Or we, the fans, are completely aloof as to the needs of the team.

John Oehser had it right when he wrote,

Outside owner Shad Khan and General Manager Gene Smith, no one knows for sure – and that’s pretty much par for the NFL course.

Marshall, we weren't even interested and I still miss you! Source: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

It was, and still is, the opinion of this writer that the Jaguars are going to pursue a better receiving corps in free agency.  That said a number of very good receivers have come off the board.  Of these, Stevie Johnson (resigned with Bills a week before free agency), Marques Colston (signed hours before free agency began), Vincent Jackson (signed with Tampa Bay), Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan (signed with the Washington Redskins), Randy Moss (signed with San Francisco), and a surprise Brandon Marshall trade from Miami to Chicago for two third round picks in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

The Jags have hardly been mentioned amongst all of this hullabaloo.

ESPN’s AFC South blogger Paul Kuharsky recently mentioned that he thinks the Jags will still try to make a play for Mario Williams.  Not only does he think that they will, he thinks that they should.  Who else thinks that they should?  All of Jaguar nation.  Except maybe the front office.

While no word has come out of Shahid Khan or Gene Smith yet (after all, they like to keep things quiet), we, the Jaguars faithful, have got to begin wondering just what game the Jaguars are playing at.

It’s common knowledge that the goal for the team is to build through the draft.  But to what end?  Consistently, Gene Smith has traded up with picks to grab players he finds alluring.  I agree with the strategy on the whole, but none of the players being developed with those picks have any market value to trade for more picks to add more blood and more development to the young Jaguars roster.

And beyond all that, at the Jaguars’ greatest position of need, Gene Smith has not performed well.  Here at B&T, we outlined just how poorly he has done.  Are we to assume that the Jaguars are actually pleased with their current receiving corps?   Has Jarrett Dillard made his way off the injury cart enough make a play?  Will Mike Thomas be forced out of the slot due to underperformance yet again?  What about past attempts?  Did Jason Hill suddenly become the deep threat we all dreamed of?

The only assumption I can make based on the complete lack of depth, and action to fit that depth, at wide receiver is that the Jaguars are going to make “plays” again in the draft.  Plays for the likes of Justin Blackmon perhaps?

But at what cost?

It’s assumed picks will probably be involved in order to trade up an nab the star wide receiver from Oklahoma State.  Or perhaps there will be a move to trade back and acquire as many mediocre talents at wide out that we possibly can?

I’m not really certain.

In fact I’m straight up confused.

If anybody has any light whatsoever on this, please, please shine it my way.  Nay, shine it toward all of the fans.  Because as much as I’m behind Gene Smith, I just can’t make heads nor tails of his actions in free agency thus far.

- Luke N. Sims

The Jags franchised Scobee and worked out a one year deal laden with incentives for Rashean Mathis.  But, somehow, Lowery and Jeremy Mincey slipped through their fingers.

After playing cornerback for the Jets for three seasons, Lowery made the shift to strong safety with the Jags and performed very well.  His 28 tackles, one sack, two picks, and fumble recovered helped to solidify a previously porous Jaguar defensive backfield.  Lowery helped to establish a dominant presence at the tail-end of deep plays, forcing teams to think twice before trying to go over the top of the (very weak) cornerbacks.

'Cuz he's a Triller! Source: Phil Sears-US PRESSWIRE

Mincey, similarly, provided a spark and good leadership for the Jaguars in 2011.  After finally taking over for the beleaguered Derrick Harvey in 2011, Mincey started all 16 games, made sure the team was more effective when he was on the field, racked up eight sacks, 57 tackles, a pick, and four fumbles forced.  Mincey was the major threat on the defensive line and quarterbacks began to take notice.

While a late bloomer, Mincey, in his fourth year, has proven that he’s worth a little extra money to keep around.  Lowery has also been an effective performer.

So why are the Jags letting them test free agency?

Mincey is considered one of the best value players on the market and Lowery could instantly start on many teams who are starved at safety and will be unimpressed by the meager free agency market at the position and the similarly scant pickings in the draft.

For these reasons the prices for the two free agents will rise.

The Jags should realize the value of Lowery and his quick ability to adapt to their defense.  He is probably worth the money to bring back, especially since the position has been especially poor since the regression and eventual trade of Reggie Nelson.

Have no fear dear readers, I have a theory!

As the Jags entered free agency they had their eyes set on a few big prizes: WR Vincent Jackson and WR Marques Colston, as well as DE Mario Williams.

With Colston never hitting the market and devotion and war chests of other teams, I expect Jackson to sign with another team.  Similarly, Williams is a gamble and will probably end up with a team like the Raiders who talk big and spent big.  As these players leave the market, the Jags will look to sign Mincey and Lowery.

Mincey and Lowery are worth the money, and the Jags know it.  They can afford for the two players to test free agency, especially since they come from a small market team that didn’t receive a lot of press over the past year.  The front office from Jacksonville know what they’re getting in the commodities of Lowery and Mincey and will pay accordingly.

Look for matches or “raises” on offers from other teams by the Jaguars.

If it doesn’t happen, I may end up as pissed as Pot Roast.

- Luke N. Sims