Quote:I was excited for a while myself, but it's ok too. Like TMD said (and has of course since reneged on) they showed good effort and even if Cleveland does match we were willing to give a FA a record breaking deal that is good.

 

I said earlier 40-50% above the next highest center (with more than double the guaranteed money) was an awfully high price to pay for a very good but not great player. If it happened great but there shouldn't be anger that it didn't. The only thing that got me hopeful was the tweet about the Browns not holding him hostage if he really wanted to leave, but in his own words while he wanted to go to Jax he was also willing and prepared to stay in Cleveland if they did match. Jax preference sure, but definitely not a hostage situation. 

 

The Jags offered a record amount of money to get a non glorified position and a team that had more money and the rights to match appear ready to do just that. Nothing more we could have done.

 

I have not "reneged" on it. I still give Caldwell credit for at least targeting the right guy. Excuse me for showing some disappointment regarding the actual contract we offered him. As this story was building up to last night pre-contract they made it sound as if Caldwell/ the agent would be creative with this thing and make it really difficult for Cleveland to match which got me excited at our chances; thinking that Mack playing for the Jags next year was a legit good chance of happening. That never happened. No, the contract that we ultimately gave Mack looks like its a cake walk for Cleveland to match and yeah as a Jags fan thats a let down. Had we made an offer that was actually a bit creative and tough to match and then Cleveland still matched - well then at that point you tip your hat to the competition and say congrats, and I would have felt better at our effort. THis contract was almost as if it was a favor to Cleveland, it was so easy to match. 

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