Free Agency differs greatly from the College Draft in as much as the player actually has a say on where he wants to go and play.

 

All players want to play for a team that has a chance to win a Super Bowl, because it is the defining moment in a player's career.

 

While Jacksonville may be a nice place to live and raise a family it is not a Big City and it does not look like the Jaguars will get to the Super Bowl in the next two years.

 

What the Jaguars do have is a lot of money to spend on Free Agent Player contracts.

 

The Jaguars also have a very infectiously optimistic Head Coach who seems to be a Players Coach.

 

So the Jaguars will most likely attract one of two types of players.

 

The first type would sign with the Jags because the Jags can grossly overpay him.

 

Remembering that only guaranteed money is the money the player can count on, the Jags can and most likely will overpay certain players.

 

The second type of player that will sign with the Jags is the type that is looking for that right fit with a team that is on the rise. These players typically are not the front line Stars in the league, rather they still have something to prove in their careers, due most likely to changes in the coaching staffs of the teams that originally drafted them.

 

The second type of player seems to be the more predominate target for the Jags because both sides, the team and player are pledging to work together towards a common goal that of creating a winner.

 

I am of the opinion that the Jags will not sign many Star players in Free Agency who seek to "Get Paid".

 

The Jaguars will attempt to find those hidden gems in Free Agency that are still "Hungry" and have the "Will to Win" based upon the desire to be part of something greater than themselves. Something that has not yet been built and to which these players can make themselves an integral part thereof.

 

Relating this to the topic of Julius Thomas, I get the feeling that he is more of a player that wants to "Get Paid" and "Cash In" on this opportunity to set himself up financially for the rest of his life. There is nothing wrong with that approach, strictly speaking.

 

I also believe that Julius Thomas craves the spotlight and thus will look for a team that will emphasize his skillset and use it to compete for Championships. While I do believe that if the team were to sign Julius Thomas they would use him, I am not so certain they will use him in the manner that the Star Julius Thomas thinks is appropriate.

 

Over the past two seasons, Julius Thomas has entered the national spotlight and has become a household name at least in football fan circles. He has worked hard to create that image and right now I do not think he will want to come to the proverbial Siberia of Football, Jacksonville, Florida and play for a struggle 3-13 football team. His window to shine is just too short.

 

I think Jordan Cameron of the Browns has a similar mindset.

 

I think that Charles Clay of the Dolphins might consider the Jaguars, but more and more the tea leaves tell me that a player like Rob Housler who had some success under Whisenhut in Arizona, might be more the player to target.

 

Rob Housler had two season, 2012 and 2013, where he caught close to 40 receptions. Coming out of Florida Atlantic he ran a 4.55 - 40 and he has large hands. He is by no-means a Star and so he does not bring his Star mentality with him. What I think he wants is an opportunity to show what he has and talent-wise it is substantial.

 

In the stock market, the old adage is "Buy Low - Sell High".

 

This is exactly the opposite of the circumstance surrounding Julius Thomas, while it totally applies to Rob Housler.

 

Lastly, while the Jags have 61 Mil available to spend in Free Agency, the Jags have so many holes in their roster.

 

If we are to take Gus at his word, then the Jags will bring in close to 15 new players that will make this roster.

 

Perhaps half of those players will come from Free Agency.

 

So if the Jags are to sign 6 to 7 players in Free Agency, it is a good bet that these players will most likely not be the Top Tier Free Agents.

 

Perhaps one or two of these Free Agents could be Top Tier at their position, say like Brian Bulaga, or Jason Pierre Paul , or Jerry Hughes.

 

Yet for the most part, I believe the Free Agent the Jags sign, will be like SenDerrick Marks, Chris Clemons, Roy Miller, Zane Beadles. All quality Free Agents but with something to prove or something to contribute.

 

Jaguar fans want the BIG SEXY NAMES because they recognize them and want their team to be identified with STAR Players.

 

Gus is building something that is special and the players who sign have to see that vision themselves and be ready to be "All In" with their contribution and their place within the structure of the team.

 

The Free Agents that succeed here will become Stars in their own right but they will have found their Stardom within the success of the Jaguars Team Concept, just like the Seattle Seahawks.

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