Jags RB Toefield impressive thus far

By Krupka  |   Thursday, June 15, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Jacksonville Jaguars
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"Patience is a virtue."

For fourth-year running back LaBrandon Toefield, his patience may soon pay off. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft out of LSU as insurance to "fragile" starting running back Fred Taylor. Since being selected by the organization, the former Tigers product has played second fiddle the entire time, as Taylor has been able to sustain his health for the first time in his career.

In a backup role, Toefield has been dependable and productive. In his rookie season he averaged 4.0 yards per carry, notching three total touchdowns.

He followed that up with a so-so sophomore campaign. However, he kept working hard, and in 2005 he made the most of his limited opportunities. Toefield racked up four touchdowns and a 3.9 yard per carry average on only 36 carries. Toefield's playing time increased in the final two weeks of last season, as he racked up a total of four touchdowns and closed the Jags' 12-4 campaign out with a 102-yard performance in Week 17.

"Hard work will pay off."

Aside from patience, Toefield has displayed an exemplary work ethic and a good attitude.

With Taylor working away from the team for the meantime, Toefield has taken the initiative in practice and is making the most of his opportunity. He is impressing the coaching staff with his burst and all the hard work he continues to put in. To say head coach Jack Del Rio is excited and proud of his young player's work is an understatement.

In this past April's draft the Jacksonville Jaguars used their second-round pick on former UCLA running back Maurice Drew. Unfortunately, there are some questions about his character after a recent felony battery Drew was allegedly involved in outside a Los Angeles-area Denny's. For now, Drew and his agent are refuting the reports.

In any event, Toefield certainly has a leg up on the second string position, and if he continues to display his improvement and hard work, the coaching staff will be hard-pressed to not give him more playing time.

Can 2006 be the year that LaBrandon Toefield begins taking more and more playing time away from veteran Fred Taylor? If he continues going about his business with a good attitude, hard work, and patience, how can it not be? Look for his patience and hard work to finally begin paying off.

Get more LaBrandon Toefield insights at Realfootball365.com

Eric Krupka can be reached at ekrupka@realfootball365.com
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