The Jacksonville Jaguars

[Keith-N-Jax]

Jaguars didnt have any sell outs last season, they sold enough to avoid black out. If I were Khan I wouldnt worry about the tarps.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Jaguars didnt have any sell outs last season, they sold enough to avoid black out. If I were Khan I wouldnt worry about the tarps.

He's not worried.  He's aware and acknowledging it.  The article I read in PFT came with a disclaimer (if you can believe it!):  They did mention that Everbank WITH the tarps is still larger than Soldier at max. capacity.  One word for you Chi-Town - Scoreboardbitches!

I like the stance he took with the discounted kids tickets.  That alone make it obvious to me that he is doing what he can to appease the non-fans (read--- non season ticket holders    )  And I'm pretty sure he'll keep pushing ahead with other such ideas in order to build a more steady season ticket holding fan-base.   AKA - real fans. 

The one concern that I have personally is that I won't be able to afford season tickets after my 30/30 deal is over with because the team will be that much better, the city will be WANTING to come to games and they will have to raise ticket prices to relate to the demand.  It's not a bad concern, per se, but a concern none the less. 

NRW - Section 2-something, we'll figure it out after March.

[BridgeTroll]

PFT is a goldmine today...

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/28/jaguars-wont-be-as-aggressive-in-free-agency/

Jaguars G.M. Gene Smith has signed some notable hits in free agency (Paul Posluszny) and a few significant misses, including Aaron Kampman.

Smith spent big money on a number of defensive free agents last year, but warns that he won’t be as aggressive this time around.

“What took place last year won’t be the case this year,” Smith told Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union. “It’s not a place we want to be overly active year in and year out.”

Jacksonville wants to build through the draft. Of course, they wanted to build through the draft last year and they built largely though free agency. We wouldn’t be surprised to see Jacksonville make a big signing or two, but Smith doesn’t want to sign so many starters this time around. Smith says new owner Shad Khan is on board with the approach.

“I think he understands the philosophy is to build your team through the draft,” Smith said. “I think most teams have figured that out. Where you don’t want to be is in pro free agency year in and year out. That’s not our philosophy. It’s to supplement the college draft.”

We’d argue they need starters at wide receiver, defensive end, and cornerback. They also need a backup quarterback and depth on the offensive line.

If Smith keeps his word and bids cautiously in free agency, he will need to have one terrific draft class.

[BridgeTroll]

Why not be aggressive if...

2012 “top 51″ cap numbers, as of February 28
Posted by Mike Florio on February 28, 2012, 11:15 PM EST
[Editor's note:  The following list reflects salary cap numbers for the top 51 players currently under contract with each team.  It does not include potential cap carryover from 2011.  For those numbers, click here.]

Raiders:  $145.7 million.
Giants:  $129.1 million.
Panthers:  $128.5 million.
Cowboys:  $124.3 million.
Lions:  $123.0 million.
Jets:  $120.9 million.
Packers:  $120.7 million.
Steelers:  $120.5 million.
Texans:  $118.9 million.
Rams:  $118.0 million.
Cardinals:  $117.7 million.
Ravens:  $116.3 million.
Vikings:  $116.0 million.
Eagles:  $112.8 million.
Chargers:  $112.8 million.
Dolphins:  $112.7 million.
Seahawks:  $110.0 million.
Saints:  $109.6 million.
Chiefs:  $108.9 million.
Colts:  $107.5 million.
Jaguars:  $107.3 million.
49ers:  $105.9 million.
Bills:  $104.7 million.
Browns:  $103.4 million.
Patriots:  $102.6 million.
Bears:  $101.9 million.
Falcons:  $101.5 million.
Broncos:  $98.7 million.
Titans:  $94.5 million.
Redskins:  $93.5 million.
Buccaneers:  $92.7 million.
Bengals:  $83.5 million.

   

[BridgeTroll]

On top of the low cap number they can carry over from last year...

With teams now able to carry over their excess cap space from one year to the next, here's a look at each team's remaining 2011 cap space, as of February 12, 2012.]

Jaguars:  $31.66 million.
Broncos:  $27.88 million.
Buccaneers:  $25.05 million.
Chiefs:  $24.01 million.
Seahawks:  $21.27 million.
Bills:  $19.29 million.
Bengals:  $17.59 million.
Cowboys:  $17.14 million.
49ers:  $16.87 million.
Redskins:  $13.6 million.
Eagles:  $11.01 million.
Dolphins:  $9.05 million.
Browns:  $8.98 million.
Jets:  $8.39 million.
Titans:  $8.11 million.
Bears:  $7.74 million.
Cardinals:  $7.04 million.
Patriots:  $6.66 million.
Ravens:  $6.18 million.
Packers:  $5.48 million.
Saints:  $4.22 million.
Rams:  $3.5 million.
Raiders:  $3.23 million.
Panthers:  $2.8 million.
Colts:  $2.5 million.
Chargers:  $2.1 million.
Vikings:  $1.95 million.
Lions:  $1.47 million.
Texans:  $1.08 million.
Giants:  $1.06 million.
Falcons:  $747,000.
Steelers:  $506,000.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

PFT is a goldmine today...

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/28/jaguars-wont-be-as-aggressive-in-free-agency/

Jaguars G.M. Gene Smith has signed some notable hits in free agency (Paul Posluszny) and a few significant misses, including Aaron Kampman.

Smith spent big money on a number of defensive free agents last year, but warns that he won’t be as aggressive this time around.

“What took place last year won’t be the case this year,” Smith told Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union. “It’s not a place we want to be overly active year in and year out.”

Jacksonville wants to build through the draft. Of course, they wanted to build through the draft last year and they built largely though free agency. We wouldn’t be surprised to see Jacksonville make a big signing or two, but Smith doesn’t want to sign so many starters this time around. Smith says new owner Shad Khan is on board with the approach.

“I think he understands the philosophy is to build your team through the draft,” Smith said. “I think most teams have figured that out. Where you don’t want to be is in pro free agency year in and year out. That’s not our philosophy. It’s to supplement the college draft.”

We’d argue they need starters at wide receiver, defensive end, and cornerback. They also need a backup quarterback and depth on the offensive line.

If Smith keeps his word and bids cautiously in free agency, he will need to have one terrific draft class.

Gene is just applying a lesson he learned from the book that I sent him:

Hence in the wise leader's plans, considerations of advantage and of disadvantage will be blended together.

We have both FA and the Draft ahead of us.  And even though the market appears saturated with positions of need - two questions:  What cost?  Why Available?

If our expectation of advantage be tempered in this way, we may succeed in accomplishing the essential part of our schemes.

Go ahead and let the fans know now, not to expect us to buy out the league.  The plan is in place, build through the draft.  We'll add quality, but not at the expense of the plan.

If, on the other hand, in the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune.

Whatever happens during the next 3 months - it won't set the team back.  There will be no more Matt Jones, Jerry Porter, Drayton Florence, Reggie Williams.   We just won't spend or draft if the fit's not right.

[BridgeTroll]

We dont really know what the cap number will be... tho it looks to be 118-120 million.  My basic math tells me...

31 mil(Last year carryover) + 10 mil(current Jags cap #) = around 41 mil available to be spent...  could be one of the most in the league...

[urbanlibertarian]

Keep in mind that (1) there is a limit on the number of players you can have in camp and (2) in addition to players drafted we usually have a lot of undrafted FA's in camp and we end up keeping more of those than most other teams.  Throwing money at veteran players might keep you from getting a good look at some undrafted future stars.

[copperfiend]

He's not worried.  He's aware and acknowledging it.  The article I read in PFT came with a disclaimer (if you can believe it!):  They did mention that Everbank WITH the tarps is still larger than Soldier at max. capacity.  One word for you Chi-Town - Scoreboardbitches!

The funny part of that PFT article was the headline where they said Khan sees tarps as a sign of failure. When I read the link to the original article, the word failure is never used.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

UL, I wouldn't worry about that....  (Ahhhhh the Pre-Ozone days)

Teams are allowed to bring in 90+/- players to camp for OTAs.  Through the course of May through August, that number has to be whittled down to 53 - for the active roster.  During OTAs, all of the uncontracted players receive a weekly pay and a per diem, but that number doesn't count against the team.  Only the contracts signed will affect our cap number, though I expect a good chunk of that to be eaten up by our 2-3 FA signings.  With the rookie wage scale in place, it makes it easier for teams to spend in FA, becasue they already know what the new draft picks are going to cost - they can mete the money to the meatheads and still meet the salary cap require-meets.  Sorry, long night.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

We dont really know what the cap number will be... tho it looks to be 118-120 million.  My basic math tells me...

31 mil(Last year carryover) + 10 mil(current Jags cap #) = around 41 mil available to be spent...  could be one of the most in the league...

I read somewhere (don't feel like digging it up) that there were a handful, 4-5, of teams with more cap room than the Jags.  Tampa Bay had the most to the tune of $64M-ish.

[BridgeTroll]

Why not be aggressive if...

2012 “top 51″ cap numbers, as of February 28
Posted by Mike Florio on February 28, 2012, 11:15 PM EST
[Editor's note:  The following list reflects salary cap numbers for the top 51 players currently under contract with each team.  It does not include potential cap carryover from 2011.  For those numbers, click here.]

Raiders:  $145.7 million.
Giants:  $129.1 million.
Panthers:  $128.5 million.
Cowboys:  $124.3 million.
Lions:  $123.0 million.
Jets:  $120.9 million.
Packers:  $120.7 million.
Steelers:  $120.5 million.
Texans:  $118.9 million.
Rams:  $118.0 million.
Cardinals:  $117.7 million.
Ravens:  $116.3 million.
Vikings:  $116.0 million.
Eagles:  $112.8 million.
Chargers:  $112.8 million.
Dolphins:  $112.7 million.
Seahawks:  $110.0 million.
Saints:  $109.6 million.
Chiefs:  $108.9 million.
Colts:  $107.5 million.
Jaguars:  $107.3 million.
49ers:  $105.9 million.
Bills:  $104.7 million.
Browns:  $103.4 million.
Patriots:  $102.6 million.
Bears:  $101.9 million.
Falcons:  $101.5 million.
Broncos:  $98.7 million.
Titans:  $94.5 million.
Redskins:  $93.5 million.
Buccaneers:  $92.7 million.
Bengals:  $83.5 million.

   

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I guess it's how you interpret "aggressive". 

I believe that it means that we will target one or two agents, make a more than reasonable offer with the intention of walking away if the deal won't work. 

Take VJ from San Diego.  Since he was tagged last year, his one year contract will be in the neighborhood of $14M.  He's probably going to want something in the 9-10/yr, 3-4 years / 18-20 guaranteed - waaayyyy too much for someone who could potentially drink himself out of an entire year of eligibility.  Great player, too much risk for too much money.  Pierre Garcon already turned down a contract from the Colts - what does he think he's going to get?  Can we dock him $1M for every dropped pass?  Mario Williams will get a big contract, but his agent will make sure it's guaranteed for injury - another big risk. 

I guess what I'm saying is that I think we're not going to set the market this year.  We'll wait a few days, review the contracts being paid and then grab some of the other names - we'll only get the big ones if we can make it make sense.

There will be no more Matt Jones, Jerry Porter, Drayton Florence, Reggie Williams.   We just won't spend or draft if the fit's not right.

[mtraininjax]

Smith spent big money on a number of defensive free agents last year, but warns that he won’t be as aggressive this time around.

Last year, Weaver knew it was his last year having worked with Khan before and having had a handshake deal on the team, then in Del Rio's year when River Boat Jack KNEW he had to win and get to the playoffs, so last year Smith could afford to be a gambler. Not this year, I predict this will be Smith's make or break year. He could have 1 more year with Khan, but there are other General Managers who could do Smith's job, so this year is a critical and pivotal year for him.

Khan is a businessman and if Smith falters, look for a hook and quickly.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Smith spent big money on a number of defensive free agents last year, but warns that he won’t be as aggressive this time around.

Last year, Weaver knew it was his last year having worked with Khan before and having had a handshake deal on the team, then in Del Rio's year when River Boat Jack KNEW he had to win and get to the playoffs, so last year Smith could afford to be a gambler. Not this year, I predict this will be Smith's make or break year. He could have 1 more year with Khan, but there are other General Managers who could do Smith's job, so this year is a critical and pivotal year for him.

Khan is a businessman and if Smith falters, look for a hook and quickly.

He didn't gamble last year either, he made moves on solid players  -  and set the market doing it.  We won't set the market this year, we'll let it play out and then take advantage of what's left.  It's not so much a gamble as it's a smart play against a set board.  We might still lose, but at least the odds will be in our favor before we make a move.

Stick to the stuff you know, because this 'theory' you present is laughable.  If you look through any comment section, there are thousands that think they are general managers.  And I'm willing to bet you a cocktail at any Riverside/Avondale establishment that GM Gene gets a 2 year contract extention next year.