Ok. I wanted Suh. I wanted Cobb. I wanted McCourty. Got none.

But I'm ok with it. Wasn't at first, thinking dammit they're going on the cheap again.


But a couple things happened. They signed a few players that solidified the team....for a while. Unlike Colts who are going for it with Gore and Johnson...one year..hit or miss..


But the main thing is they tried. Gave it their best, and came our pretty good. Just the effort gave me hope. Like losing a game...lose and leave everything on the field is far more tolerable than lackluster effort.


It's still not over and we have the draft. As a fan, I do want to see substantial improvement this year. We will.


So with any whining or complaints I had, I've shoved them up my own [BLEEP], no help needed from the MB


Let's do this. 2015. Let's hear the pundits say...Where did they come from?

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Blakes Life Matters

I love that they landed a big time FA like Thomas.  I like the other guys and am really intrigued to see Odrick who sounds like he may be a steal.  I am pleased, to say the least.

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“It is the job of thinking people not to be on the side of the executioners.”
― Albert Camus

I didn't think TE was really worth the money but they did. Hey they see something, perfect. But the other guys are studs. Parnell and Oderick. I'm really looking forward in seeing these guys grow with the Jaguars.

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'If you want to get laid, go to college. If you want an education, go to the library.' - Frank Zappa

No one that gets signed early in free agency is really worth the money, but that is how things work in the league.

 

They didn't get all the high end players they wanted, but they targeted some second tier players that filled some pressing needs and didn't give the opportunity for other teams to sign them.

 

The jags made a dedicated effort to fill the needs on this team and the check book wasn't the limiting factor. You have to at least respect what they are trying to do.

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What I love about what the coaches and FO did.. They went after a certain criteria and stuck to it. And in doing so, landed some really good fits for this team. Most of these guys, the team has either played against in 2013 or 2014,so they obviously must have been impressed first hand. (Intriguing in "Surge" Brown's case, the team has seen him 4x's in the past 2 years).


Having been impressed with these players in person, as well as other game tape, and being good matches to the culture and with measurables; one can determine that there has been success for The Jaguars landing free agents they've targeted.


Also, all these acquisitions, save for Odrick and Thomas, filled in quality starter time in limited opportunity. And all thrived. Showing that they can be successful starters in the league.


I am very excited about the holes tgey may have gotten filled and the definite upgrade to the roster, not only from recent free agent signings, but also for those signings yet to come. And definite excitement about the draft boosting the roster. Dorsett or Lockett for that slot. Let's also draft a great rb. I'm just gonna wish it into fruition.


Mostly. I am ecstatic about the idea of Blake and Julius groing together and winning big and alot. Just tge thought of what's to come in 2015. I refuse to temper my expectations. This is the year. Indy did it. Then K.C... It's our time to go from top 3 draft spot to The Playoffs baby!


Go Jags!

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You Gotta Be Able To Run Da' Rock~

It seems like after two years of foundation digging and driving pilings, the frame and walls of this building are suddenly appearing.  

 

They've definitely upgraded the roster.    I'm sorry to lose Red Bryant, and especially J. T. Thomas.   I thought he could have been a great backup linebacker, able to play multiple positions. 

 

We've probably upgraded offensive line and tight end.  Odrick is probably an improvement over the aging Red Bryant.    House is probably a great addition to our CBs.  I don't know about Skuta and Brown.  

 

I'm also impressed with the discipline in the DeMarco Murray business.  They set a value and stuck to it. 

 

I am hoping that we can draft and develop some more offensive linemen.   The offensive line is the core of the team, driving the running game, pass protection, keeping the defense off the field. 

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I didn't think TE was really worth the money but they did. Hey they see something, perfect. But the other guys are studs. Parnell and Oderick. I'm really looking forward in seeing these guys grow with the Jaguars.

 

Well that's the thing with free agency, you tend to overpay as it's a sellers market.  Nature of the beast.  With that said, I think Thomas will be a very productive player for us.

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I'm condescending. That means I talk down to you. 
Check out the Jag's Forum Alternative: Duval Football Fans.

My take on free agency is that the jags had to be very active because Dave and especially Bradley are well aware that Khan will not accept a 3 or 4 game winning season again without making changes next year. With a good draft to follow free agency Dave will have little to worry about but Bradley will be on the hot seat this year if the team should fail to at least have an 8 and 8 season. This is the year the team should take the next step and if it doesn't, as much as I like Bradley,  your record must improve with the additional talent or heads will roll.

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With the small market and losing records, this free agency haul could have been a disaster.  It turned out pretty well.  I applaud Caldwell using funds and being able to attract as many quality free agents as he did thus far.  I think we'll also see some cheap second wave guys that may surprise some.  He has set up this team in a better position heading into the draft.  

 

Thomas delivers an impact upgrade in the passing game.  Odrick delivers a younger, more versatile and athletic starter to the LDE spot.  House was a surprise to me, as I didn't see them going after a starter.  Parnell, Brown, and Skuta filled needs; however, I thought these 3 were reaches.       

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It seems like after two years of foundation digging and driving pilings, the frame and walls of this building are suddenly appearing.


They've definitely upgraded the roster. I'm sorry to lose Red Bryant, and especially J. T. Thomas. I thought he could have been a great backup linebacker, able to play multiple positions.


We've probably upgraded offensive line and tight end. Odrick is probably an improvement over the aging Red Bryant. House is probably a great addition to our CBs. I don't know about Skuta and Brown.


I'm also impressed with the discipline in the DeMarco Murray business. They set a value and stuck to it.


I am hoping that we can draft and develop some more offensive linemen. The offensive line is the core of the team, driving the running game, pass protection, keeping the defense off the field.

I agree with u on J.T. and the oline especially

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You Gotta Be Able To Run Da' Rock~

I think that Thomas is a quantum improvement at TE over M. Lewis (as far as the passing game is concerned). I'm hoping that Odrick will be more successful than Red Bryant was at dealing with the run. I also hope that Parnell will be a quantum improvement for us at offensive RT. At the least, he couldn't be worse than what we had there last year. Along with the other f/a acquisitions, I think we did pretty good so far. We didn't go out and just throw cap money away chasing names (although one wonders at the size of the contracts for some players like Parnell).

 

I think that the goal of 'building through the draft and supplementing through f/a' is a good one and worth sticking with, even though it doesn't give overnight results. It is possible via f/a to turn a team around virtually overnight, but I'm inclined to view those kind of results as having very short term payoff with long term debt. I still think we are wise to try to follow the example of those older successful teams who've built via the draft. It just makes sense that if you want success you follow the example of successful teams.

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I y'ams who I y'ams and thats all I y'ams...

My take on free agency is that the jags had to be very active because Dave and especially Bradley are well aware that Khan will not accept a 3 or 4 game winning season again without making changes next year. With a good draft to follow free agency Dave will have little to worry about but Bradley will be on the hot seat this year if the team should fail to at least have an 8 and 8 season. This is the year the team should take the next step and if it doesn't, as much as I like Bradley,  your record must improve with the additional talent or heads will roll.

Going 8-8 this season would be great, but I would be okay if they can reach 6-10. Hey, I know 6-10 is setting the bar pretty low, but remembering what our record has been the last couple of years it seems like 6-10 would be an appreciable improvement... if it's followed up the next season with at least 8-8. If we reach 6-10 this season and then next season we fail to do reach at least 8-8... well, it would call into question the validity of Gus as a head coach, I think. I mean if a team can't crack at least 8-8 in four years after a complete gut of the 'riff-raff' and rebuild with solid players... I have to start thinking it's the coaching. That's true of this season too if we can't at least crack 6-10. The 'Gus juice' is only potent for so long.

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I y'ams who I y'ams and thats all I y'ams...

I think that Thomas is a quantum improvement at TE over M. Lewis (as far as the passing game is concerned). I'm hoping that Odrick will be more successful than Red Bryant was at dealing with the run. I also hope that Parnell will be a quantum improvement for us at offensive RT. At the least, he couldn't be worse than what we had there last year. Along with the other f/a acquisitions, I think we did pretty good so far. We didn't go out and just throw cap money away chasing names (although one wonders at the size of the contracts for some players like Parnell).

 

I think that the goal of 'building through the draft and supplementing through f/a' is a good one and worth sticking with, even though it doesn't give overnight results. It is possible via f/a to turn a team around virtually overnight, but I'm inclined to view those kind of results as having very short term payoff with long term debt. I still think we are wise to try to follow the example of those older successful teams who've built via the draft. It just makes sense that if you want success you follow the example of successful teams.

 

The best teams draft well.   They don't use free agency to build their team because they can't.   Their draft picks are good enough to warrant a second, higher-priced contract, and that doesn't leave much room under the cap for high priced free agents.   We have all this cap room because of all the bad drafting under prior regimes.  

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I think it all depends what your expectations were.


If you thought that we'd go into this with money to burn and come out of it with a collection of superstars who are household names, you'll probably be a little disappointed. We don't get Cobb, Bulaga, McCourtey or Murray and we didn't even pursue Suh.


But if you are hoping for some sensible, less high profile signings who can probably improve our roster then you'll be impressed I think.

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The value in the deals is irrelevant.  You spend what you have to spend.  The Jags had the luxury of having a ton of cap space to work with, knowing that they'd have to spend a good portion of that to work towards being compliant with the league rules around spending to the 89% mark.  So, spending a little more than the fans would prefer to get free agents early in the process means very little.  It is what it is, and the team has to spend that money.

 

To the OPs point about not getting Suh, McCourty, or Cobb, 2 of the 3 were never an option, so it's easy to let them go.  As for Suh, based on what Miami paid to get him, we're better off.  Yes, Suh is a dominant player, but is that much more dominant than what we currently have on the roster that he's worth that much more money?  I don't think so.  DT was not a major issue for this team coming into free agency.  I think the team set a price point for him, and they weren't going to deviate from that.  In the end Miami gave up a ton of guaranteed money in order to secure his services.  That's fine.  We'll be fine. 

 

I think it's a little premature to declare the dust settled.  I don't think we're anywhere close to being done with free agency.  The initial first wave has passed, but there will be plenty of other options for this team to explore, and if there are upgrades to be had, I have no doubt Dave and Co will pursue them. 

 

In the end, what Marty said above is accurate.  The good teams draft well.  They don't build through free agency.  They supplement.  To the extent that this team has utilized free agency, I'd say that's the approach they're taking.  We had a lot of lousy drafts to overcome, and they're being very methodical in their approach to rebuilding this roster.  They're not going out and just throwing money around wrecklessly.  The acquisitions they're making help this team get better while continuing to build through the draft.  I believe that over time, this now very young roster will start to develop the kind of successful players that will see us eating up more of our cap space on retaining talent than acquring new guys.  It will even (hopefully) get to the point where we're having to let some of that talent walk because we've drafted equally effective players to replace the more expensive vets.  That's really how the good teams maintain.  It all comes down to drafting well, and while this team historically hasn't done such a great job, I think we're seeing that change over the past couple of years, and there's no reason to think it won't continue.

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Never argue with idiots. They drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

It's a good group, I think.  Dave tried to identify players who were role players or backups and who performed well when given the chance to start.  Some of these guys probably won't pan out, but hopefully several will be core players.  The guy that most intrigues me is Dan Skuta.  He looks like the kind of old-school LB that sets the tone for the D.

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