Jaguars improved after significant week of changes

By Hays Carlyon

First-year Jaguars coach Doug Pederson is trying to build a winning culture.

That means bringing in a bunch of new veterans.

It also means saying goodbye to entrenched Jaguars who have been immersed in losing for several years.

After agreeing to terms with six players on Monday during the NFL’s opening day of legal tampering, the Jaguars cut one mainstay — linebacker Myles Jack – while center Brandon Linder’s future with the team seems bleak.

The two moves could save the Jaguars nearly $18 million in salary-cap space, according to spotrac.com. Cutting the 26-year-old Jack saved $8.3 million with a $4.8 million dead-cap hit. Jack signed with Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Linder’s release would free up $9.5 million with no dead money.

Jack was selected in the second round of the 2017 draft. He started 82 games for the Jaguars, making 513 tackles (19 for loss) with 6 ½ sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. He will always have a place in Jaguars lore for his “Myles Jack wasn’t down” fumble recovery that should’ve been a returned touchdown that might have sealed an AFC crown and Super Bowl appearance in an eventual loss at New England after the 2017 regular season.

Jack, a captain last season, was expendable after the Jaguars agreed to terms with Atlanta’s Foye Oluokun.

Linder, 30, has missed 15 games over the last two years combined. In eight seasons, Linder started 88 games after being selected in the third round of the 2014 draft. Fitting of the Jaguars recent failures, Linder was a five-year “gold-star” captain for the team despite never having made a Pro Bowl.

The Jaguars made a massive investment in the offensive line on Monday, agreeing to terms with Washington right guard Brandon Scherff, a five-time Pro-Bowl selection. Tyler Shatley will be expected to take over at center if Linder doesn’t return.

The Jaguars also allowed receiver DJ Chark to test the market and he has agreed to a contract with Detroit.

That’s three prominent Jaguars of recent years gone and there weren’t many prominent Jaguars to begin with.

In addition to Scherff and Oluokun, the Jaguars have signed Arizona receiver Christian Kirk, New York Giants tight end Even Engram, Las Vegas receiver Zay Jones and New York Jets defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi.

The Jaguars continued to upgrade the roster on Wednesday when Los Angeles Rams cornerback Darious Williams signed. The former Creekside standout logged 925 defensive snaps for the Rams last season (99 percent). The 29-year-old Williams has six career interceptions with 27 pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.

Adding Williams gives the Jaguars a promising trio of corners with Tyson Campbell and Shaq Griffin. The fact that Williams was just part of a Super Bowl triumph is a nice bonus as well.

The Jaguars have to learn how to win.

You can’t create a winning culture with a nucleus of veterans accustomed (and accepting) of losing in Jacksonville.

Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke made the right decisions this week in acquiring the seven players they signed.

They continued to make the right decision when they parted ways with two high-profile players, with a third (Linder) seemingly imminent.

(You can email Hays at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @HaysCarlyon).

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