Quote:The writing was on the wall some time ago.

 

Had the Jaguars not maintained their idiotic posturing, they would have worked out a trade when Jones-Drew held out. This is basic NFL franchise stuff. The only successful way to follow-through is to deal the unhappy player away. Real NFL franchises know this and don't care to create the air of ill-will between players and management nor see a player known as the face of their franchise one day be treated like a slave the next day.

 

The marriage was over by the time it ever got to a hold-out. The Jaguars got their contract terms out of Maurice, but they've lost everything.

 

Instead, the worst franchise in the NFL took a giant, toxic misstep of threatening Jones-Drew with the obsessive fines angle contract language. This kind of badgering, slave v. master ill-will added to the reputation of Jacksonville being nothing more than a last-ditch place for quality free agents to land.

 

Players are assets above all else. You never allow a solid veteran player to walk without getting something in return. Sure there are circumstances where it is impossible. That's true, but not dealing appropriately with Jones-Drew has now left the franchise empty-handed.

 

I'm fairly sure when Maurice got hurt, there was a brown-noser's sense of delight among many so called Jaguars fans.

 

In the end, the dysfunctional Jaguars proved once again they are bush-leaguers, the lore of NFL jousters.

 

 No self-respecting NFL free agent wants risk the same kind of disrespectful treatment the Jaguars' franchise is known for. 

 

Agents beware. Nothing has really changed in Jacksonville. Take it from a Jaguars' fan. Find a better home for your client.