When a team falls out of contention in the latter stages of an NFL season, it's hard to blame a player if he begins to pay more attention to personal statistics. It's human nature, and besides, those statistics are big part of what keeps people employed in this league.
By this logic, Maurice Jones-Drew should take some solace in his league-leading rushing total despite the Jaguars' 3-9 record.
Jones-Drew isn't that type of player.
"We don't play for individual accolades," Jones-Drew told The Florida Times-Union after a 38-14 loss to the Chargers on Monday night. "What coach said was right; we didn't play well enough to win."
Jones-Drew finished with 188 total yards against San Diego, including 91 on the ground. That gives him 1,137 rushing yards on the season, three ahead of Eagles star LeSean McCoy.
When asked what a rushing title would mean to him, especially in a season in which he's impressively returned from knee surgery, Jones-Drew didn't mince words.
"Nothing," he said.
Jones-Drew is saying the right thing, and it no doubt sends the right message to guys in the locker room. But don't be surprised if winning his first rushing title would mean more to the All-Pro than he admits.
