32 days until kickoff: Maurice Jones-Drew carried the Jaguars by himself for years

With just 32 days until kickoff, let’s talk about Maurice Jones-Drew — the greatest No. 32 in Jacksonville Jaguars history.

“Pocket Hercules!”

Jones-Drew, a second-round draft pick in 2006, started 70 of 114 games in eight seasons with the Jaguars and led the team in rushing in six of his eight seasons. He concluded his career in 2014 with the Oakland Raiders, playing in 12 games with one start.

His career totals include 1,847 rushes for 8,167 yards and 68 touchdowns, 346 receptions for 2,944 yards and 11 touchdowns. Jones-Drew was a three-time Pro Bowl selection, earning the honors in three straight years from 2009-11, and is the only player in Jaguars history with at least 1,300 rushing yards in three consecutive seasons.

He also became the first player in franchise history to lead the NFL in rushing as he finished with a team-record 1,606 yards on 343 carries in 2011.

But it was Jones-Drew’s ability to keep this team watchable all by himself that really makes him a special player. For his final three seasons with the Jaguars, he was the offense. The team managed just 11 wins in a span that saw Blaine Gabbert, Luke McCown, and Chad Henne starting multiple NFL games. Mike Thomas was the leading receiver one season with 415 yards. Laurent Robinson was catching passes another year.

And yet Jones-Drew continued to carry this team on his shoulders.