Despite the Jacksonville Jaguars losing their second straight preseason game Thursday, Doug Marrone seemingly took a lot of positives from the team’s battle with the Philadelphia Eagles. Similarly to Week 1, one of those positives was the play of offensive lineman Will Richardson, who has been right on A.J. Cann’s heels for the starting right guard spot and has also impressed at right tackle.
“I’ll tell you what, this kid, I don’t know what happened, I don’t know what transpired,” Marrone said Saturday when discussing the progress Richardson has made from his rookie season. “I’m not trying to get into his head — but he has really, really turned the corner and is playing well to a point where he’s battling for a starting position with a guy that has played a lot of football games here. It’s great for us. It’s great for our football team.”
Most would agree that a little competition never hurts a team, especially one that needs a boost in the trenches after looking at all that transpired last season.
In guessing, Week 3’s preseason game against the Miami Dolphins will be the last time either player could make an impression on who will be the starter at right guard. The starting right tackle spot could be an option for Richardson too, but with Jawaan Taylor now getting healthier and taking the practice field Saturday, it may be wise just to give him the starting job as he outplayed Cedric Ogbuehi when healthy.
Personally, I’d lean towards Richardson getting the nod at right guard because Cann hasn’t really shown the growth fans would like since being drafted four years ago. Regardless as to who wins though, the Jags will still come out as winners in the end because the loser would give the Jags a solid depth piece.
