JIM LANG ON THE JAGUARS, NFL
By: Stephen Lylyk, RP Show Intern
“We’ve been on the wrong side of these results a lot, so to win like this is awesome! There’s nothing like it.”
That was Jacksonville Jaguars Quarterback Trevor Lawrence postgame, following their 28-27 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
The win highlights the recent play of Lawrence. The second year quarterback has completed 76.9% of his passes for 815 yards, with 6 TD’s and 0 interceptions over his last three games.
“[He] throws an incredibly good football,” said Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson. “He’s smart, and he can make all the throws. You’re just now seeing that execution, and that maturity with him.”
As NFL expert Jim Lang explained on Monday’s Rod Pedersen Show, Lawrence’s recent play is a stark contrast of his rookie year.
“Trevor has done a 180,” exclaims Lang. “He was on his way to becoming a modern day Jamarcus Russell last year. This proves the impact of an NFL head coach, and a good offensive coordinator.”
Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard emphasized his excitement postgame regarding Lawrence’s recent play.
“I’m so happy for Trevor,” said Wingard. “He had to deal with, Urban Meyer last year as a rookie. To see the growth he’s made not just on the field, but in his preparation. I’m so happy for him.”
Lawrence performed poorly his rookie campaign. He completed 59% of his throws while his 17 interceptions was tied for the league lead.
While he was struggling to adapt to the NFL game, Lawrence was forced to overcome dysfunction both in the poor results on the field, and the chaos off the field.
The 2021 Jaguars campaign was highlighted by the controversial tenure of former head coach Urban Meyer. Some of the key moments were written in a December 2021 article by reporter Lawrence Fernandez of the blog ‘The Cold Wire’.
- Hiring Chris Doyle, a former strength and conditioning coach from the University of Iowa where “Former players attested to the culture of racism and bullying that Doyle Fostered.”
- Former Jaguar kicker Josh Lambo appeared on local television where he said Meyer, during a practice, “approached and kicked Lambo in his hamstring. He verbally abused Lambo as well.”
- Cincinatti: Following a loss to the Bengals, Urban chose to not fly back with his team. Instead he spent the time “at a local restaurant. Videos of him flirting with a young women not his wife surfaced on the internet.”
Following the firing of Meyer, the Jags entered a chaotic coaching search before finally choosing former Super Bowl Champion winning head coach Doug Pederson.
While the 2022 Jags sit at 4-7 heading into week 13 of the season six of the seven losses have been by under ten points, demonstrating a more competitive team than in previous seasons.
“I would die for Pederson,” said Wingard during Sunday’s postgame interview. “I would run into battle for Doug Pederson, 100 percent. I love that guy. We come into work, we keep working, and it’s going to pay off like it did today. I love this team!”
While the Jaguars postseason odds are slim, Jim Lang argues that the foundation for a strong future is being put in place.
“The Jags are probably gonna pick up a couple more wins this year,” says Lang. “They have a draft, as well as free agency to improve their foundation. In 2023 people could look at them and say ‘The Jags are gonna be a team I don’t think a lot of people will want to play.’”
