When it comes to running backs for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the first name to come to mind is typically Travis Etienne. But that's been changing in recent years; Etienne has been struggling, while Tank Bigsby is doing all he can to prove he should be RB1. And that's let to an all-out battle between the two for the top spot. And then there's the underdog - Bhayshul Tuten - thrown in the mix for good measure.
So far during training camp, Bigsby has been putting up a major fight. He's been made the focal point of the backfield, with the roles at running back seemingly made clear. Bigsby looks to be RB1, with Etienne at RB2, and finally, Tuten backing them up at RB3.
Bigsby didn't make much of an impression during his rookie season, but saw massive improvement his sophomore year - something especially impressive considering how badly the Jaguars offensive line did at blocking last season. Is he about to have another banner year?
Offensive coordinator Grant Udinski thinks so.
Tank Bigsby has the "X" factor Jacksonville has been missing
In a press conference, Udinski had a lot of praise for Bigsby, and his performance so far this summer.
"There's a lot to like about Tank. I think you see the style of runner he is, and it all pops out at times on tape with the physicality and his ability to take one cut and really attack lanes or holes, depending on the run scheme it is," Udinski said. "I think, his explosiveness in the run game, and hopefully that's something that we can say about all the running back to the room, whether it's him toot and LeQuint or TJ [Travis Etienne], all of those guys have that ability to take a two yard run, three yard run, in the five yard run, 10 yard run, explosive run, beyond that, with Their ability to break tackles or accelerate open in space."
As Jared Feinberg recently noted for SI, Bigsby is much better than many fans may realize, noting that Bigsby was,
" ... 11th in rushing yards over expected (RYOE) and eighth in the same category per attempt among qualified rushers with at least 110 carries. Bigsby also ranked fourth in yards after contact per attempt (YACo/Att) at 4.0."
Other analysts are seeing Tank as a potential sleeper candidate, ready to shock the league with a breakout season coming. He certainly has the potential, and if he can put it all together this year, he could be the missing piece of the offense that the Jaguars have been waiting for.
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