The Jaguars are the perfect example of how a year can make a huge difference in the NFL.
For a pair of Jaguars offense players, the last 12 months have offered a complete turnaround. Appropriately, their fortunes have turned like the franchise they play for.
Fullback Tommy Bohanon and wide receiver Jaydon Mickens each scored two touchdowns Sunday during the Jaguars' playoff-clinching victory over the Houston Texans.
Bohanon scored the first two rushing touchdowns of his career. Mickens produced his first two receiving touchdowns.
Those big plays highlighted the professional growth both have made over the last 365 days.
A year ago, Bohanon was out of the league after a three-year stint with the New York Jets. At that same time, Mickens was working on the Oakland Raiders' practice squad.
Bohanon's opportunity to revive his NFL career came with the Jaguars' decision to add a fullback to the offense. Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone wanted a player who could set a physical tone for his running game.
"We made a strategic decision that we wanted to have a fullback and have a fullback on our team to kind of go with our philosophy," Marrone said after the 45-7 win over the Texans.
"Our first philosophy is that we want to be a physical team. I just always believe that when having a fullback in your offense you have the ability to work on it. It doesn’t mean you’re going to be physical, but you have the ability to work on it.”
Bohanon had two carries against Houston. Both went for touchdowns.
It's been a whirlwind year for Bohanon, as he has gone from unemployed to becoming a potential Pro Bowl selection. His efforts against the Texans highlighted his importance to the Jaguars' offense.
"He does a lot of things that don’t get noticed, a lot of the dirty work," Marrone said.
"He does a lot of good team stuff for us that I think gets overlooked a little bit. Special teams, he’s on special teams. Being able to go down in there when everyone is geared up to your tailback and being able to give it to your fullback and have it hit quick and score, obviously it’s a good situation or a good scheme to have, to have someone you can trust to do that down there.”
Much like Bohanon, Mickens' offensive production basically came out of nowhere.
The former undrafted free agent had just one catch for 11 yards entering the Week 15 matchup against the Texans. He had mostly made his mark as a standout punt returner since being added to the Jaguars' active roster in October.
The young player was asked to replace veteran wide receiver Marqise Lee midway through the first quarter. Lee suffered an ankle injury and did not return.
Those unfortunate circumstances led to an opportunity for Mickens, who was able to produce four catches for 61 yards and two touchdowns against the Jaguars' division rivals.
"It’s a great story, but that kid, early on when he was here in [practice] and he’s not the biggest, not the fastest, all that stuff," Marrone said.
"But he was making plays and he had a high level of enthusiasm, had a great work ethic about himself, and at the end of the day, gosh, we’ve got to figure out a role, figure out a way to have him on the team."
This past weekend, Bohanon and Mickens weren't just part of the team. The duo became part of the Jaguars' offensive game plan on the fly.
The extra opportunities benefited the players and the Jaguars.
Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter at @Mike_E_Kaye.