1. We are now a month away from the NFL draft. I've been a football fan for 38 years now, and a draftnik since 1983, and after all this time, I still get as excited as ever about the draft-though a cynic might suggest otherwise considering the Jaguars numerous draft day failures over the years. The draft brings out the eternal optimist in almost every football fan.
2. People have been discussing the expected W-L improvement the Jaguars should have given the schedule. The thinking is since the Jaguars are playing against the NFC South, which had a losing team win the division, at minimum their interconference schedule should be soft enough to see the Jaguars eke out a few more wins. However, I would not be so quick to pencil in the Tampa game as a W just yet. If they hit on Winston, they could almost instantly turn into a formidable offense. They have a very good offensive coordinator in Dirk Koetter, who turned Garrard into a respectable QB for a year or so. They have just about all the skill position help for Winston they could want with Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson. Those twin towers at WR (both 6-5), along with 2nd year TE Austin Sefarian Jenkins, would be tough matchups for just about any secondary. If they can just get him healthy, Doug Martin can be a viable ground threat, but he hasn't been healthy since his rookie year. However, there are several good RBs in this draft to help take the pressure off of him in case they have lost faith in Martin. There is a lot of work to do, however, on the offensive line and on defense. Tampa is certainly a winnable game for us, make no mistake. But if they hit on Winston, it won't be an easy W.
3. In the years before Bortles, much of the pre-draft debate would focus on the high bust rate at the QB position by those risk averse fans wanting to avoid a bust with a first round pick. Unless I have missed a discussion on this, it is strange that we have not had similar discussions regarding the DE/OLB/Edge rushers in this draft, especially since we need one in a big way. The fact is, there has been a very high bust rate among these teams that have chased pass rushers over the last 30 years. Draft history over that time is littered with guys like Erik Kumerow, Mike Mamula, Aundray Bruce, Huey Richardson, John Thierry, Eric Curry, Bill Hawkins, Shante Carver, Cedric Jones, Regan Upshaw, Reinard Wilson, Jamal Reynolds, and Quentin Groves. Interesting and perhaps cruel post script. One of the few tweener successes over that time was one Hugh Douglas.
4. Given that Demarco Murray stated a preference for staying with Dallas and that Romo stated he would have been willing to restructure his deal and take a paycut to accomodate keeping Murray, I can't help but think Jerry Jones, Stephen Jones and the Dallas brass was more apt to credit the Dallas offensive line with the success of the running game and offense than they were to give Demarco Murray credit for finally staying healthy and putting it all together. Understanding Dallas is a team that likes star caliber players and likes making splashes during the draft, even though there is a need at RB for them, it would not be a total shock to see them go defense early and take advantage of a deep RB class and take a RB in the 2nd or 3rd round.
5. Cleveland had a desperate need for a WR last draft, and completely ignored the position in what was one of the deepest WR draft classes in NFL history. There is talk that this year's WR class is just as deep, if not deeper, than last year's class. I wonder if Cleveland will make the same mistake this year and not address the position.
6. I still find Chicago-perhaps the longest running continuous 4-3 team I've seen-and Fox-traditionally a 4-3 coach-going to the 3-4 fascinating. It will be interesting to watch them build their defense.
7. A nightmare scenario for me would be for the Chargers to trade Phillip Rivers to either Tennessee or Houston in the effort to obtain Mariota. Not that I care so much about the Chargers getting Mariota, but the thought of Phillip Rivers going to Houston or Tennessee is scary. He has traditionally picked the Jaguars apart. Though he is 34, he seemingly has avoided any major injuries, and should be a viable QB for at least a couple of seasons. Part of the optimism Jaguars fans have had in the aftermath of all of these disastrous seasons is the idea that Bortles could ascend to the second best QB in the division this year. If Rivers is introduced into this division, the proposition of Bortles being the second best QB in the division and Jacksonville becoming more viable for a possible wildcard become much tougher to make.
Worst to 1st. Curse Reversed!
