Quote:One additional thought about the rookies.

 

There is an understandable reluctance to rely to heavily upon rookie contributions to lift the team.  Caldwell himself said anyone relying on rookies to key a turnaround is asking for trouble.

 

Rookies can be inconsistent and unreliable.

 

But nowhere in Caldwell's statement, or the observation that rookies have questionable reliability is it absolutely mandated that rookies are precluded from making any positive contribution.

 

To the contrary.  Jaguars history and NFL history is replete with rookies making favorable first year contributions to making teams better as a whole.

 

Boselli was a rookie in 1995, and not only was the best player on the team the second he stepped on the field, but by season's end was one of the best in the league.

 

1996 saw three rookies-LB Kevin Hardy, DE Tony Brackens, and CB Aaron Beasley-bolster the Jaguars defense, lifting it up to 11th and helping the Jaguars to reach the conference championship in the team's second year.

 

Fred Taylor and Donovin Darius used their rookie years to give the Jaguars their best RB and SS in team history as both contributed mightily to the team's 3rd straight playoff run.

 

John Henderson showed early signs of dominance in his rookie year, notching 3 sacks in the win against Philadelphia.

 

Rashean Mathis, Vince Manuwai, MJD, Brandon Linder and others have also made positive contributions to the team as rookies.

 

There are other examples throughout the league.

 

The 1981 49ers saw contributions from 3 rookie DBs, Ronnie Lott, Carlton Williamson, and Eric Wright as they all started on the 49ers first Super Bowl team.

 

The 1991 Cowboys had four rookies starting by midseason-WR Alvin Harper, DT Russell Maryland, RT Erik Williams, and LB Dixon Edwards and all of them keyed the first playoff run for what would be the team of the 1990s.

 

Randy Moss turned the Vikings from a borderline playoff team to a league best 15-1 season and an appearance in the NFC championship in his rookie season.

 

Rookies make mental mistakes.  Rookies are still growing into their bodies, hit the proverbial rookie wall, and still struggle to learn the intricacies of the pro game.  However, those factors are not an absolute bar on them being catalysts in the right circumstances.  I think Ramsey and Jack-by most expert observers opinions-are perfect fits for this defensive scheme.  Thus far, both seem to have picked up the scheme pretty quickly according to Bradley.  Both have the physical traits to be great players in this league.  While the occasional bump is to be expected, I think the chances are good that the members of this year's Jaguars rookie class can contribute to improved performance on the defensive side of the ball.