Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Jaguars fire Gene Smith, Shad Khan takes over

The long anticipated wait is over. The Jacksonville Jaguars have fired GM Gene Smith after multiple years of failed drafts picks and unproductive free agents. The move was inevitable after the worst season in franchise history. Shad Khan vowed to the city of Jacksonville, that he would hire someone to take them to the next level.

On January 8th, 2013, the Jaguars annouced the hiring of David Caldwell, asst. GM of the Atlanta Falcons. Caldwell brings a different mind set to the Jaguars than Smith. Through the early years, Caldwell specialized in college scouting and free agent pick ups. Some of the notable picks for Caldwell include Matt Ryan & Julio Jones, both who have blossemed with the Falcons. Now the Jaguars have (another) opportunity to start a clean slate. Especially with multiple set-to-be free agents on the team, they have hard decisions coming up. But with the number two overall pick in the draft this year, they have leverage. Moving drafts picks and exchanging players in the offseason, as well as signing free agents is the key to the Jaguars success.

Prediction:

With Caldwell running the show, I predict coaching and player personel changes. First off, Mike Murlarkey is out...period. 2-14 season is not going to cut it. The fans deserve better and Khan is going to give it to them. Jones-Drew is going to be traded and we are drafting a young buck. He has some value left and is clearly done in Jacksonville. Quarterback and O-Line are still an issue. Most likely addressed in free agency. Jacksonville is going to draft alot of defensive talent and some offensive weapons. Count on it.