Jon Gruden has made similar glowing statements, as have other coaches around the NFL. Raiders guard Richie Incognito needed only one word to describe Jacob — stud — while tight end Darren Waller glowingly refers to the rookie from Alabama as the future.
The way things are going, there might be a phrase to describe Jacobs that everyone can agree on: NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Fittingly, the last Raiders player to win that award was a certain Hall of Fame running back named Marcus Allen who did it in 1982. Jacobs, after all, broke Allen’s franchise rookie record of 697 yards.
Allen set his mark in just nine games. Jacobs surpassed Allen’s mark in eight games, then tacked on a 71-yard effort the following week that included an 18-yard game-winning touchdown in the final minutes to beat the San Diego Chargers.
Even before that game, Lynn was convinced that Jacobs had already established himself among the NFL’s elite.
“I don’t know if he can be stopped,” the Chargers head coach said. “I mean he’s one of the best backs in the league right now in my opinion. I think he’s having an excellent rookie season.”
This story is from the December 2019 edition of Silver & Black Illustrated.
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This story is from the December 2019 edition of Silver & Black Illustrated.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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