The Jacksonville Jaguars don’t really have many good reasons not to pull out all the stops at this point. This is why the whole situation involving the benching of running back James Robinson has been so strange. And that’s saying something given how strange the season has been for Urban Meyer’s squad.
Robinson, who rushed for 1,070 yards and scored 10 total touchdowns last season, has seen limited action lately. When he was absent for much of Sunday’s loss, Meyer was asked about why Robinson was essentially benched following a first-quarter fumble and the head coach told reporters that his absence was due to an injury. That was something Robinson refuted. When a reporter asked Meyer why Robinson was inserted into the game late in the 4th quarter if he was actually injured, the head coach didn’t have a good answer. That’s kinda his thing these days.
While Meyer tries to figure out what’s going on with the team he’s in charge of, quarterback Trevor Lawrence made it clear how he feels about Robinson during a Wednesday press conference.
“In my eyes, obviously, I’m the one that’s out, see all the pieces moving, I see the whole picture. Bottom line is James is one of our best players and he’s got to be on the field and we addressed it, and I feel like we’re in a good spot, and the whole team, we’re good,” Lawrence said.
“Whatever may have happened, I honestly don’t even know everything that went into it. I’m playing the game and stuff happens on the sideline with coaching decisions. I don’t really get into that, but I know and I voiced my opinion: James is one of our best players and he’s got to be in the game. I think we’re all on the same page, so there’s no confusion there. We’re going to move forward. I know James is a hell of a player, so I want him out there.”
That’s a pretty strong statement from the rookie quarterback. Clearly, he doesn’t feel as though he needs Meyer’s permission when it comes to what feels like a common-sense decision. True or not, it also feels like a shot across the bow at the leadership of the Jaguars and who’s actually calling the shots.
The numbers don’t lie either as Robinson has rushed for 678 yards, scored seven touchdowns, averages 4.9 yards per carry, and leads the NFL in TD rush percentage on “goal to go” situations.
The Jaguars (2-10) play the Titans (8-4) on Sunday, so we’ll see if the Jaguars’ coaching staff figures out how to use Robinson.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.