(05-27-2018, 10:28 AM)Upper Wrote:

(05-27-2018, 08:24 AM)Bullseye Wrote: I'm not sure how you can say these guys weren't blue chippers when they were drafted, or otherwise insinuate they were unworthy of the spots in which they were selected.  All three have been productive players, helped get the team into the playoffs, and performed well in the playoffs once they got there.

Because with all 3 of them you can insert random average player in their shoes and the team would have done just as well or better. I do not think any of them were truly difference makers on our team last year.

Bortles was exactly average last year, Fowler was below average (I do not care much about fluky sack totals, his pressures/run grade/penalties/etc were all bad), and Fournette was pretty much exactly average too. Toss in a random QB and some other same position draft prospects we could have had a little later like Beasley and McCaffrey (not even going to go to the later round beasts like Kamara or Hunt) and we're every bit as good, or I think significantly better. Ramsey you cannot say that about whatsoever, obviously.

How can you say any random player could do what Fowler did last year, then completely disregard the stats that made him above average?

Random player-Tyson Alualu.  Has he ever had the impact Fowler had last year?  He played on the Steelers last year, a team that led the league in sacks.  He was a part time player.  He had exactly half of Fowler's sack totals, excluding the playoffs.

Random player-Kevin Dodd.  Has he come close to the impact Fowler had last year?  Nope.  He too played on a good defense, and had only one sack.

Random player-Shaq Lawson.  He started 10 games for a playoff team.  He had four sacks.

Random player-Jadeveon Clowney.  He started 16 games and got 9.5 sacks.  He could replicate Fowler's totals.

As for Fournette...PLEASE go to the later rounds.  Kamara and Hunt did not face anywhere NEAR the 8 man fronts that Fournette faced.  That's not just about the QBs.  The Saints and Chiefs had established and legitimate skill position threats outside of QB and RB to warrant defensive attention.

Bortles was seen by multiple teams as a blue chip prospect.  Houston was documented as Bortles being their alternative for the #1 overall pick in 2014, and they have drafted pretty decently.  As it stands, he has the Jaguars single season record for TD passes in a year, and took the Jaguars to thee AFC Championship game.  While his game against Buffalo was forgettable, his performances against the Steelers and the Patriots were largely beyond reproach.

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