Jacksonville Jaguars: The preparations for the 2018 season have begun
By Kathy Clark
The Jacksonville Jaguars brain trust burns the midnight oil at this time of the year. Many decisions must be made in the next two months in order to put the very best team on the field in 2018.
The Jacksonville Jaguars had a storybook season in 2017. However the “what have you done lately” attitude prevails in the NFL. No one in the NFL can sit back and enjoy their prior success. The goal is to improve your roster each year.
To start, February and March critical decisions for the future can make or break the season. For example, look at February. First the time to franchise or transition tag players runs from February 20th until March 5th. Two possibilities are Allen Robinson and Aaron Colvin. Next the NFL combine runs from February 27th until March 5th. The combine allows the best college players eligible for the draft to showcase their skills. Needless to say the Jaguars’ contingent of scouts, coaches, and management are assessing skills and interviewing potential prospects at the combine.
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The month of March choices are critical for the franchise. To begin, March 12-14 NFL clubs can begin to negotiate with the representatives of unrestricted free agents. Jacksonville unrestricted free agents include Allen Robinson, Marqise Lee, and Paul Posluszny. Above all, keep your eyes on March 14. That is when some of the most critical choices are made.
March 14th is the date to submit offers to restricted free agents with expiring 2017 contracts. In addition, the player must have fewer than three years of free agent credit. For example, restricted free agents include Peyton Thompson and Corey Grant.
Most important is March 14th at 4:00 p.m. At that time all teams must be under the salary cap. Thus the Jaguars need to cut players to meet this goal. Equally important, all 2017 contracts expire. This allows free agent’s representatives to negotiate new deal with the Jaguars or other teams.
Finally, the 2018 NFL football season also officially begins at 4:00 p.m. This means it’s time to look at trade deals and possible free agent signings. The Jaguars have been active in this area the past few seasons. However less activity is expected in 2018.
The Jaguars made several moves already. To begin, they picked-up tight end Marcedes Lewis’ contract for 2018. This move keeps a solid veteran in camp. Jacksonville also picked up options on Josh Wells and Tyler Shatley for 2018. As a result, the team maintains two much needed offensive linemen.
Obviously this is just the beginning. New players are added and prior players let go. It’s a painful, but necessary process to guarantee continued success for this franchise.