Jacksonville Jaguars Fan Forums

Much of the myriad "tanking" discussions centered around the Jaguars' desperate need for a franchise QB, the desire for Houston to not have a franchise QB, and the likelihood that Bridgewater would go number one overall and therefore be unavailable to the Jaguars, who may even pick outside of the top five by the time this season is done.

 

But are there scenarios where the Louisville signal caller could still be ours for the taking, even with this current winning streak continuing?

 

Absolutely.

 

Of course, a lot would have to go right for the Jaguars to land him with their original first round pick outside of the top 3 picks, but I figured it might be a decent idea to kick around the what-ifs.

 

  Houston might decide another veteran QB would be better for the team.  It is difficult to imagine, looking at the Texans' roster, that this is a 2 win team.  According to quotes attributed to Texans' owner Bob McNair, he does not believe the Texans have a true two win roster, either.  More likely, he believes a KC type turnaround is possible, if not likely, with a coaching change and the right QB.  The right QB would be a veteran QB.  There has been some speculation that guys like Roethlisberger, Rivers, or Cutler could become available this offseason.  If the Texans brass believes this team, from a talent perspective, is closer to a contender than a true rebuilding project in waiting, it would make sense for the Texans to go after a veteran QB.  If Lovie Smith ends up the new Texans coach, I could see him making a play for Cutler, and looking to the draft to fill the remaining holes on the roster like RT, S, CB, and quite possibly a DE if they went with Lovie Smith and switched to a 4-3.  They might still go for a developmental QB later.  This scenario obviously increases the likelihood of Bridgewater's availability beyond the first overall pick.  If course, in this scenario, Houston could deal the #1 overall pick (if they end up with it) and some QB hungry team could still snap him up.

 

  They may be more inclined to utilize this approach if somehow Bridgewater drops in the eyes of scouts.  Assuming he stays healthy between now and draft time, I can see this happening one way:  if the combine shows him to be less than prototype size.  His weight and build has been the subject of some message board speculation.  You better believe risk averse GMs will use his size (or lack thereof) as justification for passing on him.  If Bridgewater comes out of the combine weighing closer to 196 than the 218 some have reported, and actually measures 6-1 instead of 6-3, I could see Bridgewater dropping some.  As is often the case, stock rises and falls in the months leading up to the draft.  As Bridgewater drops, maybe Carr's stock rises.  The pre draft process has been extended by another month, which may give teams more time to nitpick.  Maybe McNair, who became familiar with the Carr family through Derek Carr's older brother David, would be willing to take another chance on a Carr, especially with the OL the team currently has.

 

  If these things happen, then it potentially opens things up for Jacksonville.

 

  Based upon other mock draft orders at this stage, Atlanta has a good chance of winding up with the number two overall pick.  They certainly do not need a QB.  However, they have need for a T and a DE.  The value for those players is anywhere from 2-10 or so.  If they decide they need more numbers, they may be open to a trade down, and this is where Caldwell's ties to Atlanta may work to the Jaguars' advantage, if they coveted him and wanted to guarantee his availability to them via trade.  They might need to jump Minnesota to obtain his services.  This would be the most likely trade up partner under this scenario.

 

   Minnesota and Cleveland are two other potential teams likely picking in the top ten looking for a QB.  Minnesota has the advantage of draft position over Cleveland, who has the advantage of two first round picks with which to move.  Arguably, Minnesota has more needs than Cleveland, as they look to jettison Jared Allen after this season, need to replace an aging Kevin Williams, and get someone to push the rookie DT from Florida. But both teams could also be less than enamored with rookies at QB, considering the Vikings just made the playoffs two seasons ago, and Cleveland has a very good young nucleus, may make a play for one of the veteran QBs.

 

Buffalo just picked E.J. Manuel this year, and he showed some signs of being a good signal caller before getting hurt.  He has good coaching and good tools around him.  They may look to improve OT. 

 

It doesn't seem likely now, but a lot can happen that could lead Bridgewater available to us despite our recent success.

 

 

 

Yeah, a lot could happen.  I remember when Aaron Rodgers was being raked against the coles pre-draft and Alex Smith was that year's "riser."  I'm hoping GM's over-analyze Bridgewater and weigh his physical attributes and college schedule highly. 

 

I'd be thrilled if he fell to us.  I think we'll be fine either way, though.

Quote:Much of the myriad "tanking" discussions centered around the Jaguars' desperate need for a franchise QB, the desire for Houston to not have a franchise QB, and the likelihood that Bridgewater would go number one overall and therefore be unavailable to the Jaguars, who may even pick outside of the top five by the time this season is done.

 

But are there scenarios where the Louisville signal caller could still be ours for the taking, even with this current winning streak continuing?

 

Absolutely.

 

Of course, a lot would have to go right for the Jaguars to land him with their original first round pick outside of the top 3 picks, but I figured it might be a decent idea to kick around the what-ifs.

 

  Houston might decide another veteran QB would be better for the team.  It is difficult to imagine, looking at the Texans' roster, that this is a 2 win team.  According to quotes attributed to Texans' owner Bob McNair, he does not believe the Texans have a true two win roster, either.  More likely, he believes a KC type turnaround is possible, if not likely, with a coaching change and the right QB.  The right QB would be a veteran QB.  There has been some speculation that guys like Roethlisberger, Rivers, or Cutler could become available this offseason.  If the Texans brass believes this team, from a talent perspective, is closer to a contender than a true rebuilding project in waiting, it would make sense for the Texans to go after a veteran QB.  If Lovie Smith ends up the new Texans coach, I could see him making a play for Cutler, and looking to the draft to fill the remaining holes on the roster like RT, S, CB, and quite possibly a DE if they went with Lovie Smith and switched to a 4-3.  They might still go for a developmental QB later.  This scenario obviously increases the likelihood of Bridgewater's availability beyond the first overall pick.  If course, in this scenario, Houston could deal the #1 overall pick (if they end up with it) and some QB hungry team could still snap him up.

 

  They may be more inclined to utilize this approach if somehow Bridgewater drops in the eyes of scouts.  Assuming he stays healthy between now and draft time, I can see this happening one way:  if the combine shows him to be less than prototype size.  His weight and build has been the subject of some message board speculation.  You better believe risk averse GMs will use his size (or lack thereof) as justification for passing on him.  If Bridgewater comes out of the combine weighing closer to 196 than the 218 some have reported, and actually measures 6-1 instead of 6-3, I could see Bridgewater dropping some.  As is often the case, stock rises and falls in the months leading up to the draft.  As Bridgewater drops, maybe Carr's stock rises.  The pre draft process has been extended by another month, which may give teams more time to nitpick.  Maybe McNair, who became familiar with the Carr family through Derek Carr's older brother David, would be willing to take another chance on a Carr, especially with the OL the team currently has.

 

  If these things happen, then it potentially opens things up for Jacksonville.

 

  Based upon other mock draft orders at this stage, Atlanta has a good chance of winding up with the number two overall pick.  They certainly do not need a QB.  However, they have need for a T and a DE.  The value for those players is anywhere from 2-10 or so.  If they decide they need more numbers, they may be open to a trade down, and this is where Caldwell's ties to Atlanta may work to the Jaguars' advantage, if they coveted him and wanted to guarantee his availability to them via trade.  They might need to jump Minnesota to obtain his services.  This would be the most likely trade up partner under this scenario.

 

   Minnesota and Cleveland are two other potential teams likely picking in the top ten looking for a QB.  Minnesota has the advantage of draft position over Cleveland, who has the advantage of two first round picks with which to move.  Arguably, Minnesota has more needs than Cleveland, as they look to jettison Jared Allen after this season, need to replace an aging Kevin Williams, and get someone to push the rookie DT from Florida. But both teams could also be less than enamored with rookies at QB, considering the Vikings just made the playoffs two seasons ago, and Cleveland has a very good young nucleus, may make a play for one of the veteran QBs.

 

Buffalo just picked E.J. Manuel this year, and he showed some signs of being a good signal caller before getting hurt.  He has good coaching and good tools around him.  They may look to improve OT. 

 

It doesn't seem likely now, but a lot can happen that could lead Bridgewater available to us despite our recent success.

 

I don't think you get it about Bridgewater. Watch whatever video you can get your hands on...there's nothing there.

I think, from what I've scouted, that Bridgewater and Carr are equal in terms of overall value. Not to mention Barr, who could be a legitimate star in our defense.

Quote:I think, from what I've scouted, that Bridgewater and Carr are equal in terms of overall value. Not to mention Barr, who could be a legitimate star in our defense.

 

And what about Sean Mannion of Oregon State?

I don't understand why the media has a love affair with Teddy Bridgewater all season, then starts criticizing him as soon as it ends. Why weren't they more realistic about Teddy two months ago?

 

I recently started a thread for figuring out how far from #1 we are likely to drop based on what all teams with less than 6 wins do. That might help you see our chances of picking him.

He could trip over a tricky step. I've fallen like that a couple of times.

Quote:He could trip over a tricky step. I've fallen like that a couple of times.

 

Or he could do what Brian Griese did once if he has a dog.

 

But all joking aside, if Teddy Bridgewater falls in the draft, who would the Texans and Vikings select in the first round?

All it takes is one good bowl game and he will be the undisputed predicted first overall selection.

 

Not to mention, combine results will clearly only help his stock.  He has all the tangibles by a mile.  ESPN writers are going to be all over his jock. "OHHH WOW LOOK AT HIS ARM STRENGTH"

Bridgewater isn't the cant miss prospect some media anointed him to be

Quote:All it takes is one good bowl game and he will be the undisputed predicted first overall selection.

 

Not to mention, combine results will clearly only help his stock.  He has all the tangibles by a mile.  ESPN writers are going to be all over his jock. "OHHH WOW LOOK AT HIS ARM STRENGTH"

 

That is stupid. Everybody is supposed to know the Sugar Bowl was one game and the 2013 season was 12 games, so what he did against the Gators means nothing in the big picture.

The last QB that fell in the draft who was highly touted as a prospect was a guy named Blaine Gabbert.


If Bridgewater falls and multiple teams pass on him I hope Caldwell thinks long and hard as to why he's falling.

We still have how many months of trying to convince ourselves?

Quote:The last QB that fell in the draft who was highly touted as a prospect was a guy named Blaine Gabbert.


If Bridgewater falls and multiple teams pass on him I hope Caldwell thinks long and hard as to why he's falling.

 

Like I said before, Gabbert is a misfit in Jacksonville. He would have fallen further if Gene Smith had known numbers mean nothing when the offense is totally different.

Quote:I don't understand why the media has a love affair with Teddy Bridgewater all season, then starts criticizing him as soon as it ends. Why weren't they more realistic about Teddy two months ago?

 

I recently started a thread for figuring out how far from #1 we are likely to drop based on what all teams with less than 6 wins do. That might help you see our chances of picking him.

It happens all the time, when you come into the year as the top prospect you get picked apart the whole year

Quote:It happens all the time, when you come into the year as the top prospect you get picked apart the whole year

 

I know. What I am saying is nobody should come in as a the top prospect.

Maybe the Jags could just find a way to forfeit the games that they won. That's what you wanted all along anyway.

 

Then you and your crew can cheer for the name on the back of the jersey instead of the name on the front.

Trust Caldwell. And hope Carr falls to us. Hes as good as Teddy, with more upside.

Quote:Trust Caldwell. And hope Carr falls to us. Hes as good as Teddy, with more upside.

 

Is Carr supposed to be a top five pick?

 

Regardless of who our next quarterback should be, we need to root for a lot of teams the next three weeks.

It's plausible and another topic to bat around for the nest 5 months.  This draft process and bowl season will be one to watch, I'm probably more invested in this side of the football spectrum than I ever have been.  I'm moderately encouraged by how Caldwell is doing things.  What would be even more interesting is the imploding of this board if Teddy Bridgewater falls and Caldwell passes.