JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The adage "practice makes perfect" is a ridiculous generality and is typically false.
However, for Jaguars guard Chris Reed - who could start on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens - the practice squad helped him greatly improve his game.
The Minnesota State alum was considered a small school afterthought when he signed with the team as an undrafted free agent last offseason.
He willed himself through his first NFL offseason and impressed the coaching staff and management enough to earn a practice squad job. Reed will admit he was overwhelmed by the level of competition at the professional level, given his humble college experiences.
“Coming in, I was pretty raw with everything, so over the course of studying and coaching and the cumulative effect has really helped me [improve] my level of play," Reed said. "The fact that I’m focused on year-round football now has helped me a lot too.”
Reed spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad. He attributes that time to his growth as a player.
“I think that was one of the biggest things that helped me transition better and learn a lot more [was] the practice squad,” Reed said.
The second-year player battled throughout the offseason and eventually got to start in some preseason games at left guard. His opportunity came as left tackle Kelvin Beachum continued to rehab his left knee following surgery.
Beachum is set to miss Sunday's game, so Reed's opportunity for playing time may repeat itself.
The Jaguars running game thrived with Reed at left guard during the first preseason game against the New York Jets. Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon combined for 52 rushing yards on 10 carries, producing an impressive 5.2 yards per carry average.
“Chris Reed, when we saw him in preseason he really stood out. He did some good things," head coach Gus Bradley said on Friday.
"I think the first preseason game when we played against the Jets, he played quite a bit and you know bigger body-type guys, he really did a nice job. So for him we felt good about—I mean he’s on the 53 because of his performance in preseason so we anticipate the same thing when he comes in.”
Even if Reed doesn't start at guard, he may be the top backup interior lineman on the roster with Tyler Shatley potentially replacing Brandon Linder (knee sprain) at center. Reed said he will be prepared to play multiple spots if his number is called.
“I try to learn all of the interior positions, because the more you know, the more you can do,” Reed said. “Even at left guard, if you know the center’s position, it’s easier for you to [play] too. It’s just the more you know – it’s just focus-wise – I just focus on center during scout team periods.”
Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter at @Mike_E_Kaye.
