The Jaguars: Now What?

Started by copperfiend, November 24, 2008, 10:14:09 AM

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copperfiend

November 24, 2008, 10:14:09 AM
To this has been a disappointing season would be an understatement. Dreams of a Super Bowl have soon turned to doubt about whether the team can win 5 games. Players like Fred Taylor and Paul Spicer who were the cornerstone of last year's 11-5 squad now look like aging has-beens on their last leg. Young players seemingly on the rise like Reggie Williams, Marcedes Lewis, Justin Durant and Reggie Nelson have struggled for much of the season. The team is getting zero production from it's free agent and draft class this past offseason. Now what? Who goes and who stays?

Shack Harris will be gone. That is a given. It may be a cosmetic move as he was stripped of much of  his power this past offseason. Keeping that in mind, how much change would truly be made when he is let go? What becomes of head scout Gene Smith? If any area needs change would it not be college scouting?

Where does Del Rio fall into this? I don't think he will be fired at this point but if the team goes winless, could Weaver keep him? He just signed an extension last offseason and would be owed a handsome payout. And let's not kid ourselves. This isn't a franchise with pockets full of cash to throw away.

And has anybody looked at next year's home schedule? It's not pretty when it comes to ticket sales. Arizona, St. Louis, Buffalo. There will be blackouts next year. It could get ugly.

BridgeTroll

#1
November 24, 2008, 10:42:45 AM
It is time to "get young".  Anyone with more than 5 or 6 years in the NFL should get serious scrutiny.  The number one and possibly number two picks should be traded for additional picks.  New team leaders need to be developed and a new core of players to grow up and learn together.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs07/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=3221211
In a boat at sea one of the men began to bore a hole in the bottom of the boat. On being remonstrating with, he answered, "I am only boring under my own seat." "Yes," said his companions, "but when the sea rushes in we shall all be drowned with you."

copperfiend

#2
November 24, 2008, 10:51:14 AM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on November 24, 2008, 10:42:45 AM
It is time to "get young".  Anyone with more than 5 or 6 years in the NFL should get serious scrutiny.  The number one and possibly number two picks should be traded for additional picks.  New team leaders need to be developed and a new core of players to grow up and learn together.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs07/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=3221211

Good article.

"A lot of times, teams become victims of the aging process by holding on to players too long. The Chiefs did just that after a making the playoffs in 2006. By staying with too many old players, the Chiefs looked old and brittle during a horrible 4-12 season. "

Sound familiar?

BridgeTroll

#3
November 24, 2008, 12:32:54 PM
Yes.  I realize Fred Taylor is a sentimental favorite but he never should have made the team this year.  In fact since the season is lost all veterens should be quickly evaluated by age and "what have you done lately" and sat down so rookies and third stringers can get out there and be judged.  Put Terry Porter and any other malingerers on IR (or cut em) and make room for practice squad people and street free agents.
In a boat at sea one of the men began to bore a hole in the bottom of the boat. On being remonstrating with, he answered, "I am only boring under my own seat." "Yes," said his companions, "but when the sea rushes in we shall all be drowned with you."

hanjin1

#4
November 24, 2008, 01:00:14 PM
Looks like we're trying to play for a high draft pick now. Though we know how those turn out.

Shwaz

#5
November 24, 2008, 01:02:45 PM
QuoteYes.  I realize Fred Taylor is a sentimental favorite but he never should have made the team this year.

FT rushed for over 1000 yards last season (splitting time with MJD) and made the Pro-bowl. Why would you cut him before the season even started?

I agree his production this year has severly dropped off but he get almost no playing time. MJD is getting most of the touches and he's not having a good year either. Should they cut him too?

I liked JDR's comment "This may be the best practice team of all time".
And though I long to embrace, I will not replace my priorities: humour, opinion, a sense of compassion, creativity and a distaste for fashion.

Joe

#6
November 24, 2008, 01:17:58 PM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on November 24, 2008, 10:42:45 AM
The number one and possibly number two picks should be traded for additional picks. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs07/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=3221211

Indeed ... the exact opposite of what the Jaguars did this year.

Let's think about the Jags core personel strengths and weaknesses for a second. Strengths: They draft extremely well in rounds 2 and below. Weaknesses: They draft poorly in round one and overpay medicore free agents (bonus points if they were washouts from the Vikings!!)

With that in mind, it seems crazy that they traded away their draft for a couple of DEs that haven't panned out. Just imagine how much better off they would have been if they had kept the later round picks and taken a couple of servicable O-linemen.

BridgeTroll

#7
November 24, 2008, 01:22:35 PM
I stand by my assesment of Fred.  Save some cap room... draft another young back or two.  IMO they kept Fred around for leadership this year.  It is plain to everyone that there is not much positive leadership amongst the senior jaguars.
In a boat at sea one of the men began to bore a hole in the bottom of the boat. On being remonstrating with, he answered, "I am only boring under my own seat." "Yes," said his companions, "but when the sea rushes in we shall all be drowned with you."

Shwaz

#8
November 24, 2008, 01:40:45 PM
QuoteWith that in mind, it seems crazy that they traded away their draft for a couple of DEs that haven't panned out. Just imagine how much better off they would have been if they had kept the later round picks and taken a couple of servicable O-linemen.

I agree drafting DE's in the first 2 rounds was bit desperate but calling them busts is a mistake. It takes at least 3 season to fully evaluate a player.


Quotestand by my assesment of Fred.  Save some cap room... draft another young back or two.

MJD is the future RB of the team and that's why he's getting more playing time even still you wouldn't cut a pro bowl RB in this system from day 1 that just rushed for over 1000 yards and showed plenty of gas left in the tank.

Greg Jones is locked up long term, MJD will sign a new contract in the off season and Chauncey Washington was drafted last year.. he looked impressive in the time he got.
And though I long to embrace, I will not replace my priorities: humour, opinion, a sense of compassion, creativity and a distaste for fashion.

BridgeTroll

#9
November 24, 2008, 02:15:36 PM
Quotebut calling them busts is a mistake

I agree but for the price we paid for that ONE guy... if you trade down you double or triple the number of young players at the same price or less.  In addition... if one of them do not pan out it is not a hit to your salary cap.  The league is filled with 4th rounders and below...

Tony Romo was an undrafted free agent... ;)
In a boat at sea one of the men began to bore a hole in the bottom of the boat. On being remonstrating with, he answered, "I am only boring under my own seat." "Yes," said his companions, "but when the sea rushes in we shall all be drowned with you."

Shwaz

#10
November 24, 2008, 02:29:47 PM
Quoteagree but for the price we paid for that ONE guy... if you trade down you double or triple the number of young players at the same price or less.  In addition... if one of them do not pan out it is not a hit to your salary cap.  The league is filled with 4th rounders and below...

Tony Romo was an undrafted free agent...

I agree completely. The only problem was this was the year it changed. Prices for top 10 picks sky rocketted out of control. The Jags didn't anticipate a 30% increase over picks last year and tried to hold the line of reason which resulted in Harvey's hold out.

I believe we will trade our first round pick next year especially if it's in the top 10. I hope we can.
And though I long to embrace, I will not replace my priorities: humour, opinion, a sense of compassion, creativity and a distaste for fashion.

copperfiend

#11
November 24, 2008, 02:48:33 PM
I think the Jaguars thought they were one player away when they got Harvey. They were wrong.

Shwaz

#12
November 24, 2008, 02:50:08 PM
QuoteI think the Jaguars thought they were one player away when they got Harvey. They were wrong.

They were in the New England game
And though I long to embrace, I will not replace my priorities: humour, opinion, a sense of compassion, creativity and a distaste for fashion.

Keith-N-Jax

#13
November 24, 2008, 03:01:02 PM
Dont make the same mistakes again. We need players who what to win a Championship and not just collect a paycheck.

copperfiend

#14
November 24, 2008, 03:06:10 PM
Quote from: Keith-N-Jax on November 24, 2008, 03:01:02 PM
Dont make the same mistakes again. We need players who what to win a Championship and not just collect a paycheck.

I think the players they have want to win. Unfortunately, they just aren't very good players.
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