Maurice Jones-Drew Trying To Get His Job Back

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew got back on the football field in full pads on Wednesday in preparation for Sunday's matchup with the Minnesota Vikings, but Jones-Drew says he's just trying to earn his job back.

"That’s how it happens," Jones-Drew told the media in response to the talk about his playing time on Sunday. "Rashad (Jennings) has been here a couple of months longer than I have, so I have to kind of get acclimated to the offense. I have to show them the work to get my job back. That’s all it is."

It's unlikely Rashad Jennings is going to hold on to the "starter" label for too long, but it may not be anything but a label going forward in the Jaguars offense. Jennings has shown in the preseason he is a more than capable running back who can provide more than just a breather for Maurice Jones-Drew.

"Rashad has been playing well throughout preseason and throughout camp," said Jones-Drew. "I have a lot to catch up on and get back to my old self."

One could argue that Jones-Drew's best seasons were when he was that explosive counter-punch to former Jaguars running back Fred Taylor. While Taylor had more carries, Jones-Drew was a touchdown machine and made big plays out of the backfield. Jones-Drew is likely to end the season leading the team in carries once again, but as long as he's not anywhere near that 300-carry mark again, the Jaguars rushing attack could be just as good as it was in Jones-Drew's early years.