Big Cat Country Q&A: What does the Jacksonville Jaguars offense look like without Leonard Fournette?

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Let’s answer some questions — today we’re talking about all the Jacksonville Jaguars roster moves, how this offense looks without Leonard Fournette, and more!

David from Sacramento, CA

Q: Can the Jaguars win without Leonard Fournette?

A: Yes, but it’s not going to look how it has in years past with a bell cow running back getting 20-25 rushes a game and seeing around 90 percent of offensive snaps. Just look at how this team beat the Indianapolis Colts in the season finale last year. Ryquell Armstead and Devine Ozigbo shared the load in terms of splitting the team’s 19 rushing attempts from running backs and they combined for eight catches on 14 targets — that’s more than 35 percent of the total targets. Compare that to the season overall and when Leonard Fournette was the guy, running backs only saw 22 percent of targets.

Even without Armstead off the depth chart because of his being on the team’s reserve/COVID list, I think a fair assumption is for rookie James Robinson and Devine Ozigbo to be fairly even when it comes to rushing attempts and for Chris Thompson to see the most targets in the passing game as the third down back. It can be done... we just aren’t used to it as Jaguars fans.

Jimmy from St. Cloud, FL

Q: Will K’Lavon Chaisson just play defensive end or maybe a little linebacker too

A: He’s gonna play defensive end — defensive coordinator Todd Wash was adamant about that.

Steven from Orlando, FL

Q: The Indianapolis Colts are getting a bunch of love from analytics sports sites. Do you feel that Philip Rivers is that much of a game changer to make them the favorite in the AFC South, or do the Tennessee Titans have the inside track still?

A: I think the Titans have the inside track. They have an easier schedule and the Colts saw a massive bump by landing Rivers, a quarterback coming off a year with his lowest touchdown percentage and one of his highest interception percentages of his career. He’s coming to an offense that is a downgrade from what he was with last year. I just don’t see Rivers being enough, whereas the Titans roster is the best in the division.

Steve from Winter Park, FL

Q: WHY?!?

A: I DON’T KNOW!!!

Jim from Kingsland, GA

Q: Aside from Myles Jack and Josh Allen, who are out top two players on defense now.

A: Joe Schobert and D.J. Hayden.

Brandon from Snohomish County, WA

Q: Have the Jaguars shown anything in training camp to make you think they will be able to overcome offensive penalties and sacks to extend drives this year?

A: Well, Gardner Minshew isn’t a rookie anymore so the thought (hope?) is that he’ll be better at not taking as many sacks. Same with Jawaan Taylor. They accounted for 19 of the team’s 42 sacks last year. As far as penalties, the team isn’t welcoming anyone new along the offensive line, so that continuity will help them.

Ed from Palatka, FL

Q: What is the NFL record for rookies on a team?

A: I have no idea, but the expansion 1995 team has 12 rookies and that terrible 2013 rebuilding team had 10. The expansion 2002 Houston Texans had seven rookies (all on offense) as starters. I’d imagine 16 rookies over the entire roster is close to the top if it’s not the record.

Andrew from Gainesville, FL

Q: Who are some potential general manager candidates?

A: We’re six days away from the season opener. Go Jaguars.