Toby Gerhart hasn’t had the opportunity to carry the load for a team since he left Stanford. The powerful running back had the chance to learn from the NFL best at his position, Adrian Peterson.
A fresh legged Gerhart is now the man at running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars after Maurice Jones-Drew was allowed to leave via free agency.
After getting a three-year, $10.5 million deal from the Jaguars in March, Gerhart is “hoping to be Jacksonville’s version of Beast Mode.”
“Gus comes from the Seattle Seahawks’ model of playing good defense, relying on the run game where Marshawn Lynch was their ‘Beast Mode’ out there. Hopefully, I’ll be the ‘Beast Mode’ down here for the Jaguars,” Gerhart told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday. “I want to be a guy who helps turn this program around with a physical, punishing offense.
“There’s definitely pressure because Maurice was the guy here the last eight years. The face of the Jaguars always seemed to be a running back dating from Fred Taylor to Maurice.
“I’m excited for the chance to be the guy and carry the load.”