Players like Jones-Drew draw my ire. I don't trust them - and apparently, neither does the Jaguar's management. MJD will likely sit out this season. He is showing his ignorance. He is sending a message. He is acting out a passion play where he will lose and lose big.
First - if he refuses to play - he will likely never recover the losses - but he will make a stand... he will show everyone his (self assessed) value... and, what a fool he is.
The new owner of the Jaguars made a statement regarding MJD's hold out. Play, don't play, we will move on without you (MJD).
MJD obviously didn't calculate well. He surely didn't think this owner would blow him off - which he did. MJD led the AFC in rushing. He was 40% of the team offense. He had more carries than any other back. AND, he had previously signed a contract and agreed to play at the salary contained in that contract.
It is this last fact that makes MJD untrustworthy to his franchise, fans and teammates. He might argue he wasn't getting paid enough, he might be injured, he might, he might. He signed the contract. A reputable person lives with the contract until that contract expires. Or they try to work it out. I suppose MJD did ask for more - but didn't like the response given.
There is NO reason to pay him more. There are several reasons why the Jaguars should NOT pay him more and cut their ties with him. The Jags are in a major rebuilding mode. They won't win many games with or without him. If they are really bad, they get another talented young player. They stay under the cap and equitably reward players on the squad - player who will honor their contracts. It is a bad business decision to reward one player who reveals his selfishness. Do that, and other players will repeat MJD's behavior. The Jags will never get out of the cellar.
There is another import factor - you cannot reward a person who refuses to honor their word. That is what MJD is doing. He will never again be trusted - no matter where he goes. He has in one swift motion ruined his chances of making money elsewhere - and volutarily forfeits his earning potential. He MAY receive a one-year deal - but no other organization will offer him a multi-year deal. He has shown he will not honor a contract. His word is worthless.
Good Luck MJD - I hope it is worth it - NOT!
Monday, August 20, 2012
2012 Homer Report
The 2012 season is nigh upon us. Camp proceeds well and all reports are upbeat; filled with revelations. This year's team is better than last. Cohesiveness, reaction, and camaraderie are improved. Players "know" the systems in place. Thinking has evolved into action and reaction. Last year's near miss at the Super Bowl is a lingering sore that motivates. Knowing, that sans two fumbles, they would play for it all, is a memory that stings and prompts resolve - Never Again.
This year's schedule contains the league's elite. It will proof the team - early. Victories in the first few games, against quality opponents, will bring whispers - in dark places - where the fears and uncertainties lurk. I saw a photo from camp. It was taken from the quarterback's perspective - that vision is a nightmare. It affected me. The fear that vision inspires will haunt Qbs around the league as the realization last year's 49er team was no fluke. That perspective alone will bring errors. Errors affect wins; and losses. Advantage 49ers.
Alex Smith... the NFL's whipping boy. He led a no-name team to vie for a national championship. His school's division prevented their consideration. Smith's play was exceptional. His coach continues to praise Smith - and understands his work habits, strengths and weaknesses. Smith was precluded from developing properly. His first five years were not unlike a child living in a dysfunctional family - no continuity. His coaches were inexperienced and looking to move. Alex and the other players faced change, uncertainty, and mixed messages. The focus remained upon Alex - but, in reality, the 49ers collectively were a very bad team. The talent laden Niners had no direction or motivation - why should they? The organization was in a tail spin. Everyone knew it. Enter Jim Harbaugh. One never knows how a player will adapt to the coaching ranks. Some are unable to make the transition. Harbaugh came from a football family. His father coached at the college rank. Jim and his brother John grew up watching their father negotiate that profession. It appears both sons learned well.
The impact of Jim's leadership took hold immediately. By the time the 2011 season began, the 49ers were ready to compete. A game 2 loss to the Cowboys made it clear what was needed and what was missing. Harbaugh identified the issues and closed those doors quickly. The Niners didn't lose another game until late November. They might have lost fewer games had the WR corps been deeper. Or, if Harbaugh was willing to let Alex expand the playbook. It may be that the WR were incapable of adapting to Harbaugh's playbook. Ultimately, it was that lack of WR depth that doomed the Niners championship ambitions - and - Kyle William's fumbles. I wonder how well the 49ers would have played against NE in the Super Bowl. I like to think their defense was superior to the Giants and the Niners would achieve the same outcome as the Giants. Losing the Championship game was bitter. How will that influence this years' team remains uncertain.
Adding to the WR corps in the offseason was needed and done with a perspective of winning. Providing Smith a large, capable veteran WR in Randy Moss will provide benefits. Ditto Mario Maningham. A rookie wideout selected in round one shows how obvious the WR deficit was to the coach. He also bolstered the RB field. LaMichale James is a back who may be the second incarnation of Barry Sanders - time will tell. But it's curious who will make the roster at runningback and how many the team will field. The defense returns intact which is why they must take this year seriously - it's seldom a team can return an entire starting group - one that was ranked #1 in the most important areas.
This year the San Francisco Forty Niners are stacked top to bottom. It is up to them to make the most of this blessing and use their talents to claim a sixth Lombardi.
This year's schedule contains the league's elite. It will proof the team - early. Victories in the first few games, against quality opponents, will bring whispers - in dark places - where the fears and uncertainties lurk. I saw a photo from camp. It was taken from the quarterback's perspective - that vision is a nightmare. It affected me. The fear that vision inspires will haunt Qbs around the league as the realization last year's 49er team was no fluke. That perspective alone will bring errors. Errors affect wins; and losses. Advantage 49ers.
Alex Smith... the NFL's whipping boy. He led a no-name team to vie for a national championship. His school's division prevented their consideration. Smith's play was exceptional. His coach continues to praise Smith - and understands his work habits, strengths and weaknesses. Smith was precluded from developing properly. His first five years were not unlike a child living in a dysfunctional family - no continuity. His coaches were inexperienced and looking to move. Alex and the other players faced change, uncertainty, and mixed messages. The focus remained upon Alex - but, in reality, the 49ers collectively were a very bad team. The talent laden Niners had no direction or motivation - why should they? The organization was in a tail spin. Everyone knew it. Enter Jim Harbaugh. One never knows how a player will adapt to the coaching ranks. Some are unable to make the transition. Harbaugh came from a football family. His father coached at the college rank. Jim and his brother John grew up watching their father negotiate that profession. It appears both sons learned well.
The impact of Jim's leadership took hold immediately. By the time the 2011 season began, the 49ers were ready to compete. A game 2 loss to the Cowboys made it clear what was needed and what was missing. Harbaugh identified the issues and closed those doors quickly. The Niners didn't lose another game until late November. They might have lost fewer games had the WR corps been deeper. Or, if Harbaugh was willing to let Alex expand the playbook. It may be that the WR were incapable of adapting to Harbaugh's playbook. Ultimately, it was that lack of WR depth that doomed the Niners championship ambitions - and - Kyle William's fumbles. I wonder how well the 49ers would have played against NE in the Super Bowl. I like to think their defense was superior to the Giants and the Niners would achieve the same outcome as the Giants. Losing the Championship game was bitter. How will that influence this years' team remains uncertain.
Adding to the WR corps in the offseason was needed and done with a perspective of winning. Providing Smith a large, capable veteran WR in Randy Moss will provide benefits. Ditto Mario Maningham. A rookie wideout selected in round one shows how obvious the WR deficit was to the coach. He also bolstered the RB field. LaMichale James is a back who may be the second incarnation of Barry Sanders - time will tell. But it's curious who will make the roster at runningback and how many the team will field. The defense returns intact which is why they must take this year seriously - it's seldom a team can return an entire starting group - one that was ranked #1 in the most important areas.
This year the San Francisco Forty Niners are stacked top to bottom. It is up to them to make the most of this blessing and use their talents to claim a sixth Lombardi.
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