Jacksonville Under Construction

by Jconk333 | 4 years ago | 1 Comments

The Jacksonville Jaguars 2020 season did not go as coach Cash Conklin had hoped. Coach was making his return to football after roughly 5 years away from the game, losing those nuances that once made him a threat year in and year out. After week 10, Coach had to step away again from the game for the remainder of the season leaving the division lead in the review mirror as well. Interim coach Ark would finish the season 0-7 and was immediately fired upon season's end. Coach Conklin did however, not lose his vision of what he wanted this team to look like. He wanted playmakers on both sides of the ball, a stud QB, and a formidable offensive line. The current state of this team shows coach has accomplished..........one of these goals with playmakers everywhere. Lets take a look at how free agency and the draft went......

FREE AGENCY

Free agency did not go poorly, but there were some missed opportunities to sign some impactful players. Damontae Kazee was a top target for Coach as he felt this was a better route than using a draft pick on the back half of the secondary. Kazee felt playing for a SB at this point in his career was better for him and that is a decision many can support. Haason Reddick was another top target after the off-season trade of Myles Jack to the Minnesota Vikings. Reddick was drawn to the vision of the Coach that would allow Reddick to play freely and get all over the field. Another major signing by Coach was being able to sign Mitch Trubisky to a team friendly deal that carries no dead money if Mitch were to not make the team. Trubisky was signed as insurance if the draft were to not fall how Coach was hoping. There will be more on that later. Hakeem Butler is also on board the rebuild in Jacksonville and switching positions from WR to TE to create even more mismatches on the field. There were more signings for Coach that simply helped create depth on the roster and some will compete for playing time.

DRAFT

The Jacksonville Jaguars had a gazillion draft picks which afforded Coach the flexibility to take BPA, dart throws, and positions of need. With 3 first round picks, Coach was hoping to help out the OL with OG Wyatt Davis. However, Davis went two picks before it was Jacksonville's turn. The idea Ja'Marr Chase was sitting on the board one pick before Jacksonville had Coach on the edge of his seat but Buffalo did the right thing by ending the draft day fall of a future superstar. Finally, it was Jacksonville's turn to pick, and they would be picking back to back. They decided on Patrick Surtain II, and his college teammate Jaylen Waddle. This creates an incredible CB trio of CJ Henderson, Surtain II, and Sidney Jones IV. With all of them under contract for the next 4/5 years respectfully. Jacksonville lacked a true weapon outside of DJ Chark in the wideout room. So, the selection of burner Jaylen Waddle made the most sense. At pick 18, Jacksonville was up again. They were torn between safties Andre Cisco and Hamsah Nasirildeen. Coach decided to draft the "freak" Hamsah to pair with Josh Jones in the back half. That selection would end up to look even better after Coach selected LSU safety Kary Vincet Jr in round 3. Vincent ended up being the selection after the Colts snagged up Kyle Trask four picks before Jacksonville surprising Coach after Indy gave Jameis Winston $50 million this off-season. Jacksonville's 2nd round pick was Jaylen Twyman after not picking up Taven Bryan's fifth year option. Trask was considered in round 2, but Coach felt this value was greater and he thought Trask might still be there in round 3. Twyman is also considered a future superstar when looking at his traits. The rest of the draft was about finding playmakers and value. One more notable pick to discuss is the selection of Jalen Virgil in round 4 after he was projected to not be selected. "The athleticism and speed was just too much to pass up. When you have a guy with 4.3 speed and a 40" inch vertical...that is rare. "We anticipate this coaching staff developing this young guy into a legit playmaker" Coach Conklin was caught saying after the selection. 

2021 SEASON

Coach Conklin expects himself to be on the sidelines for every game in 2021 with his personal life slowing down and becoming a bit more scheduled. He also expects himself to take another step towards regaining some of the ability that once made him a contender. He wants the AFC South to know a fun fact.......In every season in the SFL where he has coached from start to finish......he has never missed playoffs, and has never NOT won his division. Some interesting words from a coach that was merely 5-4 in games with him on the sideline. If Coach can't recapture some of the ability he seems to have lost, it will be another season drafting in the top 10. Good luck to everyone in the SFL this year....may anyone win the SB but the Denver Broncos.