LeBron finally got his ring. The homerun derby was last night if you like that kind of thing. Other than that, there’s not a whole lot going on in the world of sports. If you’re a die hard, all in Jags fan like myself you’re constantly thinking about the team. What went wrong last season? What can improve? I think I’ve written too many articles on the wide receiver position, and fellow writer Mr. Terry O’Brien even called me out on it. Hey, I can’t blame you, Terry. Believe me I know it’s redundant, but it’s what I’m thinking about. So this week, I will provide you with a list of topics and issues that have been running through my bald head the past seven days. Enjoy!

1. The ball is in MJD’s court. It’s obvious Gene Smith is NOT going to pay him. He can either show up to camp or sit at home where he DEFINITELY won’t get any new money.

Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-US PRESSWIRE

2. Speaking of MJD, this is your opportunity, Rashad Jennings. It’s time to see what you’ve got if our beloved running back does decide to holdout through camp.

3. Many writers, local and national, believe that Laurent Robinson will start out the season as the #1 receiver. According to several NFL experts, wide receiver is the most difficult position to make the transition between college and pro. This will be a good thing for Justin Blackmon. Let him learn the playbook and such.

4. Regarding the wide receiver position, many people (myself included) are wondering just who will fill out the rest of the slots available. I’m not saying it’s not important, but I’ve been thinking about such ideas. After reading a recent post by Mr. Sims, it’s dawned on me that we need to “move those chains” a bit more in 2012. We don’t necessarily need to be more “explosive” but instead be more “effective”. If and when MJD does come back, I still think he’d be a better option in the passing game than some of the receivers and tight ends (Lewis included) already on the roster making our 3rd receiver in all actuality the 4th option when throwing the ball. If MJD does holdout, I wonder how Jennings is catching the ball out of the backfield.

5. While on the topic of 3rd receivers, I’m a Mike Thomas supporter. In my very humble opinion, he did not quit on the team and will benefit from how defenses play Robinson and Blackmon.

6. I’m not very optimistic about Mercedes Lewis. I hope that he proves me wrong.

7. I wonder if Mathis can cover in the slot. After thinking about our corners, I’d feel much more comfortable with Cox and Ross covering other team’s starting receivers. But what would I know? I’m just some guy.

8. Other than Blackmon, I truly do believe that Branch will be the player we think he is. The defense has to get more pressure. Notice I said “pressure” and not “sacks.” Of course it’s important to hit the quarterback, but often times it’s just as important to create chaos overall. Branch could provide a certain element of speed in our pass rush that was lacking in 2011.

9. Get Scobee signed…then get him in range!

10.Our linebackers are tackling machines and we have some pretty good run stuffers in Alualu and Knighton. I’m hoping that running on this year’s defense will be the equivalent to running into a brick wall.

11. After the draft, I read something somewhere stating that we could possibly use 6th round pick cornerback Mike Harris in wildcat packages. Yes, I’m serious.

12. If we have 27 players on IR again, look for another bum season. I’m looking forward to the returns of Eben Britton, Rashad Jennings, Derek Cox, Clint Sessions, and Rashean Mathis.

13. I wonder how young players drafted last year such as Will Rackley, Cecil Shorts III, and forgotten picks, Chris Prosinski, and Rod Isaac will do in 2012.

14. Which draft picks other than Blackmon, Branch, and Anger will make the biggest impact this season. I’m calling Jeris Pendelton. Just a hunch.

I didn’t say anything about Gabbert even though he has not escaped my train of thought. But everyone knows exactly what he has to do in 2012. At the very least he can’t lose games for us. I’m looking for him to show more poise in the pocket, and reports state that he’s already showing more leadership qualities.

To anyone living in Jacksonville, JEEZ IT’S HOT! Who is ready for training camp!?

-David R. Johns

I thoroughly enjoy studying the roster. I like seeing how each individual player ended up in Jacksonville. I like seeing who excels at what and why. I like analyzing strengths and weakness of each individual player and position. By the time preseason begins, I’m sure that I’ll have a few underdog favorites.

Speaking of underdog favorites, I find undrafted rookie free agents highly fascinating. These are the college prospects no one wanted. Lately, however, it’s becoming more and more common for some of these prospects to become highly sought after once the draft ends. Yes, most of these UDFAs are camp bodies, players to fill out the newly expanded roster deeming their roles somewhat less important, but would you rather have a player who is in camp just to be there? Or would you want the best possible options, players who could push both draft picks and incumbent veterans alike in turn making everyone work harder? This seems to be the role of these undrafted rookies.

Most of these young players stand little to no chance of making the 53 man gameday roster, and most would be lucky to make the practice squad. Why? First things first, most simply aren’t as good as their drafted counterparts. There was something in their measurables, the way they played the game, character issues, that drove teams away. These same kind of factors apply to the late round draft picks as well. That’s why they fall past the first two rounds.

So if these undrafted guys aren’t even as good as the rookies the team DID draft, how in the world are they supposed to compete against NFL veterans? How could they possibly make the team?

Every season someone surprises us. Aaron Morgan, Kevin Rutland, Cameron Bradfield to name a few…granted they are not superstars, but all have the potential to contribute to the team in one way or another.

June 12, 2012; Jacksonville FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tackle Cameron Bradfield (78) during minicamp at Florida Blue Health

Some positions are a logjam. I feel bad for Kevin Elliot, Chris Gilbert, and Mike Brown. The wide receiver position is as packed as I’ve seen it with the draft’s best wide receiver, a high priced free agent coming off the biggest season of his career, and several other incumbent veterans and NFL journeymen who have been in the league for a few years. The numbers simply are not in the undrafted guys’ favor.

The same principles apply to cornerback. Is there any possible way Antwon Blake and Antonio Dennard could even compete with even the 4th corner on this team? Especially when the Jags drafted CB Mike Harris in the 6th round of this year’s draft to do just that?

These are examples of camp bodies. Are they pointless? No. Are they more talented than you and I? Yes. Could some of these guys make the team?

I was up all night thinking about which UDFAs could step in and provide better depth, develop, and eventually give more than some of the guys already on the roster. How is this possible when these underdogs are obviously on the lower end of the 90 man training camp roster?

Some positions simply aren’t that crowded, that’s how. What happens at times is that some positions are very shallow, and the only thing an UDFA must do is simply beat out the 3rd or 4th man at his position. It certainly makes it easier if no one was signed in free agency or drafted at that position. It’s even better if the backup or rotational guy has been banged up for the last two years and hasn’t been on the field. Maybe one of the guys gets hit in the face with a beer bottle on Baymeadows. Hey, I’m just sayin.

So after racking my brain all night trying to figure out which one of these young players could make our roster stronger, I’ve singled out three players who I believe have a chance. Is it because they are amazing talents? I don’t know, the team doesn’t let out very much. These are just players that have a larger window of opportunity.

1. Matt Veldman, TE, North Dakota State:

June 12, 2012; Jacksonville FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Matt Veldman (85) runs during minicamp at Florida Blue Health

As of now the tight end position hasn’t seen any turnaround. Mercedes Lewis is a pro-bowler who must return to form. Zach Miller is a 6th round draft pick from the 2009 draft, and Zach Potter was signed off of the New York Jets practice squad in 2009. Colin Cloherty was signed late in the 2011 season when Miller hit IR. Matt Veldman is 6’7, 255 lbs.. In a nutshell he’s a huge target and his large build could give him more leverage as a blocker. If Veldman can block just as well as Potter and Cloherty, and become another pass catching option, he could be a very solid third tight end.

2. Jeremiah Brown, SS, Wagner: The safety position is much like the TE position in the sense that not much happened to it in the offseason. Dwight Lowery was re-signed, and the team got solid, not spectacular play from Dawan Landry. Behind the two starters, you have Courtney Greene; a 2009 7th round draft pick by the Seattle Seahawks who has bounced around the league. Greene can play both spots, however, and has been proven serviceable. Behind Greene is 2011 4th and 5th rounders, SS Chris Prosinski, and DB Rod Isaac. Isaac has seen little to no time on the field due to injury, and it seems as if the team isn’t too sure exactly what to do with him. Is he a safety? Is he a corner? Prosinski has seen more game action, but has mainly made his impact on special teams. I’m thinking the Jags will carry four safeties. Jeremiah Brown is a workout player who walked away with a contract. He runs a 4.40 which is pretty good speed. He’ll neeed it considering how fast he will have to get down the field on kick coverage. If Brown turns out to be just as athletic as Prosinski, but is better on the coverage teams, there could be a place for him.

3. Drew Nowak, DT, Western Michigan:

May 6, 2012; Jacksonville FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Andre Branch (90) and defensive tackle Drew Nowak (78) work out during rookie mini camp at Florida Blue Health

The Jags’ defensive line is…really, really good. It’s one of the bright spots on a team that went 5-11 last season. So how in the world does this Nowak kid have a chance to make the roster? Well, let’s take a look. Past Tyson Alualu and C.J. Mosley, the defensive tackle position is a question mark. Will Terrance Knighton, who has already had a tumultous offseason, be able to control his weight? D’Anthony Smith has basically been hurt his entire career. This could be like a 2nd rookie season for him all over again. What about Corvey Irvin and his massive tackle total of one in 2011? Nowak is 6’4, 292 lbs., and was named the MAC defensive player of the year with 83 tackles, 20 for a loss, and 8.5 sacks. He also recovered two fumbles and blocked two kicks. If he shows more than 2012 7th round pick Jeris Pendleton, look for Nowak to get in on the rotation if both Knighton and Smith can’t stay healthy again.

So there are my three rookie free agents who I believe could seriously push for a spot. Of course we’re all expecting Blackmon, Branch, and Anger to make an impact. It’d be nice to see Marshall, Harris, and Pendleton provide quality depth and play good special teams as well. Everyone hopes all the draft picks hit, but the more young guys who can play and make a positive impact, the better off this team will be in the future.

Are there any UDFAs that you think could make the roster? Let me know in the comments section!

-David R. Johns

The offensive side of the ball got their lumps just like the defense. Just a few guys we saw go down last year…

• RT Eben Britton
• RB Rashad Jennings
• TE Zach Miller

Doesn’t seem that bad, but when you lose a tackle (even though it’s the less glorified right side) and your number 2 running back in a run based offense forcing your star running back to carry the load YET AGAIN…it can’t be easy ya know? Mr. Daniel Lago did a great job breaking down the roster, and I’m gonna keep the roster analysis going.

Do I really need to talk about how good our run offense is? Do I really need to state just how BAD our passing offense was in 2011? Without any further ado…

2011 Offensive Line:

• LT: E. Monroe
• LG: W. Rackley
• C: B. Meester
• RG: U. Nwaneri, J. Spitz
• RT: G. Whimper, C. Bradfield

2012 Offensive Line:

• LT: E. Monroe
• LG: W. Rackley
• C: B. Meester, M. Brewster
• RG: U. Nwaneri, J. Spitz
• RT: Eben Britton, C. Bradfield

The O-Line is probably my favorite position on the field. They play as a unit. It’s like a team within a team. The guys have to be familiar with one another. They almost have to be able to communicate without communicating and that takes a few years. That being said we started a rookie LG last year in Rackley. Britton went down forcing Whimper (how suitable) into action.

Monroe has another year of experience under his belt, Britton will be healthy and hopefully we can see what he has in 2012. How nice would it be to have two solid book end tackles?

Notice anything different? Yes, I have Brewster making the team. I think this is the best UDFA signing the Jags made and one of the best UDFA signings in the NFL. What a steal. Meester has been amazing for Jacksonville, but he’s not getting any younger. Why not begin grooming his heir?

Bradfield beats out Whimper, and becomes our swing tackle. I’m a fan of Bradfield. He made the team as a UDFA last year, and can kick inside to guard in a pinch.

The guys obviously did a nice job of blocking for MJD. Pass protection? Not so much. Let’s hope this year we get some continuity going along the offensive line.

2011 Running Backs:

Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-US PRESSWIRE

• M. Jones-Drew
• D. Karim
• M. Owens
• D. Harris

2021 Running Backs:

• M. Jones-Drew
• R. Jennings
• M. Owens
• J. Parmele

I’m looking for MJD to keep the ball rolling, and in order to do that he’s going to need a good number 2 (no pun intended) to spell him…help him keep his legs fresh. I was devastated last year when Jennings went down so early in the season. He finished the 2010 season so strong, and he was actually going to be a sleeper pick in one of my fantasy leagues. I’d enjoy seeing the one two punch of Jones-Drew and Jennings on Sundays.

I like Parmele to make the roster. He’s got NFL experience, but he’s not too run down or old having only entered the league in 2008 as a 6th round draft pick by the Dolphins. I also like what he has to offer as a returner. In 2009 Parmele took over the role of KR for the Ravens. He only had 9 returns, but he totaled 283 yards with a 31.4 average. Do I see him being the primary returner? That’s yet to be seen, but it’d be nice to have another guy on the roster who can do more than one thing.

Owens stays on board as a special teams ace and to provide depth. He did after all make the pro bowl last year. He replaced Matt Slater as the special teams player.

2011 Fullbacks:

• G. Jones
• B. Bolen

2012 Fullbacks:

• G. Jones
• B. Bolen

The offensive line of the backfield is how I like to refer to the fullback position. I think Jones has done a nice job for the Jags. With 9 years of experience though I’m kind of wondering why we didn’t sign a young fullback in UDFA. Isn’t there a younger, cheaper, more effective alternative? He’s had some pretty bad injuries and sometimes I simply wonder how things will pan out for him in the next few years. Bolen stays with the team as a “just in case” kinda guy…which is why I’m still wondering why we didn’t get another fullback in UDFA.

2011 Tight Ends:

• M. Lewis
• Z. Potter
• C. Cloherty

2012 Tight Ends:

• M. Lewis
• Z. Miller
• Z. Potter

Mr. Lewis was our leading pass catcher last year. I won’t post the numbers. It’s embarrassing. You can look them up if you want to. I don’t know what happened. Just please return to 2010 form. Pretty please. Blaine could use a big target across the middle and underneath.

I have Miller and Potter returning to their roles as 2nd & 3rd TEs.

2011 Wide Receivers:

Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-US PRESSWIRE

• J. Dillard
• C. West
• K. Osgood
• M. Thomas
• C. Shorts

2012 Wide Receivers:

• J. Blackmon
• L. Robinson
• M. Thomas
• L. Evans
• C. West
• C. Shorts

Whew a lot has been made of this position. This will be the position battle to watch. There’s already been a lot of speculation as to how each receiver will be used. What kind of weapon will the 5th overall pick, Blackmon be? There’s been debate here at B&T. Will he be able to stretch the field and demand double coverage? Or will he be more of a YAC guy? Robinson is good at getting open. Evans could possibly be a burner and Thomas returns to the slot. C. West caught 2 TDs last season…which is why I have him on here. Maybe he could flourish in five wide sets should we decide to go five receivers in certain formations. It’d be nice if we acquired the versatility to do so. I’m also hoping Shorts comes along in his 2nd year. The wide receiver position is one of the most difficult to transition to in the NFL, especially for a 4th rounder.

A lot of “hope” going on this time of year. Any way you spin it, the receivers we have on our roster right now are better than the ones we had this time last year.

2011 Quarterbacks:

• Blaine Gabbert
• L. McCown
• D. LeFevour

2012 Quarterbacks:

• B. Gabbert
• C. Henne
• J. Palmer

The most important position of development and growth in the 2012 offseason is the quarterback position. Does Blaine have what it takes? Will he take advantage of the new weapons acquired through the draft and free agency, step up, and become the quarterback the Jags need him to be? Or will he continue to close his eyes when he throws the ball. All reports indicate that he’s confident and ready to step up. Last year he had hardly anything to work with. He’s got much more firepower now.

So many question marks remain surrounding this position. What kind of quarterback will he be? Will he be a game manager who hands it off and checks down without making mistakes? Will he be an accurate passer or a deep ball guy? Could he be both? Could he be all of these things at the next level? We don’t know yet. You can’t make assumptions and judgements based on last year. We need to be patient with the development of our young quarterback.

I’m happy we signed Chad Henne. He’ll provide a veteran presence who can step in and run the offense. Jordan Palmer beats out LeFevour in camp and becomes our new number 3 QB. He has NFL experience and knows the role of a back up QB having played behind his brother Carson Palmer in Cincinatti.

We’ve projected the offense. We’ve projected the defense. Special teams is next.

-David R. Johns