LIsten, we have a faction of fans who are basically going nuts because we haven't won a playoff game in 4 years and only been to the playoffs twice in those 4 years. Now I don't blame those fans particularly, the previous 2 decades were filled with biannual trips to the superbowl and seemingly every year in the AFCCG. A bit of hyperbole on the last part, but with NINE superbowl appearances in 19 years pretty damned close on the first point.
So they are a bit spoiled. We all are to a degree. Its that "degree" that is often the sticking point. Maybe its a symptom of the times. "I want it, and I want it NOW. And if I don't get what I want, I need someone to BLAME". Sound familiar?
But it just occurred to me that there is ANOTHER franchise, which has had relative success in the league although not nearly to the level that we've seen here. They are a respected organization, that has had a strong FO and a long term HC. THEY, a lot like us, have endure a period of FIVE years without a playoff win. And during this time have been led by the SAME QB that some of us so desperately want to acquire a the cost of a $50MM/yr contract, and TWO first round picks....at least. And to what end?
MAYBE, and that's a big maybe, you have a 2-3 year window where you can compete in a REALLY tough division, and even TOUGHER conference in the hopes your team gets enough bounces calls and plays to win a superbowl, when you KNOW through hard experience that you DON'T always get the call, bounces, and plays that win you a superbowl. Just think about how close we have been to losing or winning them, or just think about just how close the Bengals have been the last 2 years, and the Eagles last year, etc.
BUT adding Jackson means you DON'T add $20-30MM in talent each year, you lose 2 high quality prospects that add talent and keep costs down for a time when you are lucky enough to hit on a first round pick. The point being you just don't add a player with a perceived value as Jackson in a vacuum. There are consequences as well. Just like there are for any player....to a degree.
So to make a short story long. Should we be REALLY invested into getting a QB, as individually talented as he is, but hasn't had any more success in winning playoff games in that 5 years he's been the Ravens QB, than we have had in 4 years with Brady, Newton, and Mac.
Just say'n