Jacksonville Jaguars Fan Forums

Quote:Not until after Meester retired.

 

We changed both guard positions too.  You could make the exact same argument the other way around.

Quote:That's not true. There's been a quality foundation set. The same players could all very well be back at it next year. I'd say Bowanko and Linder are locks. Joekel will start barring something crazy happening in the offseason. Competition will be brought in to compete of course. Probably serious competition at LG and RT. The line will be bolstered. I don't know why you have to pretend like people who aren't bellyaching are just blind homers. Everyone knows the line needs to be better.

 

The 2013 draft class is not a quality foundation as you say.

 

Joeckel may be a big body that can stand at LT but he is by no means close to living up to his draft position at this point.

Cyprien has bust written all over him right now.  Unless he drastically improves he won't be around long.

Gratz is in the same boat as Cyp.

Sanders should be cut

DRob is a solid RB

Evans is backup quality at best

Jeremy Harris is...wait who?

McCray may turn out to be a late round gem

 

So from 2013, the top 3 draft picks could be wasted picks.  At this point, it looks like we got 2 starting quality players from that draft.  It's not a good thing when the GM isn't hitting on early picks.  Now, 2014 may turn out better and for all I know the 2013 class may make drastic improvements.

 

But, at this point, I don't think it's fair to say a quality foundation has been set based off of simply having young players on the team.  We all hope every player pans out but only time will tell.

No knock on Meester.  Let's face it, age and a torn bicep took its toll.  I could say the same about most every player in the NFL. 

 

Think about this .... Meester was drafted in the 2nd round in 2000.  The Jags have not drafted a Center since 2000.  That's just crazy not having the foresight to stabilize the center piece of the OLine.

So, assuming we go for O line in the draft, which players are most likely to make good starters for us ? Scherff ? Peat ? Cann ? Dismukes ? Grasu ? And who are our Free Agency targets ?

Quote:No knock on Meester.  Let's face it, age and a torn bicep took its toll.  I could say the same about most every player in the NFL. 

 

Think about this .... Meester was drafted in the 2nd round in 2000.  The Jags have not drafted a Center since 2000.  That's just crazy not having the foresight to stabilize the center piece of the OLine.

 

Longer than that, since Meester was drafted to be a guard.

Its funny, Lageman and Boselli think the offensive line doesnt need any upgrades, yet they havent been able to run the ball almost all year and Blake is constantly under attack. I understand Bowanko and Linder are young and can improve, but at the very least a good RT needs to be either drafted in the first 3 rounds or brought in through FA. 

Quote:We have a sissy o-line

Thank you for that pearl of wisdom.

 

Seriously, though, three out of five positions on the OL are a disaster. Linder has played far better than his years, and Bowanko looks like a keeper as a swing guy on the interior (at least). Outside of those two, everyone is replaceable, and I wouldn't be surprised if Pasztor gets the Brewster treatment in camp next year. Joeckel will get more time to not develop based upon his draft position, and Beadles will get more time to not block anyone based upon his contract. Linder has actually looked pretty good, and Bowanko looks like a keeper as either a starting center or the top interior backup who can play all three positions. Outside of those two, everyone is replaceable.

Quote:Its funny, Lageman and Boselli think the offensive line doesnt need any upgrades, yet they havent been able to run the ball almost all year and Blake is constantly under attack. I understand Bowanko and Linder are young and can improve, but at the very least a good RT needs to be either drafted in the first 3 rounds or brought in through FA. 

 

Its funny, Boselli was on the radio just this morning expecting us to bring in veteran linemen (plural) in the offseason.  I'd wager Lageman agrees.

Quote:Longer than that, since Meester was drafted to be a guard.

 

Most drafted interior linemen, particularly those drafted high, are guards.  Centers, generally speaking of course, slip in the draft and many go undrafted.  You'll find many late round and undrafted centers making the pro bowl.

 

More valuable are the guys who can play both.

 

Meester was a better C than G.  I doubt the "plan" was ever to keep him there forever from the beginning.  Remember, we had John Wade.  When his contract was up with our cap situation, it was the smart move to bring him back to his natural position.

 

Newton never really became the guy his pedigree suggested he could, and Brewster was a disappointment as well.  We all know the Mack deal fell short (which was a longshot from the start, but they gave as much as they could.)

 

That being said... Bowanko was getting the job done prior to his injury.  That's just a string of bad luck.  Not necessarily bad decisions.

Quote: ...and I wouldn't be surprised if Pasztor gets the Brewster treatment in camp next year. 

 

He looked good much more often than bad last season.  This season he's played with one hand.  

 

I think he'll compete well with whoever they bring to camp.  He may not come out on top, but he'll likely stick as depth. He's better at RT than Brewster at anything  even when playing with one hand. 

Quote:He looked good much more often than bad last season.  This season he's played with one hand.  

 

I think he'll compete well with whoever they bring to camp.  He may not come out on top, but he'll likely stick as depth. He's better at RT than Brewster at anything  even when playing with one hand. 

 

Agree Paztor wasn't bad at all.  His backups aren't horrible but they are horribly inconsistent.

 

I worry about Paztor's injury, though.

Sign Bulaga to play RT, draft Spencer Drango in the 2nd round and Adam Shead in the 5th or 6th.

Would love to see us draft Dismukes and sign Barksdale.  Give Joeckel another year. 

Caldwell replaced the entire starting interior OL this past year. I know he couldn't stop Meester from retiring, but regardless, there's no way these three new inside starters are better than the last three. In particular, I really thought Zane would be a lot more impressive than he has been. At this point I have to say that Uche is better than Zane.

Quote:Would love to see us draft Dismukes and sign Barksdale.  Give Joeckel another year. 

 

 

As the second overall pick, Joeckel is going to get all the time they can possibly give him. Clearly he's not playing up to expectations, however, this is basically his rookie season (considering last year his main action was at RT early on and then most of the season he was on IR). When you start to consider how many years most OLs develop for being even playing it makes some sense that even a guy with an enormous ceiling like Joekel may need a while to truly get up to NFL speed at left tackle.

Young players not given a chance to improve to be replaced by new draftees who won't play any better or be given a chance to improve.

 

What's the definition of "insanity" again?

RT is a huge need. I think us drafting a C/G would be ideal for depth and competition. Give the other guys we have now a shot at keeping their job after a year of experience together. Dismantling the entire O-line again is crazy.

Quote:if you ask the homers everything is fine here. no problems. just roll with the same players and hope for the best. when they fail, oh well, who cares, "stop whining"

Okay, I gotta call you out here. Who has EVER said this?

I don't see Bowanko as being someone who will anchor the interior of the line for years to come.  I don't wish to settle for mediocraty especially on the line, just another guy who we can get by with.  I realize some people see something in Bowanko that I don't and that is fine.  Personally I would rather draft another second/third round stud like we did with Meester so many years ago and build from that.  Hope I am wrong on Bowanko and he turns out to be the guy.  RT is easily my number 1 target for the O line.  In my mind there ae only 2 RT's coming up in free agency that i would look at.  Bulaga and Barkesdale.  Both are young with my nod going to Barkesdale because of injury issues in the past with Bulaga.  I would rather sign a free agent RT than draft one at this time to get more experience. 

Quote:I don't see Bowanko as being someone who will anchor the interior of the line for years to come.  I don't wish to settle for mediocraty especially on the line, just another guy who we can get by with.  I realize some people see something in Bowanko that I don't and that is fine.  Personally I would rather draft another second/third round stud like we did with Meester so many years ago and build from that.  Hope I am wrong on Bowanko and he turns out to be the guy…..

 

I think there is a good chance they intend to give Bowanko competition. No idea where in the draft or free agency it may be sourced, but I doubt they are ready to rest on their laurels there.  I'd be a little surprised by a second rounder though.

 

Linemen in their second and third years tend to add strength and weight to properly acclimate. Bowanko may greatly benefit from this offseason in that way. Same with Joeckel.  Will be looking for that in July. 

 

Regardless of where they find the competition  - I think we'll see current starters battling for their jobs in camp at LG, C and RT.  Whether current players step up or new guys take over - they'll get better and hopefully have some decent depth for the first time in years.