The former Washington State QB threw for 3271 YDs, 21 TDs, and 6 picks in 2019, after taking over the team, when Nick Foles got injured in week 1. And in the meantime, Jacksonville has gone and traded Foles to the Bears to make Minshew their guy going forward. The Jaguars have shown Minshew is their man for the 2020 season as their starting QB.
Minshew had a 6-6 record in 2019 as their starter, as a 6th round draft pick, who was tossed in after their previous big pickup, Foles, went down, showing that he is a pretty fast learner. Gardner also seems to be a good guy, and he seems to work hard. Jacksonville has not had a good young QB for so long – I don’t think they don’t know what one looks like when actually see one playing for them. Which is where a lot of the concern and doubt seem to come from from their hesitant fanbase. A lot of the Jaguars’ problems in 2019, were based on bad defense and some poor play calling by John DeFilippo, and it seemed that he didn’t always know how to adjust to defenses, when they switched, not Minshew.
It certainly looks as if Jacksonville is going to put their eggs in on Gardner as their franchise QB – after showing that he is a winner, after his productivity, and winning 6 games last season. He has shown not only excitement – but smarts, 1138 passing YDs, and 8 TDs have the Jags hopeful this season that they can turn it around.
Minshew is looking like he is gaining a winners mentality – know his weakness, and know his own strengths. Keep belief that you are the one they have to try and stop – every play is an opportunity to choose which weapon to beat them with. Having a mindset like that, will lead to more victories than the naysayers may think. Jacksonville went and drafted LB, K’Lavon Chaisson, DB C.J. Henderson, and WR, Laviska Shenault Jr. – and already have some decent pieces in place already, in 1000 YD WR, DJ Chark and strong WR2, Dede Westbrook coming back from last season. With some improved defense, and a proven OC in Jay Gruden, Jax should get better from here. Chaisson has been still coming along this year, Chark has been hit with injuries, but is bouncing back – and then we have Shenault – with his 16 catches and 191 YDs has been promising.
The 2020 season has been rough starting off – at 1-3, so they have been through some tough games early. They are a team that gave up 24.8 /game last year, needs to get straightened out ASAP, to have a shot at being better than how they are playing like now. As their D has already been chewed on for a 29.3 /game avg. Chaisson and Henderson need to show up and show their potential.
Gardner can boogie enough to make up for any missteps up front, as he had 344 on the ground, with 5.1 YPC last year. But they should have revamped their Oline as well – the Oline is still the cornerstone of a football team, but if you have a guy like Gardner, who can move around a bit and run – you can afford a less than perfect front, and use his vision and feet to attack. I also think the Jacksonville Jaguars have an underrated RB, in James Robinson, with 285 rushing yards and 3 TDs this year. Whatever the reason I think with a good coach and improved mindset – Minshew will be fine.
I like Gardner – his 2nd season will tell the truth of who he is.
Is he going to be an NFL starter?
Is he going to be a one hit wonder?
It’s a tough league, where some players rise up and some players crumble every year.
Only the best rise to the top of the mountain.
He has some decent tools around him, which should help immensely. The Question is, if the Jaguars Oline can show up, even 70% of the time – it would make things that much better for him and the team, he can decide when he can run, and not have to be forced to run for his life every down.
He has a real shot to make some magic happen for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Minshew is a “Magic Man.”
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