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MalabarJag · 12-11-2018, 10:31 AM

(12-08-2018, 08:06 PM)jaguarmvp Wrote:
(12-08-2018, 08:55 AM)navyjagfan Wrote: If you look at that list of top 5 draft picks and still think Dave deserves a job, you're out of your mind.

The same idiots defending dave were probably the same ones backing gene smith.

I'm one of those idiots who defends Dave, and I was one of the earliest critics of Gene Smith. I was also critical of Dave Caldwell early but changed my mind after the 2014 draft. In spite of Bortles the Jags 2014 draft was the best in team history ... until the 2016 draft.

Look at the drafts starting in 2014 (Caldwell replaced much of the scouting department after the 2013 draft). Most of those players are still in the NFL, even if not still on the Jags. Compare that with any other GM.

I look at the play of defensive draftees and free agent signees and note that they all either got worse or did not improve their second season with Gus Bradley as the head coach. That was especially true of the DBs. That's coaching, not drafting, and you can't blame the GM when the coaching staff ruins a player. The recent picks on defense have actually improved in their second season under Marrone. Even Smoot is showing some life.

Yes, Dave was the one who chose Gus Bradley. There were several teams interested in Gus, and no one knew how bad he'd be as a head coach. The real problem was that Dave didn't fire Gus after he saw how bad he was. The most likely explanation was a promise the Jags made to Gus to give him a full 4 years with Khan backing up that promise. Such a promise was no doubt necessary considering the state of the Jags roster at the time.

The Fournette pick is typical of Tom Coughlin. Remember how he tried to trade up for Curtis Enis and then drafted Fred Taylor?

There are things I don't like about Dave Caldwell. He refuses to initiate a trade down in the draft, only waiting for someone else to call. In most of the drafts, the best player available at the Jags first round choice either wasn't a need or wasn't any better than the next ten players, so a trade down was called for. But as far as player selection, Dave Caldwell has been above average.

"Why should I give information to you when all you want to do is find something wrong with it?"