Jacksonville Jaguars Fan Forums

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_275...ikely-will

 

The article states Jacksonville will strongly pursue Julius Thomas. 

 

This from Peter King in today's MMQB

 

http://mmqb.si.com/2015/02/23/tampa-bay-...e-draft/3/

 

Quote: 

Peyton Manning loves Julius Thomas. I thought that Thomas’ high-ankle sprain midway through the season really helped doom the Denver offensive attack because it took away Manning’s most significant weapon in the intermediate part of the field. Thomas had 24 touchdown catches over the past two seasons. Losing that kind of security blanket for a quarterback, especially one with an arm showing signs of decline, would be a huge blow. And because Denver also has to pony up big money for another Manning target, wideout Demaryius Thomas, I don’t think football czar John Elway will go much higher for Julius Thomas.

 

Just think: Two of the most important people over Manning’s past two prolific seasons have been offensive coordinator Adam Gase and Julius Thomas. Now both could be gone. Manning hates change. And if Julius Thomas does not return, I can tell you Manning is going to hate that.

(emphasis added)

Denver met with Maxx Williams at the combine.

 

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_275...source=pkg

 

No major shock there, considering the strong possibility they lose Thomas.

 

However, if the Jaguars end up not signing Thomas for whatever reason and Denver still loses him, it is a distinct possibility the Jaguars will have to outmaneuver Denver to land him, if, of course, Jacksonville actually has an interest  in him, too.

 

If for some reason the Jaguars end up not signing Julius Thomas, I think a trade down to accumulate picks with which to maneuver becomes a stronger possibility.

It seems like an ever increasing, realistic possibility that Julius Thomas will be a Jaguar come March. If that's the case however, than I'm pretty sure that means that Marcedes is done.

Charles Clay is expected to re-sign as well so the FA TE market is drying up quickly.

Quote:Charles Clay is expected to re-sign as well so the FA TE market is drying up quickly.

 

Damn. Was a guy I was hoping we would have a shot at.

Quote:Damn. Was a guy I was hoping we would have a shot at.

Me too.

 

Though I see him more as an H-Back type "move" TE instead of a true TE, I think he is damn good in that capacity and can make some damage when he has the ball in his hands.

 

But this is what free agency is all about....guys fans invariably want on their team being taken off the market.

I Keep going back and fourth on JT and this post makes me want him more than I dont. I know that will keep changing tho...

Quote:I keep going back and fourth on JT and this post makes me want him more than I don't. I know that will keep changing though.

 

What we need is a pass-catching tight end, not one who primarily blocks. Marcedes Lewis suffers a severe case of dropitis. So the only reason not to want Julius Thomas is you dislike him.

Not sure why we can't keep Lewis and sign Thomas....

Quote:Not sure why we can't keep Lewis and sign Thomas....

We can.  It's simply wishful thinking by fans that by signing one, you dump the other.  That remains to be seen.  The team is in no way in a situation where they have to dump one guy for the other.  He's already figuring into the cap situation for 2015.  Unless the fans are stroking the check that pays his salary, what he's making is irrelevant. 

 

Now, do I think he'll be here next season?  It really depends on who they bring in.  I could actually see them bring in Thomas, and if they aren't able to really fix the offensive line, keep Lewis around to be that extra lineman.  They've got to spend that cap space somewhere. 

Quote:What we need is a pass-catching tight end, not one who primarily blocks. Marcedes Lewis suffers a severe case of dropitis. So the only reason not to want Julius Thomas is you dislike him.

 

  Julius Thomas'  injury history is a reason why some people are going to be concerned if their team signs Julius Thomas.   While a team like the Jaguars can front load a large part of the contract because of their ultra favorable salary cap situation,   signing Thomas likely would mean passing on a potential viable alternative in Free Agency or the early rounds of the draft.   I'm not absolutely saying that Thomas will suffer a significant injury again.   Yet,  for discussion sake,  if he does,  even if the Jaguars moved on from him in a year or two,  that wouldn't make up from the productivity / effectiveness lost at TE in the next season or two.    Basically,  the decision for the Jaguars to sign him isn't clear cut.   That's the case with the vast majority of personnel decisions. 

Quote:  Julius Thomas'  injury history is a reason why some people are going to be concerned if their team signs Julius Thomas.   While a team like the Jaguars can front load a large part of the contract because of their ultra favorable salary cap situation,   signing Thomas likely would mean passing on a potential viable alternative in Free Agency or the early rounds of the draft.   I'm not absolutely saying that Thomas will suffer a significant injury again.   Yet,  for discussion sake,  if he does,  even if the Jaguars moved on from him in a year or two,  that wouldn't make up from the productivity / effectiveness lost at TE in the next season or two.    Basically,  the decision for the Jaguars to sign him isn't clear cut.   That's the case with the vast majority of personnel decisions. 

 

My opinion has always been we should draft a tight end whether we sign Julius Thomas or not. That would make Marcedes Lewis expendable if we are talking about Maxx Williams or Clive Walford. BTW did you know Lewis has been hurt a lot the last two years?

Quote:My opinion has always been we should draft a tight end whether we sign Julius Thomas or not. That would make Marcedes Lewis expendable if we are talking about Maxx Williams or Clive Walford. BTW did you know Lewis has been hurt a lot the last two years?

 

 If the Jaguars sign Julius Thomas,  Dave Caldwell could easily decide not to take a TE in the first 3 or 4 rounds unless there's clear cut value at a given draft spot compared to players at other positions.   Being that the Jaguars have a number of needs,  it would be difficult to find fault with the team not investing major resources on 2 TE's this off-season.  

 

I'm aware that Marcedes Lewis has missed plenty of time in the recent past.    But considering the Jaguars have bushels of salary cap space,   they can afford to keep Lewis on the 2015 roster if that's the direction Caldwell wants to go in.    If Lewis is released,   getting a blocking TE will be added to the list of team needs.    As one or more others on the MB have suggested,  it's realistic to envision Bills UFA TE Lee Smith signing with the Jaguars.  Especially,   if Doug Marrone has a favorable opinion on him.   Smith's strength is blocking and his asking price likely will be on the modest side.  

Quote: If the Jaguars sign Julius Thomas, Dave Caldwell could easily decide not to take a TE in the first 3 or 4 rounds unless there's clear cut value at a given draft spot compared to players at other positions. Being that the Jaguars have a number of needs, it would be difficult to find fault with the team not investing major resources on 2 TE's this off-season.  

 

I'm aware that Marcedes Lewis has missed plenty of time in the recent past. But considering the Jaguars have bushels of salary cap space, they can afford to keep Lewis on the 2015 roster if that's the direction Caldwell wants to go in. If Lewis is released, getting a blocking TE will be added to the list of team needs. As one or more others on the MB have suggested, it's realistic to envision Bills UFA TE Lee Smith signing with the Jaguars. Especially if Doug Marrone has a favorable opinion on him. Smith's strength is blocking and his asking price likely will be on the modest side.  

 

Signing Julius Thomas would give us the flexibility to go a different route (pun not intended) at #36. But picking a tight end later in the draft for depth is an option if David Caldwell wants to keep Marcedes Lewis.

 

I don't know if Lee Smith would want to play in Jacksonville because of our offensive line coach. Maybe he would, but I am not sure what Doug Marrone's "assistant head coach/offense" title means to tight ends.

Be weary of Manning targets... That is all

Quote:Be weary of Manning targets... That is all

Quote:Signing Julius Thomas would give us the flexibility to go a different route (pun not intended) at #36. But picking a tight end later in the draft for depth is an option if David Caldwell wants to keep Marcedes Lewis.

 

I don't know if Lee Smith would want to play in Jacksonville because of our offensive line coach. Maybe he would, but I am not sure what Doug Marrone's "assistant head coach/offense" title means to tight ends.

 

 

  I'm not sure what Lee Smith's intentions are either.   Yet,  because Doug Marrone watched Smith closely the last two seasons,  he can provide the Jaguars brass a highly educated opinion whether Smith would be a good option for the team.   With Smith in essence being an extension of an Offensive Line,  it's fair to say that Marrone would be spending plenty of time working with Smith if he signs with the Jaguars.

Quote:Be wary of Manning targets. That is all.

 

Why? It is crystal clear to anybody who knows football Julius Thomas would excel without Peyton Manning.