Quote:I mentioned this ^ earlier but I'll say it one more time:


Thomas (and others) showed signs of phoning it in by trotting through their routes occasionally when Bortles was several weeks into his mechanics meltdown.


I don't blame them for being frustrated at that point, but it's very possible that Marrone became upset enough by Thomas' lack of effort that he releases him or asks Caldwell to try dealing him away.


Looking at <a class="bbc_url" href='http://overthecap.com/player/julius-thomas/26/'>his salary due and dead money however</a>, it really makes more sense to keep him this season and send him packing in 2018 if he doesn't rebound with the new offensive playbook. The Jags would only save 1.7 mil by releasing him this season, but would save 7.4 mil next year.


If they trade him this offseason they could save 4.7 mil this year but would still be on the hook for 3.6 mil because of the contract's structure.


(all of these numbers are according to overthecap.com)

I know. I read it and I do agree that he was phoning it in sometimes but for me that isn't a major red flag for a couple reasons.


1. I've seen plenty of talented guys do it. It's not ideal but we know he can turn it on and he can be motivated.


2. I could see myself being pretty deflated playing last season for that regime. We have a new one now and he deserves a chance to show them what he's got.


Major red flags to me are moreso the things like drug use, alcoholism, dangerous off field behavior...Etc.


My reasoning for thinking and hoping he stays is basically that you can't fill every hole every offseason. If we release him, that's one more major area that needs attention. He's a well above average tight end when he's trying. If they can salvage him, that helps the team the most.

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