NFL: How I Would Fix the Jacksonville Jaguars If I Were General Manager

Move over Gene Smith.

I know your job as general manager of the Jaguars is tough and there are major decisions to be made about contracts, free agency, and player personnel. But if you would grant me this one wish, I am sure I can fix the issues surrounding the Jaguars and bring this team back to prominence.

We as a town here in Jacksonville, and also as fans, were spoiled with the likes of Jimmy Smith, Mark Brunell and Fred Taylor. We were teased with playoff runs early in our existence and two trips to the AFC title game where we lost both times.

Let's just face facts: our offense is stale, our defense is porous, and our draft looks like a recipe for success in three years while we need to win NOW!

Also, our ticket sales are down. Our team has no real way of knowing if there will be a season this year, and current fans and ticket holders may be turned off by the product on the field.

The coaching staff is given opportunity after opportunity to win, but comes up short year after year.

If you would allow me with my wisdom as a writer and fan to put together some ideas for helping you and your staff make changes, we may possibly bring home a Super Bowl Title within the next five years to our beloved city.

Sign Ray Edwards

Wayne Weaver said he wanted to make a splash in free agency. This is the start.

Edwards would line up opposite Aaron Kampman and solidify a defensive line that could be very good.

With tackles Tyson Alualu and Terrance Knighton, the line formed could resemble a wall instead of a sponge.

Cut Derrick Harvey

The draft bust needs to be gone and we need to start fresh.

Harvey is a reminder that the 2008 NFL draft was not a highlight in our history.

Even though we would eat salary, we can look at it as a purge of non-production. We can focus on others to fill that gap.

We traded up to get this guy and we have not gotten anything in return on our investment.

Go out and Get Lance Moore from the Saints

Moore is a great possession guy with good speed. He always seems to be in the end zone.

Moore can also spread the field and take pressure off of Mike Thomas, who led the team in receptions last season.

Right now, Moore is the third option in New Orleans behind Marques Colston and Robert Meachem. And while David Garrard is not Drew Brees, he could become Garrard's favorite target.

Sign Marcedes Lewis to a Long-Term Deal

He was the Pro-Bowler the team envisioned when he was drafted in 2006. He wants to play in Jacksonville (how many guys say that?) and you want him here.

Find a way to ink him to a long-term contract and not a one-year tender.

That is just insulting.

Eric Weddle Must Come to the East Coast

Weddle makes sense. He could be the answer you are looking for.

The secondary was AWFUL last season. We need more coverage guys. Rashean Mathis did not play up to standard and Don Carey is not the answer either.

Take a Flier on Jeremy Trueblood

Make your offensive line a priority as well.

Trueblood makes sense since guard Vince Manuwai and center Brad Meester are the veterans of the line and Will Rackley is a year away.

Trueblood is tall, rangy, and fierce. He adds fire to the front line and helps open bigger holes for Maurice Jones-Drew.

Tell Maurice Jones-Drew to Keep His Mouth Shut

Twitter is a killer. Remember that!

MJD has opened his mouth about the draft, the NFC Championship game, our quarterback, and of course him playing ball in California.

If he would just smile, run with the ball, and concentrate on those things instead of his popularity, then he could find himself as the best back in the NFL by the end of the year.

Help Wayne Weaver Keep the "One and Done" Mantra

Wayne Weaver said if head coach Jack Del Rio did not get the team to the playoffs, Jacksonville would have a new coach.

That needs to remain a "threat." Just because the NFL lockout is still in play, it does not mean Del Rio, a .500 coach at best, should keep his job if the team falls short of that goal.

Do Not Hitch Your Ride to Blaine Gabbert This Season

This is still David Garrard's team. Gabbert is the future.

Garrard is a good, serviceable quarterback. He does enough to win games, not lose them.

Also, he knows this system and turning things over to a rookie at any part of this season means the team and management has given up.

This should not happen.