Quote:It doesn't sound like DC is very committed to Joeckel....no surprise, given that he's awful (not just the last game) and has a job to protect the QB investment.
Not necessarily.
Carlyon's ten takeaways from the presser:
Quote:-Caldwell said he is expecting coach Gus Bradley to make staff changes on defense. He added that he doesn’t hold Bradley responsible for team’s struggles in his first two years because roster was so lacking in talent.
<p style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;color:rgb(51,51,51);">-Caldwell said it’s easier to fix a defense than an offense. Pointed to Jaguars having a “mountain of cap space” and eight picks in upcoming draft.
<p style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;color:rgb(51,51,51);">-He added that the defense does have pieces in place, mentioning the following players: tackle Roy Miller, end Jared Odrick, linebacker Paul Posluszny, cornerbacks Davon House and Aaron Colvin. Caldwell also mentioned injured players in end Dante Fowler and tackle Sen’Derrick Marks.
<p style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;color:rgb(51,51,51);">-Caldwell said the challenge for quarterback Blake Bortles following his franchise-record 35 touchdown season will be to stay ahead of the curve as rivals pay more attention to him in the offseason and devote more personnel moves to stopping him. Caldwell said Bortles broke his left thumb in Sunday’s game and will be in a cast for a couple weeks.
<p style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;color:rgb(51,51,51);">-Caldwell said hitting on Bortles pick was “very fortunate” and that he’s a “key piece to build around and not waste it.”
<p style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;color:rgb(51,51,51);">-Caldwell said the last game was “hard to forget” in terms of the offensive line play in Sunday’s 30-6 loss in the finale. He said rookie right guard A.J. Cann was as impressive a rookie lineman as he’s seen.
<p style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;color:rgb(51,51,51);">-Joeckel struggled Sunday, but Caldwell said he played well throughout the year and can be the franchise’s future going forward.
<p style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;color:rgb(51,51,51);">-In regards to center, Caldwell mentioned that Cann can snap, as could right guard Brandon Linder.
<p style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;color:rgb(51,51,51);">-Caldwell said finding an elite free safety might be harder than finding a franchise quarterback in his estimation.
<p style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;color:rgb(51,51,51);">-In terms of free agency, Caldwell said Jaguars would target one-to-two players and “do what we need to get them.”
Quote:Not that he's a starter anyway....but they need to dump Sam Young immediately, if not sooner. I have never seen a stiffer player in my life. The guy looks like Herman Munster when he plays.
He looked worse than Guy Whimper out there. The sacks that were his fault I don't think he touched the person he was supposed to block
Linder at center....hmmm....intriguing. Didn't Meester start out as a guard.
Bortles broke his thumb on Sunday!?? Hmmm, if it was early on in the game then I can see why he struggled a little plus basically a pocket that folded faster than a wet paper bag.
Quote:He didn't mention LJ or Wis, thats very telling. I expect both of those guys to be replaced next year, rightfully so.
If a suitable replacement can be had....
If we get Mack. The only LT replacement will be a 1st round rookie... I would imagine.
If Dave drafts an OT in the top 5 of round 1, with the state of our defense....
oh lawd.... this board will be a mess.
Quote:Linder at center....hmmm....intriguing. Didn't Meester start out as a guard.
I didn't see that and frankly I would be pretty disappointed if they moved Linder to center.
Quote:I didn't see that and frankly I would be pretty disappointed if they moved Linder to center.
If they did this I would lose faith if I have any more left in this coaching staffs ability to do anything!!
Quote:I didn't see that and frankly I would be pretty disappointed if they moved Linder to center.
Quote:If they did this I would lose faith if I have any more left in this coaching staffs ability to do anything!!
He only said he has the ability to snap. He didn't say they would. But, it would be an interesting discussion.
Quote:He only said he has the ability to snap. He didn't say they would. But, it would be an interesting discussion.
Interesting in theory. Him and Parnell had that side on lockdown this year before he got hurt.
Quote:Joeckel was credited with giving up 5 sacks for the year before facing Houston in the last game where he gave up 4 more. I would venture a guess that if you took that last game away, most would be pleased with his progress this year. That last game was pretty bad though.
Curious what the stats are for BB5 rolling right to avoid the DE that got through the turnstile.
Luke Cann Mack Linder Parnell
That's your starting line next year.
Quote:Luke Cann Mack Linder Parnell
That's your starting line next year.
Basically would be perfect.
Quote:Basically would be perfect.
If you ask Cleveland fans and sportwriters, they'd tell you that Mack had a very disappointing season. I think there's a lot of "we'd be all set!" thinking here that is looking at his <2014 performance.
Quote:If you ask Cleveland fans and sportwriters, they'd tell you that Mack had a very disappointing season. I think there's a lot of "we'd be all set!" thinking here that is looking at his <2014 performance.
Quote:
Mack is now 30. He was paid $10 million in 2014, $8 million this season.
He has three more years remaining on the contract at $8 million annually. But the contract gives him an option to become a free agent.
Odds are, Mack will explore the market. And odds are, some teams will be very interested.
I'm not sure Mack truly has had a Pro Bowl caliber season. He was coming off major ankle surgery that wiped out the final 11 games of 2014. Early this season, he was struggling. He has played better lately, and was voted to the Pro Bowl team.
Profootballfocus listed him as one of five players who should not have been picked for the Pro Bowl team. They rank him No. 18 among centers. They say he has allowed four sacks, second most among NFL centers.
http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/index.ssf...ta_41.html
Quote:If you ask Cleveland fans and sportwriters, they'd tell you that Mack had a very disappointing season. I think there's a lot of "we'd be all set!" thinking here that is looking at his <2014 performance.
But, it was just a down year because of injury though, right? Other than that he's been an above average center. Any upgrade to Wis would be an improvement and help both the QB and the running game, whomever they deem that upgrade to be is fine by me.
Quote:But, it was just a down year because of injury though, right? Other than that he's been an above average center. Any upgrade to Wis would be an improvement and help both the QB and the running game, whomever they deem that upgrade to be is fine by me.
I think that's what you're banking on. Even Sen didn't look great the first few games. Geno Atkins had a miserable return after his ACL tear, but he's back to his explosive dominant self this season. Still, I'm not sure I'd be willing to break the bank on Mack. Loved him as a prospect (wanted us to trade down for him), and was excited when he was targeted last season. But given the needs on defense, I think I rather gamble for a veteran pass rusher.
But hey, it's not my money. If Dave wants to roll the dice with Shad's checkbook and bring in Mack + a veteran pass rusher?
Hey, be my guest.
Wiz cost us 2 games with 2 snaps. Only allowing 4 sacks in a season might earn you a key to the city in Jacksonville.
For the record, I am NOT high on Wis -- at all. Never did understand the excitement over his performance, even BEFORE the bad snaps. He's below average. And so I'm not opposed to bringing in Mack for the same reasons I liked Parnell -- "hey, he's gotta be better than what was starting at that position before, right?"
I'm just saying don't think you're getting some total stud anymore.
Now, is there a chance that his declining performance was entirely due to injury? Sure, it's possible, and his better play the second part of this season would give you hope for that. I'm just saying it's not automatic.
I'm also not convinced Bowenko can't still be really good there.
Quote:It doesn't sound like DC is very committed to Joeckel....no surprise, given that he's awful (not just the last game) and has a job to protect the QB investment.
He's had 3 seasons. True, he got injured his first season, but Luke's initial knock was strength not quickness or hands. He basically had a redshirt year to figure out the NFL and get stronger. The problem with Luke since has been balance, but mainly confidence. He needs more Blakes mindset. He should get mad when he makes a mistake, but don't let it compound into more. That is what happened a lot last year, and what happened on Sunday.
If this team ever becomes a contender, the LT will be facing good players/schemes every week with increasing pressure. More than issues with talent or recognition, Luke has not shown to be able to handle that which means DC should be looking to see if there is a better option.
To be perfectly honest, I thought bowanko played better last year at center than wiz played this year...
once we curb stomp beadles out of Jacksonville, move cann over to LG, we just need to fix our center position.
Luke is gonna be given 1 more year. He had a decent year, for the most part, and like others have said, there are bigger needs than drafting another LT this year.