There’s a line between obsession and focus.
And Jacksonville Jaguars veteran pass rusher Josh Hines-Allen has found it perfectly. The eight-year veteran and all-time leader in sacks for the franchise is entering this training camp with the same goals that he sets every year.
To be the best player in the league, becoming the Defensive Player of the Year and winning a Super Bowl along the way. To do so, he’s completely focused on the goal. Almost like an obsession you could say.
“I like to be obsessed with it, but you have to be healthy with it. When I go home, I’m not obsessive about it,” Hines-Allen said on Day 2 of training camp. “I’m spending time with my family and relaxing my brain. I wake up thinking about football, I go to sleep thinking about football, but like, when I don’t need to, and I’m spending time with my family, I’m in that moment.”
Hines-Allen was voted as No. 48 on the NFL’s Top 100 list. It’s an honor that’s voted on by the players in the league with peer recognition for the top players in the NFL.
He logged eight sacks, but was second in the NFL with 95 pressures according to Pro Football Focus. It’s something he referenced this offseason while saying getting more sacks would be a focus of his.
“I’m appreciative, but I play the game to be the best. It was just a step closer, I would say,” he said of the ranking. “Guys watch the film and they see what they see. For me, I’m just trying to be an inspiration to myself and be an inspiration to guys behind me and keep going until I get No. 1.”
Josh Hines-Allen received a text from a former teammate prior to training camp
Hines-Allen made the Pro Bowl in his rookie season. He achieved the honor alongside former teammate and mentor Calais Campbell.
He told reporters during his media availability that Campbell recently sent a text message wishing him well and confirming what Hines-Allen was already aiming for.
“I got a surprisingly good text from Calais Campbell right before we went out to practice,” Hines-Allen recalled. “He said, ‘I love you Josh and you’re going to lead the league in sacks this year.’ For me, that’s just more validation that I’m on the right path.”
Hines-Allen has always been a person who sets his sights high. He owns the single-season and all-time sack records for the franchise. He’s been named to multiple Pro Bowls, has earned multiple conference player of the week awards and is a former All-Pro.
Yet, he still isn’t satisfied and has a relentless pursuit to be better. He set the tone early in camp with his pass rush and plans to keep the standard high throughout.
“Emphasize what can I do better going into this year? And that’s getting out the ball faster or working my hands better on the top of the rush or if they get jump sets, being able to beat a blocker,” he said.
Something Hines-Allen has always made a point of is bringing others along as he rises. Even with the high standard set for himself, he expects others to raise their bars as well. It’s a noticeable trait that has benefited the entire defensive side of the ball.
“A guy who’s been that successful, he’s a great teammate and I really value that,” defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile said. “I think he’s such a big part of what we do because he drives the message, not only in the [defensive line room], but in the unit room every day.”
It’d be easy for Hines-Allen to take his foot off the gas with the things he’s accomplished in his career, but he isn’t wired that way. He wants to be better every day and he won’t stop until he checks every box.
Call it obsession. Call it focus.
Either way, Hines-Allen will go until he can’t go anymore.
“I’m obsessed with it,” he said. “And if I’m not, then you’ll know I’m done playing football.”
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars’ Josh Hines-Allen received affirming text ahead of training camp
Reporting by Juston Lewis, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Juston Lewis, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union | USA TODAY Network
