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The Jacksonville Jaguars have been running a summer promotion on some very #nice cups that feature six players who will figure to play prominent roles during the 2017 season.
Collect all 6 Jaguars reusable cups at GATE! Just $1.69 each with 69¢ refills. Participating locations only. pic.twitter.com/WMQTqTVfar
— #WinToday (@Jaguars) June 28, 2017
I believe that a lot can be gleaned from marketing promotions like this. Who does the team think will carry the team? Who do they think has national appeal? Who do they leave off?
Here’s what I see for the 2017 season based on who made the cut for these cups — and who didn’t.
1. Blake Bortles is no longer the face of this franchise
You’d think any and every local marketing campaign would begin and end with your “franchise” “quarterback”. But Bortles is nowhere to be found. Are the Jaguars planning on benching him this year? Is he on the trade block? Don’t be surprised when you see Brandon Allen taking reps with the starters in training camp next month.
2. Paul Posluszny is on the trade block
He was demoted to outside linebacker and now the Jaguars are going to move him outside their entire roster if they can get something decent for him. A Day 3 pick? A young guy at the bottom of someone’s roster? Cash? (Do they do that in the NFL?) Either way, axing Posluszny from this campaign means the team is actively shopping him around.
3. Leonard Fournette is not the starting running back
Do you see our No. 4 overall pick anywhere on these cups? I certainly don’t. This is the perfect way to get Jacksonville acquainted with their franchise running back, but they chose to hide him in the shadows. It doesn’t look good for the LSU prospect.
4. Dante Fowler will be as visible on the field as he is on these cups
Okay, this one might be true.
5. Cam Robinson will sit out this year
It’s one thing for Robinson to sit out a few reps once Branden Albert gets in the groove. It’s another thing altogether for Robinson to sit out of this campaign. Can you say bust?
6. Marqise Lee isn’t getting that extension, folks
I see Allen Robinson. I see Allen Hurns. I don’t see Lee. Folks, this new front office just doesn’t value the fourth-year receiver as he goes into a contract year. Don’t be surprised when rookie Dede Westbrook takes his snaps away from him by Week 10.