The Taylor Jacobs watch

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

Here's the thing though. Maybe TJ does have character but that doesn't separate him from the other guys he's competing with for that 4th or 5th WR spot. He's not going up against a bunch of talented a-holes.

That's why I said if this guy steps up a little bit. I really think it's his spot to lose....again. (by a little bit, I really didn't mean it litterally

[joecrisp]

As most everyone here knows, I was a BIG believer in Jacobs's potential. But his consistent underachievement as a WR when the live bullets start flying, combined with his penchant for injury, have made him a huge disappointment in my eyes.

However, that doesn't mean he's a sure bet to be cut. He does have some things working in his favor. As others have mentioned, the guy possesses all the intangible qualities that Gibbs looks for in a player, he's got some special teams value, and he's always been one of the most consistent, hard-working players in practice (when he's not injured, that is).

That's why I'd put his chances of making the final roster at 50-50.

Some other reasons Jacobs could make it:

• Patten, like McCants before him, is not a special teams contributor, and therefore if he does not supplant Lloyd or Randle-El among the top 3 wideouts, he would most certainly be on the bubble, as the 4th, 5th and 6th (if they keep that many) receivers are expected to be solid special teamers. Essentially, if you're not a top 3 wideout on this roster, you'd better be a top 11 special teamer.
• Jacobs is significantly younger than Patten or Thrash, and therefore still has a trace of upside
• Jacobs has a lower salary cap value than both Thrash and Patten
• While the cap hit for releasing Patten would be pretty significant, the hit for releasing Thrash would be slightly less than the hit the team would incur for cutting Jacobs, so releasing Thrash would make more financial sense

But I also have a very hard time seeing Gibbs part with Thrash, so realistically I would put Jacobs's chances at a little less than 50-50-- maybe more in the realm of 40% that he stays. Though if he misses anything more than a day or two of training camp due to injury, I'd say he's a goner for sure. He's got to be the iron man of training camp to make the roster, and he's got to show he's a better value than Thrash.