(04-15-2020, 12:23 PM)NYC4jags Wrote:

(04-15-2020, 11:28 AM)MalabarJag Wrote: The one thing the Jags haven't had is a lack of urgency on player acquisition on the OL. 

Caldwell's very first draft pick was a LT, in spite of having Monroe at the time who was arguably the best player on the team the year before (some might say Poz).

The Jags traded up in the second round when they picked both Robinson and Taylor. Both players were listed much higher in every pre-draft mock I saw, frequently to the Jags as a 1st round pick expecting the Jags to fill the OL need.

Cann and Linder were both 3rd round picks, which is high for a guard. Caldwell even traded up to get Linder.

The Jags also signed Norwell as a free agent, one of the highest rated free agents in that class. They also signed former Pro Bowl guard Beadles, signed Steeler LT starter Beachum to replace Joeckel after he failed, and traded for LT Brandon Albert. They made a big money offer to Pro Bowl center Alex Mack, which the Browns matched (to their regret).

Of course the results have been disappointing. Whether that's due to coaching or the players just being overrated when they were acquired is debatable. I tend to blame coaching because Cann's best season was his rookie year, same with Robinson, and maybe Linder too. When every player on the OL with more than one year as a Jag has gotten worse with time it seems obvious to me that it's a coaching/development failure, not a player selection failure.

But even if you blame the player selection, you can't say the Jags didn't prioritize the OL.

What I said was succinctly "mystified by the moves and lack of urgency" not that they didn't prioritize. And I still believe they did not prioritize it enough in a number of recent offseasons. Like...  2019. 
I also included their coaching choices as an issue. 

I included the "acquisition" caveat for this exact anticipated response. 

Urgency Issues: 

* Trotting out Cam Robinson at left tackle last year after his just barely being cleared to practice after the knee surgery/rehab with no credible insurance plan (and his questionable rookie season) was a lack of urgency. 

* Rolling with AJ Cann after two straight years of poor performance with an underwhelming 4th round failed RT prospect as your only contingency was a lack of urgency. 

* Hell, drafting Will Richardson ^  as your only real plan to replace an aging/fading Parnell was also a lack of urgency.

* Rolling with the same depth of Shatley, Walker and *gulp* Chris freakin Reed for year after year showed a severe lack of urgency to even remotely push the starters ahead of them or to upgrade depth. 

I count all of these decisions as failures.

Cam Robinson tore his ACL in week 2 in 2018.  Based on most estimates, he should have been fully recovered by camp.  But then he had setbacks.  When the team had reason to fear he wouldn't be ready (this news was made public during camp/preseason), what could they have done at that point to improve the position? Traded for Laremy Tunsil?  The Texans gave up 2 #1s for him.  Would you have met that price, and his contract demands with our cap situation?  Traded for Trent Williams?  Cleveland was determined not to trade him last year despite his unhappiness.  Any guy you might have signed off the street most likely would not have helped.

I agree with the rest of your observations, but I think the critique over Cam Robinson is unfair given how everything transpired.

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