(03-05-2024, 06:01 PM)Jag149 Wrote:

(03-05-2024, 04:25 PM)Caldrac Wrote: We're not far away, but, we're not close neither. We're in that weird limbo phase, where it's purgatory in the off season. I said it a few times already in various threads, not shy or bashful by any means, I know it's overreaction here and there. 

Am I bummed that they couldn't get an extension done with Josh Allen? Yes.

Am I bummed that it's possible that Calvin Ridley can leave for another team, potentially a direct AFC competitor that comes back to bite us down the road? Yes. 

Do I think we should abandon all hope, sell our stocks and get out of the market of being a Jaguars fan for good? No. Of course not. Been through it all since I was seven years old. The good, the bad and the ugly. 

It does feel like though, that, this was one of the more important off seasons this franchise has had in ages. It feels a little underwhelming. It also hasn't officially kicked off yet. As the market and new calendar year officially starts next Wednesday. 

Here's how I see it, as it stands today. 

We're in the market for a CB2, a DT/NT and a WR1 at the minimum. Can they sign all of these needs in free agency? Yes. Will they? I don't know. We'll [BLEEP] around and find out I guess. 

What else does the team need? C, LG and maybe a RG for sure. If you're factoring in last year's draft class? Baalke is potentially operating, along with Pederson's blessing, that, some of these needs are already filled on the roster. 

I believe Antonio Johnson is for sure a starter in this secondary next year. Whether that's at safety in Jenkins old role or playing a little bit of his role and the nickel CB role? We'll see. 

I believe there's some good developmental prospects on this roster as well from last year and the year prior. I like Buster Brown. I like Braswell out of Rutgers. They may or may not bring back Chris Herndon as well. Is he a world beater? No. Is he serviceable? Certainly. 

Once they start signing players next week though it'll help most of us guesstimate what they're planning on doing in the draft. I expect maybe ONE really good signing in the trenches on either side of the football and then maybe two to three "B" grade type signings as insurance policies. 

It at least allows you to breath a little bit in the draft.

Yea, we are currently kind of stuck in the mid level purgatory. We were last year but 3 remarkable plays allowing us to make the playoffs disguised that. This year's free agency and draft is pretty important. It has to allow us to take the next step.  I agree we are in the market for a CB (slot), DT (extra large please) and a WR.  I would add we need two guards and a center. It is imperative we revamp the interior of our offensive line. This includes many of our interior line backups. Our line has under performed for more than a few seasons with the mostly same cast of players there. Doing that yet again next season would be some form of insanity. It is time to cut many of those guys loose and move on giving others a chance.  At least we would have new guys to be disappointed in.

We were very lucky and fortunate in some cases back in 2022. It came all the way down to week 17 and a score on defense to seal that divisional title and home play-off appearance as the 4th seed in the AFC. 

I think we're all in agreement, locally, and in some cases, nationally, that, this team must improve it's line play across the board. Especially within the interior. 

Hopefully clearing up this much cap space with more potential cuts looming, that, they can at least achieve some competent touch-up's in the market. I think a lot of this is hinging on how this front office drafted in 2023 with those thirteen or fourteen selections.

Granted, they only invested a 1st and 7th RD pick on the offensive line last year. So, it'll be interesting to see the approach in April. The promising part was that they reportedly interviewed 12 offensive lineman. That would indicate to me that they're looking at this correctly and expecting multiple opportunities on every day of the draft to add a player or two. 

(03-06-2024, 07:57 AM)homebiscuit Wrote: How long does it take to knock the rust off a period of inactivity? I keep seeing references to Ridley’s time out of the league as an excuse. I’m not knocking the people who are saying it, I’m just genuinely curious about how long it takes to be proficient after one entire offseason and season to get back into game mode. It’s not like he’s learning something for the first time.

I don't think it's a big excuse, but, being out of football for two years would impact any athlete. Being out of work period, for most people, would require some rust to come off. It's not just the physical aspect of it as well, it's the mental aspect of it, it's the moving your family aspect, getting to know a new location, system, players, people, etc. aspect. 

At any rate. I don't think it matters. I am pretty sure he'll bolt for the highest bidder or take an opportunity on a 1 - 2 year rental on a more competent and competitive football team. We'll [BLEEP] around and find out more than likely, FAFO, as the kid's say. Would I care if he signed up on a team like the Panthers or Giants?

Nope. Not really. BUT... if he signs up on a team like the Chiefs, Bengals or Ravens? It's going to sting twice more than likely. Sting seeing him hit those 70+, 1200+, 10+ marks and sting again when he's lining up against somebody in our secondary in a meaningful play-off game.

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(03-06-2024, 08:51 AM)Jaguarmeister Wrote: Could be we offered both guys very nice contracts and neither signed because nothing compelled them to sign at this particular time with free agency days away.  Deadlines compel people to sign.  I get it. It has to be Baalke’s fault because we’re in full on fan the flames mode.

From Ridley’s point of view, there was no deadline. It was either sign something without seeing the market or test the market and have multiple teams bid up your price, then sign. Color me shocked he chose the latter.

From Allen’s point of view, there also was no deadline unless helping the team tag Ridley was a concern of his.  Color me shocked it wasn’t.  It was either sign without seeing the market and help the team or wait and see what the market is for pass rushers that are actually hitting the market and then use the quite often overpays of free agency to argue for a better deal with the Jags.

There’s no reason to get upset here.  Players will almost always take the path that helps their argument in contract negotiations as they are being advised to do.  Just imagine being one of them and getting a top of market offer by the Jags days before free agency.  Wouldn’t the thought process be “well if they’re willing to give me top of market money to not see free agency, what’s really behind the curtain for me?”  I feel like you’d have to offer way over top of market to get a signature from guys who are expected to see top of market bids in free agency or be dealing with a guy like Mike Evans who played his whole career with your team and negotiating what is likely his last meaningful contract and him likely preferring to retire on the team he was drafted by.

It's a big game of chicken with a lot of money and pride involved for the general manager, the player and the player's agent. That's all it comes down to. 

You have two players essentially highlighting the very top of the market at their respective positions now. They're waiting on everybody else to circle their wagons and play catch-up with their deals.

Bottomline. Allen's getting paid a King's Ransom to stay in Jacksonville at some point between now and July. Ridley's fixing to set the market for his position on either a 1 - 2 year deal for a competitive team or he'll take the 3 - 4 year deal that ensures himself and his family are set as he approaches the age of 30 in the NFL.

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