Running back Toby Gerhart's first season with the Jacksonville Jaguars was less than ideal, to say the least. Gerhart suffered a foot injury in the first game of the season and never really got back to full strength the rest of the season. He compiled just 326 rushing yards and two touchdowns on a measly 3.2 yards-per-carry average. That's not what you want to see out of a free agent signing.
Some suggested that Gerhart could be released due to his lack of production and $3 million salary cap hit in 2015. However, head coach Gus Bradley wouldn't go that far.
"He's done a good job. With a new offensive staff, that's what we're in the process of doing right now - looking at everybody's strengths and how to best utilize those," Bradley said, according to the Florida Times-Union.
"Toby's done a nice job for us. I know people may consider him a third down-type back or a short-yardage, situational back but we saw him do enough things on first and second downs that he'll have a place with us. He is a different style of back and we're putting tougher an offense that best utilizes his strength."
Gerhart lost snaps to Denard Robinson, who totaled 582 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 135 carries (4.3). That included a dominant stretch in which Robinson rushed for 329 yards and two touchdowns on 57 carries (5.8 average) in three games. Robinson may not be best suited for an every down role, so expect Jacksonville to bring in some competition for him and Gerhart this offseason.
