(05-01-2022, 04:18 PM)Newton Wrote:

(05-01-2022, 03:23 PM)jaglou53 Wrote: After seeing multiple negative comments about Baalke, I was very pleased when Khan indicated his intention of hiring someone over him. Khan did not give a specific time this would happen, but he certainly implied that it would be prior to the draft. Spielman was specifically named as a strong possibility for some position with the team. The fact that Khan mislead the fans is not Baalke's fault.

Regarding Baalke's track record as G.M. in acquiring talent, he has had his good and bad moments like most others in that position. NOBODY knows for sure how his first 2 draft classes as general manager will end up. The same goes for the group of free agents he signed during this off-season. The majority of people on this Board have been very negative about this draft. I totally get that since this team has made more blunders in the draft over the past 15 years than any other NFL team. Our high hopes for players like Justin Blackmon, Blaine Gabbert, Matt Jones, Leonard Fournette, Blake Bortles and Dante Fowler have left us greatly disappointed and feeling that this team will NEVER get it right. Who can blame these fans for their pessimism regarding any decisions made by this team? When it looked like they were finally getting it right in 2017-18, they proceeded to immediately return to football oblivion the next season.

All that being said, Marty, I appreciate your rational comments regarding Baalke and his decisions during this draft. If the Ravens had made the same trade to get Lloyd, the media would have called it "genius." I don't expect the Jaguars to immediately contend for the playoffs in 2022-23 as their offense still has legitimate question marks. Teams picking first in consecutive drafts have just too many weaknesses for dramatic turnarounds in one season. I expect this team to be legitimate playoff contenders in 2023-24 and beyond as they are now building a solid nucleus lead by Trevor Lawrence.

Agree with most of this. I think getting Pederson in the building as head coach is/was more important than any single draft pick for Trevor’s development. Giving him a defense that can actually get turnovers and provide field position will be a huge help, indirectly. I hope we finally see some competitive ball around Duval this year, even if a true playoff push does not occur this season. However, I will say, when 2017 started, I did not see us being good that year either, but enough pieces and luck came together. Let’s hope for at least fun to watch football next year.