Jaguars OC Bob Bratkowski and HC Mike Mularkey don't think RB Maurice Jones-Drew absence from OTAs will set him back too much once training camp arrives.
"It’s not helping him by not being here, he’ll have a lot of learning to catch up on," Bratkowski said. "But yet, he’s a gifted and talented player and I’m sure he can get caught up. It’s certainly not helping him. Whether it’s hurting him or not, that remains to be seen."
Before I asked about Jones-Drew specifically, Bratkowski noted that the lockout showed coaches some players could be fine without OTAs. While it hurt the rookies, veterans were able to adjust.
Jones-Drew wasn't learning a new offense last season, but he did come into training camp after the lockout in the best shape he's been in as a Jaguar. Then he followed an offseason without offseason programs with an NFL rushing title.
Mularkey said Jones-Drew does have a limited playbook, which the rest of his teammates have, too. At this point, nobody has a full playbook as the coaches are still working on that. Players will get it before training camp.
"Since I haven’t been around him to see how he responds to the terminology and the coaching I don’t know," Mularkey said, when asked if Jones-Drew will be behind. "I’m assuming he’ll be alright. If he knows the basics he’ll at least not come in here stone cold."
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