The combination of free agency and the Salary Cap forces tough choices for teams. One tough choice the Jaguars may face this coming offseason is what to do with Dawaune Smoot.
Under the rationale used to move on from Allen Robinson, the prevailing paradigm was "why should the team sign a guy coming off a torn ACL to a big contract." Admittedly under a different GM, they let him go. Based on that rationale, the same could be said for Smoot. WHile Robinson's ACL happened opening day, Smoot's torn achilles happened in December vs the Jets. While players seem to be coming back more frequently from torn achilles injuries, it's still a serious enough injury to give pause.
However, chemistry wise, he fits nicely in the locker room. He seems to fit well in Pederson's paradigm of the unselfish player, and he has developed into a good role player, providing quality snaps in the pass rush rotation.
So what would you do? Would you re-sign Smoot and gamble he can return to form, or would you let him go for cap considerations?
He would have pass a physical to be signed, wouldn't he?
Everything from the outside points to him being exactly what you describe him as. I would sign him to a one year contract with plenty of realistic incentives.
Team friendly deal or let him go and sign a vet chasing a ring
The scheme will be another year older and will be easier to plug players in
He's a great football player. Really deserves more playing time. Really SHOULD get more playing time. The fan in me says, keep him, do what have to do for continuity sake. The realist in me says, he's gone.
There's just a ton of needs right now, when you're a team trying to make a serious push and run now, which we know that's going to be the standard moving forward. This team doesn't probably have the bandwidth to enable a guy like that to get healthy and comeback in hopes of being in form.
I could counter argue and say that it's probably just as important to resign Arden Key. As he's fortunately been able to stay healthy and he's come up relatively strong here and there.
The real question is the draft process and scouting process. Is there another Smoot type player that we trust Baalke to find in free agency in March or a guy in the draft in April? He's stockpiled more late RD picks so he's going to need to hit on those for depth sake.
I feel bad for Smoot, but I also understand that this is a business. If he agrees to a reasonable contract, then I'd love to have him back. Otherwise, I'd wish him well and hope he is successful on his next team.
Arden Key is the bigger priority IMO for DL free agency, but I'd try to keep Smoot on a team friendly deal with playing time incentives to encourage proper rehab.
(01-12-2023, 01:30 PM)Caldrac Wrote: [ -> ]He's a great football player. Really deserves more playing time. Really SHOULD get more playing time. The fan in me says, keep him, do what have to do for continuity sake. The realist in me says, he's gone.
There's just a ton of needs right now, when you're a team trying to make a serious push and run now, which we know that's going to be the standard moving forward. This team doesn't probably have the bandwidth to enable a guy like that to get healthy and comeback in hopes of being in form.
I could counter argue and say that it's probably just as important to resign Arden Key. As he's fortunately been able to stay healthy and he's come up relatively strong here and there.
The real question is the draft process and scouting process. Is there another Smoot type player that we trust Baalke to find in free agency in March or a guy in the draft in April? He's stockpiled more late RD picks so he's going to need to hit on those for depth sake.
I would hate to lose either guy, TBH.
Smoot has grown into this team's version of Paul Spicer in terms of role, unselfishness and general level of productivity.
But given that choice I think I'd rather re-sign Arden Key He has seemed to be more of a catalyst than Smoot.
(01-12-2023, 01:38 PM)DangerousBoy Wrote: [ -> ]I feel bad for Smoot, but I also understand that this is a business. If he agrees to a reasonable contract, then I'd love to have him back. Otherwise, I'd wish him well and hope he is successful on his next team.
I think that about sums it up quite well for me.
(01-12-2023, 01:28 PM)jagshype Wrote: [ -> ]Team friendly deal or let him go and sign a vet chasing a ring
The scheme will be another year older and will be easier to plug players in
Is there a particular one you had in mind?
When I think of a vet chasing a ring, the picture that appears in my mind is that of an older, bigger named guy (i.e. Von Miller signing with the Bills). But the bigger name is usually accompanied with a bigger contract, most likely one even bigger than what Smoot would command here if he were to re-sign.
Of course, a middle tier vet could also be available and chase a ring.
Everything will depend on cap and some restructuring. I think whatever you do has to balance the future with the current. I think players like the coaching and will negotiate in good faith. That is something we haven't had much around here.
Retention should be one of the positive changes we see this off season.
(01-12-2023, 01:49 PM)MoJagFan Wrote: [ -> ]Everything will depend on cap and some restructuring. I think whatever you do has to balance the future with the current. I think players like the coaching and will negotiate in good faith. That is something we haven't had much around here.
Retention should be one of the positive changes we see this off season.
Absolutely!!!!!
We have to retain more of our players. Upgrade from outside the organization when practical and feasible, but guys like Engram and role players i.e. Key) should be retained.
(01-12-2023, 01:48 PM)Bullseye Wrote: [ -> ] (01-12-2023, 01:28 PM)jagshype Wrote: [ -> ]Team friendly deal or let him go and sign a vet chasing a ring
The scheme will be another year older and will be easier to plug players in
Is there a particular one you had in mind?
When I think of a vet chasing a ring, the picture that appears in my mind is that of an older, bigger named guy (i.e. Von Miller signing with the Bills). But the bigger name is usually accompanied with a bigger contract, most likely one even bigger than what Smoot would command here if he were to re-sign.
Of course, a middle tier vet could also be available and chase a ring.
Chandler Jones comes to mind. Old savvy veteran with the Patriots. Was also productive with the Cardinals. Didn't seem to really catch on with the Raiders though playing opposite of Crosby but if he's affordable he's worth it.
I would hate to have to chose.
Smoot is a beast and Key has been great.
The FO needs to find a way to make it work.
(01-12-2023, 01:40 PM)NYC4jags Wrote: [ -> ]Arden Key is the bigger priority IMO for DL free agency, but I'd try to keep Smoot on a team friendly deal with playing time incentives to encourage proper rehab.
Bingo.
Not to mention, an achilles is way different than an ACL.
Love Smoot but it'll be 2 years until he is productive again and even then, he's still a rotation guy. I would let him walk.
Do you think he would sign a 3 year with a decent signing bonus, but little guaranteed money?
Low cap hit year 1 with expectation he will be rehabbing leaving us some cap space.
Fair year 2 and 3 based on previous production.
(01-12-2023, 02:00 PM)Cleatwood Wrote: [ -> ] (01-12-2023, 01:40 PM)NYC4jags Wrote: [ -> ]Arden Key is the bigger priority IMO for DL free agency, but I'd try to keep Smoot on a team friendly deal with playing time incentives to encourage proper rehab.
Bingo.
Not to mention, an achilles is way different than an ACL.
Love Smoot but it'll be 2 years until he is productive again and even then, he's still a rotation guy. I would let him walk.
As much as I would love to keep Smoot, practicality says he’s done here. Severe injury and long rehab time puts the odds against him. Especially considering we will be able to find a healthy replacement for him.
(01-12-2023, 01:59 PM)Mowerguy Wrote: [ -> ]I would hate to have to chose.
Smoot is a beast and Key has been great.
The FO needs to find a way to make it work.
It's one of the easiest decisions to make.
One is coming off a potential career-ending injury and the other is not.
Smoot is a glue guy that you do whatever it takes to keep. The guy leads by example and shows the younger guys the work ethic needed to maximize one’s potential. You don’t want to lose this man.
(01-12-2023, 02:08 PM)jagsfan06 Wrote: [ -> ]Smoot is a glue guy that you do whatever it takes to keep. The guy leads by example and shows the younger guys the work ethic needed to maximize one’s potential. You don’t want to lose this man.
Most veterans do. He can be replaced.
Too early, man...
too early...
We still have a playoff game to play!
If it fits with what we're trying to do with the cap, I'd keep him ... If we can't he s one who you wish well, certainly never let us down...
I reckon this offseason is where we start seeing what Balkes made of ... Most gm's worth their salt could improve a bottom of the barrel franchise with 100m cap space ... Harder once the tough cuts start, more guys wanting paid, maintaining a winning team, improving the franchises terrible record on drafting and developing, not falling into the trap of simply 're-hoping a 9-8 squad etc... Lets hope he's up to it, should be fun to watch