Denard's offensive role "narrowed"
Apparently Robinson has had some issues with ball security even after his hand has healed from the cut earlier this summer. The Jags still have him listed as an "Offensive Weapon," although he has been taken off punt returns.
Their goal for him right now is for kick returns and some wildcat. Hoping to get him around 10 touches a game.
Link? Link
I would say that's a good role as they ease him into another position. I'd like to see him become their version of Josh Cribbs.
know man.
Denard will always be one of my favorites. But I just don't know.
Hopefully these fumbles aren't residual sequelae from his ulnar nerve injury (decreased grip strength).
If you thought I would have to look up what "sequelae" means, you would be punctilious in assuming that.
considering the jags did the exact opposite (sticking with him at wr/rb and dropping him from punt returns)...let's hope you're wrong.
He is the same size as a number of NFL RBs (Charles, Johnson, etc.)
No one is expecting an every-down ballcarrier, but his size is adequate for being an NFL RB.
I don't think that is a good comparison. The RBs you mentioned have entirely different builds than Denard. He won't we able to take many hits from NFL LBs, even if it is 5-10 carries per game. Denard is built more like a WR.
I still think they can use him at some RB if he stops putting the ball on the ground and split him out ocassionally and have him run some routes. More of that should come eventually.
I never was a fan of him on punt returns though. He didn't look comfortable catching the ball there and he didn't look comfortable not seeing what was happening in front of him before he got the ball. Kick returns is where he should be better, as long as he can be crazy enough to not shy away from the big contact that tends to happen on those plays.
On top of that they drafted a really good punt returner that's already proven in Ace Sanders. I just never really felt comfortable with Denard as a PR, and with a guy in the same draft class, it makes sense to get him out of there now and let him focus on other things.
They really just need to figure out what they want him to do and let him learn it. The guy already has to learn at least one, but more realistically two, new position(s). Throwing him around as RB/WR/PR/KR/QB isn't doing anyone any good. The whole "offensive weapon" thing was fun, but give the guy a chance to develop some basic positional skill sets before you start throwing him into a million different positions.
In a perfect world, that'd be nice, but that's always been his problem. He's an amazing talent who doesn't fit well into any specific position. He's a passing QB who can make some throws, but misses far too many others. He's an option QB who can't pitch the ball properly. He's a running QB who is awesome, but eventually, fools no one. He's a RB who coughs up the ball. He's a WR...ok, not he's not. etc.
That's why I like the OW label. Put him in, cause some confusion and see what happens.
But even ignoring Denard's development, it's still a dumb way to go about it for the Jags. Throw him out there and "see what happens" is a terrible strategy. They should take the time to actual figure out what they want him to do; start with a small set of plays and work up to more involvement at a great variety of positions. As it is, every time there's a practice report, they're making him do something totally different. That's a good way to make sure he doesn't develop any real skillset at all.
I hear your point, but that's also the problem. If he only has a small set of plays, he's easier to figure out and the defense knows what's coming. Therein lies the paradox of Denard.
that won't necessarily be a fit for the pro game, despite his many talents. Different game. Lots of other examples, Tebow, Crouch come to mind.
That said, hope he finds the right position with the right team, sometimes that's what it takes even for the more traditional skillset players. He was fun to watch and I'd like to see some more.
That was the first thing he did in college! And then he picked it up and ran it in for a touchdown. The Jags should try to get him to fumble MORE.
and then graduate to punt returner. Seems like Denard is on a normal progression path.
The practice video from yesterday had him at QB in the Wildcat, RB and (looked like) Slot. A lot of Denard and Henne action.
Agree though, he is changing roles, and should start with a limited set like a freshman in college who has switched from his high school position.
I think Denard's early NFL career was stunted because he didn't switch to WR back when we were having the two headed Tate/Denard discussions. Would guess the nerve and cut are not helping.
If Denard has a more successful early career than Pat White or Armanti Edwards, (all three of whom were drafted by lesser NFL teams) then he'll be doing well. If in three years, he's up in Percy Harvin territory then he'll have exceeded expectations.
Obviously, I am hoping for him to be wildly successful.
the guy they drafted right before him is a damn good punt returner. I love Denard, but I'd pick Ace to return punts this year, too. Two years from now--we'll see.
get any wider than "OW", it's not a huge deal he's narrowing.
Little disappointing to hear about the funbles, but that's not surprising.
Kill it Denard.
As long as the Jags don't telepgraph it so damn much. Denard in game = Denard getting the ball.
That would just be goddamned stupid. It'd be best if he was part of the 11 lineup at a slot or tailback on a series of plays. Otherwise the defense will just zero in on Denard.
I guess I'm concerned about this because it sounds like he's losing touches for ball-control reasons. If they want to use him more but can't trust him with the football, he's going to have a dark season.
The idea of "narrowing" itself is entirely expected; they listed him as an offensive weapon and openly stated they hadn't figured out every way they would use him yet. Even if he never dropped a football his focus would be narrowed; it's one thing to imagine how great he'll be on offense, quite another to actually make a gameplan that defines where he fits in.