The Jaguars picked up their first win of the season in Week 5 in a sport stuffed with good vibes. The throwbacks returned (MAKE THEM PERMANENT), Tom Coughlin was inducted into the Jaguars’ Ring of Honor and most significantly: they ran that rattling ball. Tank Bigsby performed an enormous half in that final half. Bigsby has actually come on sturdy to start his sophomore marketing campaign and he’s exhibiting a number of the traits that made him an fascinating again at Auburn. Individuals like to make use of the phrase “the sport has slowed down” for youthful gamers within the NFL, and for essentially the most half it appears to be like true for Bigsby. Towards the Colts he scored two massive touchdowns the place all of his finest traits have been on show, and it might result in extra of a featured function for Bigsby.
Bigsby is a MONSTER by contact, which is useful as a result of the Jaguars’ offensive line isn’t the best in run blocking: Jacksonville is averaging a paltry 1.8 Yards Earlier than Contact on every speeding try. But, they’re second within the NFL in whole Yards After Contact, and Bigsby is a large purpose why. His 5.1 Yards After Contact per try is third within the NFL amongst all BALL CARRIERS, and when you filter for guys with a minimum of 20 makes an attempt he’s first in the complete league. Bigsby was a sort out breaking machine at Auburn, however in his rookie season he by no means received to point out that off. Bigsby appears to be like a lot stronger this yr, and you’ll see it when he runs the ball.
His first landing got here on Duo, a sequence of double groups designed for vertical displacement. Bigsby will get an excellent block from Jaguars’ left guard Ezra Cleveland, and Bigsby takes off by the hole. As soon as he will get there, take a look at all of the tackles damaged. I’m certain nearly each Colts defender touches Bigsby and finally ends up on his spotlight reel. He’s simply bouncing off of defenders, this received me fired up not simply because the Jaguars scored a TD, however as a result of it is a GROWN MAN ASS RUN. Get it up on the tape, that is actual hoops courtesy of Tank Bigsby.
His second landing is likely to be much more spectacular than the primary, and that’s saying one thing. The Jaguars are operating a pretend dive and tossing the ball to Bigsby, in hopes of catching the protection slipping. Right here’s what really occurs. Tight finish Josiah Deguara loses the sting in opposition to the nook to that aspect, forcing Bigsby again inside. Left sort out Cam Robinson does a superb job of letting EDGE Laiatu Latu go upfield, however as a result of the ball will get in the reduction of he now not has the leverage on the linebacker. So, to recap: Bigsby has to chop this again inside in opposition to 3 defenders, seemingly wanting just like the swordfight sport on Wii Sports activities Resort.
Watch Bigsby go to work. Cuts this again inside and makes the linebacker miss. He then makes one other defender miss earlier than introducing Colts’ security Julian Blackmon to the turf in Duval earlier than racing away for a 65 yard landing. This sort out breaking rampage was what we have been all ready for when Bigsby received drafted, and now it’s right here.
Whereas most Jaguars followers can be reminded of the times of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew, however I believe the pairing of Bigsby and RB Travis Etienne can be utilized equally to how the Lions use David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Towards the Colts, I believe Jacksonville’s operating again utilization was greater than possible at its’ finest. Etienne was utilized in house, catching extra passes on the perimeters of the protection and making gamers miss in that space, whereas Bigsby was used extra to grind out the powerful yards.
I’ve nearly little doubt in my thoughts that the Jaguars’ present offensive braintrust gained’t be in the identical spot as they’re on the finish of the yr, however realizing whoever will get the job subsequent may have a tackle-breaking Tank plus Etienne (who technically might develop into a free agent this offseason), the potential is thrilling. The Jaguars’ early-down go price is significantly down in comparison with 2023 with their dedication to operating the soccer, and this could possibly be the proper state of affairs for Bigsby to achieve. I’m not saying he’s RB1, however the utilization of each guys could possibly be fascinating to observe going ahead.
