Jacksonville Jaguars’ “Newness” Appeals To Free Agents

Sep 25, 2011; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi (11) catches a touchdown pass in between Miami Dolphins strong safety Yeremiah Bell (37) and defensiveback Jimmy Wilson (27) during the fourth quarter to tie the game at 16-16 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The new look, new feel, and new front office for the Jacksonville Jaguars is an appealing factor for the free agents that spend time either visiting with the Jags or end up signing with the team.  While some players choose to go to other teams (looking at you, Mike Jenkins), the players the Jaguars have attracted, like Mohamed Massaquoi, are impressed by the new feel the Jaguars have.

A lot of the players the Jaguars are bringing in, like Massaqoui, defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks, and running back Justin Forsett, are looking for a fresh start or another chance to prove they’re worth it to teams.  Marks and Massaquoi are both second round selections from the 2009 draft and both have been abandoned by the teams that drafted them.  Regardless whether the moves were wise or unwise by their respective teams, in Jacksonville they have have a chance to work themselves into the rotation and show that they can outplay those above them on the depth chart.

Defensive tackle Roy Miller and Forsett both have an opportunity to show that the play they showed while starting for previos teams is quality and they can build upon it.  Miller is expected to be an immediate starter and large part of head coach Gus Bradley’s defensive scheme.  Forsett is a well established insurance policy to prevent another disaster like 2012 occurring to the Jaguar rushing game.

Massaquoi may have said it best when he said, “I want to see where my game can go.”  The free agents signing with the Jaguars have opportunities that other teams don’t offer.  The roster is in shambles and the new team leaders are looking for players who can shoulder the rebuild and prove to be long term foundations for the team.  Players like Massaquoi, Miller, and Marks want to show that they are more than just added wrinkles to a team’s game.

The Jags may look like they have added mostly “depth” players to their roster, but make no mistake that what the Jaguars have actually done is quietly add hungry players coming to a situation they see as most able to give them a shot at showing that their game can continue to go up.

Everything is new in Jacksonville and everyone gets a fresh start.

– Luke N. Sims

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