Hope is a dangerous thing to have as a Jaguars fan. Those daring to have hopes during the season are quickly met with reality, usually by the second half of the first game. The bar is so low that they just don’t want to see the team picking first overall, again, for the third year in a row. They’re not rooting for wins, just to see that all 53 guys understand the game of football. Other fans don’t even smack talk Jags fan, instead they offer patronizing words of encouragement. After years of disparity, Travis Etienne brings a glimmer of hope to town.
Off Season Improvements
The team has been making improvements though. They have a generational quarterback in Trevor Lawrence, and are finally starting to build around him. The team hired Doug Pederson, an actual adult with winning NFL experience. Pederson brings a two time Super Bowl champion resume (once as a coach and once as a player). They went out and spent $89 million on offensive players to support their young QB. Two of the biggest additions were Christian Kirk at wide receiver and Brandon Scherff at offensive guard. But the most important thing to give the fans hope, Trevor’s college teammate, Travis Etienne finally on the field.
Travis Etienne’s success in college
At Clemson, Travis Etienne recorded 78 touchdowns, 8 of those were receiving touchdowns. He had over 1000 receiving yards his final two seasons combined. With Trevor Lawrence as his quarterback, he was a dual threat back in college with the ability to make plays in space. Together, the duo won four ACC titles, made the College Football Playoffs all four years, and even brought home a National Championship Title. As a three time All-American, Etienne set the ACC records for rushing yards (4,952), total touchdowns (78), rushing touchdowns (70), and points scored (468). The fans hope some of this college success will give this offense the boost it desperately needs.
Travis Etienne in the NFL
Etienne was drafted to be an offensive weapon, and we are finally seeing what that looks like. Missing his entire rookie season to injury, Etienne is fully recovered and leading the backfield. He has racked up 52 rushing yards but only 10 receiving yards this preseason. He has looked explosive when given the room to run and most importantly able to sustain contact. Now the team needs to open playbook to fully see what he can do as a receiver. Everyone is hopeful that the success Lawrence and Etienne had in college will be able to translate to the pros, but they need to get involved in the passing game more. Etienne is dangerous in space; Trevor just needs to find him.
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