Jaguars willing to stick with a right guard by committee approach

Over the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2) last two games, each wins, they have done something a bit unconventional with their offensive line, specifically the right guard position.

While most teams would prefer to keep the same five lineman in throughout the whole game, the Jaguars have rotated guards A.J. Cann and Will Richardson extensively. In a 20-7 victory over the Tennessee Titans in week 3, Cann and Richardson each played 27 snaps, or 50% of the offense's snaps. And in Sunday's 26-24 victory over the Denver Broncos, Cann played 50 snaps while Richardson played 35.

Many have seen this as a peculiar situation but Richardson was pushing Cann for the starting position all of training camp before injuries to Cam Robinson and Cedric Ogbuehi forced him to play left tackle for two weeks. And while the two continue to compete with Richardson back at right guard, head coach Doug Marrone said he can see the rotation continuing.

"I’m not going to lock myself into saying a permanent solution is going to be one or the other if they’re being productive for us. I think right now, with both of those players playing, I think we’re getting production right now and I think it’s something that’s going to help us as the season goes along," Marrone said on Monday. "So, I’m happy with both of those players."

Since Richardson shifted back to guard, Cann had his best performance of his season (week 3) and Richardson had the best performance of his young career (week 4). While the two continue to battle it out, Marrone thinks the situation could help each player.

"I think that A.J. is playing better since Will [Richardson Jr.] has been coming in and playing guard. And I think that Will’s a young player that’s really starting to come on and he’s doing a nice job. So, I think we’re in a pretty good situation."

It remains to be seen how long the Jaguars will stick with a rotation at right guard and what it would take for one player to overtake the other as a starter. But, until that happens, Marrone said he is willing to be unconventional.

"Granted, would you like one player to be the complete player, and go in there and give you that type of production? I think the answer’s always going to be yes to that, but I’m not going to put myself in there of, ‘Hey, we’re evaluating, evaluating.’ If they keep playing the way they’re playing, and no one really separates themselves or we’re getting good production, I’m fine with dressing eight lineman and playing both of those guys.”