Jaguars running back James Robinson entered Sunday’s Week 13 matchup with the Rams facing uncertainty about his availability. Robinson had been dealing with heel and knee issues for a couple weeks, but he gave it a go on Sunday only to get benched after an opening-drive fumble.
The benching could have been a decision to preserve the health of the lone bright spot on the Jaguars offense, but despite the blowout (a 37-7 loss) and his injury, Robinson was back in the game with a 30-point deficit and nine minutes to play.
It was an inexcusable coaching decision — needlessly risking further injury to an already-injured player — and head coach Urban Meyer handled those questions in the most predictable Urban Meyer fashion: He blamed someone else.
I asked Urban Meyer about that today and his response was: "That's a good question." Meyer said there's a RB rotation and RB coach Bernie Parmalee must have wanted to get Robinson a few more carries at that point. When I said that didn't seem wise Meyer said: "I'd agree." https://t.co/T7gTmEb3GO
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) December 6, 2021
When asked why Robinson was playing late in a 30-point game after being benched for much of the afternoon, Meyer played it off like he had no answer for it. He instead said that it was running backs coach Bernard Parmalee’s responsibility to handle RB rotations. So, of course, Meyer was powerless as his star running back was trotted out there for two meaningless drives.
After all, why take responsibility when you can blame a subordinate? It’s the Urban Meyer way.
Reporters weren’t alone in asking about the decision to play Robinson either. Robinson himself didn’t think he should have been in the game for that final drive:
“I knew the game was over by that point. Probably should’ve been just resting. I’m not sure what the point of that was.”
Competent teams just don’t make mistakes like that. As much as Meyer would like to continue to blame others, it falls on him.
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