This is just a guy speculating based on what he thinks other teams are doing. Gerhart doesn't make sense because he's cheap. Lewis I understand, but don't think they would do unless they had addressed who would be replacing him. I'm all for Poz being gone. The defense was better when he wasn't in the game. Clemons had a solid year last year, and came on strong at the end of the year. He's the #1 LEO we have and with him only being in the 2nd year of his contract, I doubt we see them move him unless somebody like JPP is signed in FA. Even then, I think Branch would be gone before Clemons.
I think Posluszny, Clemons, and Gerhart should stay, and Lewis should be gone. Lewis is costing us a lot of money for so little production. His catching and speed just isn't where it should be. Sure, he might be a good blocker, but he's not getting any younger or better. Poz is one of our best players. His skills make up for him being a "liability" in coverage. Gerhart wasn't healthy most of the season, and when he was his production level tripled. Clemons provides the veteran leadership on the line that we need, and is still productive as a pass-rusher.
ANY player is "possible" to be cut. Just ask Ray Rice.
In the famous words of Clark Wilhelm Griswold....
"Does it really matter Eddie?
Quote:Except that Lewis doesn't show up late, doesn't complain, doesn't bad-mouth the company and doesn't need a bath any more so than the 52 other employees in that company do. His results on the field aren't there, but off of it, he's still a leader of the team. At some point, that's not enough, and I don't expect it to be enough to save him if a top-tier TE is signed in FA or drafted, but it makes him worth keeping around just to see what we end up doing at the position.
Side note: if we do cut Marcedes Lewis, I suspect he'll be booking visits within a day and signed within a week. He's still got something to offer an NFL team, just not at his current salary.
Like gain 30 pounds and move to back-up Tackle?
Quote:Like gain 30 pounds and move to back-up Tackle?
Like be a solid complementary tight end. He's not great and he's not worth keeping if someone better comes along, but I think a lot of you guys would be surprised by how capable he's going to be for his next team. He's miscast as a starter, and that, by definition, makes him a bad fit in Jacksonville, but put him on a team as the second tight end and his blocking alone will make him stick for a few years.
Oh good, nobody of importance then.
The D-line is about the only thing that played consistently well last year. Don't change anything there, keep Clemons.
Not fond of Gerhart at all. Lewis' time is passed. Poz is a tougher question, who takes his place?
I think Lewis will restructure.
Or end up in Oakland.
I think Poz is safe, unless we hit MLB early in the draft.
Clemons makes it til TC at least.
Gerhart is safe unless we grab another RB 3rd round or earlier or surprise everyone and sign a demarco murray free agent.
I think the majority of the Jags cuts this year are gonna be fringe players that are being bumped down by talented free agents and draft picks.
Aging and average guys like Ball and Shorts will walk in free agency. Cuts will be made based on talent and not on contract or salary. The salary cuts likely come next season when cap management takes toll from all the signings we have this year and next.
My best guess anyway.
If we sign Murray and Thomas good bye. Gerhart looked to provide the YAC he was known for getting in Minnesota late in the season. I think that early injury really hurt his production. Clemons we can do with out. He was more or less a coach in pads out there. Unless Poz is hindered by his injury I don't know why we would cut him, our LB corp is lacking as is. Lewis has been an afterthought for about 5 years now...
Poz and Gerhart are not going any where no matter who they draft or sign. Lewis is gone if they sign Thomas or any decent TE. Clemmons could be gone if they draft a pass rusher in round 1, but that is not a given IMO.
The chances of them being cut from most to least likely are the following:
1. Lewis. It just makes too much sense to sign the far more productive Julius Thomas for only slightly more money than Lewis.
2. Gerhart. I think there is a good chance he's cut. I'm guessing the Jaguars use an early draft pick on running back to be their #1. Denard Robinson will then be their #2. I don't see the Jaguars keeping Gerhart for #3. They'll want someone who is either cheaper, younger or a bigger contributor on special teams. We saw what Gerhart could do and it wasn't much. He won't be missed.
3. Clemons. I can see him being cut. Most mock drafts have us taking a defensive end with our #3 overall pick. That draft pick will be safe. Branch will be safe. The decision becomes whether you keep the aging veteran for one final year or keep the youngster Chris Smith. Personally, I would probably keep Clemons, but many NFL teams, particularly young rebuilding teams, would make the move to cut Clemons. Don't think that getting 8 sacks makes you safe. Just one year earlier, Caldwell cut Babin who had 7.5 sacks.
4. Poz. I'm not as big of a critic of him as some. He's only one year removed from going to the pro-bowl. Yeah, he's overpaid, but I think the team likes his leadership. At the outside linebacker spots, we are probably looking at Telvin Smith and a draft pick. You want a little continuity and veteran presence. We can't fix every problem in one off-season. I think middle linebacker waits until next year and we keep Poz as a stopgap.
There is no need to cut anyone of them with all our cap space. Wouldn't make sense to me.
Wouldn't Lewis become a really good TE#2 with Thomas on the otherside?
I know he makes a lot of ched, but we don't have to cut the dude.... just should restructure so he can finish his career here as our #2 guy.
Harbor is a solid #3