Join *Jaguars Inside Report *Senior Editor Vic Ketchman as he tackles the fans' tough questions.
Nick Joshi from Tampa, FL:
Two questions about compensatory draft picks: First, you mentioned in response to Steve Ducharme's question that the Jags may get compensatory picks for Barker, Shelton and Logan. What about Leon Searcy? Second, of all the possible losses to free agency this year (as listed by you recently), how many of those losses would result in the granting of compensatory picks next year?
Vic:
Leon Searcy's Jaguars contract expired on March 1, 2001, when the Jaguars failed to pay a roster bonus that was due on that day. That means Searcy was not under contract to the Jaguars when the free agency period began, therefore, he would not be involved in any compensatory-pick consideration. As stated in a previous "Ask Vic" column, Kevin Hardy's and Renaldo Wynn's contracts are written in such a way the Jaguars would receive compensatory-pick consideration for both players, even though their contracts will expire before the free agency period begins. I expect them to sign deals that would return significant compensatory-pick consideration. The same can be said of Jonathan Quinn, if he leaves in free agency. The other candidates aren't likely to return much.
Matt Harris from Wheaton, IL:
What are the chances of the Jaguars taking on a 3-4 blitz scheme, kind of like the Steelers?
Vic:
In my opinion, the Jaguars' defensive personnel doesn't fit the scheme the Steelers use. For starters, the Jaguars don't have a true nose-tackle type, which is to say a squat defensive lineman capable of holding the point and moving laterally. Secondly, Tony Brackens isn't a 3-4 defensive end. He would have to move to linebacker, and that's too great a gamble at his stage of career and considering the value of his contract. Fitting personnel to a 3-4 scheme -- the Steelers are the only team in the league that played that scheme in 2001 -- would require a dramatic overhaul of personnel. You better have a lot of linebackers who can run, and the Jaguars would not appear to satisfy that requirement.
Greg Pikul from Romeoville, IL:
I just wanted to know in what situation is Donovin Darius with the salary cap. In my opinion, we cannot lose him. He looks like a Pro-Bowler to me.
Vic:
Donovin Darius will be in the final year of his current contract in 2002. He is scheduled to be a $1.36 million hit on the Jaguars' salary cap.
Kyle Newman from Jacksonville:
I was wondering, why do the Eagles not get the 29th or 30th pick in the first round of the NFL draft, if they were in the NFC championship game?
Vic:
The Super Bowl champion drafts last and the Super Bowl loser drafts next to last. All other teams are ranked according to their regular-season record. Ties are broken according to opponents winning percentage; a team with a lower opponents winning percentage drafts ahead of a team with a higher opponents winning percentage. That is the formula used to assign Philadelphia the 26th position in the draft order.
Sandra Nelson from Jacksonville:
If we do lose Tony Boselli in the expansion draft, which offensive tackle would you take in the draft, McKinnie or Pearson, and is there a feasible scenario to bag them both?
Vic:
Brian McKinnie is expected to have been selected by the time the Jaguars are ready to pick with the ninth selection of the draft. Mike Pearson might still be available. I would draft the best player available, regardless of position. The Jaguars have need at almost every position. This is a year when "need" and "best available player" philosophies would seem to meet.
Kamal Yechoor from Novi, MI:
What are the important dates coming up for the Jaguars?
Vic:
The important upcoming dates are: Feb. 18, the expansion draft; Feb. 21, the first day teams are permitted to cut players; Feb. 28 at four p.m., the salary cap deadline; March 1, trading begins.
Tim Jones from Jacksonville:
Now that Clements has turned down the job as offensive coordinator, who is the next most likely candidate? Is there a chance Coughlin will reassume the duties as offensive coordinator, or is that out of the question?
Vic:
Tom Clements' decision to stay in Pittsburgh came as no surprise to me. He is the heir apparent to Mike Mularkey, and Pittsburgh is Clements' hometown. The Jaguars have no likely candidates for their vacant offensive coordinator job, at this time. Unless something dramatic happens, I think the chances are good Tom Coughlin will hire a quarterbacks coach and reassume the coordinator's task.
