(11-19-2024, 05:58 PM)JagFan81 Wrote: (11-19-2024, 05:33 PM)jaglou53 Wrote: Very good synopsis of the team's financial state. The toughest decisions to me are:
1. Walker Little: If he continues to play well, I'd have to offer him a new deal. He can play on the left or right side and hope Harrison improves. They may have to pay him more than they'd like, but it would also allow them to take the BPA in the draft rather than reach for a tackle out of need. If they do let him go, however, I'd move Harrison to left tackle and draft a right tackle in round 2. Just don't think they can count on Foster to make a huge leap in year 2.
2. Andre Cisco: How far he has dropped since the beginning of this season! Is his poor performance due primarily to a terrible defensive scheme or for other reasons? No doubt, this guy has a very good skill-set and if not re-signed is likely to go the route of many other ex-Jaguars who were prematurely given up on only to excel with another team. He is still only 24 years old so I'd try to keep him as long as he doesn't make totally unreasonable demands for his new deal.
3. Brandon Scherff: It wouldn't surprise me if he decides to retire. He wouldn't be bad to keep as a back-up if they could agree to a slightly lower price. If he doesn't I'd let him go as his best days are way in the past. Hodges showed some promise, especially as a run-blocker and could compete with a rookie draft pick.
4. Christian Kirk: Another tough choice. His inability to remain healthy is a big problem and the team would still take a pretty big cap hit if he's released. He also has a very good rapport with Lawrence and Gabe Davis was a terrible free agent who would make a poor #2 receiver behind Thomas. For that reason, I'd likely keep Kirk one more season and continue to give Parker Washington work in the slot to see if he could be a good replacement in 2026.
5. Most of the other players you mentioned are backups except Darby (let him go) and Duvernay (same). I'd keep Hamilton as his play has improved and the defensive tackle position is very poor.
I agree. There's some tough choices to make. Thankfully there's no major decisions this offseason.
1- This is I think the toughest decision. We let Cam go so we only really have Little and Harrison as starting Tackles. OL gets overpaid in FA so may be tempted to test it so like you say, may have to pay him a bit more if we want to keep him. I think that's a great point in regards the draft. If we let him walk, we now have to add a T. That may be on the new GM's list anyway but we'd need to find a starter so I'd guess 2nd Round pick or someone in FA. Does that stop you bringing in a potential starter elsewhere on the roster to fill that hole?
2- Cisco has had a bad year but I'd like to keep him. Maybe something like a 2 year deal that gives us the option to move on if he's still struggling and if he turns it around gives him the chance of a decent payday. He's still very young and had been taking those steps until this year. The fact the whole D has struggled makes me want to give him the benefit of the doubt that it's an off year.
3- It would certainly help if Scherff retired but he may want that $14m for one last year. I like him for his experience and seems a good locker room influence, we need to develop that leaders culture but I wonder if the new HC hire may sway him one way or the other.
4- Kirk is a real tough choice. Been so good for us but his struggle to stay healthy is a worry. He looked off from the start this year and BTJ has really stepped up. I like Washington and Kirk may survive as Gabe hasn't proven a trusted WR and Duverney has had limited snaps at WR. I'd like to see us make a move in FA or the draft for a WR but we have a lot of areas to improve. I agree with you I'd keep him for next season, have that experience for the younger WR's and hope he bounces back.
I'd like to think whoever is HC next year can get some more from what we have on the roster. I still maintain we have talent on this roster, it's not stacked or loaded but we have some pieces. We don't know what system or scheme they will want to run but they may fit into that so will have value.
Agree that there is talent on this roster and the new coaching staff just needs to utilize them better. Hopefully the new General Manager (Baalke must go) will prioritize the interior of both lines in free agency and the draft. The Lions have great skill players, but they wouldn't be nearly as productive if playing behind a line like the Jaguars. If they were going to spend a lot of money on one player in free agency, it would be Tre Smith.
