
kterr
Dec 30, 2008 Feb 15, 2012 76 1619
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Keys to the Bills Future
Hi Bills fans. I am currently writing a season review and outlook for the Bills on my own sports site. I'm not going to plug it as I hate it when others post their sites all over my favorite blogs but I was wondering if I can get your opinions. One of the aspects I am trying to cover for the article is naming the 4 or 5 key pieces for the future of the Bills franchise. Generally for other teams I am looking for key players under 28 that will be essential to the future of their organization. Though I have also included draft picks for teams such as the Colts for obvious reasons and am willing to include coaches if they are important enough. I am really curious what you as Bills fans think are the 4 or 5 key players/coaches/picks that will be to the most important in determining the future of your franchise. I personally have written down players such as C.J. Spiller and Marcell Dareus as two of the key pieces but other then that I am not really sure what to include. These two may not even be the most important but they were the first young players I thought of. Anyone have any thoughts or ideas? Thanks again and good luck in 2012.
Looking to April: Best Mid-Round Options
Its the day before Thanksgiving so work is slow. Figured I'd do a follow up piece to the article I wrote a couple days ago where I focused on mainly players the Jaguars would look at in the 1st and possibly the 2nd round. Today I want to focus on a few other players that will probably fall into the late 2nd to 5th round that might be steals for the Jaguars. The draft stock of a lot of these players were surely change in the coming months but like I said in my last article I think its always a good idea to keep an eye out for certain players and to watch for them on Saturdays. So here we go:
Marvin McNutt (WR - Iowa):
This years WR crop is very deep and some very quality WRs will slip into the draft's second day. That is exactly what will happen to Marvin McNutt who might be a early second/late first round pick in any other draft year. McNutt has the build to excel in the NFL at 6-4 and 215 pounds. He lacks the elite physical tools as Blackmon or Jeffrey but still has quality speed and size that he can be productive.With Stanzi leaving last season, many did not expect McNutt to do any better this year but instead he is having a career year with an arguebly worse QB at the helm. McNutt has a nose for the endzone with 12 touchdowns already this season and his frame would offer Gabbert a great redzone target. Another positive often overlooked is that he comes from a pro style offense which though it matters less with WR, still experience in a NFL type system. Overall if the Jaguars miss out on a WR in the 1st round, McNutt might be a great pick-up on day 2.
Next Game: vs. Nebraska (Friday 11/25 on ABC)
Looking to April: Best Early Round Options
Its only mid-November but most of us can already feel the clock ticking away on the Jaguars season. With 6 games left the Jaguars would need a very large miracle to pull off a comeback to win the division. The one silver lining out of this is that 1) we will most likely have a Top 10 pick 2) if you don't already watch college football now you have more of a reason to. Currently the Jaguars sit at 3 - 7 which is tied for third worst record in the league. Combined with strength of schedule the Jaguars would sit at the #7 pick. I expect the Jaguars to finish somewhere between #5 and #12 for their 1st round pick. The next question is who would the Jaguars draft. This is a very complex question and will obviously change after a possible head coach switch, scouting and combine/pro day results. Even with so many factors left that could change the Jaguars draft possibilities, it isn't too early to at least take a peak at possible selections. That way at least Jaguars fans can tune into certain college games to get a good look at potential new Jaguars. So heres a look at the Top 10 players I like for the Jaguars in the first round:
JDR Era Draft Analysis and Its Impact
It may be in the middle of the season but I’ve decided to go back and do a comprehensive analysis of our draft history as I think it has had an impact on our team’s current state. I went through each draft year since Jack Del Rio took over as head coach and grouped players from each draft class as either “Hits” or successful picks or “Misses”. Now obviously when you are doing this kind of analysis you need to take certain aspects in to consideration.
First off, I excluded the 2011 draft as these players are only 6 games into their rookie seasons. Second, I gave a little more leeway for success potential to the 2009 and 2010 draft classes as they are still early in their careers but you can read my analysis below on certain players. Finally I also had to take into consideration in which round each player was drafted, as that effects whether you would consider them a success. If two players are both career back-ups but one was drafted in the 1st round and another the 7th , obviously the 1st rounder would be a bust and the 7th rounder would be a success. See below for more details on that aspect.
The overall results are surprising as it the Jaguars drafting has had its fair share of successes as well as failures but its consistency from year to year that seems to be absent.
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3 Good, 3 Bad from Jags vs. Saints
The Jaguars suffered another lose at the hands of the Saints but in there defense how many of us had realistically thought we were going to win this prior to the game. Overall the Jaguars showed some improvement and good play making ability. The Defense also was up and down but flashed some good talent. That being said here are 5 good and bad things that I saw from this game.
The Good:
1) Blaine Gabbert's First Half - If you look at the statistics you might think that Gabbert had a below average or just okay game. If you watched the game on the other hand you saw the future of this franchise. The Jaguars came out gunning and obviously wanted to throw the Saints defense off with a lot of throw early. Gabbert stepped up to the challenge and looked great in multiple first half drives. He looked composed, calm in the pocket and made some "big boy throws" to steal a line from Alfie. The TD drive was perfect. Obviously he had a rough second half and missed on a few passes, as well as threw a bad INT, he still looked good overall in terms of what you would expect from a rookie. Now we know what Gabbert is capable of, and it looks good.
2) Maurice Jones-Drew - What can I say about MJD. He runs harder then everyone and looked like he wants to prove to the world his knee is nothing to worry about. I liked a lot of the pass calls but the Jaguars needed to run more then they did. MJD had an amazing 7.6 yards a carry and a 41 yard rush. Though he only amassed 84 yards, he played great and if the Jaguars can ever figure out a balance between Gabbert and MJD, the two might be a deadly combo.
3) Big Plays on Defense - After the first two drives I was expecting us to be in for a very long day. The defense however showed up a few times for very big plays including 2 INTs and 3 sacks. Daryl Smith and Poz both looked good at LB minus a few bad plays in coverage. Smith a had a huge INT that put us in the redzone but we could not capitalize and Poz had 13 total tackles (9 solo, 4 assist) and a nice sack of Brees. New safeties Landry and Lowery also looked pretty good at times with Landry having 11 tackles and a impressive INT where he caught a tip pass as it bobbled to the ground. The defense had a couple let downs but seemed to hit its stride at times. It seems this defense is a great pass rusher away from being a lot better.
The Bad
1) Coaching - After last game everyone was asking for Del Rio to open it up versus the Saints and let Gabbert throw. There is a difference between letting Gabbert throw and only letting MJD touch the ball 3 times in the first half and 11 times all game. There needs to be balence between Gabbert and MJD. Del Rio seem to overreact and abandon the run which seemed foolish at times especially when you have a talent like MJD out back there. JDR needs to let Gabbert throw but not completely keep MJD out of the game. Also, how does a coach allow a 12 man on the field penalty after a timeout? JDR simply does not seem to have control or no whats hes doing at times. I think the writing is on the wall after another lose.
2) Wide Receivers - Okay if anything can be taken from this game is that Gabbert looked pretty good at times but the receivers (except Thomas who looked good at times) are just not even close to being a good unit. Jason Hill caught only two passes and looked pretty terrible. He couldn't get separation or catch anything thrown his way.Thomas had a nice screen pass (so we are what like 1 for 10 tries?) but other then that he had a few decent catches but also found himself invisible at times. The TEs showed that they came to play with Marcedes making diving catch and Miller making a nice catch for a TD. The WRs just looked bad and gave Gabbert no help when he needed it most. If you watch the game over, just look to see how many times you see one of our receives getting decent separation...cause you wont see it often.
3) Defense Ends - We had 3 sacks, but that is deceiving. Two of those sacks came on LB blitzs and were registered by Session and Poz. The rest of the time pressure intermittently but no real constant pressure on Brees. Mincey and Roth had times were they were able to get a little pressure but no constantly enough. Lane was able to get a sack but other then that he wasn't ever there. Overall we are still needing an improvement at DE, this has been very apparent in the first few weeks. We need a rusher who can dominant the line and constantly get pressure because we can let QBs have so much time to throw.
In 5 Years How Much Have the Jaguars Changed
via sixthroundpicks.files.wordpress.com
Looking back over the over the last 5 seasons we have seen a lot of change in Jacksonville. We have seen the emergence and fall of David Garrard, the growth of perennial Pro-Bowler Maurice Jones-Drew and an influx of youth to the team. The interesting thing about the last 5 seasons is that entering the beginning of 2011 season the Jaguar’s seem to oddly mirror the Jaguars team of 2006. I can see the same issues with our team then as I do now and our strengths as a team then are still our strengths now. There are teams like the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens who had vastly improved in the last 5 years. The Lions have gone from a laughing stock to one of the league’s most energetic and fun teams to watch. The Ravens who have always been known for their defense have improved their offense to including amazing talents such as Ray Rice, Joe Flacco, and Anquan Boldin. The Jaguars on the other hand have remained about the same in many areas. When one area improves, another regresses and the team cannot seem to get all areas to improve all at once.
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Week 3 Fantasy Forum
I want to start a weekly post where BCC members can talk about fantasy football and see what other members think. Every week we all have players we are debating playing and want to see what other people think. Here is my current problem. I am in a 16-team keeper league but my 3 receiver spots are a rotation of different and sometimes okay players, I've pulled most of them off the waiver wire. Here are the WRs I have Percy Harvin, Devery Henderson, Austin Collie and Ted Ginn Jr. I need to pick 3 out of the 4. Any thoughts? I had figured Harvin, Henderson, and Collie but both Collie and Ginn have terrible offenses currently so I'm not sure. Luckily I traded last year for LeSean McCoy so my RBs are Adrian Peterson and McCoy so they have pretty much lead me to my 2 - 0 record. Please post your comments, questions and thoughts in this thread! Go Jags and good luck in FF!
- Kterr
"#Titans coach Mike Munchak said DE Derrick Morgan had knee scoped yesterday, will be out for the opener at Jacksonville."
Jags Sign Wilkinson
The Jaguars signed ex-Giants LB Wilkinson. Drafted in 2006, he has been plagued by injuries for most of his career. Here is a good write up on Wilkinson over at Big Blue View http://www.bigblueview.com/2011/6/17/2214178/keep-or-cut-gerris-wilkinson-giants-roster
League Disapproves Jaguars Rookie Contracts
The league has disapproved on two Jaguars rookie's contracts.
Vote MJD for Madden Cover...if you dare
MJD is up for the infamous Madden Cover. If you don't believe in curses vote for him!
Fans Are The Ones Who Will Suffer
The NFL, both players and owners, are playing a very dangerous game right now as they are threatening to lose the very source of all their income and wealth, the fans. Through all of the problems that the NFL has had recently there seems to only be one group which truly always loses, again the fans. Fans of the NFL come from all walks of life and all different countries around the world. A majority of fans are die hard supports who love their team and follow their teams year round. It is the fans who buy the tickets, the merchandise, and devote their time and money to their beloved franchises. It is surprising then that the NFL is willing to cast aside so quickly the one group that supports their sport so much, from the looming lock out to the mistakes in Dallas the NFL seems to be treating fans poorly.
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Free Agents: Safeties
Even with all the worries of a lockout I figured it would be good to get some background on the free agents to be and how they relate to the Jaguars. With talks be restarting between the NFLPA and the owners starting this weekend there might be hope that a resolution may come to pass in the next few weeks which would allow free agency to start like normal. There is a decent amount of quality safeties available this off-season and the Jaguars might be targeting many of these free agents. The percentage displayed for each player is for each individual case. What is not factored in is if the Jaguars sign one of these free agents because most likely they would not go after another. Lets look at the best available:
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Brunell is Bankrupt
Here is an article that goes into detail about how Mark Brunell went from earning more the 50 million dollars to broke. Its an interesting situation because most players we seeing going broke do it by buying to many luxury items. Brunell on the other hand seems to be the victim of bad timing and poor investments.
Cullen interviewing with Oakland???
According to this article, Joe Cullen is interviewing for the Defensive Coordinator job in Oakland. This would be a huge blow to the defense considering the job he has done to the defensive line.
What the Steelers and Packers did right
via i55.tinypic.com
What is the difference between the Jaguars and the this years Superbowl 45 bound teams? The 1st Round of the draft. This sounds relatively simple right, but the Jaguars lost out on their chance on competing for a Superbowl because of this very fundamental difference. Let's start with the Jaguars's draft history which most of us sadly remember all too well. As you can see below here is a list of the Jaguars first round picks and a quick description:
Kterr's 1st Round Mock Draft 1.0
Alright everyone is getting in the spirit of making mock drafts and I figured I would do the same but do a full first round mock draft. Here we go:
1. Carolina - Nick Fairley (DT - Auburn) Lets face it the Panthers need help in a lot of different areas. They have Jimmy Clausen at QB but after a weak showing in his rookie year we will see if he develops and they have no reason to replace him with Luck staying in school. The next glaring weakness for Carolina is their D Line which used to be their bread and butter with Peppers. Fairley is easily the best available player at the #1 spot and he will help the Panthers start to rebuild their defense starting in the trenches.
2. Denver - Patrick Peterson (CB - LSU) The Denver Broncos underachieved in 2010. Their team is not as terrible as their record indicates and this could be due to coaching or some their weak defense. Either way with John Fox coming in they will probably switch back to the 4 - 3 defense and with Fairley off the board, Fox will pick Peterson. Peterson has all the skills and athleticism to be a shut down corner in this league and with the possible departure of Champ Bailey thats exactly what Denver needs to help rebuild their defense.
3. Buffalo - Da'Quan Bowers (DE - Clemson) The Bills are in a tough spot at number 3. Their major needs are at QB and OT. While Ryan Fitzpatrick is a decent QB, he is not the franchise QB the Bills need and is merely a fill in until the Bills find someone better. The Bills also need help on the Offensive Line badly. Demetrius Bell is a hot topic issue in Buffalo with some who think hes the long term answer and others who do not. Chan Gailey seems to be supportive of Bell which means they are set at LT but still need a RT which they can grab later. With no QB of value on the board they take Bowers who is great talent on the defensive line and could help add another Pro Bowl caliber player to help Kyle Williams on the line.
4. Cincinnati - A.J. Green (WR - Georgia) The Bengals were a massive disappointment in 2010 given their star (diva) studded offense (Owens and Johnson) but now stand to lose most of their weapons on offense this off season. The Bengals clearly have a need at defensive line but with Bowers and Fairley off the board in this mock they pick the next best player which is Green. With Owens, Benson and maybe Johnson all possible leaving the Bengals need to add young talent to their offense as well and Green is that. Green has the ability to give Palmer a reliable and talent threat that defenses won't be able to ignore.
5. Arizona - Blaine Gabbert (QB - Missouri) The Cardinals need a QB no matter what. John Skelton was a nice story and he might be kept as a back up but after a long season of rotating QBs, the Cardinals need to come away from this draft with a new franchise QB. At the 5th spot their are obviously better value in players like Prince Amukamara or Marcell Dareus but the Cardinals need a QB and the take the best one available. Gabbert is no Sam Bradford or Matt Ryan, he will not come in and light it up in his first season. No Gabbert will take a little work before he gets to a quality level but Gabbert will be a great QB and by selecting him the Cardinals will have invested in their future.
6. Cleveland - Marcell Dareus (DE - Alabama) The Browns could choose between Dareus or Robert Quinn here but because of Quinn's character concerns it looks like he is falling down some draft boards. The Browns need a wideout for Colt McCoy to throw to but with A.J. Green off the board and Julio Jones being a reach at 6, the Browns select Dareus. Dareus will come in right away and help improve the Browns line and pass rush. Though Dareus would be better in the 3 - 4, I believe he can adjust just fine and be effective.
7. San Fransisco - Prince Amukamara (CB - Nebraska) With Jim Harbaugh taking over the 49ers need help primarily on the defensive line and they need a QB. In this mock though both Gabbert and Dareus are off the board and I don't think Harbaugh will take Quinn based on his character concerns. This makes the 49ers next best option, Amukamara. Amukamara can come in right away for the 49ers and be a Pro Bowl corner. He has all the skills and instincts to be great and will help give the 49ers a shut down corner for the next decade.
8. Tennessee - Von Miller (LB - Texas A & M) The Titans need a QB with the departure of Vince Young but with Cam Newton and Ryan Mallett the next best QBs available and Jeff Fishers job on the line in 2011 I think the Titans will look to trade or sign a QB instead. The Titans need some offensive line help as well but Miller is a talent the Titans can't pass up. Miller can rush the passer better then any other linebacker in the draft and he also can drop back and provide quality coverage as well. With the Titans defensive line having a great 2010 season, the Titans selection of Miller will shore up their linebacking core and improve even more one of the best run stopping and pass rushing defenses in the league.
9. Dallas - Robert Quinn (DE - UNC) The Cowboys do not have too many glaring needs which is surprising for a team that only one won 6 games, but I blame that on the coaching. There are a lot better players in other positions on the board here at #9 but the Cowboys need a right end and Quinn is their best choice here. Quinn has been slowly falling on draft boards cause of character concerns and offers the Cowboys a beast on the defensive line. The Cowboys really need a cornerback but with the two best corners off the board the cowboys focus on their line instead.
10. Washington - Ryan Mallett (QB - Arkansas) Mike Shanahan did not really give himself a choice here, he has to select a QB in this draft if they do not make a move in the offseason to acquire another QB through trades or free agency (Kolb is a definite option). Assuming the Redskins don't make a big signing or trade, Shanahan has to get himself a quarterback for the future and Mallett is the next best option here. Mallett has some character issues and did not show up for big games this season but he has a big arm which Shanahan will love. Mallett will become his new project and the new starting QB for the Redskins in 2011.
11. Houston - Akeem Ayers (OLB - UCLA) This is a perfect fit for multiple reasons. With Wade Phillips entering town the Texans will be switching to the 3 - 4 defense and Ayers is a perfect fit in the 3 - 4 defense. He has the rushing ability and build of a 3 - 4 linebacker. Houston who needs help in their secondary as well, could start by getting Ayers who is great at rushing the QB. Ayers would be able to put pressure on opposing QBs such as Manning which would in turn improve their secondary. If Ayers is available at 11, this is the pick.
12. Minnesota - Cam Newton (QB - Auburn) The Vikings are finally free of Brett Favre and Tarvaris Jackson proved he is not he answer so the Vikings are in search of a new franchise QB. This selection comes down to the choice between Jack Locker and Cam Newton but I have a hunch that Newton will be the selection here. Newton needs some work and coaching before he will be a good quarterback but his athleticism and size gives him the advantage of Locker's more refined skills.
13. Detriot - Nate Solder (OT - Colorado) The Detriot Lions need help at linebacker and cornerback first and foremost but unfortunately for them both Miller and Ayer are off the board and the next best corners are second round value. The Lions offensive line is probably there third biggest need as they need to keep Matthew Stafford as untouched as possible because he seems to get injured every time he gets hit. This years tackle crop is pretty week but Solder seems to be the best of that group and he gets the pick here. With this selection Solder can take over at LT and Jeff Backus can move over to RT where he belongs.
14. St. Louis - Julio Jones (WR - Alabama) This pick is another perfect fit. The Rams need to give Bradford more weapons on offense, namely a #1 receiver. Jones will give Bradford that go to wide out that he needs and hopefully catch 50+ passes of those insane 590 passes he threw in 2010 (rookie record). There is a rumor going around that Steven Jackson might retire so if that happens I wouldn't be surprised if Ingram gets picked here but right now its just a rumor so Jones is their best option.
15. Miami - Mark Ingram (RB - Alabama) With the possible departure of both Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown the Dolphins have a huge need at RB but also need a new QB as Chad Henne seems to not be the answer. I doubt the Dolphins are going to reach for Locker so Ingram seems like the logical pick. He offers the Dolphins a quality starting running back with good vision and strength. He doesn't have the Chris Johnson type speed but is still a great back.
16. Jacksonville - Ryan Kerrigan (DE - Purdue) At this point in my mock draft the three best players available are Adrian Clayborn, Kerrigan and J.J. Watt. With Gene Smith at the helm and character being a huge factor in his decisions, Kerrigan gets the nod easily. The Jaguars pass rush improved in 2010 but still placed them near the bottom of the league. They need help at corner and safety but there are no players who meet the value here at 16. The Jaguars could also go with a QB but with Locker being the only QB left on the board, I think the Jaguars will wait until a later round to select a new QB to groom. Kerrigan gives the Jaguars a player opposite of Aaron Kampman who will also be able to dominate. Kerrigan is a hard worker and though he lacks upside he has shown that he has all the skills to come in right away and be effective. He is impossible to block and is a hard worker, what more can you ask from a DE. With a starting defensive line of Kerrigan, Knighton, Alualu, and Kampman the Jaguars will have an extremely dominant defensive line in 2011.
17. New England - Adrian Clayborn (DE - Iowa) The Patriots only get richer with this pick which was acquired from Oakland. The Patriots spent most of their picks last draft on rebuilding their secondary and this draft need to turn their focus to the the defensive line which needs a injection of youth, enter Adrian Clayborn. Clayborn only had 4 sacks this season but was a force on the line and has all the athletic tools to be a force. He would also benefit from the Patriots coaching and the veterans the Patriots still have on the line.
18. San Diego - J.J. Watt (DE - Wisconsin) The run on defensive ends continues with San Diego who could also use some help at defensive end and Watt gives them that. Even though Watt will be the 5th defensive end taken in this draft he more then meets the values as he was a pass rushing specialist in college. Finishing the season with 7 sacks but was consistently all over opposing QB's, Watt will help improve San Diego's pass rush which could use a little work. With Watt added to their defensive line, the Chargers should hopefully improve their defense which could bring them back to the playoffs in 2011.
19. New York Giants - Gabe Carimi (OT - Wisconsin) Like Detriot the Giants need help on the offensive line. Unfortunately for both teams this years OT crop is weak and there are only two tackles even worthy of 1st round consideration and with the Lions picking Solder, the Giants take Carimi here. Carimi has all the tools to be a good LT, just needs some work on refining his skills. Should be able to come in right away and either push Beatty out of the LT spot or at least take the RT job on day 1.
20. Tampa Bay - Cameron Heyward (DE - Ohio State) The Tampa Bucs on had 26 sacks on the season and need to add another pass rusher in order to improve that number. They were a surprise team in 2010 and though their offense was impressive, they need to get more pressure on the quarterback. The decision at this spot is between Heyward and Allen Bailey, I'm giving the nod to Heyward due to his athleticism and the fact that he has played some higher caliber teams. The combine and workouts might change this, and Bailey could easily be the pick here as well.
21. Kansas City - Cameron Jordan (DT - Cal) Like the Tampa Bay pick this pick is also a toss up. There are two good DTs remaining in this mock and both represent two types of players. Kansas City needs help on the defensive line and the interior especially. Kansas City needs to a DT that can get at the QB and both Cameron Jordan and Drake Nevis fit that need but Nevis has a smaller frame and even though Nevis has a higher motor, Jordan is bigger and size is hard to come by.
22. Indianapolis - Anthony Castonzo (OT - Boston College) The Colts need to give Peyton Manning more protection. He was hit way to much for the Colts liking this year and improving their offense line would go a long way to keeping Manning's career last as long as possible. Castonzo is the Colts best bet at 22 even though he could have dropped into the early second round. Castonzo can step in and play RT for the Colts and help keep Manning a lot more protected.
23. Philadelphia - Mike Pouncey (G/C) The Eagles also need help along their offensive line as well. They need to give Michael Vick more time to make decisions even though he is great on the run, he seemed to have to be on the run to much when he probably could have stayed in the pocket and thrown the ball. Mike Pouncey is an interesting player because he is naturally a guard but played center this past season with his brother absent. The Eagles need help on the line but they don't necessarily need a Left or Right Tackle with Peters and Justice though Justice is not great their right guard and center spot need more depth and improvement. Enter Pouncey who can start at RG on day one and also fill in at center in an emergency, though his center play this season was shaky at best.
24. New Orleans - Drake Nevis (DT - LSU) The 2009 Superbowl champs were knocked out early this season because they could not stop the run of the Seahawks which is amusing because before that game the Seahawks looked awful in the running game. New Orleans needs another big body up front to help shore up their defensive line and Nevis is a great fit. He offers the Saints a high motor, hard working DT that can get to the QB. His size is a little smaller then desired but makes up for it in explosiveness.
25. Seattle - Jake Locker (QB - Washington) Finally Locker, who probably would have been Top 10 last year, goes off the board to Seattle. Seattle has had the aging Matt Hasselbeck at QB for what feels like decades and they urgently need to get a young replacement ready especially with Hasselbeck being constantly injured. Locker offers the Seahawks exactly what they need, a QB who is ready to play in the NFL, has the character and skill set but doesn't have the upside that the other three QBs have. Locker though might end up being the better pro and has the ability to be Matt Hasselbecks back up his first season and learn from a quality QB. Plus he would be able to stay in state!
26. Baltimore - Brandon Harris (CB - Miami) The Ravens looked like a pretty complete team going into the post season but after a disappointing lose to Pittsburgh the Ravens can use this pick to add a potential star cornerback to their already powerful defense. Harris is the next best cornerback in this draft other then the Peterson and Amukamara. Though Harris is not as talented as the other two, he can easily come in and be a shut down corner given a little coaching and time. With Baltimore's defense filled with veterans and skilled players I can't see why Harris wouldn't be able to come in and learn from his teammates in turn making him grow.
27. Atlanta - Derek Sherrod (OT - Miss. State) Atlanta had a disappointing end to the 2010 season with their lose to Green Bay. The #1 seed does not have too many major areas of need but they can always use more depth on the offensive line to protect Matt Ryan from opposing defenses. Sherrod is a great talent and depending on who you talk too, some have him ranked as one of the top 2 tackles in the draft, though it is a weak class. This might end up being a steal for Atlanta who might be able to turn Sherrod into a permanent fixture at RT for years.
28. New England - Allen Bailey (DE/DT - Miami) New England picks for the second time in the first round and once again they focus on their defensive line. You can never have too many big bodies in the trenches and the Patriots will love Bailey who has great size, good motor and has recorded 7 sacks in each of his last two season with Miami. Bailey will team up with Clayborn (#17) to give the Patriots a fearsome D Line for years to come. Look out Mark Sanchez.
* The order of the next four picks are subject to change, this is my projection
29. Chicago - Tyron Smith (OT - USC) The Bears need any help they can get on the offensive line. Jay Cutler was constantly harassed all season and needs another quality lineman to help offer him some protection. The combine will determine which order the OTs are taken but right now Smith is ranked out after a few others in my mock so Chicago takes Smith since he is the best available. Smith is very athletic at 290 pounds but might need refinement of his skills. He would be a great addition to the Bears line and though he might end up playing RT, he is a good need selection.
30. New York Jets - Justin Houston (DE/OLB - Georgia) Houston has been rising up draft boards and after his 11 sack season could turn out to be a steal at #30. The Jets defensive is already a powerful force but with not many other needs adding Houston who can play OLB or DE depending on the system would be a great pick for the Jets who need to get pressure on Tom Brady. Houston will fit in well in New York and be able to join the frat house that is the New York Jets.
31. Green Bay - Corey Liuget (DE/DT - Illinois) The Packers have one of the best defenses in the league and though they need a running back to pair with the returning Ryan Grant, the Packers could opt to improve their already dominant defense. With lose of Aaron Kampman after 2009 and the possible loss of Cullen Jenkins this offseason, the Packers could use another DE on their line. Enter Liuget who had 5 sacks this season has the size and tools to be a quality DE, exactly what the Packers need.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers - Ben Ijalana (OT - Villanova) Yes I am predicting the Steelers as Superbowl Champions, we will see if this pans out but you never know. The Steelers like every other elite team need to add depth to their offensive line in order to protect their star QB, Big Ben. With a lot of the Steelers O line coming of injuries the Steelers might opt to add the rising Ijalana to their roster. He offers the ability to play tackle or guard and might be a steal as many people have not heard of him, though Mel Kiper recently added him to his Top 25 Draft Board. Though it pains me to agree with Kiper, I do think he will be a good git in Pittsburgh.
Notables Left Out:
Stephen Phea (DT - Oregon)
Kyle Rudolph (TE - Notre Dame)
More Mocks @ Walter Football
Fox hired as Broncos Coach
John Fox will take over as Head Coach of the Broncos according to multiple sources. This means that Jaguar's OC Dirk Koetter will not be leaving the Jaguars for Denver.
Blackmon and Weeden Staying at Oklahoma State
SBNation's initial mock draft selection for the Jaguars, Justin Blackmon, and his QB Brandon Weeden have jointly decided to stay in school. While Weeden's decision is expected, Blackmon's is surprising given his projection as a 1st round pick. His decision to stay lowers the caliber of the WR's available.
In Gene We Trust
After the 2008 season the Jaguars were in tough spot. Years worth of poor draft picks, free agent selections and lack accountability had placed the team at the bottom of the AFC South with little chance of improving. Wayne Weaver made the decision to cut ties with Vice President of Player Personnel Shack Harris who was seen as directly responsible for the Jaguars predicament and promote Gene Smith to General Manager. This promotion gave the Jaguars a bonafide GM and as Jonathan Loesche explained that the move meant "Smith is in charge of buying the groceries and Del Rio is in charge of who cooks the meal.". Since he was promoted a lot has changed in regards to the Jaguars but if there is one thing that we have learned is that we are never gonna know what Gene Smith is thinking.
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Luck NOT Entering 2011 Draft
Well this just changed things. The odds on favorite for the #1 pick is now waiting until next year which will shake up the entire first round. Is this a good decision for Luck? He stands to lose 60 million dollars if the NFL has its way with a rookie cap.
Around the Net: First Wave of Mock Drafts
Here is a quick look at what different Mock Drafts are predicting the Jaguar's select in the first round now that the Jaguars have been locked into 16th pick.
NFL Fanhouse -
16. Jaguars: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
Clayborn was an absolute beast in 2009, recording 70 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 11 1/2 sacks in his junior year. But after posting a mediocre senior season, Clayborn needs a solid combine to remind teams that he's going to be a good defensive lineman for a long time. The Jaguars tried to address the DE position in 2008 by selecting Derrick Harvey, but that hasn't worked out so well.
-- White
SBNation -
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State (SO). This team hovers on the edge of playoff contention yet again, but can't get there because of their lack of offensive firepower. Adding a sophomore with 111 catches and 20 touchdowns in one season seems like an OK idea.
WalterFootball.com -
Jacksonville Jaguars: Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida
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The Jaguars need an upgrade across from Rashean Mathis. Derek Cox played well at Indianapolis, but has been way too inconsistent this year.
In a division with Peyton Manning and Matt Schaub, you can never have too many talented corners.
BleatcherReport.com -
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)
Top Needs: DE, S, ILB, TE
Selection: DE Adrian Clayborn, Iowa Hawkeyes, 6'4'', 285 lbs
Reason: Jacksonville's defense has not been very effective against the run, and their pass defense was one of the worst in the entire NFL. Clayborn would be a great fit because he has an everlasting motor and is constantly hindering the opposing offensive line.
Bowl Game: Insight Bowl vs. Missouri (win 27-24); one
FootballFanSpot.com -
16. Jacksonville Jaguars- DE Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue)
The Jaguars ranked dead last in YPA allowed. Their pass defense needs to be their #1 priority this offseason. The top 3 cornerbacks are all off the board, so that doesn’t mean they can’t upgrade their pass defense. Their pass rush, with only 26 sacks, was a huge part of the problem. Top pass rusher Aaron Kampman has torn his ACL in each of the last two seasons so his career is in serious doubt.
MyNFLDraft.com -
#16 Janoris Jenkins Ht/Wt: 5-11/188 lbs
Position: CB
School: Florida
Class: Junior
SportsFantasyGuide.com -
16. Jacksonville Jaguars - OLB Travis Lewis – Oklahoma
The Jaguars have been a surprise team this year. Depending on who is available they could go with a QB but in my 2011 NFL mock draft I think they will turn to the defensive side of the ball. Travis Lewis is a great athlete who can track down any running back as well as pass the rusher.
Fantasy Football Xtreme -
17. Jaguars: Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida – A solid talent and this team could use another corner.
Guy's NFL Locker Room -
NewSportsDraft.com -
17. Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
Deep Breathes
Deep Breathes everyone. Now I'm frustrated and a little disappointed like everyone else with how the last 2 weeks have turned out but everyone needs to relax and stop looking ahead. I too started freaking out after we lost to the Redskins but have since calmed down and realize there is absolutely no point to talking about coaching changes and QB changes now because simply it doesn't matter and oh yea there is still a game this weekend! The most important thing we should be talking about this week is our last game against Houston. There is still the possibility that we can make the playoffs. Obviously we all know we need to win and we need the Colts to lose to the Titans. Now even though on the outside that looks very unlikely, there have been crazier things that have happen (oh say a 50-yard TD to win a game). So with the Jaguars still having a chance at making the playoffs and with a chance to end up with a winning record we should lay off the dump JDR and Garrard bandwagons.
Now this brings me to the insane amount of comments about Jack Del Rio. Like I said previously, there is still a game to be played and that game is going to have a profound impact on the JDR's status and future with the team. If we wins I am going to go out on a limb and say theres basically no way he's getting fired. A 9 - 7 record, 2nd or 1st in AFC South is a great year all things considered. If we lose then things get a little dicer for JDR but still its not like Weaver is going to fire him next monday. Weaver is an extremely level headed guy, he is going to take some time to think about things and probably meet with Del Rio before he makes any decisions. So to all the people already creating their insane coaching dream lists (Cowher is not coming here guys sry to disappoint) take it easy. There is a lot of time before any decision will be made or we will have any idea what is going to happen with Del Rio.
Then finally there is the matter of David Garrard. We have had this discussion what feels like a thousand times about what to do with Garrard. On Sunday he once again proved that he is not an All-Pro QB but instead is more the game manager and can not carry the team like a Manning or Brady. Frustrating yes, shocking no. After years of starting we all know by now that Garrard is not going to be a super star or elite QB in this league, so why is everyone so surprised or disappointed? We once again are seeing waves of people calling for his release, trade or replacement by a new QB. Like with Jack Del Rio, all of these options are possibilities but why worry about Garrard's fate now? There is still a game left, a possible head coaching/coordinator change, free agency and finally a draft before we are going to know what happens to Garrard. Each one of these events will effect his future. Obviously if we have a new coach we can count on a new high drafted QB, if not then we might see a late QB draft choice or free agent pick up that might stay behind Garrard for a while. Anything is possible.
Moral of the story is we just don't know yet. There are a lot of possibilities and outcomes that can take place between now and next season. I know everyone likes to talk about big new changes to the team but we just need to relax, everything related to Del Rio and Garrard will start to come more clear in the next few weeks and months. I know the only thing I am concerned about is this weekend and hoping for a miracle playoff birth and given how this season is going anything is possible.
Lets Move On
I have not been a member of BigCatCountry for long, only since 2008. When I first came to this site I actually was able to expand my knowledge of the Jaguars and even learn more about football itself. I enjoy writing articles occasionally and will make comments when I actually have something to say. Now I do not know the whole situation with Stampede Blue and their admin nor do I know the whole reason why Jonathan and Brian are leaving. All I know is that there is an huge football game this weekend, whether your a Jaguars or Colts fan. I expected this week to be a great week to come to BCC and just talk football because I knew everyone was going to be pumped for this game as much as I was. Instead this week has been filled with SB drama and the loss of two great writers for this site. The whole situation has left a bad taste in my mouth because now I feel like BCC and SB are in some sort of politics war or ban war which has only succeeded in hurting both sites. Normally I log on every morning to check for new posts but I didn't this morning cause I knew it was just going to be more posts about SB and not about the game. So I don't know about you guys but I say lets just move on. We have already lost 2 writers, lets stop before we scare away possible new members as well. I'm ready for a great weekend of football and great end of the season. I know I'm going to trashed and rowdy in my local bar as I watch one of the biggest games in a long time. Now just to get some more pride back in this site, I wanna you guys to answer some questions about BCC real quick:
1) When did you join? (Me: 2008)
2) Whats your favorite part about BCC? (Me: Constant Jaguars news/updates and the ability to share our opinion on any Jags topic)
3) And, Score prediction for this weekend! (Me: 24 - 20 Jaguars)
This may seem a little cheesy but hey I'm just tired of all the negativity. Go Jaguars!
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5 Reasons Why the Jaguars Are Here to Stay
The Jaguars are on top of the AFC South with 4 games to play. There has been a lot of talk over the past 24 hours since the Jaguars defeat of the Titans as to whether the Jaguars are for real or simply getting "lucky". Some analysts contribute the team's success to luck such as with the Hail Mary and 59 yard field goal to beat the Colts, while others are still somewhat cautious to declare the Jaguars a great team yet. On Sunday Night Football Tony Dungy said “I still don’t think they’re a great team" and he was not alone but nevertheless the Jaguars have been getting a lot of praise as well for their seemingly surprising rise to the top of the AFC South. Now the question is, will they stay on top and will the Jaguars be considered a contender for years to come? Yes and Yes. Here are the reasons why:
1. Maurice Jones-Drew and the Running Game - The Jaguars currently have the #2 ranked rushing offense and have 3 young, healthy and dynamic play makers in their backfield who have helped the Jaguars get there. MJD alone is a superstar. He has carried the Jaguars offense on his back over the last 5 games, rushing for 100+ yards each game and making the right plays at the right time. During these last 5 games he has averaged 133.4 yards a game and his performances can been seen as one of, if not the sole, reason why the Jaguars are in the position that they are in. He also makes clutch plays when you need him too. He caught the 75-yard pass from David Garrard against the Browns (then put the ball in the endzone) to win the game and like on Sunday when the Jaguars needed to burn some time off the clock he gashed the Titans defense to preserve the lead and burn much needed time. He has already crossed 5,000 career yards in his 5th season (with 4 games to) and has back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons. Whether MJD loses out on the Pro-Bowl or isn't league MVP...He is the Jaguars MVP and he will be for years to come and MJD alone is a reason the Jaguars will stay a contender. The scary thought though is that as great as MJD is, there are 2 other young quality running-backs on this team. Rashad Jennings and Deji Karim have both proven that if they are called on to carry the ball, they can do and shine. Karim has his moments to shine earlier in the season when Jennings was injuried, posting a 70 yard game against the Bills. Jennings on the other hand has come out strong later in the season having 2 great games back to back where he has also scored a TD in each. Both of these players are young and will hopefully grow and develop even move. As a whole all 3 of these players will lead a Jaguars rushing game that will be powerful for years.
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ESPN Article on Alualu and Knighton
ESPN blog network talks about how Alualu and Knighton have become a formidable tandem and may soon rival the the once powerful Stroud-Henderson combo.
Reevaluating Success
Well the Jaguars are now entering Week 13 of the NFL Season and a lot has changed in the 12 weeks that have passed since the beginning of the season. One thing that has changed drastically since the beginning of the season has been the definition of success in regards to the Jaguar's season. Not only has it changed it has changed multiple times within the season alone. So where do we stand? What would we consider as a successful season? Well lets take a look at how our definition of success has changed and reevaluate whether our current definition is where it should be.
"My expectations are that we're going to be better than average and we're going to be competing for the playoffs -- not just for next year, but for years to come" - Wayne Weaver
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MJD is Hercules
After Sunday's lose to the Giants, most every fan agreed that out of the many mistakes that were made in the second half that not running the ball more was one of the biggest mistakes. Entering half time the Jaguars had rushed for 145 yards on 20 carries already and looked like they could run at will. On most weeks this would seem like a solid first half, except this week it was exceptional. The Giants were a Top 5 defense, even higher against the run. Maurice Jones-Drew was questionable and was suffering an abdominal injury. MJD, with help from Rashad Jennings, carried the Jaguars on his shoulders again Sunday but for some reason the Jaguars didn't put the ball in his hands when they needed to in the second half.
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MJD: By the Numbers
After another Herculean performance on Sunday versus the Browns, Maurice Jones-Drew is finally starting to settle down and is getting back to his old dominant self. When your stat line boasts over 200 yards from scrimmage, including 132 rushing and the game winning score, you know it was a pretty good day. Sunday though was just the another step in Maurice Jones-Drew's already impressive career. Here is a look into some of the numbers that define his season and career:
0 - Amount of runs over 25 yards in 2010
.85 - Career Average Touchdowns per Game
1 - Games missed in 5 seasons
4 - Rushing Touchdowns in 2010
4.2 - Rushing Average in 2010
4.6 - Career Rushing Average
8 - Rank on NFL's Career Active Rushing Touchdown Leaders
Richard Collier Plans to Walk Again!
Every Jaguar's fan remembers Richard Collier and the tragic events that took place. I think I speak for all fans in saying that we are glad he is optimistic and things are looking up for him. Good luck Richard!
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