonard Fournette is able to run between the tackles with the way the group is playing now.
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Those questions from training camp are being answered. Consistency will be the challenge for this highly ranked line. Every play begins with the battle in the trenches and Jacksonville is winning most of those battles.