Mark Brunell had been sacked 111 times for 676 yards lost in the previous two seasons. Through two games this year, Brunell has been dropped just once for three yards lost.
"That means we're going to end up with eight sacks this year, right? That'll put three years onto my career," Brunell said.
Well, maybe it will.
"If you take care of the quarterback, he finds ways to take care of you," coach Tom Coughlin said.
That's exactly what's happened. Brunell's performance in the Jaguars' first two games of the season has been as impressive as his offensive line's pass-protection. He has thrown for 548 yards, four touchdowns and a 100.9 passer rating.
The bulk of the credit may belong to the offensive line.
"We're doing our best to make sure he doesn't get sacked. Changing schemes may have helped. We do more zone-blocking," right tackle Maurice Williams said.
Williams is one-fifth of an offensive line that would seem to represent the Jaguars' best unit since 1999. This one is getting the job done in the running game, as well.
"We want to be one of the better offensive lines in the league. You see a big pass or a big run being made and it makes you feel good. We want to win," Williams added.
"Our line is playing better, our receivers are getting open and we have a running game. It's a combination of a lot of things," left tackle Zach Wiegert offered as the reason for the one-sack effort through two games.
Whatever the answer, it's a welcomed improvement for a quarterback who had been battered for two years.
The Jaguars practiced today for the second time this week. They will practice again tomorrow, then take the weekend off in what is their bye week.
Cornerback Jason Craft was unable to practice for the second consecutive day, though Coughlin said Craft's chest contusion was greatly improved over Wednesday.
"Good practice; good two-minute drill at the end," Coughlin said.
