Jacksonville Jaguars

Jaguars CB Gratz fighting to regain starting job

Published Jun. 4, 2015 12:01 a.m. ET

foxsports

A year after losing his starting job and then getting it back again due to injury, Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Dwayne Gratz once again finds himself in a backup role as the team conducts OTAs.

"We get paid to do what we do,’’ Gratz told Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union. “When you don’t get it done, they look for someone else to replace you. That’s the nature of it.’’

A third-round pick in 2013, Gratz began last season as a starter, but last his spot to former seventh-round pick Demetrius McCray after four games. An injury to Alan Ball forced Gratz back into the lineup for Jacksonville's final nine games of the season, but with the addition of former Green Bay Packer Davon House in free agency, Gratz once again finds himself out of the starting lineup.

“Right now, I’m not starting, and I understand that things aren’t always going to go my way,’’ Gratz said. “I’m going to have to work for it in the offseason. Hopefully, one day I’ll get that spot back.’’

Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley credited Gratz for having a positive outlook on his situation.

“He’s really matured,’’ Bradley said, according to Stellino. “I see a completely different mind-set this year than he was his first year.

"Sometimes, you’ve got to externally motivate guys, or get after them or challenge them. That’s how I felt Gratzie was. I remember two years ago or a year and a half ago, I told him until he changes his mind-set, we’re going to have to continue to motivate him. Well, he’s not motivated through that anymore. It feels all more internally. I think he’s made really good strides. We’ll see how it carries over, but his mind-set, I really like how it is.’’

Gratz said he'll continue to work towards getting back in the starting lineup.

“I’m a player and would like to start," Gratz said. "Nobody wants to be in a backup position. I can only put in the work and then the coaches make the decision.’’

(h/t Florida Times-Union)

Photo credit: Richard Dole/USA TODAY Sports