2012 NFL Draft: How Long Will the Jaguars Wait to Replace Rashean Mathis?
by Adam Stites on Feb 7, 2012 8:50 PM EST
in Meta-Jacksonville Jaguars
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PrintThe Jaguars have had several positions to address in each of their offseasons since Gene Smith took over as general manager following the 2008 season. While Smith has certainly dedicated his efforts in each year to upgrade the positions that most crucially need upgrading, there are some positions that just don't get addressed.
There are only a few free agents worth pursuing at any given position with the talent to be a building block and future starter and there are slim odds that a starting-quality player will be found in the draft after the first two or three rounds. With these limited amount of resources, no team is able to completely change the face of their team for the better in one offseason and it takes years of compiling high-quality players at each position to make a good team.
Among the positions that could be on the back burner is cornerback, but should it be? And if it is, how much longer can the Jaguars wait to replace Rashean Mathis, who will be 32 and recovering from ACL surgery before the start of the 2012 regular season?
Rashean Mathis is still a good player. The lack of good safety play and misunderstanding of coverages has led to many in the city of Jacksonville believing that Mathis is not a good cornerback. It's simply not true; Mathis has been the brightest spot in the secondary for a long time.
However, even if it was the great Deion Sanders who was turning 32 and recovering from ACL surgery, the thought that a replacement should be found would be, at the very least, a rational one. With Mathis's contract expiring in March, it's certainly possible that he has played his final game with the Jaguars, the team that drafted him with their 2nd round pick in 2003.
The Jaguars have several options for the position. They can:
A) Re-sign Rashean Mathis to start in 2012 and worry about the cornerback position next offseason while focusing efforts on other positions like DE, WR and OL this year.
B) Sign a free agent to start in Mathis's place like Brent Grimes, Cortland Finnegan, Carlos Rogers (assuming any become available) or someone else that is capable of filling in effectively.
C) Draft a cornerback early to start in 2012. Someone like Morris Claiborne, Dre Kirkpatrick, Janoris Jenkins or Chase Minniefield.
D) Go into the 2012 season with William Middleton as starter and continue to develop the young talent already on the roster (Kevin Rutland, Rod Issac, T.J. Heath).
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Re-sign Mathis...
And if Morris Claiborne happens to somehow fall to us, then great. We’ll just have the most amazing set of corners in the NFL. I’m not sure Kirkpatrick should be taken at #7, but it’s debatable.
We have to take a deep look at Dre
Kirkpatric looks like the man. His instincts and speed for his height I havent seen in any player coming out of college. I dont know how he covers or back pedals but he tackles RBs and has good recognition. I would like him in a perfect world. But Gene usually goes safe pick. Kuechly or Reiff.
by childintime12 on Feb 8, 2012 12:07 AM EST up reply actions
What about...
The sign Mathis and draft his replacement option?
Go Big or Go Home!
by Rufio904 on Feb 7, 2012 9:15 PM EST via mobile reply actions
yeah
….No thank you. Nice depth player but not #1 or #2 CB material.
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With imporved pass rush
Youboty and Cox could start. Rutland and Coleman are nice as 4 and 5. They will get someone though, Dont forget trades and free agents.
by childintime12 on Feb 8, 2012 12:08 AM EST up reply actions
I say we see treat Mathis the same way as I think we should Mincey
Ideally, the Jags have a number in mind. Let Mathis shop around, he’s earned it. If a team gives him one last payday, then God Bless him. I think CB, especially one you feel could be elite very quickly, is well worth the risk in the draft early, especially at about $15-17 million for 4 years. I think we should address CB in the draft and if Mathis comes back at a reduced number, it’s the cherry on the sundae. If Cox is the player they feel he can become, then he should have no problem covering the #1 receiver and working his way into that upper crust of corners, right? CB is a position that we cannot treat like we did the quarterback position where we ignored it for so long.
Getting a Grimes, Finnegan or Rogers is a luxury we could better spend on a DE or WRs. Given that I believe we’re going to address those 2 positions in free agency with likely 3 impact guys, I just don’t see room for a vet corner of that ilk.
IMHO, we draft Dre Kirkpatrick at 7.
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I think
Sign 2 receivers, and a Cliff Avril in FA. Then draft…
1. Coples
2. Norman
3. Quick
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by rhettchrystal on Feb 7, 2012 9:18 PM EST up reply actions
I would be happy with that
Manningham and Harry Douglas sounds good. Tell Mario he will be the number 1 guy and he will have interest to show off his skills. I think there will be a good WR at round 3. Coples is a risk but if hes gonna be good we gotta have him.
by childintime12 on Feb 8, 2012 12:10 AM EST up reply actions
Manningham is not a #1
I refuse to fall in love with a receiver after a big Super Bowl game.
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Here's my option...
…re-sign Mathis, then from there, in the draft, select a corner in round 2 or 3. Somebody I’m hoping for…is Josh Norman, whether it’s the 2nd or 3rd, but I can see him being a guy Gene bites on in the 2nd. I have him at #44 on my board. He reminds me of Mathis, both at 6’1" Norman weighed in at 200 lbs, and Mathis is like 193. They also both have dreads. But anyway, he can cover most receivers, and is extremely effective in press coverage. He is a poor tackler, but that can be worked on. He is a very aggressive corner, and him across from Cox would be a great set. So resign Mathis, resign Middleton as well, and rotate Norman and Middleton in and out.
Essentially…
1. Mathis
2. Cox
3. Coleman(Strictly Nickelback)
4. Middleton
5. Norman
Give Mathis 3 years.
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by rhettchrystal on Feb 7, 2012 9:17 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I agree!
This seems the most rational course of action.
by The Linebacker on Feb 7, 2012 9:27 PM EST up reply actions
I would like this scenario too
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by Zoltan from Budapest on Feb 7, 2012 9:57 PM EST up reply actions
No input.
Just a question. What about the guys he mentioned such as Rutland, Isaac and Heath and the one player he didn’t mention, Morgan Trent? Where do they fit in your scenario?
they go back and finish up their degrees
or use their degrees to get job or sit at home watching NFLN, or go on the practice squad or sign with another team.
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by rhettchrystal on Feb 7, 2012 10:33 PM EST up reply actions
I don't know.
I’d say at least Isaac should be able to fit in there somewhere.
how bout as a backup safety(3rd string)
wouldn’t mind rutland making squad too
by KYLETEAMTEAL on Feb 20, 2012 9:25 PM EST up reply actions
Gene has proved
He can find guys to play corner. He needs a premier pass rusher. He has to identify the best rusher in the class. He has Coples, Ingram and the dude from Bama to choose from.
by childintime12 on Feb 8, 2012 12:17 AM EST up reply actions
Agree with that scenario
I would do a two year deal with an option for the 3rd.
I would do BAP in 2nd & 3rd
Would like BAP Corner and BAP Center if one falls or BAP OL
Hopefully Manningham & Robinson in FA
No
Youboty and Rutland are better than Middleton. I wasnt a fan of Middleton. Hes only good when he has to play on the outside in the middle of a game. When he started teams just picked him apart.
by childintime12 on Feb 8, 2012 12:11 AM EST up reply actions
He's one heck of a good man to man corner...which seems to be the strength of the majority of our corners. He struggled when most of our corners struggled (when they were foced to play more zone due to injuries...)
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Sign Brent Grimes 2WR a DE
Draft Coples a OT and a CB WR
SCALP'EM
Jesus is Lord!
by Thunder64 on Feb 7, 2012 10:36 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I'm thinking they draft Josh Robinson in round 3-5 depending on what he runs at the combine.
Good, solid, under rated (yet all american) corner from a smaller D1 school (UCF). And he’s a good returner. Always liked how the kid played.
"Sad fact about our generation: Most ppl would rather hear "you look good" than "you are good". We spend thousands a year on cars, clothes, & cosmetics; Forget that. I can give you a Bible for free. Save money, save your soul. Get right with the Savior, Jesus Christ."- Travis D. Holmes
Maybe look to get a solid player in FA also...
"Sad fact about our generation: Most ppl would rather hear "you look good" than "you are good". We spend thousands a year on cars, clothes, & cosmetics; Forget that. I can give you a Bible for free. Save money, save your soul. Get right with the Savior, Jesus Christ."- Travis D. Holmes
I would definitely want to re-sign Mathis
and a corner is available somewhere early in the draft then take him.
Respect My Authoritah
would u be mad if....
The Jags didnt sign a WR but got a starting CB, DE and RT?
yes
How does it address our needs? Unless Thomas, Shorts and Dillard all collectively figure it out and get separation and speed at the same time, we’re in for a lot more of the same as last year.
I just don’t see Khan rolling out the same product on offense that we had last year.
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You don't draft for need though...
Remember when Tom Couglin passed up on Jonathan Ogden because he had drafted Tony Boselli the previous year and had signed Leon Searcy in free agency? You know….the same Ogden that made it to the Pro Bowl every year he played minus his rookie season? Sure could have used him after Searcy was out of the league 3 years later and Boselli was gone 5 yrs later, while Ogden still played 9 more Pro Bowl quality seasons after Searcy was gone. The good teams patch their needs in FA and build depth by picking BAP in the draft. That’s how you don’t get old asap.
"Sad fact about our generation: Most ppl would rather hear "you look good" than "you are good". We spend thousands a year on cars, clothes, & cosmetics; Forget that. I can give you a Bible for free. Save money, save your soul. Get right with the Savior, Jesus Christ."- Travis D. Holmes
Same with Coughlin, well NYG anyway
continuing to draft DE’s even though they appeared to be set at the position a few years ago.
I am under the impression that childintime12 is talking about us not addressing the WR position through FA or draft
If he meant different, then I am not aware. My thoughts are we address the WR position in FA with 1, but ideally 2 players then if a WR is available in the mid rounds, nab him.
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and there is no way you take an Ogden when you have Boselli on the roster. That's lunacy.
By that logic, we take RG3 because you never know.
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I acually have no problem drafting him if we believe he's a generation defining player (which I'm not saying he is)...if he's Mike Vick without the dogs...pick him.
"Sad fact about our generation: Most ppl would rather hear "you look good" than "you are good". We spend thousands a year on cars, clothes, & cosmetics; Forget that. I can give you a Bible for free. Save money, save your soul. Get right with the Savior, Jesus Christ."- Travis D. Holmes
multiple choices.
i think mathis should be resigned but we should draft someone in the second or third round. let middleton (furman represent!!!) play the nickel and let mathis, cox and the draft pick compete for the two starting positions.
The thing that always made me mad
was that against the colts we’d never used him to cover Wayne, even after Harrison retired. I never got that and because of that terrible choice the jag’s have been the victim of some of Wayne’s best games ever.
I need my meds.
I'm thinking we should wait to see
how he recovers from this knee injury he has.
before re-signing him
that is. They should always be looking to sign good CB’s.
agreed
This is why I think the prudent way to handle it is to let Mathis test the market then see what happens.
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id be happy with grimes
kinda want finnegan hes more physical and we would take him away from the titans. And you can call me selfish i want mathis back to at a reduced rate,
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