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jaglou53 Veteran
    
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(08-02-2018, 06:25 PM)Bullseye Wrote: What are your thoughts on what has transpired to this point?
Who has stood out to you-good or bad?
Who has you the most excited? Most disappointed? Most concerned?
Here are some of my thoughts (tainted though they may be at the lack of in person exposure to this group):
1. I think one of the things that excites me the most is the WR position. Even though Lee and Moncrief are out due to injuries, the receivers show a lot of positive signs. By all accounts, Cole has improved a great deal. Chark has looked like a steal. The competition for the 6th WR spot has been fierce, with Wynn, Mickens, Greene and Lazard all showing very good things.
2. By the same token, I think defensive back has also been an area that has shown promise at the bottom of the depth chart. The players seem genuinely excited about Harrison. Quentin Meeks-a player that many on here were excited about when we signed him as an UDFA-seems to have justified the excitement, making several plays. Tyler Patmon has been pretty good in Ramsey's absence, with the exception of being beaten for short TD passes by the smaller, quicker Wynn. There is another guy I am forgetting now. My apologies.
3. The offensive line has been strangely quiet for lack of better phrasing...and I think that's a good thing. Aside from Ngakoue-armed with a new pass rush moved learned from Von Miller-abusing Parnell, and the guy that Taven Bryan abused on the first day, you haven't seen or heard of too many instances where the OL was not up to the challenge against a deep and talented DL. Health permitting, I think this looks like another really strong group.
4. Haven't been too many negative reports about Bortles so far this camp, which is a welcome relief from the aftermath of that five INT practice last year. Sadly, I can't say I have been too impressed with Tanner Lee.
5. Though I have heard our 4th round pick Richardson and our other 7th round pick Jacobs have both looked good, I have not seen anything of them. I've seen Jacobs on the field and he looks big, but when the plays started my focus went elsewhere. Though these reports are encouraging, I am eager to get extended looks.
6. Bryan has flashed both good and bad, which is sort of what I expected. But as I've said before, I think this is a good spot for him to develop slowly. As for the returners, I am very encouraged by what I see as a whole. Aside from Ngakoue's new move-which should make him a lethal pass rusher if these early results are any indication. I've heard very good things about Dareus' conditioning and athleticism. If he is focused and in shape, contrary to what those lawsuits might lead one to believe, that certainly bodes well for the defense. I expect Malik Jackson to continue his high level of play, and if Campbell can put off decline for another year, that front four should be awesome. Hopefully, Fowler can get healthy, remain focused and motivated for a big contract year, and Ngakoue taught him that move he learned from Miller. I expect Abry Jones to be a valuable part of the DL rotation, as will Ankou, who was banged up earlier today. Only question for me out of this group is Smoot.
7. Given how so many positions look really good, not only am I compelled to laud Dave Caldwell and TC, but the coaching staff overall. Between OC Hackett, QB Coach Scott Milanovich, WRs coach Keenan McCardell, OL Coach Flaherty, DL Coach Marion Hobby, secondary coach Perry Fewell, LBs coach Mark Collins, RBs coach Tyrone Wheatley, TE's coach Ron Middleton, and all of the other assistants I didn't name, it seems each and every area of the team will be an asset, thanks in no small part to their teachings.
I know from the outside looking in, this post seems to reek of homerism. But to me, this team honestly looks so much better at this point than it has in years' past, I know of no other way to describe what I've seen and heard, whether through personal observation, through the twitter reports, newspaper articles, or radio talk show hosts, or other posters.
We have a really good team here. A serious contender.
Let's appreciate it, folks.
I believe the cornerback you're forgetting is Tre Herndon, an undrafted free agent. Lageman said today that he has looked better than Meeks. Every year at least 1 undrafted guy seems to shine (Cole, Abry Jones, etc) and Herndon may be that guy this year. Cornerback is a pretty deep position, however, and the Jags will need to keep 5 for him to not be placed on the practice squad.
As far as other thoughts from the pre-season, I have to believe that this team undoubtably has the potential to get to the Super Bowl. The defense has the most talent of any in team history- by a large margin. They have 6 legitimate All-Pro candidates on that side of the ball. The offense may not be explosive or as talented as the defense, but their running game can be special with the acquisition of Norwell and maturation of Cam Robinson opening up holes for Fournette. The only thing which can get in the way of a potential dream season would be significant injuries to any of the irreplaceable guys on the roster. That would include Bortles, Ramsay, Yannick, Campbell and either Jack or Telvin. It's unrealistic to believe this year's team will have as few key players miss games due to injury as last season, but hopefully none of those 6 players are lost for most of this season.
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