Jacksonville Jaguars Changing Perception With Big Free Agency Moves

Daniel Lago

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The Jacksonville Jaguars entered the 2015 offseason with the most salary cap space of any team in the entire NFL. General manager

David Caldwell

has done an admirable job of cleaning up former GM

Gene Smith

‘s dumpster fire of a roster, but all signs pointed to this offseason being a fulcrum for catapulting the Jaguars back in relevancy.

Like most teams, the Jaguars didn’t bother waiting until 4 PM on Tuesday to make some big moves – so far they’ve reportedly signed offensive tackle Jermey Parnell, defensive tackle Jared Odrick, linebacker Dan Skuta, safety Sergio Brown, cornerback Davon House, tight end Julius Thomas, and they are still in pursuit of running back DeMarco Murray. While some of the saltier analysts have flippantly passed this off as players taking the money and running, it doesn’t really work that way. Randall Cobb and Devin McCourty both turned down big pay days to remain with their current teams. Money is obviously a factor, but players also want to go somewhere where they can succeed and thrive under a positive culture. Jacksonville is starting to become that place.

Hear the same thing about #Jaguars in FA as I did while they searched for coaches: Things have changed. People want to go there now.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2015

It may feel like some form of small consolation given the team’s record under Caldwell and head coach Gus Bradley, but the feeling around the building, city, and fanbase is the Jaguars are headed in the right direction. Luring in impact players, particularly a player who is arguably one of the 2 or 3 best at his position in Julius Thomas, shows that people outside of Jacksonville are starting to take notice.

For now, let’s enjoy what has really been a successful and encouraging couple of days in free agency. The team will have higher expectations heading into the 2015 season, and for good reason. Hopefully they can live up to them.

Next: Davon is in the House with the Jaguars.

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Daniel Lago

Daniel Lago was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Jacksonville in time to see the Jaguars inaugural season in 1995. He attended the University of Florida for his undergraduate degree and received his Masters and Ph.D. at Georgia Tech in nuclear engineering. Daniel bleeds black and teal, but he also follows Gator football and basketball, as well as Orlando Magic basketball and Atlanta Braves baseball.