Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette the victim of offensive identity
By Larry Brake
Fournette thrived in the 2017 Jaguars offense
Doug Marrone named his longtime fellow coach, Nathaniel Hackett, as the Jaguars offensive coordinator for the 2017. The scheme for the season was a power running attack. Tommy Bohanon was added to the roster to be Fournette’s lead blocker at fullback.
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In 2017, Fournette ran the ball 268 times for 1,040 yards with nine touchdowns. He caught 36 passes for 302 yards with one touchdown. The Jaguars were considered to be a west coast offensive team at the time.
Remember, there is a big difference in the west coast scheme and the power run offense. Blocking schemes are at odds with each other. In that season, the Jaguars utilized the power blocking scheme.
In a true west coast offense, zone blocking is central to running the ball. The difference between the two styles is the linemen blocking assignments. Power run blocking is the old school, fire off the line and drive your man backward. Zone blocking is more synchronized along the offensive line.
Fournette was able to find the open running lanes. He had long touchdown runs of 90 and 75 yards that season. Most of all, Blake Bortles was able to hit the short passes to keep the chains moving.
Jacksonville came very close to making their first appearance in the Super Bowl but fell short in New England. The following season would see turmoil and disappointment.