This is a guy I'd like the Jaguars to take a look at, a solid veteran center who can also play guard, pretty good player as well.
From rotoworld
Bengals released G/C Mike Pollak.
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Pollak probably should have been the Bengals' starting center last year, but they opted to let rookie Russell Bodine take his lumps instead. Versatile, historically effective, and only 30, Pollak will draw interest in free agency".
Wouldn't hurt to have a solid veteran backup Bowanko.
Mike Pollak never lived up to his former 2nd Round draft billing with the Colts. Yet, in the context of a team looking for a versatile backup interior Offensive Lineman at what should be a modest price, he seems like a good option.
Guy played some G early in his career too. Versatility...interesting
I'd be on board. If Bradley likes Bowanko like stated, that means Bowanko is the guy and top center targets like Hudson or Wisniewski wouldn't happen, because then Bowanko is the backup. It makes little sense to draft a C because then we have a rookie backing up a 2nd year guy. Would be nice to have a veteran backup that has versatility.
Quote:Mike Pollak never lived up to his former 2nd Round draft billing with the Colts. Yet, in the context of a team looking for a versatile backup interior Offensive Lineman at what should be a modest price, he seems like a good option.
No but he's a pretty solidy player, his versatility makes him even more attractive. The Jaguars can use a guy like that, I hope we sign Pollak and Brian Bulaga.
Quote:I'd be on board. If Bradley likes Bowanko like stated, that means Bowanko is the guy and top center targets like Hudson or Wisniewski wouldn't happen, because then Bowanko is the backup. It makes little sense to draft a C because then we have a rookie backing up a 2nd year guy. Would be nice to have a veteran backup that has versatility.
Rodney Hudson would be a beast if we stuck to our ZBS, that guy is super athletic and had an all pro year in 2014.
Quote:Rodney Hudson would be a beast if we stuck to our ZBS, that guy is super athletic and had an all pro year in 2014.
I agree and I hope we target him, but it sounds like Bradley likes Bowanko, so it is doubtful we would target a center to replace Bowanko.
Quote:No but he's a pretty solidy player, his versatility makes him even more attractive. The Jaguars can use a guy like that, I hope we sign Pollak and Brian Bulaga.
There's no question versatility is huge, as it's in essence essential for backup Offensive Lineman to provide versatility. The limitations of a 46 man Game Day roster dictate this.
If Bryan Bulaga hits the open market as an UFA, something I consider a 50-50 possibility, I do believe the Jaguars will have serious interest in signing him if the plan is for the team to still use Zone Blocking a large portion of the time.
Quote:There's no question versatility is huge, as it's in essence essential for backup Offensive Lineman to provide versatility. The limitations of a 46 man Game Day roster dictate this.
If Bryan Bulaga hits the open market as an UFA, something I consider a 50-50 possibility, I do believe the Jaguars will have serious interest in signing him if the plan is for the team to still use Zone Blocking a large portion of the time.
I agree, he's a perfect fit for that scheme, the only question mark with Bulaga is his durability. I tell you what, the Packers offensive line coach is a stud, they always find guys later draft and develop them into good players, Josh Sitton (Jacksonville native) and David Bakhtiari (both 4 rounders) are examples of this, that line pass protects like no other.
Quote:I agree, he's a perfect fit for that scheme, the only question mark with Bulaga is his durability. I tell you what, the Packers offensive line coach is a stud, they always find guys later draft and develop them into good players, Josh Sitton (Jacksonville native) and David Bakhtiari (both 4 rounders) are examples of this, that line pass protects like no other.
Good points regarding Bryan Bulaga's durability concerns and the Packers success of finding quality Offensive Lineman after the early rounds of the draft.
Other than Bulaga, the Packers starting Offensive Line in 2014 consisted of players all drafted in the middle rounds. Because of the success that GM Ted Thompson has had in finding starting caliber Offensive Lineman in the middle rounds, the excellent coaching they receive, and Bulaga having durability issues, it wouldn't surprise me if Bulaga is playing elsewhere in 2015. Especially, with the need for the Packers to re-sign WR Randall Cobb.
Quote:Good points regarding Bryan Bulaga's durability concerns and the Packers success of finding quality Offensive Lineman after the early rounds of the draft.
Other than Bulaga, the Packers starting Offensive Line in 2014 consisted of players all drafted in the middle rounds. Because of the success that GM Ted Thompson has had in finding starting caliber Offensive Lineman in the middle rounds, the excellent coaching they receive, and Bulaga having durability issues, it wouldn't surprise me if Bulaga is playing elsewhere in 2015. Especially, with the need for the Packers to re-sign WR Randall Cobb.
Yea I think Bulaga is a gone, I can see them not resigning Bulaga and franchising Randall Cobb, I don't see both guys hitting the market but you never know. A-Rod came out publically vouching for the Packers to resign Cobb, when A-Rod speaks (or doesn't speak) the Packers listen. I recall him doing the same thing for James Jones a few years ago, Jones was subsequently resigned, he didn't vouch for Greg Jennings who subsequently signed with the Vikings, and Jennings (being the diva he is) was pretty salty over it.
Quote:Yea I think Bulaga is a gone, I can see them not resigning Bulaga and franchising Randall Cobb, I don't see both guys hitting the market but you never know. A-Rod came out publically vouching for the Packers to resign Cobb, when A-Rod speaks (or doesn't speak) the Packers listen. I recall him doing the same thing for James Jones a few years ago, Jones was subsequently resigned, he didn't vouch for Greg Jennings who subsequently signed with the Packers, and Jennings (being the diva he is) was pretty salty over it.
One thing for sure, it's understandable why Aaron Rodgers is strongly pushing for the Packers to sign Randall Cobb. The impact and versatility Cobb brings to the table will be difficult to replace.
To the credit of the Packers brass, they probably let Greg Jennings move on at the right time. While Jennings still can contribute to the Vikings, he clearly hasn't been the player in Minnesota that he was most of the time in Green Bay. Especially when it comes to the deep passing game. It's a good illustration why the Packers have been a playoff team the last 6 seasons.
Quote: One thing for sure, it's understandable why Aaron Rodgers is strongly pushing for the Packers to sign Randall Cobb. The impact and versatility Cobb brings to the table will be difficult to replace.
To the credit of the Packers brass, they probably let Greg Jennings move on at the right time. While Jennings still can contribute to the Vikings, he clearly hasn't been the player in Minnesota that he was most of the time in Green Bay. Especially when it comes to the deep passing game. It's a good illustration why the Packers have been a playoff team the last 6 seasons.
Yea I'm here in Minneapolis (surrounded by Vikings fans) and the contract the Vikings gave Jennings was dumb, he was never a burner and lacks ideal size and leaping ability, it was obvious his production would fall off drastically as he aged. Don't tell delusional Vikings that, they still think he's great.
Quote:There's no question versatility is huge, as it's in essence essential for backup Offensive Lineman to provide versatility. The limitations of a 46 man Game Day roster dictate this.
If Bryan Bulaga hits the open market as an UFA, something I consider a 50-50 possibility, I do believe the Jaguars will have serious interest in signing him if the plan is for the team to still use Zone Blocking a large portion of the time.
If Bulaga does hit free agency, it wouldn't surprise me one bit to see him signing a deal with the Jags on day 1 regardless of the durability questions.
Mike Pollak would be nice veteran depth and competition for center, and really could mentor Luke Bowanko. Ideally, Bowanko should have been a developing backup last year. Pollak could be signed at or near the minimum.
I too like the idea of signing Mike Pollak as a backup OC and OG. I might sign him for a cheap one year deal for perhaps a little more than the veteran minimum.
Mike Pollak qualifies for the new Minimum Salary Benefit in the 2015 CBA, that could keep Pollak's signing in the $650K range for a one year contract
Quote:If Bulaga does hit free agency, it wouldn't surprise me one bit to see him signing a deal with the Jags on day 1 regardless of the durability questions.
I agree with you, providing of course that Bryan Bulaga passes a Jaguars team physical.
If the Jaguars have major interest in Bulaga and he hits the open market as an UFA, the only way I can envision Bulaga remaining with the Packers is if he's willing to accept a noticeably less valued contract. My guess is the Jaguars offer would be enough to lure Bulaga to Jacksonville, with the possible exception of another team that makes a relatively similar offer.
It wouldn't surprise me if Bulaga is one of the Jaguars top 3 UFA targets in 2015.
Quote:I too like the idea of signing Mike Pollak as a backup OC and OG. I might sign him for a cheap one year deal for perhaps a little more than the veteran minimum.
Mike Pollak qualifies for the new Minimum Salary Benefit in the 2015 CBA, that could keep Pollak's signing in the $650K range for a one year contract
This is an example of the Jaguars ultra favorable salary cap situation that could be the difference in getting a player signed. For teams that don't have much salary cap room, a little more than the veteran minimum is a significant difference compared to the actuall veteran mimimum.
Quote:Wouldn't hurt to have a solid veteran backup Bowanko.
Definitely wouldn't hurt to have somebody START in front of Bowanko.