The Jacksonville Jaguars lost their top rookie draft pick, pass rusher Dante Fowler for the 2015 season after he tore his ACL in rookie minicamp. This is unfortunate news for the struggling team who has only managed nine total wins in the last three seasons.
However, instead of dwelling on the loss of Fowler, head coach Gus Bradley turned his focus on the team as a whole, talking up some of their players during an interview with MMQB’s Peter King:
Maybe the fans, the media, felt Dante was the savior. That is not the way our team looked at it. The draft picks were great additions, but we didn’t look at him, or any rookies, as saviors.
We all feel bad for Dante, really bad. He was so excited. He couldn’t wait to go out there. And damn, this happens. That is a tough deal for him. Your heart pours out for him.
But look what we have-Julius Thomas and Clay Harbor and Bernard Pierce new, Denard Robinson and Blake Bortles and so many other enthusiastic young guys. So many good things happening here. I’m not going to lose vision on the good things.
Note that this list does not include any defensive players. But at least Bradley is taking the glass half full approach, which is about all a team in their position can do entering a new season.
When Bradly was asked if he or the team was feeling sorry for themselves, he responded with this:
Maybe on the way to the hospital. But after meeting with him and seeing how he’s handling this, I’m more at peace because I know he’ll be fine. We’ll be fine.
The Jaguars have certainly had more than their fair share of unfortunate luck when it comes to some of their first-round draftees. News of the NFL denying reinstatement for wide receiver Justin Blackmon came on the heels of Fowler’s injury.
The saying “when it rains, it pours” seems appropriate at this time.
Photo: USA Today Sports