Comparing Luke Joeckel to Tony Boselli is unfair, but also reality

12:37 PM ET

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A common way to gain a fuller understanding of something is to compare it to something that is universally understood.

Something tastes like chicken. Or it’s as hard as a diamond.

We do it a lot in sports, too, especially when it comes to individual players. Be it their size or speed or talent, someone is the next Kobe Bryant or Albert Pujols or Tom Brady. Luke Joeckel can certainly relate.

The Jacksonville Jaguars left tackle, the No. 2 overall pick in 2013, has spent his entire career being held by those outside the organization to the standard set by Tony Boselli. It’s unreasonable, unwarranted and undeserved. It’s also the reality of playing the same position as of the franchise’s greatest players and a Pro Football Hall of Fame candidate.

“That’s unfair to him,” Boselli said. “I know at USC and coming into the pros I didn’t want to be compared to [former USC offensive tackle] Anthony Munoz. That wouldn’t be fair to me. I don’t think it’s fair for any young player to be compared because they play the same position.

“I understand why people do it. It’s natural. He’s the No. 2 pick and he plays the same position. I understand the parallels there, but I don’t think it’s fair to him at all.”

Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell says Luke Joeckel has improved and remains in their future plans, but they brought in competition for him at left tackle this offseason. Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

Especially when you consider Boselli’s credentials. He was the No. 2 overall pick in 1995 and had his career cut short at seven seasons because of injuries, but he was the top offensive tackle in the league for much of those seven seasons. Boselli was a five-time Pro Bowl …

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