Jacksonville Jaguars: Gardner Minshew and his mustache can make waves

Gardner Minshew debuted his mustache as the Jacksonville Jaguars began their rookie minicamp. Expect both to shine in Duval.

Shad Khan is known as the owner of both the Jacksonville Jaguars and a big mustache. There is a new mustache in town with as much notoriety as Khan’s. Gardner Minshew and his ‘stache debut soon in the Jaguars rookie minicamp.

Jacksonville selected Minshew in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The Jaguars quarterback room is crowded for the moment. But you can expect Minshew to shine in the black and teal uniform. Minshew played junior college football before suiting up for East Carolina. However, Mike Leach’s phone call changed the trajectory of his playing career.

Minshew was preparing to transfer to Alabama to stand on the sideline. Leach saw something in Minshew that he liked. Leach asked whether Minshew wanted to hold a clipboard or lead the nation in passing at Washington State. Minshew accepted Leach’s offer and challenge.

The late, great coach Bill Walsh had several key qualities to look for in a quarterback. In his book, Finding the Winning Edge, he lists seven important things to look for in a quarterback. Perhaps the first quality is the most important one for Minshew.

Walsh defines, on page 169, the importance of functional intelligence. The ability to instantly process information in a highly stressful situation is key to playing quarterback on a high level. In other words, how does the quarterback handle things when they aren’t going as planned?

Here is Leach’s description of Minshew’s intangibles, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk:

"“He’s one of those guys who uplifts the entire team,” … He’s got great pocket presence, that’s probably what he does best — he doesn’t take negative plays…"

Minshew has charisma on and off the field. He will have to prove that he is worthy of a Jaguars roster spot. There are five quarterbacks on the current Jacksonville roster.

Nick Foles will be the starting quarterback. The remaining four guys will battle for the backup spot. Minshew has as good a chance as any of the others. Do not be surprised if it comes down to the key quality of functional intelligence.

It will be a fast and furious offseason for Jacksonville. All eyes will be on the quarterbacks to see who emerges as the clear backup to Foles. The man with the mustache will rise to the occasion once again.