Jaguars coaches see bright future for RG Brandon Linder

The Jaguars couldn’t be happier that they traded up to acquire Brandon Linder in the third round of the 2014 draft.

Linder, a South Florida native who played for the University of Miami, started 15 games as a rookie at right guard last season. The sky seems to be the limit for him.

After the players put on shoulder pads Sunday for the first time in camp, Jaguars coach Gus Bradley said Linder has exceeded the team’s expectations.

“I would think that he is better than what we thought,” Bradley said. “We knew he was pretty good, but we’re very pleased with him.”

Now that Linder has a year of experience, he will combine with right tackle Jermey Parnell, who signed as a free agent, to solidify the right side of the line. They should help improve a line that gave up 71 sacks last year.

Linder now seems to be a fixture, and it won’t be a surprise if the Jaguars lock him up with a new contract when he becomes eligible after his third season next year.
Bradley said he likes Linder’s toughness and leadership ability.

“He doesn’t have a lot of words, but the guys really follow him,” Bradley said. “I think the guys really respect his work ethic and how he goes about it. I would say that what people would say first of all he’s really good and second of all is his toughness.”

Offensive coordinator Greg Olson also likes what he has seen of Linder.

“He’s got good power,” Olson said of Linder, who added about six pounds in the offseason and now tips the scales at 320 pounds. “He’s one of the more powerful guys we have up front. He and Parnell complement each other very well because of their strength and power. He’s just a real intelligent hard worker. He’s becoming more of a vocal leader, and we like that as well. He did a good job in the offseason, and he’s looked good here these first three days.”

Linder and Parnell seem to have a good rapport in the short time they’ve been playing alongside each other.

“He’s strong, athletic and young, and he can move,” Parnell said.

Parnell said he’s not surprised at how good Linder has looked.

“Some of the guys said in the room that despite how young [23] he is, he’s advanced at what he does,” Parnell said. “I like what I’m seeing.”

Linder said of Parnell, “He’s a great tackle, very explosive and very smart. I’m excited to be able to mesh with him and get going. He’s a very passionate guy who loves football.”

Although Parnell is in his sixth year, Linder has started more games. While Linder had 15 starts last year, Parnell had seven the last three years.

The team’s other guard, veteran Zane Beadles, also is impressed with Linder.

“He’s had a great offseason,” Beadles said. “I think he’s definitely improved. He’s a strong, smart guy and moves well. I expect him to make a big jump this year. He understands the game. I’m so happy for him with the way he’s playing so far and how he’s improved.”

Linder, who loves to hunt and fish, takes advantage in the offseason of being close to South Florida. His routine back home is to work out in the morning and fish in the afternoon. He’s been going out on the water since he able to crawl, and his father took him out on his 19-foot boat. His father would keep him amused by throwing him shrimp and other bait.

“My mom used to wash my clothes, and I’d have a pocket full of dead shrimp,” Linder said.

It wasn’t long before he was fishing himself, and now he’s an experienced fisherman. He has taken Jaguars offensive tackle Josh Wells out on his boat, and they got caught in a storm one time.

“It was crazy weather. It was rough,” Linder said. “We just rode it out and made it back to land safely.”

He also likes to free dive, going down 15 to 40 feet, holding his breath without air tanks and spearing fish. He’s had some close encounters with bull sharks.

“You keep an eye on them and eventually get out of the water if it gets too hairy,” Linder said.

After staring down sharks, taking on a defensive lineman can just be a day at the beach.


(jacksonville.com)