A new idea I had in order to help me go through the NFL team's rosters and examine all the personnel and coaching changes, etc., one-by-one. I'm going to look at two teams head-to-head in seven key categories (my bias on what is 'key'). The team that gets my vote in each category gets a 'win'…the first team to 4 wins moves on to the next round. Just a quick, hopefully fun, way to take the temperature of each team heading into the 2023 preseason.
The seven categories…it's actually six because one category is so important that it's worth double:
1-2) The quarterbacks comparison…the winner of this gets 2 wins, or if too close to call it could be a 1-1 split.
3) O-Line -- Judging which team has the better O-Line…the most critical aspect of a team after the QB.
4) Cornerbacks -- After O-Line, I think the most critical position is shutdown corners (or not having any).
5) Head Coach/Organization -- A battle of which coaches will get in the way less, to some degree but also an edge given to teams that will attract free agents or be a desired destination in trades…and what teams are filling the stadium for home games, etc. Everything rolled into one judgment call.
6) Offensive Weapons -- Which team has the better, scarier RB-WR-TE group.
7) Kicker -- If it comes down to #7, of course the kicker should make the determination...as the kicker often determines the winner of a 59+ minute war prior with a last second make/miss.
As we lead into each category and tap a winner -- I'm also listing the major add/loss for each team in the offseason so far, just to eyeball it as a list.
Is this a brilliant way to judge teams over another? Who knows! But it struck me as something fun to do while studying each team this preseason, after the majority of offseason moves have been made.
IND major adds: QB Richardson, OT Freeland, WR Downs, CB Brents, DT Adetomiwa, RB Hull, CB Rush, WR McKenzie, PK Gay. DE Ebukam, QB Minshew
IND major losses: CB Gilmore, LB Okereke, CB Facyson, WR Campbell, PK McLaughlin
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JAX major adds: WR C. Ridley, OT A. Harrison, LB V. Miller, PK McManus, TE Strange
JAX major losses: OT J. Taylor, DE A. Key, PK Patterson
QB (2x): Trevor v. AR5. I know the world loves and worships Trevor, but I never have -- our modern-day Carson Wentz, as I have said from the beginning. But I think Richardson could be a freak of nature…and his impact might be felt quicker than expected because of his ability to move/run the ball.
Eventually, the choice between these two will be a no-brainer. But in 2023, with Richardson being a rookie…do we have to lean Trevor? I don't think so. Trevor isn't winning the Jags games…he's the game managing QB of a well-presented offense. He's not anything like the elite QBs who takeover games through sheer giftedness. Richardson will have rookie moments, but also likely games where he just wins the game from his various gifts. Week 1…give the edge to Trevor for stability, but not too soon after it will be Richardson as the QB defenses fear. So, for now -- call this a split for 2023 judgment.
We start out tied (1-1).
O-Line: I think the Colts O-Line has an upside with a decent coach in place…I just don't know, one way or the other, if their new guy is a decent coach or not. But I do know the Jaguars' O-Line has been one of the sneaky better ones in the league the past two seasons, so I have to lean with the recent success…even if they lost Jawaan Taylor.
Jags take a (2-1) lead.
CBs: Jacksonville has established, decent corners carrying over from 2022…whereas Indy is starting anew…it could be two rookies starting opening day. I like where Indy is headed at CB, but they can't be deemed better than the Jags' duo right now.
Jacksonville goes up (3-1).
HC/Organization: I feel like right now Jacksonville has the edge over Indy, but that in a year it will switch. Doug Pederson is the real difference, making up for a dysfunctional organization otherwise…but Florida has no state tax to help lure prospective free agents, etc. Indy has been discombobulated for a few years, despite loads of talent. Pederson helps Jacksonville ring the resister here. Richardson will attract talent in the future.
Jags clinch the win (4-1)…in what I thought would be a closer matchup.
Weapons: Colts way better backfield. Colts better, more dangerous WRs top-to-bottom. And Evan Engram is cool, but I love Jelani Woods too. Overall edge to Indy.
Jacksonville ahead (4-2) at this stage.
Kicker: Matt Gay signed as a free agent for Indy was very smart. Brandon McManus added by Jacksonville -- I don't get it at all. Edge to the Colts.
It ends up closer by the end, but the Jags still win it (4-3). A year from now…or maybe even this season, Indy will surpass them.
Upcoming Matchups (next round):
MIA v. CIN in the AFC Final Four
LAC v. KC for the AFC West
JAX v. winner of the AFC West
DAL v. PHI for the NFC East
MIN v. DET for the NFC North
TB v. NO for the NFC South
ARI v. SEA for the NFC West
