(01-07-2022, 04:36 AM)Bullseye Wrote: (01-06-2022, 11:08 PM)jaglou53 Wrote: Bullseye, a trade for Ridley is definitely something which would intrigue me. There are many mis-conceptions about "mental health" problems. Having many years of experience in this field, I have no doubt that with proper treatment a very high percentage (70-80%) of adults treated for depression/anxiety have very positive outcomes. I don't claim to know what Ridley's specific diagnosis is.
If the Jaguars were considering this trade (Ridley and pick 10 for our 1st pick), they would need to thoroughly evaluate Ridley (physically and emotionally) prior to making this deal. One good sign is that I've seen nothing in his past indicating he has a history of emotional or character concerns.
Ridley is still relatively young and should have several very productive years ahead of him. He was arguably among the top 10 receivers following the 2020 season. I'd prefer him over players like D.J. Moore, Mike Williams and Christian Kirk. Godwin and Gallup will each be coming off of significant injuries and may not be 100% by the start of next season. Davante Adams is very unlikely to come here.
This trade is also very appealing since there really isn't a "slam-dunk" player to be taken with pick 1. Hutchinson, Thibodeaux and Neal should all be very good pros, but there are legitimate questions about whether they will be truly elite. The Jaguars would have many desirable options with the 10th pick. If they do not land Armstead (my top target) or franchise Robinson, one of the offensive linemen could be considered like Ekwonu or Kenyon Green due to their ability to play tackle or guard. Jameson Williams would be a good value here as would Kyle Hamilton or Sauce Gardner. Bottom line, if Ridley checks out o.k., I'd love this deal.
Thanks for this perspective!
If you (you specifically and the board generally) do not mind a few follow up inquiries, I'd value your insights/subject matter expertise.
Assuming Ridley has MH issues-depression specifically-is it possible his depression is situational as opposed to a chemical imbalance? In other words, is it the culmination of one or a series of external life events that is making him depressed (i.e. breakup, death of loved one, change of coaches, losing) as opposed to a chemical imbalance?
Is it possible any depression could have hybrid or multple causes like adverse situations as well as a chemical imbalance?
Would CTE be a cause or aggravating factor?
How would these factors determine his prognosis with treatment? Is there such a thing as a "geographical" cure/solution-i.e. if he changes location, his outlook improves?
Not necessarily looking for a doctoral dissertation here, nor do I wish the board to be bogged down in medical/psycholoogical discourse or the subtleties of the DSM V, but I think exploration of these issues could help us determine on some superficial level whether players like Ridley, Johnson and/or Brown might be worth the risk.
As for the football portion of your post, I completely agree those players currently perceived as being at the top of the draft boards are generally not seen as "elite prospects." Accordingly, I think for the Jaguars, the best use of this draft would be to get players that would enable our elite QB prospect to perform at a level much closer to his highest potential than he has this year.
If Trevor Lawrence is able to perform at a substantially higher level, he becomes the "rising tide that lifts all boats." If the passing game is more of a threat, it forces more safeties out of the box, which frees things up for James Robinson/Etienne, or whatever healthy RB we might have. If we are effective running and passing, it helps our OL become more effective blockers. If we're playing with more leads, the defense performs better.
Your questions regarding mental health problems as they relate to Ridley are excellent. You did hit on the most common causes of depression/anxiety such as chemical imbalance and situational factors (triggers) such as family problems or suffering a recent loss. I believe Ridley did refer to family matters without being specific. As far as CTE, one of the symptoms is often depression. I have no idea, however, whether this applies to Ridley. Like most NFL players, he has been taken out of games due to hits to the head however there is no evidence that this has happened often. As far as "geographical" cure, I am skeptical about this. If someone has a significant mental health issue, the problem doesn't just go away when they move. That being said, many people can benefit by a change of scenery and that includes athletes. Regarding treatment, the most common ones are therapy/counseling and medication. If the depression is severe, a combination of these two treatments is most effective. Many people do not need to remain on medication for depression, however it initially can correct the chemical imbalance which was triggered by a significant adverse event. I am sure the Jaguars would do a thorough examination prior to considering a trade.
On the football side, I couldn't agree more that the top priority for the Jaguars during the off-season is to make moves which can help Lawrence eventually reach his extremely high potential. It starts with firing Baalke and replacing him with someone with an excellent history of evaluating talent. The new coach needs to be someone Lawrence could thrive with- preferably one with expertise on the offensive side of the ball. Free agency and the draft should prioritize the receiving position (including tight end) and offensive line. The trade for a "healthy" Ridley would be a great start. In my perfect scenario, the Jaguars add Terron Armstead in free agency in addition to an interior lineman such as Laken Tomlinson or a rookie like Ekwonu, Kinnard or Linderbaum. In addition to Ridley, they re-sign Chark and draft another receiver in round 3. The wide receiver class is extremely deep and there are likely to be some excellent options like Jalen Tolbert, Justyn Ross and Wan'Dale Robinson available in this round. Finally, I make it a priority to target Trey McBride at tight end. Admittedly, he is my number one draft "crush" due to his difference making possibilities. He has no real weaknesses as he is an excellent blocker and has a knack for getting open. He may not have the top 40 time amongst tight ends, but he is fast enough that Lawrence could rely on him to get open and most importantly hold onto the ball. He rarely, if ever, drops passes which would be a welcome change around here.
