The Jacksonville Jaguars announced their initial 53-man roster last weekend, which saw a major trend towards young players with lots of potential for the future. However, that does not mean veteran experience isn't valued in Jacksonville anymore.
In a recent press conference, head coach Liam Coen pointed to Jahlani Tavai and Ameer Abdullah as examples of veteran newcomers who made the roster, despite facing competition from younger players at their positions.
"It's typically challenging to make those teams in some of those instances, and so credit those guys," he said of Abdullah and Tavai. "They're the right type of ones, right? Mentally, pros do it the right way. Ameer Abdullah is one of the first guys in our building every single day. The way that he prepares his body, the way that he prepares for practice. Jahlani, the way that he goes about his business. He's a great teammate. Everybody loves him. He does all the little things the right way, will help us on special teams as well."
Abdullah faced a crowded running back room, with three players — Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez, and LeQuint Allen — all but ***** ured to have roster spots when Abdullah signed with the Jaguars in May. Abdullah had to not only convince Jacksonville staff to roster four running backs, but to keep him over Deejay Dallas and undrafted rookie J'Mari Taylor. Judging by Coen's words, it was Abdullah's experience and dedication that ultimately made the difference.
Tavai, meanwhile, had an even more unlikely path to the active roster. He arrived in Jacksonville just weeks before cutdown day, and made the roster over younger players, like Jack Kiser, Jalen McLeod, Yasir Abdullah, and preseason standout Amari Burney.
#right #made
In a recent press conference, head coach Liam Coen pointed to Jahlani Tavai and Ameer Abdullah as examples of veteran newcomers who made the roster, despite facing competition from younger players at their positions.
"It's typically challenging to make those teams in some of those instances, and so credit those guys," he said of Abdullah and Tavai. "They're the right type of ones, right? Mentally, pros do it the right way. Ameer Abdullah is one of the first guys in our building every single day. The way that he prepares his body, the way that he prepares for practice. Jahlani, the way that he goes about his business. He's a great teammate. Everybody loves him. He does all the little things the right way, will help us on special teams as well."
Abdullah faced a crowded running back room, with three players — Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez, and LeQuint Allen — all but ***** ured to have roster spots when Abdullah signed with the Jaguars in May. Abdullah had to not only convince Jacksonville staff to roster four running backs, but to keep him over Deejay Dallas and undrafted rookie J'Mari Taylor. Judging by Coen's words, it was Abdullah's experience and dedication that ultimately made the difference.
Tavai, meanwhile, had an even more unlikely path to the active roster. He arrived in Jacksonville just weeks before cutdown day, and made the roster over younger players, like Jack Kiser, Jalen McLeod, Yasir Abdullah, and preseason standout Amari Burney.
#right #made
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