Jaguars Draft

[BridgeTroll]

The draft is over.  We got a QB... looks like a good one too.  What about the draft overall?  You have had a couple days to analyze and contemplate the Jags picks...  What do you think?

Here is Bleacher report...

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/687532-2011-nfl-draft-results-which-teams-got-the-biggest-boost-from-late-round-picks/entry/77275-2011-nfl-draft-grades-grading-the-2011-draft-class-of-the-new-york-giants

The Jacksonville jaguars saw their chance to get a franchise quarterback and jumped at it. Somehow Blaine Gabbert fell all the way to No. 10, and in a bizarre move the Redskins didn't pick him but instead traded back six spots with the Jaguars.

Blaine Gabbert may be bummed he fell to No. 10, but in reality he should be thrilled. He can sit behind David Garrard for a year and learn the NFL system. He isn't ready to start right away, and after a year or two of development the Jaguars will be in great position to make a run in the AFC South with Gabbert leading the way.

Besides that it wasn't much of an impressive draft for the Jaguars. They didn't have a second round pick because of the trade, but in the third round they drafted William Rackley, an offensive guard from Lehigh. It's a good pick, but it doesn't fill a pressing need. Cecil Shorts from Mount Union offers skills at the return position, but he isn't going to be an outstanding receiver.

Grade: C-

The Jaguars took the risk on Blaine Gabbert. They're hoping he turns into their franchise quarterback, but if he busts then this draft will be a dead one. Jacksonville didn't fill their biggest need on the defensive line.

They lacked a strong pass rusher in 2010, and once again that will be an issue for the Jaguars. When you have to face Peyton Manning and Matt Schaub twice a year you must get consistent pressure on the quarterback.   

[duvaldude08]

I think the draft was great. We didnt address all of our defensive needs, but we still have free agency. I am VERY happy we drafted a QB. The opportunity presented its self and we took advantage of it. We would have been a fool not to. Gene Smith is very smart and is doing an excellent job. IMO, he is truely building a championship team little by little. Great guy

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

If Gabbart is the guy we think he is, then this draft will be a success.   If not? 

I'm happy for the interior lineman - don't know anything about him, but we have our tackles, Meester is old, Uche had a great year, so if this kid can live up to a 3rd round pick, then he should be able to clear the inside for Mojo. 

I'm also curious about our later picks, S & CB - both guys from smaller schools - but both were captains of their respective teams.  I don't worry about Reggie Nelson type busts, but more-so of a Derrick Cox learning curve.  I don't think their impact will truly be felt until the end of the season or on into next year.

Lastly, we're talking about free agency, but the real skill from GMGene will be the undrafted FA - expect us to grab 4-6 players once it starts - the good thing about the lockout is that the scouts are in the film room now doing their due diligence on the draftees that are left.  Don't expect any big names to be signed.  We'll probably bring back Morrison on a short term deal and possibly Durant, but I wouldn't expect anything other than that.

[copperfiend]

When teams draft for need, they run into trouble. The teams that compete year in and year out, almost always draft for value. Pittsburgh, New England, Baltimore, Green Bay, NY Giants, San Diego. It isn't a coincidence these teams are always near the top of the league.

[BridgeTroll]

I heard Pete Prisco argue the other day that Gabbert should start from day one.  I disagree.  He would have to be an immediate improvement over Garrard for me to agree with that.  Having Garrard is a luxury.  Gabbert can learn in the film room, practice field, and sideline for a year... unless Garrard gets hurt of course...

[copperfiend]

As long as the team is in contention, Garrard should be the starter. I'd even say if McCown is healthy, to let Gabbert be third string. Especially with the lost time due to the lockout, this year's rookies are going to be behind where most rookies would be.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Believe it or not, we CAN win with Garrard.  It makes it really tough when our defense is allowing 24+ points a game.  Gabbart came from a spread O, so he's going to require some time to learn how to play from under center.  I agree with CF that he needs to be 3rd QB at least for the next season.  Give him a chance to adapt to the speed of this game on the practice field.

[BridgeTroll]

Believe it or not, we CAN win with Garrard.  It makes it really tough when our defense is allowing 24+ points a game.  Gabbart came from a spread O, so he's going to require some time to learn how to play from under center.  I agree with CF that he needs to be 3rd QB at least for the next season.  Give him a chance to adapt to the speed of this game on the practice field.

I agree.  I sure would have liked to have seen the Jags trade down in later rounds to pick up players.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I don't think that it's a big deal trading down for more picks - once you're in the late 4th round, eveything is about the same.  I like what we gave up for a chance on Gabbert - only a 2nd round pick.  As active as we are during the season, grabbing guys from practice squads and assigning guys to our practice squad, I don't think we'll have a problem hitting on 1 or 2 late-comers that will actually play for the team.

[BridgeTroll]

I absolutely agree with the trade up for Gabbert.  I wonder about the other guys drafted and their impact on the team this year.  If Gabbert is not a starter this year... then who are the others that will be contributing on anything other than special teams?

[duvaldude08]

I agree guys. We can win with Garrad, but lets be honest. He was at his best in 2007 and hasnt shown us anything since. He gave us flashes this season, but thats about it. Our losses last season is between him and the defense. But whats amazing me is that last year we were screaming for a quarterback, and now everyone everyone is saying, " We can win with Garrad." Garrad is inconsitent and he is getting old. We need to draft a young quarter back. PERIOD. QB is one position that CAN NOT be ignored. And yes, out defensive needs more help to. But theres still time.

[BridgeTroll]

John Clayton sez...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2011/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=6464611

1. QB issues remain: A dozen teams entered the draft with perceived quarterback needs, but only six really resolved them in the first two rounds. The first-round selections by the Panthers (Cam Newton), Titans (Locker) and Vikings (Ponder) addressed those teams' issues. The fact that the Titans and Vikings used high first-round selections on QBs is probably bad news for the Philadelphia Eagles (trying to trade Kevin Kolb), Matt Hasselbeck and Donovan McNabb, because the price and commitment of getting those quarterbacks will make trades difficult.

The Jaguars hit the lottery when Blaine Gabbert slipped slightly and they were able to trade up to the No. 10 spot to get him. In San Francisco, second-round pick Colin Kaepernick is the long-term option -- not the short-term option -- for coach Jim Harbaugh; Alex Smith is expected to be the quarterback this year. Andy Dalton is Marvin Lewis' quarterback in Cincinnati at the cost of only a second-round pick.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

We were screaming for a QB - We got one.

We CAN win with Garrard - That isn't the same as feeling all rosy saying we WILL win with Garrard.

Had we not been able to get Gabbert - we probably would have gone with Kerrigan and then another D player in Rnd 2.  Remember, he was projected as a top 5. 

I'm also one of those fans who doesn't scream for a new head coach after back to back crumblings in the last 4-5 games.  IMO, even if we had Lombardi on the sideline - we still have the same players on the field.  Call it what it really is - Re-building.  We were fortunate to be in the hunt at the end of the year, but injuries hurt us.  Why?  We don't have the depth of a Packers team because of so many years of poor drafting.   This is the year that we should start to show dividends.  We grade the '08 class this year, and every Gene class after that.  I thnk you'll see progress.

[duvaldude08]

We were screaming for a QB - We got one.

We CAN win with Garrard - That isn't the same as feeling all rosy saying we WILL win with Garrard.

Had we not been able to get Gabbert - we probably would have gone with Kerrigan and then another D player in Rnd 2.  Remember, he was projected as a top 5. 

I'm also one of those fans who doesn't scream for a new head coach after back to back crumblings in the last 4-5 games.  IMO, even if we had Lombardi on the sideline - we still have the same players on the field.  Call it what it really is - Re-building.  We were fortunate to be in the hunt at the end of the year, but injuries hurt us.  Why?  We don't have the depth of a Packers team because of so many years of poor drafting.   This is the year that we should start to show dividends.  We grade the '08 class this year, and every Gene class after that.  I thnk you'll see progress.

Ok I got you now We are well on our way to success. It was rocky last year, but we actually played very good. With Mojo's knee giving out, Garrads finger, and our defense falling asleep really killed any hopes of making the playoffs. It was very heartbreaking. We just had a streak of bad luck. But things will happen when its our time. Were in the right direction.

[Shwaz]

The draft is over.  We got a QB... looks like a good one too.  What about the draft overall?  You have had a couple days to analyze and contemplate the Jags picks...  What do you think?

Here is Bleacher report...

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/687532-2011-nfl-draft-results-which-teams-got-the-biggest-boost-from-late-round-picks/entry/77275-2011-nfl-draft-grades-grading-the-2011-draft-class-of-the-new-york-giants

The Jacksonville jaguars saw their chance to get a franchise quarterback and jumped at it. Somehow Blaine Gabbert fell all the way to No. 10, and in a bizarre move the Redskins didn't pick him but instead traded back six spots with the Jaguars.

Blaine Gabbert may be bummed he fell to No. 10, but in reality he should be thrilled. He can sit behind David Garrard for a year and learn the NFL system. He isn't ready to start right away, and after a year or two of development the Jaguars will be in great position to make a run in the AFC South with Gabbert leading the way.

Besides that it wasn't much of an impressive draft for the Jaguars. They didn't have a second round pick because of the trade, but in the third round they drafted William Rackley, an offensive guard from Lehigh. It's a good pick, but it doesn't fill a pressing need. Cecil Shorts from Mount Union offers skills at the return position, but he isn't going to be an outstanding receiver.

Grade: C-

The Jaguars took the risk on Blaine Gabbert. They're hoping he turns into their franchise quarterback, but if he busts then this draft will be a dead one. Jacksonville didn't fill their biggest need on the defensive line.

They lacked a strong pass rusher in 2010, and once again that will be an issue for the Jaguars. When you have to face Peyton Manning and Matt Schaub twice a year you must get consistent pressure on the quarterback.   

This is the problem with the 24/7 sports media machine. Some outlets like Bleacher Report give poor grades and harsh criticism of a team’s draft and people actually buy this shit? BR is a fan site... which really doesn't matter anyways because even the so called experts like Mel Kiper Jr have no validity either.

From the fan sites all the way to ESPN. These talking heads have nothing but their mouth.

They aren't invited to the combine.
They don't have coaches tape.
They don't have a team of scouts
They aren't at Pro Days
They don't interview players

They survive on rumor... hear-say. When a team like the Jags pick’s a guy like Cecil Shorts III- I trust they have done the due diligence on him... how the hell else do you even draft a guy out of Mount Union? 

The absolute best part is when these 'experts' are wrong... and they always are... you never hear them own up to it! Last year Gene was crucified over the Alualu pick... 6 months later the analysts raved about it! ESPN even put out a redraft showing he was picked right where he belonged.

If these guys were really that good at evaluating talent then whey would be on an NFL teams payroll.