Beachum to start at left tackle, Joeckel at left guard

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley named Kelvin Beachum the starter at left tackle today and said Luke Joeckel will move to left guard.

While this will be seen by many as a demotion, Joeckel, at least publicly does not see it that way.

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"I'm moving on," Joeckel said in the locker room after the announcement. "I don't have time to look back at the decision. I knew I'd be a tackle or a guard this year. I just want to be the best guard or tackle I can be. Now I have to be ready to be a guard."

Bradley said the decision was made after reviewing the preseason and Beachum's tape before his ACL injury last October.

"We always make these decisions with what's best for the organization in mind." Bradley said."Luke really competed at guard and tackle. He improved at both positions. Beachum's body of work that he has had and what he has shown up in camp. He did a really good and had no issues. For us selfishly speaking, pretty good deal. A guard and another left tackle.

Beachum, who is only 10 months removed from ACL surgery, is ready to work beside Joeckel.

"We know this is best for the team," Beachum said. "We're trying to do everything to make the best of the situation."

Beachum and Joeckel will not play in Thursday night's preseason finale at Atlanta according to Bradley.

"We have two weeks for them to work on it," Bradley said. "They practiced on it today and will continue to do it."

The Jaguars open the regular season at home September 11 against the Green Bay Packers.