I like turning to the draft as much as the next guy, but if the Jags want to give their quarterbacks and running backs a fighting chance, they need an upgrade at guard.  The 2013 offseason should yield that upgrade and Moore can be that guy.  While his age, 32, may be a deterrent, Moore hasn’t missed a game since 2004.  He is dependable, he is widely regarded as a top player at his position, and has not slowed down despite his age – he made the Pro Bowl for the 2011 season.

Entering free agency for the first time in a while, Moore may be happy to jump ship while he can from the disastrous New York Jets locker room. He may be too loyal to his team to move away, but if the Jags play it right, they could land a top guard.

Pro Football Focus has Moore listed as their top unrestricted free agent guard, but he is more than just a well graded guard.  Pairing Moore with Eugene Monroe, Brad Meester/John Estes/Mike Brewster at center, and Uche Nwaneri at the other guard position would greatly improve the unity of an offensive line that has seen too many faces in recent years.  If I’m O-line coach George Yarno, I would be insisting on someone like Moore, if only to improve cohesion.

Last year I advocated for a big free agent signing at guard, but the team obviously was not reading B&T.  Hopefully they realize that they need someone solid in their now, not later.  Draft a right tackle this year, spend at guard.  The team needs it.

Other quality guards set to hit free agency:

• Andy Levitre, Buffalo Bills
• Donald Thomas, New England Patriots
• Louis Vasquez, San Diego Chargers

- Luke N. Sims

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You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims

A common theme among the four position coaches is that the Jags have something special that brought them to Jacksonville.  A large part of that is the upbeat nature of head coach Gus Bradley.  Wash has been with Bradley for years and knows how he plans and what he can expect from the Jags’ HC, meanwhile someone like Walker comes in trusting the word of Seattle head coach Pete Carroll that Bradley is the real deal.  Through it all, Bradley, GM David Caldwell, and owner Shahid Khan have been able to market Jacksonville as the place to be.

The biggest part of all the interviews with the coaches may be the roster evaluation.  With a new regime comes turnover and that does not bode well for players who are on the bubble – which is pretty much everyone from the Gene Smith era.  Quarterbacks coach Frank Scelfo spoke about the physical tools that Blaine Gabbert brings to the position and potential for improvement, but also spoke about upgrading when they can at the position.  Wash made it known that the Jags do not have a premier pass rusher when he said that it is impossible to win without one and that it is still a need for the team.  Walker and Richardson may be in the best position with a multitude of defensive backs to look at for Walker and Maurice Jones-Drew for Richardson to work with.

Despite the obvious deficiencies for the Jaguars, it looks as though the staff being brought in is up for the task.  There is a feel of development with the Jaguars that was absent from the Mike Mularkey regime.  Some good coaches were brought in under Mularkey, like wide receivers coach Jerry Sullivan, but it felt more disjointed and less cohesive than the Bradley regime thus far.  And that’s a major key to success, just ask Yarno and his offensive line philosophy.

- Luke N. Sims

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Yarno made a point of saying, “There’s a good group.  A good nucleus that we can build on.”  He talked about being cohesive and how important continuity is for a team.  Talking about the O-line, Yarno said it’s also about bringing in seven or nine players who can be interchanged if needed.  While the Jags lacked continuity on the offensive line in 2012, they needed to be flexible as well.

Speaking of flexibility, Yarno doesn’t think that the Jags’ new zone blocking scheme won’t be that big of a change because of the elements of it used during the Jags in seasons past.

Left tackle Eugene Monroe and center Brad Meester were touched on and, as can be expected, Yarno thinks that Monroe can continue to be productive and grow.  He also said that Meester has been an extremely productive player, even later into his career.  Yarno believes he will be productive in whatever system he is in.

Perhaps the biggest highlight of it all is “the kick” that Yarno nailed in 1983.  While just an extra point, it’s always fun to see an offensive linemen get in there to do something different.  Here it is for your viewing pleasure:

- Luke N. Sims

Feel free to leave comments on here or visit us at Facebook or Twitter!

You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims