(05-28-2022, 10:58 AM)NYC4jags Wrote:

(05-27-2022, 08:18 AM)Mikey Wrote: ....is it that they project having no use for a guy with Ngakoue's skills, or no use for Ngakoue himself?

Careful when painting with a broad brush. Certainly Ngakoue is talented. But can you expect to replicate his skillset in someone else without the ego/history that comes with Yan?

Ngakoue's production in his first 3 years was easily good enough to begin negotiations on a new contract prior to his 4th year.
If you look around at teams that have extended talented players before their final year, or at least begun earnest negotiation to get something done before the first contract expires - Ngakoue's situation fits for either approach. 

The problem was twofold. 

Ngakoue and his agent came in with an unrealistic ask - and the Jags FO came in initially with what the player's camp saw as an insulting offer. 

Eventually, if the leaked numbers are accurate (and we don't really know that), the Jags gave him a pretty good offer. That's where they reportedly ended up. Not where they started. 
He was completely disenfranchised by that point and was determined to seek greener pastures. 

In my mind, both parties failed at the negotiation table. 

It sucks - but the folks flailing about trying to act like we didn't lose a very valuable pass rusher and bashing the player are kidding themselves. Situational pass rushers have great value in this league, even with limited run defense skill. The guy has ended would-be game-winning drives with strip sacks multiple times in his career.
2022 may turn out to be the first year we've had a player come close to matching Ngakoue's pressure and sack numbers since he left. That is a significant loss.

Agreed completely. I don't take umbrage with Ngakoue. But if you expect to be paid like a top player, you either need to perform at that level or prove irreplaceable. While we've not had dominant pass rush in the years since his departure, I'd attribute that a lot more to losing guys like Calais and Ramsey than to us refusing to cave to his demands.

I think his history of relocation is showing that he either is not irreplaceable or is not performing equal to the pay he expects or signs for.

I hope he underperforms for the duration of his time in Indy

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