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Trevor Lawrence’s nightmare of a rookie season is almost over and I have to think he can’t wait to walk out of the locker room in Jacksonville next week and just take some time to himself.
Because the kid deserves a break.
The No. 1 pick in last April’s draft has had a brutal first year in the pros. He got drafted by a joke of a franchise that was “led” by a terrible leader (I’m talking about you, Urban Meyer) and has been thrown to the fire without any water to help put that fire out.
There’s really no way anyone could have expected the former Clemson QB to have a successful first year in the NFL. The Jaguars were a mess coming into the season, having one just one game last year (in Week 1). After that ugly year they gave the keys to the franchise to a former college coach who made bad decision after bad decision and was fired just 13 games into a five-year contract.
Come to think of it, it’s pretty wild that they even have two wins heading into the final week of the season.
Yesterday, though, must have been brutal for Lawrence as he had to watch fellow rookie QB Mac Jones living it up with the Patriots – a professional franchise run by professional people who know how to run a professional team. A team that has an offensive line. A team that has some weapons on offense. A team that has a plan to be successful and then carries out that plan.
The Jaguars couldn’t be any more different than the Patriots. They’re a floundering franchise looking for a new coach yet again all while allowing a GM, Trent Baalke, to keep his job while all the fans of the team scream for him to be fired.
The Jaguars aren’t a dumpster fire. They’re worse than a dumpster fire. Their dream is to be a dumpster fire.
And there was Lawerence yesterday, watching from the sideline as Jones threw three TDs much to the delight of a sold out home crowd that couldn’t wait to celebrate another trip to the playoffs. Jones even got Bill Belichick to laugh on the sidelines during New England’s 50-10 win.
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 2, 2022
Lawrence must have felt like he was snacking on a cold cheeseburger from Burger King while watching Jones enjoying a nice ribeye from a fancy steakhouse.
Lawrence threw a TD pass in the loss, which was just his second TD pass since Oct. 31 and his 10th of the season. He also threw three interceptions, bringing his total on the year to 17.
If you watch tape of Lawrence you know he’s not a bust and that he has incredible talent. That talent, however, has gone to waste thanks to the franchise that selected him in the draft.
Lawrence has one more week before he can close the door on this dreadful season.
Unfortunately for him a new door will open soon and he’ll find some of the same executives who helped make this year possible still in charge.
And that must be sickening.
Quick hits: Antonio Brown walks out… Jalen Ramsey punches teammate… NFL Week 17 awards… And more.
– Yesterday was a wild day for Antonio Brown, as he ripped off his jersey and pads and left the stadium midway through the third quarter against the Jets. We saw a picture of him waiting for a ride and then he posted some things about it all on social media. But he also cost himself a lot of money. It was all so very weird.
– Rams CB Jalen Ramsey punched teammate Taylor Rapp while in a defensive huddle and NFL fans couldn’t believe it.
– Here are my NFL Week 17 Awards, which look back at the good, the bad and the hilarious from Sunday’s action.
– Vikings coach Mike Zimmer had the most savage answer when he was asked last night about starting rookie QB Kellen Mond.
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