Jaguars Journal
by Sam Kouvaris
March 09, 2010
=============================================================================
Nice Work So Far
After being coy about their entry into the free-agent market this year, the Jaguars have made the moves almost nobody expected.
You might remember I said they should spend a bunch of money on Julius Peppers and trade out of the first round. With Peppers gone to the Bears, the Jaguars targeted a more "gettable" pass rusher in Aaron Kampman. Kampman has credible state when it comes to getting to the passer and has shown he can do that on the pro level.
Jaguars Defensive Coordinator Mel Tucker says he sees a very solid addition on the defensive line. "He is a guy that has proven at the professional level that he can get to the quarterback. He has done it more than one season. He's not a flash in the plan. He's a steady, consistent guy in that regard, a Pro Bowl caliber player. Prior to going to the 3-4 scheme in Green Bay, he was one of the top three pass rushers in the league with guys like DeMarcus Ware (Dallas) and Jared Allen (Minnesota) in terms of sacks."
Pretty high praise, but also expected.
Kampman was moved out of his natural "hand down" position last year in Green Bay under Dom Capers, their new defensive coordinator. He was just learning the system when he suffered a torn ACL and was out for the rest of the year. "Ahead of schedule," is how Kampman described his rehab on his knee. No matter, the first year after an ACL is never perfect so the Jaguars must be thinking long term with Kampman, who will be 31 this year.
Besides his on-field production, Kampman is well known as a worker. He'll get it figured out and work relentlessly to get where he needs to be. It's a good pick as a locker room guy for Gene Smith and Kampman will be popular with fans as a working class player. I know, you can't characterize a guy as "working class" you just handed $11 million to but he'll give fans somebody to root for. It all depends on how his knee progresses over time.
Kassim Osgood is known as a special teams guy in the league. A two time Pro Bowl player as a special player, he wants a chance to play wide receiver on a regular basis. At 6'5" and 220lbs or so, Osgood is a big physical guy who doesn't think he's had a chance to compete for a regular spot in the lineup. "He brings a lot of things to the table. He has the size and toughness about him, a willingness to do whatever it takes to get on the field as a wide receiver," Jaguars receiver coach Todd Monken said today.
If there's a reoccurring theme here it's the "whatever it takes" attitude to become a better player. That's what you're looking for in a player and that's what Gene Smith is finding.
I like both of these signings because I like this kind of player. But more than that, it fits the plan that makes sense.
After signing Kampman, do the Jaguars need to spend their 10th pick overall on a defensive lineman, as everybody expected? I doubt it. What makes sense is to trade out of or out of the first round and get a second round pick. Get the best player you can find somewhere else in the draft instead of in the top half of the first round. It's too expensive for what the Jaguars are trying to do now and I won't be surprised at all if they keep trading down until they have to make a decision about Tim Tebow.
With the moves they've made so far, if they can get Tim in the second round, or even low in the first, take him.
|
