(05-30-2021, 12:37 AM)Bullseye Wrote: Various thoughts this Memorial day weekend...
1. Reports came out that Trevor Lawrence struggled some in red zone drills. While positive reviews for highly drafted players are typically the norm for this time of year, his struggles in the red zone drill are not of concern at this stage. This is one of the first times working with these receivers, and red zone is typically more difficult than normal passing, whether in practice or in games. There will be plenty of time for all to grasp the offense, for the receivers to learn how TL likes to throw the ball, for TL to learn how receivers like the ball to be thrown in those scenarios, and for them to get the timing down. I expect days like that to happen at least periodically throughout training camp. It's part of the process of a rookie QB adjusting to the NFL game and the whole team adjusting to the new offense.
2. Speaking of receivers, there has been some speculation about Laviska Shenault and a second round pick being offered up in exchange for Falcons' WR Julio Jones. Understanding most trade speculation of this sort is the equivalent of throwing stuff against a wall to see what sticks. To the extent there is any substance capable of sticking, I would strongly argue against such a trade. From the Julio Jones perspective, he has been a great player over the years and will likely get strong consideration for the Hall of Fame, even though he is not on one of the NFL's premiere franchises. But his best days have passed. He is 32 years old and is coming off an injury shortened season. At 32, that's when nagging injuries start to happen more frequently to previously durable players. Even if he remains healthy, it won't be long until he loses a step and will no longer be the player we all admire. Then there's the contract. If it's unpalatable for the Falcons, it can't be too much better for the Jaguars, even with all of the cap room. Considering we have key players to re-sign, other players to add, and even start planning now to re-sign Trevor Lawrence, there's not enough short term or longer term benefit to making such a deal. In terms of getting rid of Shenault, I'm not exactly thrilled with the prospect. I am unsure exactly how fast he is. He supposedly had a hamstring issue when he ran the 40 last year. I am unsure what Meyer thinks about him...whether he considers him a fit for the offense or what. But based upon what I have seen of him over the last year, Shenault has some big play potential and the versatility Meyer seems to like in his offensive skill players. Furthermore, he's young and can grow with Trevor Lawrence, which is what TL needs. Giving him and a 2nd round pick next year (which would be 2 2nd round picks in 3 years the team will have traded away with this deal) is not the way to build a young and ascending nucleus. The Jaguars should not even entertain the thought of this deal for Julio Jones.
3. Admittedly this view is unfair to the team and to the player, but of all the draft picks in the first 3-4 rounds, perhaps the one I am the least enthusiastic about is second round pick Tyson Campbell. It's not as though I was initially opposed to the pick like I was Chaisson last year. I'm not necessarily hostile to him as a player. But for reasons I cannot fully explain, my attitude towards his selection borders on ambivalence or indifference. On a lot of levels, I should be excited we got him. Considering the talent purge we had on that side of the ball, the need for a big, fast athletic nickel corner or safety was certainly there. Just a few years back in 2017, I advocated a heavy early investment in the secondary when we already had Ramsey and Bouye and pushed for the team to take either Marshon Lattimore, Jamal Adams, or even Malik Hooker in the first round. While it doesn't exactly fit the scenario I detailed above, it meets the spirit of that argument. If the team hit on his selection, the secondary and defense as a whole should be much better, whether he plays nickel, safety, or one of the outside corners. But as of this moment, I have been unable to muster much enthusiasm for this pick. I sincerely hope his level of play makes me look back at this post and laugh.
4. Though I am opposed to acquiring Julio Jones, especially under the terms of that speculated trade, next week offers the possibiity of more fruitful post June 1 acquisitions, either by trade or from the June 1 cuts. While the Tebow signing has dominated the discusson, there is still room on the roster for one more addition, and the need at TE is still considerable. I think we could see guys like Zach Ertz and David Njoku find themselves available,and bothe could improve the TE position considerably. While Ertz is older than I would prefer, whie Njoku hasn't had the overall productivity, both bring enough to the table at ostensibly a much lower price in terms of contracts and trade compensation required to hrlp this team. It's been a while since I have looked with such anticipation to June 1 cuts, but more than many years, there is real opportunity for the team to help itself, at least at TE.
5. In looking at our schedule, I'm thinking the best chance Etienne has of having impact is against Houston and Cincinnati. I don't see their LBs being particularly athletic or particularly good fits for the Tampa 2 Houston is going to employ. I think Denver, Arizona and Tennessee have reasonably athletic LB-Arizona especially with Simmons from last year and Collins from this year to hold up decently if somehow isolated on Etienne.
6. I know it's unlikely for too many reasons, but I'd still like the team to take a chance on Damon Snacks Harrison.
7. I am really feeling football withdrawal, and we haven't hit June. Don't know what the hell I'm gonna do until June, considering we only won one game last year. Maybe I'll re-watch some of the Clemson games I've recorded over the past three years.
1- Yeah I saw the media label Lawrence a 'rookie QB' as he missed 2 RZ throws. I think this is something we are going to have to get used to, anytime the 'best prospect since Manning' makes the slightest mistake ite going to get massively overblown. Thats what practise is for! In a way I like that that's all theyve got to criticize him on.
2- I've got big hopes for Shenault but Julio is a beast and a vet WR. I wouldnt take that trade and you make some solid reasons why, especially with injuries. I know the Falcons are looking at cap down the road but his contract is only like $11m and it makes me wonder why they seem to determined to move him. Their O looks pretty damn good after adding Pitts.
I do wonder how many WR's we will keep on the roster and I keep forgetting about Collin Johnson and we signed Dorsett. And you usually get that UDFA that's all heart that you fall in love with. Still miss you Hurns!
3-I always felt the secondary allowed the 2017 D line to look so impressive. Bouye and Ramsey could keep coverage and made QB's hold the ball that extra half second. Looking at it on paper, we look pretty solid at CB. Henderson had some flashes but hopefully takes that 2nd year step, I liked Griffin at Seattle and was arguably their best DB on a horrible D. Sidney Jones took his chances last year and I havent seen a lot of Campbell, but from what I've read he should be a good addition without having to walk in as a day one starter and key player. Still a bit worried about safety depth and no idea if we will be 3-4 or 4-3 or a mix of both.
4- June 1st could be an interesting tipping point day. A few player contracts become more team friendly with cap hits and such and I'm looking at how we view our roster. There are plenty of areas to improve and we have plenty of cap space or do the new staff want to see what they have this season and build from there. I noticed Rodgers cap hit drops from $38m to $21m after June 1st aswell.
5-Week 1 looks the perfect chance to snap this L streak, get Lawrence and Meyer off to a good start, division win against a new staff. I think losing Watt will hurt Houston more off the field than on. I'm also interested to see how Meyer approaches pre season games. Everyone plays a vanilla playbook but you can get ideas of where they like guys and sets to line up in. There are no grand expectations like SB or playoffs for this year and I hope we just go out and give it everything and see where we end up. Etienne is another one I have big hope for and should also help Robinson too.
6-Snacks is still a monster and cant have enough big guys in the middle. Dont know how many more times I can see Taven getting pushed back!
7- Yep, so excited for thos season but feels sofar away and had enough of talking about....him. Got the Olympics in a month or so hopefully which is where I suddenly become an expert in everything from volleyball to weightlifting
Always enjoy your takes Bullseye.
