There is a laundry list of concerns about the state of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Questions about roster construction and the use of their enormous war chest of cap space and draft capital this season. Questions about in-game decisions and roster management. And of course a litany of concerns over new head coach Urban Meyer.
There should be no questions about rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
The rookie quarterback has certainly looked the part of first-overall selection this season, despite at times looking more like the eye in the middle of a storm than anything else. While he entered play on Sunday having thrown for more interceptions (eight) than touchdowns (six) it is not hard to watch him play and come away impressed.
For example, go back two weeks to Jacksonville’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, and you can find examples of Lawrence making impressive throws on the move, hitting deep crossing route with precision and taking advantage of opportunities identified during the pre-snap phase of a play:
Even in the loss, Lawrence was still impressive. Let's look at three throws from last night.
*The deep shot to Shenault
*The deep crosser into a tough window
*Reading cues and moving chains pic.twitter.com/I4NsYpUGKq— Mark Schofield🍂 (@MarkSchofield) October 1, 2021
That continued last week, as Lawrence hit on throws like this one against the Tennessee Titans:
This is the kind of “scholarship throw” that current Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach Karl Scott talked about in this valuable coaching clinic on Alabama’s match coverages. Left hashmark to the opposite side of the field on a deep corner route. Make that the QB’s only option, and if he hits it, tip your hat.
Lawrence hits it with ease.
Lawrence’s strong play continued overseas, in the first half against the Miami Dolphins. In the second quarter, Lawrence first displayed his ability to stay calm in the cauldron, sliding in the face of pressure before delivering a strike in the middle of the field:
.@Trevorlawrencee fired a rocket under pressure to @MarvinJonesJr 🚀@NFLUK | @Jaguars | @JaguarsUK | #DUUUVAL
📺: #MIAvsJAX on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/TiNUNkAUAR— NFL (@NFL) October 17, 2021
Then minutes later, Lawrence again connected with Marvin Jones Jr., this time for six:
.@MarvinJonesJr STAYS making ridiculous grabs. 😱 #DUUUVAL @Trevorlawrencee | @Jaguars | @NFLUK
📺: #MIAvsJAX on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/7UykHD8H0O— NFL (@NFL) October 17, 2021
The adjustment and catch from the receiver is impressive, but so too is the throw. Again, you see the ability to drive passes from one hashmark to the opposite side of the field, as Lawrence puts this vertical shot on a bit of a line, and in a spot where Jones has the best opportunity to make the reception.
Sure, there are issues in Jacksonville. No one is denying that. The Jaguars trail at halftime and if your Twitter timeline is anything like mine, the jokes about Meyer not flying home with the team are abundant.
But the quarterback position is the least of the worries in Jacksonville.