The Jacksonville Jaguars want running back Maurice Jones-Drew ready when padded practices start at training camp so he can get up to speed in new coordinator Jedd Fisch's offense, but they won't push it.
"We have to make sure he can just not plant off his foot, but be tackled on his foot and be able to bounce right back up and be able to withstand a lot of carries," Fisch told The Florida Times-Union last week. "When we start seeing those things, we'll have a better feel of what type of guy he can be. We're not going to overburden him until he feels he's 100 percent."
"I can't wait to see what he can do, and I can't wait to see what he can do in our total offense," Fisch said. "I keep asking (quarterbacks) Blaine (Gabbert) and Chad (Henne), 'Tell me about MoJo. What's he like in the huddle? What's it like being out there and seeing him hit the hole?' They speak glowingly about him."
The Jaguars staff hasn't finalized a preseason plan for Jones-Drew, but he's not expected to get much work outside of the practice field. While learning the new offense and getting reps with whomever ultimately wins the starting quarterback job is important, being 100 percent by Week 1 is the goal for their star running back.
Follow Kevin Patra on Twitter @kpatra.
