Jaguars plan to move Fowler all over field

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Fixing third downs was the No. 1 priority on Todd Wash’s long list of what it will take to fix the Jaguars defense. Second on that to do list is putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks without having to blitz.

Wash takes over as defensive coordinator for a unit that gave up the second most points in franchise history (448), last season. One of the biggest reason the Jaguars finished 31st in the NFL in third-down defense was because of their inability to consistently create a pass rush. Losing rookie Dante Fowler to an ACL tear on the first day of rookie minicamp, proved to be something the Jaguars never bounced back from. Fowler is expected to be back on the field for the start of the off-season program in May.

Prior to his promotion, Wash spent the last three seasons as the Jaguars defensive line coach. So even though Fowler wasn’t on the field Wash got a chance to know the former Gator as his position coach. After not getting what they desired out of Chris Clemons and Andre Branch this past season, the Jaguars have big plans for Fowler at the LEO position.

“We started studying how to put him in some different positions to be successful and really stress the offensive line and the offensive quarterback or whoever you want to say,” said Wash. “We have to make sure that we put him in position to be successful, not just standing up out there or putting his hand down. At the same time, we have to stay within our package and put him in a position. He’s an explosive player. I think it hurt when we lost him a year ago. You saw some of the issues that we had because Dante wasn’t here. He’s busting his hind end, working out, body is already starting to change. You can see the determination he has to come back from this injury. I can’t wait to put my hands on him.”

While Fowler may primarily line up at LEO, Wash said that he won’t be in the same spot every single down.

“Try to get him in a situation where he’s one-on-one with somebody and put other guys in other positions where they can’t just slide to him,” said Wash.  “We’re trying to put him in position. It could be over any of the five guys up front to allow him to be successful and show what he’s really able to do. He’s a phenomenal athlete and player. He’s working hard to get back to where he was. We just to put him in position to show those talents.”

Fowler wasn’t the only pass rusher missing from the Jaguars defensive front. Sen’Derrick Marks missed the first five games of the 2015 season while still recovering from a torn ACL, which occurred in Week 17 of the 2014 season. Four games after his return Marks suffered a season-ending triceps injury in the Week 10 win over the Ravens.

Wash doesn’t feel that ACL injuries suffered by both Marks and Fowler are comparable based on when they occurred.

“He’ll be able to go out and go through OTAs [organized team activities], go through training camp. Sen’Derrick didn’t even get an opportunity to do that. I think his development will be a little bit faster, and then plus his work ethic in the offseason here, great job. Our strength staff has done – [Head Athletic Trainer] Scott [Trulock] and our trainers – with the ability they’ve done with him to get him where he’s at now is great. So, we’re going to be excited and I think he’ll get back as fast as we need him to.”