The Jaguars have 11 players set to become unrestricted free agents in the 2012 offseason. Some are crucial role players (Josh Scobee, Nick Harris) while others seem to have made themselves expendable. Who will stay and who will go? We break each player down and predict if they’ll be donning the black and teal in 2012.
Absolutely Essential
– Josh Scobee, K
- As laid out in a previous Black&Teal article, Josh Scobee is one of the best in the business. It isn’t just his 92% field goal completions in 2011, but also his ability to limit the opposition with well-placed kick offs. Look for Scobee to be resigned to a long-term deal and to be kicking for years to come in Jacksonville. Scobee also provides some much needed flair and trash talking (see Twitter) that most of the Jaguars players don’t get into.
– Dwight Lowery, S
- Lowery helped revamp the Jaguars’ horrendous secondary in 2011. He played physically at safety and provided a final backstop to a secondary that became very porous in the later stages of the season. If Lowery isn’t resigned, the Jags may as well only play 10 defenders with the lack of secondary depth available in the backend of the defense.
Expect to Return
– Rashean Mathis, CB
- Rashean Mathis has had a great career in Jacksonville. He has been the face of the defense for years and is well respected across the league. Despite his numerous injuries over the past few seasons, GM Gene Smith and Co. have committed to resigning him. Mathis has lost a step and can’t stay healthy, but his talent level is still higher than most (read: all) cornerbacks on the Jaguars roster.
– Nick Harris, P
- Nick Harris earned his roster spot in 2011. Following the departure of Adam Podlesh (What a great leg!) in free agency last year, the Jags brought on Matt Turk. Turk’s inability to punt better than a high school kicker opened the door for Harris. Harris has performed admirably and I’d be shocked if the Jaguars did not extend him a deal into the future. Look for improvement from him in 2012.
– Jeremy Mincey, DE
- Identified as a “high priority” along with Mathis and Scobee, Mincey has provided a much needed pass rush threat for the Jaguars. He bloomed late, but oh how he has bloomed. The front four for the Jaguars isn’t deep enough to provide consistent pressure to get to the quarterback, yet. But as the other three along the front four develop and a legitimate pass rusher is put opposite Mincey, expect the knockdowns to become sacks and fumbles very rapidly.
May Return
– Matt Roth, DE
- Matt Roth provided good, fresh legs in rotation at defensive end in 2011. However, he was not super effective at disrupting the passing game. His skills are good and he plays well in the Jaguars system on running and passing downs. I expect that he may return in 2012, but he’ll have to improve at rushing the passer to command big money in the future and to stay on the roster for an extended period beyond 2012 or 2013.
Won’t Be Back
– C.C. Brown, S
- C.C. Brown got playing time in two games for the Jaguars. He was part of the problem on the back end of the defense following Mathis and Cox’s injuries. Don’t expect the journeyman to return.
– Guy Whimper, RT
- Guy Whimper was the fill-in for Eben Britton when he went down with injury (again). Whimper was a sieve and raised the question, “how many more yards could Maurice Jones-Drew have had with a good right tackle?” The front office thought he was serviceable for a year, but there are far better options available over the offseason.
– Luke McCown, QB
- Luke McCown has been an excellent practice quarterback. He’s sat behind other starting caliber quarterbacks because he somehow fails to translate his practice game to the real thing. After starting and winning the first game of 2011 against the Titans, McCown was benched in favor of rookie Blaine Gabbert due to his terrible play. The Jags will be looking for a player that can push Gabbert in practice and provide a real threat at taking away the starting job if his play slips. McCown’s time in Jacksonville is over and he will be looking to push another bubble-level starting quarterback in a different city come 2012.
– C.J. Mosley, DT
- Mosley played as part of the rotation on the front four for the Jaguars. While the depth at the position wasn’t horrendous, there were too many players like Mosely who seemed to simply be “place holders” for a year until the Jaguars could fit in someone better. In Mosley’s two seasons with the Jags he has recorded one sack and 25 tackles. The Jags can use better depth at defensive tackle and should look for it in free agency.
– David Jones, CB
- David Jones has been horrendous in his time with Jacksonville since Gene Smith traded Reggie Nelson to the Bengals for him. Jones has been incredibly poor in man coverage on the outside and is not suited to playing well at nickel either. He was, once again, poor in his relief of Derek Cox and should not see the field in Jacksonville in 2012. I’d avoid him if I was from another team as well.
There you have it. A lot of the Jaguars’ players should not be pursued by Jacksonville during the offseason in 2012. While there have been some good acquisitions by Gene Smith over the past three seasons, the lack of depth at some positions needs to be addressed. The Jags should be active in free agency to pursue more players like Lowery and Drew Coleman to voids on the Jaguars’ defense. Gene Smith and Co. will be actively searching for a high talent wide receiver this offseason as well. Expect results from Gene Smith in his pursuits, and expect a far bolstered defensive secondary and superior receiving corps.
Preview provided by Luke Sims. Check out Black and Teal for more on the Jacksonville Jaguars.