The Jacksonville Jaguars won on Thursday night by a score of 25-10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — their third straight to close out the 2018 preseason schedule with a 3-1 record.
None of that matters though. Now it’s time to gear up for the regular season, the games that matter.
The significance of last night was on a couple of fringe players — guys competing for the last running back spot or wide receiver spot or cornerback spot. That’s what stood out to me.
Who stood out the most last night? Let’s get to it!
1. Jalen Myrick
The fifth cornerback spot was a tough battle all preseason with Jalen Myrick, Tre Herndon, and Quenton Meeks all having their respective ups and downs. Myrick had the inside track to make the 53-man roster at the beginning of training camp, but Herndon got more opportunities than I thought he would and last night showed why. Myrick had more bad plays than he had good, giving up an easy goal line slant for the Buccaneers’ only touchdown, taking awful angles on tackles, and even hesitating to the point of contact on one play. If Herndon makes it over Myrick, I think this game will be a big reason why.
2. Cody Kessler
The most consistent quarterback on the roster this preseason has been Cody Kessler. Granted, he’s never played against an opponent’s starting defense but every game — including last night — he’s looked like a more-than-adequate backup quarterback and a smart use of next year’s seventh round draft pick.
3. Brandon Wilds
The Jaguars could very well keep a fourth running back and it’s going to be tough. Wilds had more production on the night, averaging 5.2 yards per carry on 17 rushes, but a big reason why is they gave Tim Cook more of the goal line touches. On the whole, Wilds had 27 carries for 135 yards and one touchdown.
4. Tim Cook
As I said before, it was Cook they gave the goal line touches to and it resulted in two touchdowns and 51 yards on 16 carries. On the whole, Cook had 22 carries for 65 yards — a lot less production than Wilds, who I think sneaks onto the roster.
5. Montay Crockett
A longshot to make the roster, Montay Crockett hauled in probably Tanner Lee’s best throw of the preseason — a 44-yarder down the goal line in double coverage.
Putting together a game!@_jcroc11 hauls in a 44-yard catch down to the 1-yard line.#JAXvsTB pic.twitter.com/7IWJ0Emsf7
— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) August 31, 2018
Crockett won’t be sticking around in Jacksonville, but he got some good tape in last night, leading the game with 76 receiving yards on just three catches.
6. Blair Brown
There haven’t been too many highlights from Blair Brown this preseason, but his rush around the edge to force a fumble that Carroll Phillips picked up and ran in for a go-ahead touchdown in the second half was a beautiful play.
In true #DUUUVAL fashion, the defense scores to take the lead!@BbrownFoeLife knocks it out of his hands and @_Wildman6 takes it in.#JAXvsTB pic.twitter.com/1HSNcbSKeY
— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) August 31, 2018