In Jacksonville, Gene Frenette writes word "is spreading throughout the NFL" that Jaguars coach Gus Bradley and GM Dave Caldwell have "created an environment that makes Jacksonville an attractive option" to free agents. Newly signed Jaguars G Zane Beadles, DEs Red Bryant and Chris Clemons, RB Toby Gerhart, DT Ziggy Hood and LB Dekoda Watson "wouldn’t be fitted for a black and teal jersey had the Jaguars not enticed them with contracts" worth $97M, about $33.5M of it guaranteed. Players "in their prime are likely not taking discounts to play for the Jaguars." However, the Jaguars' carrot, other than money, is "a vibrant, enthusiastic work environment." It "starts with Bradley and his high-octane disposition, and that energy filters its way through the organization" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 3/14).
STRAY CAT: The Panthers on Thursday official released WR Steve Smith, and in Charlotte, Scott Fowler writes the team has "badly mishandled" the situation "from both a professional and personal standpoint." Panthers GM Dave Gettleman was "almost perfect in his first season" in the role, but "he whiffed on this one." Fowler: "It was never going to be easy to part with Smith, no matter when it occurred." Gettleman's results "have been superb since he joined the Panthers" before the '13 season, but he "has gone astray" in this case (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 3/14).
WELCOME TO MIAMI: In West Palm Beach, Greg Stoda writes Dolphins GM Dennis Hickey "deserves out-of-the-gate credit for making the Dolphins look good in the early stages of free agency." The team has signed OT Branden Albert, DT Earl Mitchell and S Louis Delmas, while also re-signing key players like CB Brent Grimes and DT Randy Starks. It has been "difficult to think of Miami as an attractive NFL destination (apart from the weather) for quite some time," but the Dolphins "have taken a worthwhile step forward at first free-agency opportunity" (PALM BEACH POST, 3/14).
RAIDERS OF THE LOST LEFT TACKLE: In San Jose, Tim Kawakami wrote under the header, "Reggie McKenzie Is Bombing As Raiders GM." The "latest example happened Wednesday evening, when top Raiders signee Rodger Saffold -- destined to be their left tackle in 2014 and possibly beyond -- failed his team physical and had his five-year deal at a maximum of $42.5 million voided." It is "possible McKenzie just didn't know the extent of Saffold's problem before offering all that money" -- and letting OT Jared Veldheer "walk away." Kawakami: "Or maybe something else happened. At this point, the end result is what matters and that means the Raiders don't have a left tackle and that was one spot they actually had relatively covered a few days ago" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 3/13).
