Jaguars Free Agency 2013: Quietly Winning
By Luke Sims
Jan 18, 2013; Jacksonville FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars new head coach Gus Bradley (left) is introduced by new general manager Dave Caldwell at a press conference at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
The Jacksonville Jaguars have been quiet through free agency thus far. General Manager Dave Caldwell wasn’t joking around when he said the team would likely fill the roster through the draft and college free agency. While teams like the Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks bolster their rosters with free agents, Caldwell and head coach Gus Bradley calmly fly to Pro Days to check out top prospects. The Jaguars Free Agency Tracker is quiet, but this does not mean the Jags are not free agency winners.
Since NFL Free Agency opened on March 12 at 4:00 pm EST, the Jaguars have made two moves. The team cut wide receiver Laurent Robinson and they signed outside linebacker Geno Hayes. Hayes is likely depth but has starting experience and could return to form to start at a thin position for the Jaguars.
The important thing to note here is that the Jaguars are quiet, but sticking to their plan. The new regime isn’t worried about being flashy or impressive early in free agency. Instead, they are showing that they are resolved to stick to the plan they made when they started roster evaluations. They are trimming the fat and looking to build the team their way, not the way that grabs the most headlines. If this were New York, it would be tough to do that. Down in Jacksonville, still the least popular franchise in the league, it is a lot easier to slip under the radar.
You won’t see the Jaguars in any lists as the “winners” of free agency, but sticking to the plan and showing a commitment to moving past mistakes of the previous regime do show that the Jaguars are, for now, winners.
– Luke N. Sims
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