Maurice Jones-Drew has officially hung up his cleats, so it’s time to look back at his career in Robioland.
Maybe because he was a power guy, maybe because he played for Jacksonville, but I’ll always remember the lack of appreciation for MJD. Despite finishing in the top-13 among all backs in his first six seasons in the NFL, he never was good enough to be considered a top-pick.
THE EARLY YEARS…
The lack of love started early. Undrafted as a rookie in 2006, he sat behind Fred Taylor and even though Taylor was known to not finish seasons, it was Greg Jones, not MJD who got drafted late in the draft.
Jones-Drew would eventually get the start in Jacksonville and Matt would pick him up, eventually starting him on his last place team. The following year Matt kept him in round six. Yet, his squad was stacked that year and he eventually shipped the Jaguars back to Colby in a five-player deal in week ten.
Jones-Drew would finish the year as the 13th rated back, but that wasn’t good enough to convince Colby to keep him in round six, instead mistakingly keep Derrick Anderson in 2008. Anderson would crumple that year, while MJD would have a super three-year run.
THE DON DAYS
In 2008, Don grabbed Maurice in round one and a beautiful three-year relationship would begin. The Jaguars’ back would start for three straight seasons for Don, finishing in the top-10 all three years, earning first-team All-Robio in 2009 (his best season). He would lead Don to three straight playoff appearances and helped him win his second title in 2008.
THE DECLINING YEARS
In 2011, Matt Neatock came back around and landed Maurice Jones-Drew for the third time (second time as a draft pick). The pick was solid, as MJD led the league in rushing yards and earned second-team All-Robio. However, this would be last great year.
The following season Jeff grabbed him with the third pick in the draft (MJD’s highest spot picked). However, the pick was risky as he was holding out. By the time he came back, he didn’t look like himself and he failed to finish the season, getting injured in week seven (18th among all backs).
In 2013, Griff used a second-round pick on him, but injuries slowed him out of the gate. Yet, he did manage to finish 21st among all backs after a strong finish to our regular season.
The following year, MJD was cut by the Jaguars and he headed to Oakland. He was a popular sleeper pick, since most people assumed he would eventually get the start over Darren McFadden. Colby grabbed him in round five. Well, he did get a start, but he failed to produce and by season’s end he was down deep on the depth chart, long gone from Colby’s roster, finishing with just 90 yards rushing.
In the end, he played nine successful seasons. He was drafted or kept in round one five times and finished in the top-15 among backs six times.
Oddly enough though, he really only help Don do much of anything in this league (helping Don to three post-season trips). He never led anyone else to a playoff spot (Griff made it in 2012, but MJD wasn’t a starter come playoff time).
Yet, he’ll walk away with two All-Robio awards a 2008 league Murray Mug.
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