Source: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

In the Death Valley that is the dead zone of the NFL season I thought I’d share a little idea that I have had regarding Tamp Bay QB Josh Freeman.

For a while now I have been thinking of the possibility of Josh Freeman becoming a Jaguar. Ever since he was drafted in 2009 I have had the belief that he would be a great QB and I still believe that. However, coach Schiano of Tampa Bay has thrown a massive wrench into the system, namely the drafting of Mike Glennon.

Now, Glennon may very well be riding the pine for a while, but I have a feeling that Schiano will have another one of his bright ideas (remember his bird brain idea for kickoff reform?) and start Glennon before he is ready and bench Freeman sooner than he should. Yet, what if, just what if, Freeman is cut/traded? Should the Jaguars be in the market for him? I say yes, and here is why.

Josh Freeman

Blaine Gabbert

Looking at Freeman’s and Gabbert’s stats they are not that much different, but Freeman clearly has better numbers. Yes, Gabbert had a better completion percentage than Freeman, but the latter had more yards and a better TD/INT ratio. Before you say it, yes Gabbert only played in 10 games, while Freeman played in all 16. However, Freeman averaged 254 yards per game, while Gabbert managed only 166 yards per game.  In addition, Freeman had 10 more TDS than INTs to Gabbert’s 3.

Now, I know Freeman had a solid running game to lean on and Vincent Jackson, as well as a better overall offense. However, it seems that Greg Schiano wants to run Freeman out of town, and the Jaguars should provide asylum.

-Kyle Messina

December 11, 2011; Jacksonville FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Roy Miller (90) rushes as Jacksonville Jaguars guard Will Rackley (65) blocks during the first half at Jacksonville EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Jacksonville Jaguars have had their second signing of free agency.  Defensive tackle Roy Miller, a 2009 third round pick for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has signed with the Jags as reported by Adam Caplan.

DT Roy Miller signs with the Jaguars, according to his agent, @mikemccartney7.

— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 15, 2013

Miller started 14 games in 2012 and all 16 games in 2010.  He has recorded three sacks and 141 tackles in his four season career.  Miller, who played his college ball for Texas, did not miss a single tackle for the Bucs all season in 2012 and recorded 10 defensive stops, one batted pass, five QB hurries, and 25 tackles.

What the Jags are getting in Miller is likely a rotation guy to go with Tyson Alualu and C.J. Mosley at defensive tackle.  Miller offers decent size at 6’2″ 310 pounds.  He should be able to clog the middle and provide a little bit of push against the pass.  Miller should not be confused with a game changing defensive tackle who will collapse the pocket by pushing up the middle and open it up for other players to make plays.  He is a decent run defender.

I like the signing but think there are other holes that need to be addressed as well. If the Jags go after another defensive tackle in free agency or the draft, Miller may be competing for that third or fourth spot on the depth chart, for now it looks like a good rotation guy who may be able to fight it out with Mosley for the bigger role at DT.

It sounds like Miller is looking to improve his game, per John Oehser, “I really like the new energy they have here. I’m a young guy (25), getting better. I’m still working, still hungry.”  I’ve got to say, I love the attitude.

- Luke N. Sims

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While talks continue with Scobee, the kicker has publicly noted that he will play under the franchise tag for the season if need be.  He looks forward to getting a deal done with the club but negotiations have been long and are now abutting the league-mandated timeframe for franchise players signing their tenders.  Scobee, along with five other players are holding out on signing the tender in the hopes of getting a better deal than the average pay of the top five players at the position.  Scobee, Cliff Avril, Ray Rice, Dashon Goldson, Dwayne Bowe and Matt Forte all want to see the team make a commitment to them but have yet to be effective in their negotiations.

Seriously, the guy has a little je ne sais qua... Source: Matt Stamey-US PRESSWIRE

Avril, Scobee, and Rice are undoubtedly some of the best in the league right now at their respective positions and are hoping to get paid as such.  Meanwhile, Bowe and Forte are crucial parts of offenses that saw dips in production last season from the 2010 campaign.  The San Francisco 49ers really like safety Goldson and would like to see his capabilities in another year on a defense that surprisingly rocked the playoff field under head coach Jim Harbaugh last year.

Scobee is due $2.88 million in 2012 under the franchise tag.  His agent, who resumed talks with the Jaguars two weeks ago, is not looking for a contract in the top two players the position (Sebastian Janikowski and Phil Dawson who are both at about $4 million for 2012) but would probably like to be paid for the work Scobee does.  Scobee could get a deal similar to that inked by Connor Barth of  Tampa Bay who just signed a deal for $3.3 million per year.  Barth made 93% of field goals in 2011, one point up on Scobee’s 92%.  Matt Prater of the Broncos may be the more probable peg to be matched to Scobee and he just signed a deal for $3.25 million.

A fan favorite and crucial part of a team that struggles on offense, signing Scobee has been a focus of Jaguars fans and the team through the offseason.  We all hope that at some point during the year the two sides can get together.  Until then, it will be the franchise tender for Scobee.

- 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