Interesting Developments Coming out of Jags Camp

by NASF on Aug 12, 2008 2:23 PM EDT Comment 5 comments

Believe it or not their are actually quite a few players to discuss and report on, other than the fans infatuation with Matt Jones 24/7. Lets begin with what is going on in the Jags secondary. From what I am hearing Florence, Mathis, and Starks have looked very good at CB. Starks in particular has really improved his game heading into his fourth year, which is also the last year of his contract. The coaches have told him that he will have an opportunity to play the nickel CB, which has been estimated that the Jags used 60% of the time last year.

The safety position with Nelson leading the way has also looked very good aside from Nelson’s mental mistakes. Lets not forget it is still early, and there is a new DC to learn from. Gregg Williams plans on using Nelson all over the field much like Bob Sanders to where it seems like their are several of him on the field at the same time. Sensabaugh has also looked very good so far, and like Starks is entering his final year of his four year contract. Vic has also mentioned that Fudge has really improved, and can play either SS or FS. Pierson Prioleau knows Gregg Williams system better than anyone, having spent the last 3 years with him in DC, and before that with the Bills. He is like a coach on the field, and is also an excellent special teamer.

With all that being said it brings me to Brian Williams. He from what I have been told has looked good but has not really stood out from Sensabaugh. Unlike Starks and Sensabaugh who are younger and much cheaper than Williams, has not really warranted keeping on the roster with all those factors working against him. Brian Williams also happens to be one of the highest paid CB in the league at a 4 million cap number!

Now barring injury of course, I just don’t see the logic in keeping Williams on the roster with everything said above. I believe the Jags will keep him till the final cuts to ensure of just in case their is an injury they will need to retain him.

A good question is whether or not they will be able to trade him, but with that real high cap number unless a team is desperate, will just wait till he gets cut, and negotiate a new contract.

Another guy who was in a very similar situation is Reggie Hayward. He also has a high cap number, and you don’t pay a guy that much to be a back up. Jeff Laggeman went on record as saying the same thing, and if anyone knows anything about Jeff is that he is usually right. Fortunately for Hayward, Harvey has not signed yet, and as each day passes the chance of Harvey starting diminishes.

Now that you heard it hear first at BCC, don’t be to surprised if you see one less Williams on the Jags opening day roster.

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But what about his bonus hit...

What is the term of Williams contract ? I

Won’t the Jags still be on the hook for millions in already-paid bonus money ? If they cut him they have to count that against the cap, not all this year but it still counts.

I think they’ll likely keep him this season and try and work out new deals with the younger guys, then release him next year when

by pksiv on Aug 12, 2008 3:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bonus Money Hit

Good point on the structure of the terms of the contract. If you can do the research on what the hit will be, I think that will determine if the Jags can cut him or whether they will be held hostage because of the money owed if cut.

I know when they signed him a couple years ago, and he got  a signing bonus of 10 million. He has a big cap number this year in the third year of his contract at 4 million, which puts him in the top five highest paid CB in the NFL. His play so far has warranted being paid that amount, and with cheaper, younger players, playing at the same level, it doesn't make sense for the Jags to hold onto Williams.

The million dollar question is what is the hit? This sound like a good question for the cap guru Jags02. If somebody can forward the question over to him, and then post it here.

by NASF on Aug 12, 2008 4:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Cap Hit

Looking at Jag02 numbers Williams has an even larger cap hit than 4 mill. Jag02 has him making 6 million for this year than the 4 million that was paid to him last year. He could be the highest paid CB in the NFL at that number.

I can't see the Jags keeping him unless it cost more to cut him.

by NASF on Aug 12, 2008 4:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Everything I could find (which wasn't much)

... had the contract as 6 years, near $32M, $10M signing bonus. But the Salary Cap spreadsheet lists $2M/bonus hit each year which would suggest it was only a 5 year contract.

As for him being the “highest paid”, Drayton Florence is a $6.5M hit this year and Asante Samuel signed this offseason with the Eagles for 6 years, $57M with $32.4M paid over the first 3 years…

by pksiv on Aug 12, 2008 6:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Reggie Nelson's Development

I will be interested to see how Reggie Nelson develops into this new defensive scheme. I thought too I might have seen some over-pursuits in preseason 1. His size still seams a little smallish, but his presence was there on nearly every play.

I will tell you Bob Sanders role in the Colts Defense killed us and many others last season.

by Jaghomer on Aug 13, 2008 7:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs