The Jacksonville Jaguars are serious about piecing together a winning team. Over the past few years they have struggled to put any points on the board. However this season, the team is holding on to key offensive pieces and building quarterback competition that should allow the unt to compete on another level. One of those key offensive pieces remaining is running back Maurice Jones-Drew. General manager Dave Caldwell says they have no intention of getting rid of Jones-Drew this season.
Jones-Drew's relationship with the Jaguars has seen its ups and downs. He is entering into the final year of his contract and is in search of a much larger deal. This demand caused a nasty holdout at the start of the 2012 season. Many believed that it sealed his fate with the Jaguars and the running back would likely be traded away prior to the draft. However, Caldwell said that is not happening.
Caldwell insisted that Jones-Drew would remain with Jacksonville and play out the final year of his current contract. They will make a decision on his future after the 2013 season. Once the 2014 postseason begins, the Jaguars can either re-sign him to a new contract, apply the franchise tag on him or let him leave to free agency and wait for another team to offer him a desired deal.
A lot of his future will depend on his health. Jones-Drew is recovering from foot surgery that limited his playing time in 2012 to playing just six games, rushing for a disappointing 414 yards and one touchdown. Jones-Drew says he plans to be at full speed come June. He has already begun light running after rehabbing at UCLA.
Jones-Drew will be a crucial weapon in the 2013 season. Caldwell has said the Jaguars have narrowed their draft options down to two players, likely being quarterback Geno Smith or guard Luke Joeckel. Both of whom will benefit more with Jones-Drew on the team.
The Jaguars have been serious about increasing the competition around current quarterback Blaine Gabbert who has underachieved in the past two years. If Smith were drafted No.2 overall and won the quarterback competition, a quality running back is something that will be vital to his success. Joeckel will be a key player on the offensive line and could open up big scoring opportunities for the running back.
With a healthy Jones-Drew, the Jaguars are already a better team than they were in 2012. Whatever draft choice they go with in the first-round will only benefit from him.
