Jaguars offense revamped to help bolster Trevor Lawrence's familiarity, strengths

It took 11 weeks into this season for Urban Meyer and his offensive staff to figure it out. They have tweaked their offense to make it more comfortable for quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Finally, they are using an up-tempo scheme with run-option plays similar to what was called for Lawrence at Clemson when he emerged as a generational talent as a three-year starter that included winning a national championship as a freshman in 2018.

At 2-9, the Jaguars are desperate to establish an offensive identity to enhance Lawrence's development. In Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, Jaguars' scored only one touchdown, but they were much better on third down than in previous games as they converted on 9-of-16 plays.

They also had two 14-play drives, and Lawrence passed for 223 yards, his highest yardage total since his 238-yard performance in Week 8 against Seattle. Also, Lawrence also completed his first touchdown pass in four games.

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Remarkably, Meyer said it had taken this long to finally figure out what works best for Lawrence because they weren't sure what their offensive personnel could produce.   

''We want to be a run-first with Trevor, and then at times when you don't score, you get behind a little bit, and it starts a transition,'' Meyer said after Sunday's game. ''There's no stubbornness, it's just we're all figuring this thing out, and we should have it figured out by now, and I would say this, that it's not like we don't have it figured out.''

Increasing the offensive pace and having Lawrence take advantage of his scrambling ability, which included five runs for a season-high 39 yards rushing, still cannot overshadow the Jaguars' lack of production at wide receiver.

Another failed WR experiment

They badly need a capable deep threat with both DJ Chark and Jamal Agnew out for the season on injured reserve. The Jaguars' two-game experiment with veteran wide receiver John Brown ended Monday when the Jaguars released him from the practice squad Monday. In two games while on the active roster, Brown was targeted twice but did not have a catch. 

Another failed experiment occurred earlier in November when wide receiver Tyron Johnson was released after the Jaguars waited 10 weeks to see if he could become a vertical target for quarterback Lawrence. Meyer also hoped Phillip Dorsett would emerge as a deep threat, but he was released from the practice squad in September. 

Problems at wide receiver run deep, with Meyer acknowledging that some of their receivers are still having problems running the correct routes. 

''You have a 22-year-old quarterback, and you keep rotating receivers,'' Meyer said. ''It's no one's fault. Two guys go down (Chark, Agnew), and you’re just kind of rolling through guys. It’s a little bit more difficult on a quarterback. So yeah, it’s a problem.''

First time facing Ramsey

The Jaguars are seeing their share of man coverage because of not having a proven deep threat. The Jaguars will likely see the same man coverage again this Sunday when they play the Los Angeles Rams. 

The Jaguars will face former Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey for the first time since the franchise traded him in October 2019 in exchange for first-round picks in 2020 and 2021 and a 2021 fourth-round pick.

Jacksonville clinched their 10th losing season in 11 years with last week's loss. The Jaguars also have a 14 consecutive game losing streak against NFC opponents. The Rams (7-4) remain in playoff contention, but have lost three straight. 

''We've just got to get better and go make those plays in the biggest moments. I know we can do it, but we've got to go do it and that starts with me and staying on schedule even in the two-minute,'' Lawrence said. ''It's tough when you get in 3rd and 4th and 10. We've got to get better at that, but we're going to get some more opportunities and just keep working for when you do get it to go and execute and win the game.''

Arnold placed on IR

The Jaguars officially announced Tuesday they placed tight end Dan Arnold on injured reserve because of sustaining a Grade 2 MCL sprain to his right knee while catching a 9-yard pass during Sunday's 21-14 loss to Atlanta at TIAA Bank Field.