(03-27-2018, 06:44 PM)EricC85 Wrote:

(03-27-2018, 12:42 PM)Bullseye Wrote: I would say one thing changed to shape the opinions:  The Jaguars finally produced a winning season.

But yeah, lots of people incorrectly assumed that because the team wasn't winning, Caldwell had not accumulated any talent.

Easy to make that assumption, though.

Id argue the results changed. Prior to last year all that talent on the defensive line was just hopes and dreams we finally saw some payoff. If you saw it coming good for you but most sure didn't. Prior to this year Fowler was struggling to get on the field. Yanick hadn't turned into something special and Jack was wiffing on easy wrap up tackles. The offense was a hot mess and high draft picks where in question. It's not just opinions that have changed it's the results that have changed opinions.

I know we didn't get the wins, but as far as young players showing potential, there was plenty of evidence the players could do well in the league.

Yes, Fowler was pretty much up in the air after tearing his ACL not 30 minutes into his first mini camp.  He got on the field in 2016, but it was basically his rookie year, plus he was recovering from his ACL.  You have a point with him.

But Ngakoue recorded 8 sacks and 4 forced fumbles his rookie year, breaking the Jaguars record for rookie sacks, previously held by Tony Brackens.  Gene Smith didn't draft anyone who came close to 8 sacks, rookie or otherwise.  Jalen Ramsey was every bit of a stud his rookie year.  Again, Gene Smith didn't draft anyone close to his caliber.  Jack didn't get much PT his first year, but there are plenty who question the wisdom behind keeping him on the bench all that time.  Prior to last year, Telvin Smith won two AFC defensive player of the week awards and showed big play capability, which again surpassed anyone drafted by Gene Smith.  There was plenty of evidence Caldwell picked good defensive players.

There was also some evidence that Caldwell could identify offensive talent.  In 2015 Bortles broke all kinds of single season passing records for the Jaguars.  Say what you will about his numbers coming in garbage time, but I'm not buying that.  Gabbert played in as much garbage time as Bortles, but didn't come close to putting up those kind of numbers.  The Jaguars went some NINE (9) seasons without having a 1000 yard WR until Caldwell added Robinson and Hurns to the roster in 2014.  Yeah, Smith correctly identified Blackmon as a talent.  Unfortunately, he underestimated the depth of Blackmon's off field issues.  Caldwell also added a stud interior OL in Brandon Linder.  Marqise Lee also flashed big play capability.

In the years prior to 2017, did the Jaguars come anywhere close to the W-L results we saw last year?  Not at all.  However, there was evidence  that this team was assembling a strong nucleus of talent on both sides of the ball capable of turning the team's fortunes around.

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