Sprint Game Changers: Justin Smiley
by Jonathan Loesche on May 25, 2010 8:08 AM EDT
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We're starting a new six part series on Big Cat Country sponsored by Sprint, bringing you the first wireless 4G network. The series is called "Sprint Game Changers" and will revolve around things the Jacksonville Jaguars have done during the off season that will have a significant impact on next season. Big Cat Country has been sponsored by Sprint in the past and we are excited to have them again.
The next player in this series is the newest Jaguar, G Justin Smiley. Many fans were surprised by the Jaguars lack of moves regarding the interior of the offensive line in the draft and in free agency. Long time C Brad Meester degraded fast and hard during the 2009 campaign, finishing as the 33rd ranked C in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus.
With the acquisition of Smiley, it's now possible for the Jaguars to make the necessary line schuffling to once again have a solid interior line.
The defining moment of the Jaguars season came, ironically enough, in Week 14 vs the Miami Dolphins. Garrard tried to pull off a QB draw on 4th down, but every Dolphins defender seemingly managed to shoot up the middle. What ensued was seemingly every player saying "My bad, that's on me." While noble, that play came to represent the lost force of the Jaguars offensive interior.
The Jaguars used an offensive line combo of (from LT-RT), Monroe, Forney, Nwaneri, Manuwai, and Britton fairly often during the public mini-camps. I would assume they'll continue with that, but have Smiley in for Forney. If I was a betting man, that'll be your 2010 opening day offensive line.
This combination would allow for the team to maximize the potential of the offensive line. Monroe began to show in the latter half of 2009 as to why he was a Top 10 pick, and I believe he'll begin to make his case as yet another of the AFC's Elite LT's in 2010. Matching Smiley next to him allows for the team to have a solid pass blocking left side, and Monroe's run blocking should let the team be able to run left still.
On the right side of the offensive line, it's clear the Jaguars want to run to that side. With Manuwai and Britton starting on that side of the line, paired potentially with Marcedes Lewis and Greg Jones, it seems the Jaguars will simply dare teams to try and stop MJD from running right.
However, some have pointed out Dirk Koetter's words on confidence in Brad Meester, and I would like to address that. I would expect the Jaguars to give Meester a fair shot to keep his starting spot, just as they did with Tony Pashos. Pashos was given every chance to beat out Eben Britton, before being one of the surprise Cut Day releases.
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I hope he can
pass the medical (He is not a Jaguar yet Jon). If so and the Jags can fix his shoulder (They must invite some medical staff from the Phoenix Suns- look what they did with Grant Hill; who was an injury prone guy until he arrived to Arizona) I think the O-line will be FINE. and we can expect big things in pass protection.
What do you think about his run support skills by the way?
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by Zoltan from Budapest on May 25, 2010 9:00 AM EDT reply actions
I'm all for whatever makes the o-line better
but to say Pashos truly got a fair shot to keep his job might be a reach. I think the team felt Britton would do okay and they didn’t want to keep Tony’s high salary, but I’m pretty sure on opening day Pashos was the better performing RT.
No question though that having Britton gain that experience should help the entire line this season.
Pashos was the starting RT or got significant playing time through out the preseason, until it became obvious that he was at best only going to be marginally better than Eben
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by Jonathan Loesche on May 25, 2010 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree with that assessment
but if you’re being given a “every chance” marginally better should be enough.
Like I said, I’m happy with the way things worked out and have no doubt the experience will accelerate Britton’s development.
Yeah, but....
…if you take Pashos’ last season and Britton’s first, I’d be willing to bet that Britton played better. In my mind a vet should be more than marginally better than the rookie. Pashos was getting knocked on his can and he wiffed on assignments regularly his last season. He had his chances. And now we’re doing the same thing with Reggie Nelson. He will get more chances than he deserves, too.
since everyone is using the Pro Football focus numbers for Meester
maybe you should look at those numbers for Pashos in 2008 and compare them to Britton in 2009. Not even close to backing up your claim.
From National Post
Pashos 2008- Allowed 5.5 sacks (total loss of yardage 42), had 10 penalties for 85 yards, including 3 false starts and 6 holding. Started 16 games.
Britton 2009- Allowed 5 sacks (24 yards total loss), 1 false start penalty for 5 yards. Started 15 games.
Pashos’ play wasn’t better than Britton.
Seemed like
Pashos had even more penalties than that, especially holding. Maybe they just came at critical points, making them memorable, but it seemed liked he got flagged at least once a game.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
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Yeah - the extent of this injury really throws up a red flag
better have ‘House’ look this guy over but good before sealing the deal.
PS
Tony went way before his time due to injury – could be this guy is destined to suffer same fate. Buyer beware!
NO
Tony was ruined because of a crappy doctor. This guy most likely was not.
by The Linebacker on May 25, 2010 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Lets hope for a very detailed physical examination...
but for this type of money, I am sure it is what would be expected.
Another tick of improvement...
I like the move… it’s patch-worky and has a risk side, but the decline of Meester last year was reminiscent of the decline of Pashos the year before. “Get young quick”… it wasn’t ‘draft young’, but it’s a tick.
nice... that even sweetens the deal.
Thanks for showing the link, I hadn’t seen that. This deal continues to look better and better.
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The End Is Nigh... www.infowars.com
actually he's only due $2.9M in 2010
so that’s really the only risk.. He’s due $4.9M in 2011 and $4.4M in 2012 but he never sees that money unless he’s performing.
Reworking the deal can only be a plus for the Jaguars so that should be seen as positive as well.
But....
I am not sure about this move b/c of the reports and statements about his shoulder BUT….. IN GENE WE TRUST!
BY the way guys
Am I the only one who thinks Vinnie Manuwai’s place is officialy in danger if this trade will happen????
I mean listening into Jack’s press conference today http://www.jaguars.com/Multimedia/?id=3614 ; he said thing about Vinnie which cause me to scratch my head about him. Meanwhile Brad got 2 praise in the row from Koetter and now from Jack… Just saying…
Life without knowledge is death in disguise
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by Zoltan from Budapest on May 25, 2010 4:04 PM EDT reply actions
Manuwai is safe
He was playing at a high level before he got hurt, probably wasn’t totally healed last year. If he struggles again this year, he may be in trouble.
You can't reason with unreasonable people.
They could always
put him on PUP to start the season and then IR him if he’s still not ready if they don’t want to lose him.
That would work
if he were still hurt, which I don’t think he is now.
You can't reason with unreasonable people.
If it were up to me
I would start the season (LT-RT)Monroe, Smiley, Meester, Uche, Britton(assuming Smiley is healthy. If not replace him with Forney). As Meester wears down, I would move Uche inside and then bring back Vince to RG, assuming Forney/Smiley doesn’t beat him out.
I like this
Hate how so many positions along the both lines depend on guys recovering from injury. But I like what’s going on in terms of potentially improving the roster.
I don't think
The DL is in such peril when referring to injuries. I actually like our rotation behind our hurt guys. I like Mincey and I like Hart behind AK and Hayward. I’m just trying to figure out how we are gonna keep so many people at one position….I wanna keep all of our DE’s. AK, Harvey, Hayward, Mincey, Hart, Lane, and even Julius Williams to an extent.(Julius is obviously the first to go though. imo)
Like for right now I have to believe Mincey is probably our best DE across from Harvey. Hart and lane are rookies, and Hayward/AK are hurt.
AK and Hayward have the ability to be the best DE’s so they have to stay. I like having this problem, but I still wanna solution.
For all the Hayward haters out there
According to PFF, Hayward was rated the 15th best DE in 08, whereas Kampman was rated the 28th best. Even with AK healthy, he has a tough job of having to win a lot of playing time with Hayward around.
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