Dr.FSBA or: How I learned to stop worrying and love the Offseason

by Jonathan Loesche on Jan 28, 2009 9:34 PM EST in Meta-Jacksonville Jaguars

Having finally run out of beer and friends long enough to get away from the blackhole known as Rock Band 2, these thoughts have been ringing in my head.

Offseason Wish list

1. MJD signed to a long term deal: I don't care, but if MJD heads into camp and it's his last year as a Jaguar, I mean it'll be his last year as a Jaguar. Between marketability and extra $$$, some big market team would make an offer the Jaguars simply couldn't match.

2. If our 1st round draft pick doesn't have Oher, Smith, or Monroe on the back of their jersey, we better not be anywhere near the 8th pick. As it looks like BJ Raji is the front runner for Chris to do a "Better Know" segment on, I think he would be a terrible fit for the Jaguars. He's a 3-4 NT, and could very well be the best prospect for the position in the last few years. However, he wouldn't be a good 4-3 DT because of his size and relative lack of speed.

3. Don't spend money unless we get a return: AKA, don't throw big money contracts to guys who don't deserve it. Let's be honest, in no way did Jerry Porter, Florence, or Brian Williams deserve the deals they got. Let's get better at free agency.

4. MJD to get the Madden 2010 cover: We can dream, right?

On the coaching hirings

Excuse me while I go get rid of the excess bile. Call me crazy, but I think storm clouds are brewing for the Jaguars. Since Gene Smith has been promoted GM, Jack Del Rio has all but assumed control of any and everything he could get his hands on. I'm not sure if Del Rio is still trying to make a power grab or what, but I don't like the looks of this. Hopefully he and Gene get along, but I think JDR is still bitter by not securing the top spot, if just by proxy, after the departure of Shack Harris.

In other news

I hate to bring the topic up, but with the commotion of the Chargers recent hiring of a LA marketing firm. I believe it is safe to say the Jaguars will be staying in Jacksonville for the time being. With a new stadium in LA scheduled to be completed about the same time the Chargers exit penalty drops from 52 million to 25 million, I think the writing is on the wall.

-John

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Comments

Nice Wish List

Jones-Drew has to have a long term deal by July or August. You hit the nail on the head when you said that a big market team like Dallas etc. will give him a great deal. I don’t know if he would take an offer from another team(s), as I think he loves playing in Jacksonville, but why take the risk, and besides, it is time for him to be rewarded for his efforts over the past three years.

I also agree with trading down if one of the top tackles is not there, as B.J. Raji is a NT like you said, and would not be a good fit for this Jaguars defense. People want the Jaguars to get more sacks with the front four, but it’s hard to get good pass pressure with a slower DT like B.J. Raji. He would however be a good fit in a 3-4, like you said.

Here’s what we should do if one of the tackles is not there, or if we just want to trade down. We trade down to 15-20 and get Malcom Jenkins or Alphonso Smith, or trade out of the first round and get a second round steal with Patrick Chung.

by Bestjagfan on Jan 28, 2009 10:50 PM EST reply actions

Brian Williams definitely deserved the contract he got a few years ago...

He’s been one of our defense’s most consistent performers, and although he’s not an elite talent, he isn’t paid like one either…

I really like the guy, and he’s clearly better than Florence, who is younger and getting paid more than B-Dub…

-Collin

by silencecs on Jan 29, 2009 1:21 AM EST reply actions

I agree

Brian Williams was not a waste of many, he is a dependable player in the secondary, without him, the DB postion would be much-much weaker!

by Zoltan from Budapest on Jan 29, 2009 2:22 AM EST up reply actions

About the wish list

I agree about Maurice and the new contract, the Jaguars cannot risk losing their best offensive weapon of the present& future! The only problem is, that last year they gave new contracts with huge money to Garrard, and Del Rio. I have no problem with that, I still belive, that it was the right move, but the result was a disapoining season, and giving new big money contract in an econmic situation like this didn’t help either to give another one to Maurice. But I agree with you, this is must-do for the Jaguars.

Draft, well I hope there will be one of the LT’s there when the Jaguars are picking. Of course I wanna see more draft picks, because it seems this will be a very good draft year. If the Jaguars wanna trading down, I hope they will make business with later round picks, or trading picks for players. Is someone there who can be a prospect, and would be not a big loss to the team, if he would be trade for picks?

Free Agency: Agree with you here as well. i hope if the team sign players in FA, they would be solid, not so expensive cheap journeymans, like Sammy Knight was in ’07.
I hope the jaguars can find 1-2 this kind of players.

by Zoltan from Budapest on Jan 29, 2009 2:38 AM EST reply actions

You are a Needs based draft person

Big Cat Country!:: The Official Home of the Unofficial Blog of the Jacksonville Jaguars!

by Tkopa on Jan 29, 2009 7:43 AM EST reply actions

I love that this is a mild insult on this site

And I really do love it. BCC and BAP are both for smart fans.

by MoveThoseChains on Jan 29, 2009 7:55 AM EST up reply actions

and we love that you hang out here!

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by Tkopa on Jan 29, 2009 10:51 AM EST up reply actions

I see it as the perfect marriage of need and value

Not to mention I think Monroe, Andre Smith, and Oher are 3 of the 6 best prospects in this draft.

"I smoke. If this bothers anyone, I suggest you look around at the world in which we live and shut your mouth."-Bill Hicks

by Jonathan Loesche on Jan 29, 2009 8:44 AM EST up reply actions

Would you bypass Aaron Curry to take Oher?

If that was the situation?

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by Tkopa on Jan 29, 2009 10:49 AM EST up reply actions

i would

i think they are about equally valued. curry is actually a little light for my tastes. i think the general consensus is that oher can be a staple of a team for the next decade, so i would have no problem taking him.

by abeaugh on Jan 29, 2009 11:06 AM EST up reply actions

Yes

Curry is a great linebacker, but the Jaguars already have 3 good/great linebackers as starters who are in their prime years. Compare that with an offensive line that was to be kind, bad. Even if Curry had a slightly higher hypothetical grade, the money investment of a Top 10 pick and the need of a Left Tackle would make me take Oher

"I smoke. If this bothers anyone, I suggest you look around at the world in which we live and shut your mouth."-Bill Hicks

by Jonathan Loesche on Jan 29, 2009 11:39 AM EST up reply actions

Not to mention, this is a really deep draft

And trading down is a very good option. I’m a moral relativist on BAP. An elite Left Tackle is worth taking at #8. You can talk about BAP all you want, but at the end of the day when you’re picking that high it also has to represent a major need.

"I smoke. If this bothers anyone, I suggest you look around at the world in which we live and shut your mouth."-Bill Hicks

by Jonathan Loesche on Jan 29, 2009 9:03 AM EST up reply actions

If this is a deep draft, give me an example of a quality player that could last to the 6th round?

by harveyismyboy on Jan 29, 2009 9:09 AM EST reply actions

Deep dosen't mean "6th round starters"

A critique of last years draft was that you didn’t really have “first round” level talent (meaning deserving the money and getting a starter right out of the gate" after about the 13th pick. This year, you’ll be able to get (more than likely) a starter right up and into the 2nd round.

Last year, everyone overpaid, this year you can get bargains in the late first early second.

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by River City Rage on Jan 29, 2009 11:08 AM EST up reply actions

Couldn't have said it better

The large amount of juniors added to what alot of people already assumed would be a good draft. Take cornerback for instance. A guy like Mike Mickens would carry a Top 20 grade in most years, and he may very well be around in Round 2.

"I smoke. If this bothers anyone, I suggest you look around at the world in which we live and shut your mouth."-Bill Hicks

by Jonathan Loesche on Jan 29, 2009 11:46 AM EST up reply actions

I know that he hasen't performed at the highest level...

but why has K. Barnes been written off as a starter? I’m not asking because I think he’s great, I’m just asking because I’m curious of everyone’s oppinion on him. Your thoughts?

by jagsfanbrunell on Jan 29, 2009 11:01 AM EST reply actions

He's soon to not be a Jaguar.

That’s why I’ve written him off.

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by River City Rage on Jan 29, 2009 11:09 AM EST up reply actions

Good reason

hahahaha!

by jagsfanbrunell on Jan 29, 2009 11:10 AM EST up reply actions

As many good games..

you saw K. Barnes have, I saw bad ones. He was put on his butt way too much. I am not sure if this was due to injury or not, but I for one will not miss him. I believe him to be sub-par for a starter.

Again… all this talk is leaning towards need. Let’s be creative. Anybody can see the Jags need offensive line help. Hell…. our #1 fill in guy was gunned down. I’m just saying, I think some creativity in a trade down, if available, could really pan out with a lot of young talent to fill up the roster. This short term, “a LT will fix everything” is bogus. I would like to see as much emphasis put on CB as LT. I am all for going into the Draft with the idea that if oppertunity knocks for the trade down, and it will, TAKE IT!

by Jaghomer on Jan 29, 2009 2:28 PM EST reply actions

This is a deep draft if....

you can recognize value. There is talent hiding in every round. A BAP strategy could net maybe three starters. The need today will not be the need tomorrow. I think you are right on. Draft BAP.

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by Tkopa on Jan 29, 2009 2:36 PM EST up reply actions

Only if it is targeted well.

For example – if BAP happens to be LB – it may be more prudent to trade out of the position and pick up some draft picks since we are well set at LB.

by OGN on Jan 29, 2009 3:09 PM EST up reply actions

The thing with cornerback

Is that if we get some D-line help, then a pass rush turns an average corner into a good one. I’m not advocating the idea that a left tackle will fix all of our problems, more that those 3 are about the only players who have the right mix of talent, value, need, etc for the Jaguars to take at #8.

"I smoke. If this bothers anyone, I suggest you look around at the world in which we live and shut your mouth."-Bill Hicks

by Jonathan Loesche on Jan 29, 2009 2:36 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, i’ve said the same thing about a good d-line make a weak secondary look even better. (EX: TITANS) We need another force at DT, Rob Meier just wasn’t getting enough pressure… However, the Jags DO NEED a TRUE MAN CORNER….. We don’t have one of those…..

by floridafalcons#63 on Jan 29, 2009 5:12 PM EST up reply actions

See...

This is my argument for the CB, hah!, A good outside containment makes the D line look better ?!;“%
We are at a paradox, an infinite regress, a "chicken or the egg”, but I will still try the Cinncinnatti Chilli on Sunday.

by Jaghomer on Jan 30, 2009 8:56 AM EST up reply actions

I think our needs in order are...

1. LT (if Barnes is not brought back as expected).
2. DT an under in particular
3. CB
4. WR #1
5. SS if Sensy is not resigned
6. C
7. G
8. DE (Especially if he can play every down)
9. RB any kind would be welcomed if he’s good enough either to tandem or relieve MJD.
10. A back up LB or a roving LB like a SS tweener
11. Another CB/NB (So we can replace B Will and Florence)
12. WR slot
13. QB
14. Punter
This was made quickly off the top of my head.

by Ewdtrey on Jan 30, 2009 12:57 AM EST reply actions

Not bad, but I think SS needs to be #2 or #3…. That is a KEY position on the defense…

by floridafalcons#63 on Jan 30, 2009 10:56 AM EST up reply actions

isn't it funny how it used to the least important position on defense, and now we regularly see multiple teams spend first round picks on the position

The SS is a hybrid on defense nowadays as opposed to the last line of defense as they were typically known for in the past.

SS has to be able to stuff the run, stop the pass, and blitz the QB… their assignments have all sorts of variability from down to down.

Good point Falcon

by silencecs on Jan 30, 2009 2:18 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks...

Look at the good defenses this season…. Ravens = Ed Reed, Steelers = Polamalu, Eagles= Brian Dawkins, Vikings = Darren Sharper, Chargers = Eric weddle, Colts= Bob Sanders etc…. Even the cardinals have a good one is Adrian Wilson…
Pat Chung, Orgeon, 2nd round… PUT IT ON THE BOARD! LOL (Anyone see something with the last two I posted? both were drafted in the second round… haha)

by floridafalcons#63 on Jan 30, 2009 2:57 PM EST up reply actions

Not all of those are great examples (Eric Weddle)

but its very true that the position has increased in value since the pass has become more popular.
Clarification Weddle is pretty good but that D was bad, especially against the pass.
BTW, you also mixed in FS with SS. Which is a meaningful in that I think in todays game its alost more benificial to have 2 FS’s with the better tackler playing a pseudo SS role.
I find most safties that play in the box are there out of nessecity more than anything else.
Brian Dawkins is old and can’t cover as well, the same goes for Adrian Wilson. Bob Sanders is in the box because the DL can’t stop the run worth a darn.
The best defenses have their S’s play in coverage. Ed Reed is a FS but he gets my point across. Polamalu is all over the place but does his greatest damage playing away from the line. Cover-1 D is easy to dissect as long as you have a decent OL and some WR’s that can get open in man to man.

by Ewdtrey on Jan 30, 2009 5:16 PM EST up reply actions

Safeties in general… not just SS… The chargers had the #9? defense in the league the last year.. (I think it was 9) My point is, we don’t have a safety that will come up and bust you in the mouth….

by floridafalcons#63 on Jan 30, 2009 6:10 PM EST up reply actions