Now that the 2014-2015 NFL season has officially came to an end, with the New England Patriots hoisting the Lombardi trophy, it is officially time to start looking towards the part of the season where every single fan of losing teams have hope that their team will finally stop the losing trend, and every fan of winning teams hope that their team can keep their main core of players in tact in an effort to make a push towards the big game.
Now for the most part, many of the winning teams will keep winning games next year, while quite a few of the losing teams will keep disappointing their fans, and have them thinking about the next year and the one after that (Don’t worry, having followed the Lions since the Joey Harrington days I just wait for the team to implode and get yet another top 10 pick, even when they have many talented players).
So we’ll see where I go with it in the future, but for my first blog post I thought that I might look at one of most sad franchises in the NFL from the past couple years, and take a look at what they could do to possibly “right their ship” to an extent, in order to try to make it back to the playoffs. A feat that the franchise hasn’t been able to accomplish since 2007. Ladies and gentleman, the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Since their 11-5 season in 2007, where they lost in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs to the undefeated 16-0 New England Patriots, the Jaguars have struggled to say the least. Ever since that last playoff game, the Jaguars have went 34-79 in 7 seasons. That is saying a lot considering the team had a 4 year span, from 2004-2007 where they had a combined record of 40-24. Just think about that for a second. In a 4 season span, the franchise had 6 more wins than they have been able to pile up in the last 7 seasons combined. That’s just unfortunate.
Resigning Period
Fortunately for them however, they have the most cap space in the NFL with just under $61 million dollars to spend. In my eyes they only have 4 fairly large decisions to make regarding their own free agents, starting with defensive end Tyson Alualu. He made about $3 million dollars last year and in 5 years of starting, he has only had 13 sacks combined and only 2 last year and only 30 tackles, which was his lowest output of his career. So I wouldn’t be surprised if they cut bait with him.
Another player they may resign is linebacker Geno Hayes. He didn’t have a very good year last year, but it wasn’t terrible either. Stats wise he had 51 tackles and 2 sacks. Not too much output, but he did only account for about $1 million against the cap, so if I was the Jaguars, I may be inclined to sign him, but it could go either way.
Another player that may be resigned is Alan Ball at cornerback. He only started and played in 7 games last year, but he was able to rack up 22 tackles, 3 pass deflections and an interception as well. Not too bad for only getting 7 games of playing time. He played last year for about $1.3 million, and if the Jags could get him for around the same number I say sign him. Dwayne Gratz seems to be the only solid, young corner on that team, so they could use some help when it comes to depth.
Finally, I would say they should resign Cecil Shorts at wide receiver. Shorts had 557 receiving yards last year with only 1 touchdown, but he is only 2 years removed from having 979 yards with 7 touchdowns, so some potential is there. He accounted for $1.5 million last year, and if they could also get him for around the same price I would also say sign the man.
Offense
If they were able to sign Ball, Hayes, and Shorts for roughly the same number as last year, then they would be looking at about $58 million dollars in spending money. Focusing on Jacksonville’s offense, I like the direction that this team is headed. Assuming Shorts stays, they have a solid, young receiving core with Allen Hurns, Allen Robinson, and Marqise Lee all finishing their rookie campaigns with over 400 yards each. Also not to mention Justin Blackmon may be coming back after missing the entire season due to suspension. He was the 5th overall pick by the Jaguars in 2013 and he brought in 29 catches for 415 yards and a touchdown his rookie year. If he can stay out of trouble, that is just another weapon that they could use in their arsenal. When it comes to their tight ends, Mercedes Lewis leads the way. Having been in Jacksonville for 9 seasons, last year was his least productive since his rookie season in 2006, gathering only 18 catches for 206 yards and 2 touchdowns in 8 games played. Clay Harbor is their second tight end, who finished the year with 26 catches and 289 yards and 1 touchdown. Neither of these guys seem to be the answer at tight end, since Lewis is past his prime and Harbor just isn't that standout starter. This position also may be a need in this offseason.
Former Michigan quarterback, Denard Robinson, lead them in rushing after being made into a running back in the NFL. He had 582 yards with 4 touchdowns and 4.3 yards per carry last year, showing some potential. Being under 200 pounds at the running back position could cause some concerns, so they may try to draft one or bring one in through free agency to split the load with Robinson.
Blake Bortles finished his rookie year with just under 59% completions and just over 2900 yards passing with 11 touchdowns, compared to 17 interceptions. Not very productive, but being his rookie year I’ll give him a pass, especially with the atrocious play of the offensive line. The Jaguars gave up 71 sacks last year as a team, finishing last in the NFL and Bortles was on the receiving end of 55 of them. You can’t expect your QB to be effective with that lack of protection and time in the pocket, so I see offensive line being the #1 focus in the draft or offseason.
Defense
Now onto the defensive side of things, starting with the defensive line. As a unit with their starting front 4 in Chris Clemons, Sen’Derrick Marks, Red Bryant, and Roy Miller, they were able to compile 18.5 sacks. But that can be skewed considering 16.5 of them were between 2 players (Clemons with 8 and Marks with 8.5). Marks’ 8.5 sacks was a career high for him. By the looks of it, Clemons and Marks look like the only 2 players along that front that are safe from any change.
Paul Posluszny leads the linebacker group, even thought he only played 7 games last year due to injury, but he still managed to compile 69 combined tackles, and 2 sacks. When starting at least 12 games in a season, he’s been able to get over 100 tackles each year, which is pretty impressive. Telvin Smith was a rookie this past year, drafted in the 5th round out of Florida State. He was able to play all 16 games, getting 104 combined tackles, along with 2 sacks, a forced fumble, and 4 pass deflections. I wasn’t able to see him play this year, but by those numbers I think he did enough to get another shot next year. Geno Hayes, if resigned, could be a candidate for being replaced (see stats above). His stats weren’t staggering, and that could result in him being placed as a back up. They could draft his replacement, or maybe go after somebody in free agency.
Now onto the secondary. Demetrius McCray and Dwayne Gratz were the starting corners, with Johnathan Cyprien and Josh Evans being the duo of safeties. Cyprien and Evans were 2 of the top 3 tacklers on the team this past year. Let’s start with Evans, who will be going into his 3rd year. He had 90 combined tackles to go along with 2 fumble recoveries. You may want to see more stats rather than just tackles, but being only his 2nd year and showing improvement, I think he’ll be safe. Cyprien is also going into his 3rd year, after getting 114 combined tackles this past year, following his 104 combined tackles in his rookie campaign. He also had 4 pass deflections, but other than that he didn’t have any takeaways or sacks, but he is in the same boat as Evans, so I think he also gets a pass. Now lets check out these corners. Lets start with Demetrius McCray. Though he raised his stats from his rookie year, he still didn’t have a great year. He had 49 combined tackles and 3 deflected passes. Of course he wasn’t exactly expected to be great after being selected in the 7th round from Appalachian State in 2013. Dwayne Gratz was also drafted in 2013 in the 3rd round out of Connecticut. Gratz had 55 combined tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 interception for a touchdown, and 9 pass deflections. He was definitely the more improved of the 2 and I think he proved himself to get a starting spot next year. They could also be looking for a corner in this upcoming draft or in free agency with the lack of production from McCray.
Draft Free Agency
Looking towards the draft/free agency they have a lot of flexibility with their cap space. I would guess that they would look for a RB at some point. In free agency, I could see them sign somebody like Jonathon Dwyer, since he could add some power running to compliment Denard Robinson’s speed, or in the draft I could see them going after a player like T.J. Yeldon from Alabama in the 2nd or 3rd round. He could add some power running and possibly be the "thunder" to Robinson's "lightening". Tight end is also a need, and free agents like Jordan Cameron, Charles Clay, Jermaine Gresham, and Julius Thomas all could be big upgrades if they don't choose to resign with their respective teams. In the draft they could look at big body players like Nick Boyle from Delaware or Blake Bell from Oklahoma in the later rounds of the draft, both standing 6'6". Offensive line has to be the top need for this team, and if they look for that in free agency, they may target players like Bryan Bulaga or Michael Oher to help protect Bortles. They may also draft one as soon as the first round, in a player like offensive tackle Brandon Scheriff from Iowa.
On the defensive side, at defensive end they may look at players like B.J. Raji or Jason Pierre Paul in free agency, and maybe Randy Gregory early in the draft or someone like Mario Edwards Jr a little later in the draft. Raji could also help and play defensive tackle as well with his size. At defensive tackle they will almost certainly take a look at Ndamukong Suh and Terrance Knighton is also scheduled to be a free agent, and in the draft they may target somebody like Leonard Williams from USC in the 1st round or maybe somebody like Christian Covington from Rice, whom they could get in the middle rounds of the NFL draft. When it comes to the linebackers in free agency, Justin Houston is a huge name and would make an immediate impact on that defense. Other options could include Jason Worilds if he doesn't resign with the Steelers, and in the draft they could look at somebody like Jordan Hicks from Texas in the middle rounds or draft one higher like Nate Orchard from Utah or Lorenzo Mauldin from Louisville. Looking at the last glaring need at cornerback, they could take somebody like Nick Marshall from Auburn or Doran Grant from Ohio State in the middle rounds of the draft. In free agency they could look at players like Antonio Cromartie or Brandon Flowers.
Outlook
The Jaguars do still have a tougher schedule next year, and by my best guess I think they will win about 4 games. When facing teams like the Colts twice, Dolphins, Falcons, Panthers, Chargers, Patriots twice, Saints, and the Ravens, they may have some trouble. They will definitely show improvement however from this past year, in my own opinion.
If you made it this far, thank you for taking time to read my first blog and hopefully there will be many more in the future.
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