Nothing contradicts anything. J’Ville if bad reckless spending and it got them one year of success out of 10. No contradictions here.
As for Ballard, as he said at his year ender, the problem hasn’t been the FA spending or the roster. The problem has been not being to get the quarterback right. If Wentz had worked out, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
I have no idea why you’d think Ballard should have considered the 4 big name players who Ballard didn’t pursue. They went for HUGE money. Ballard has zero interest in those guys. As a fan who follows football closer than most I had zero interest in any of them. And I had zero interest BEFORE they signed and it was expected they’d go for less. I didn’t want them at most any price they would’ve wanted.
Of your longer list…. Frankie Luvu had some interest for me. Maybe Geno stone. Otherwise I believe there’s a list of safeties who are still available. Remember Rodney McCloud? Ballard signed him and he had perhaps the best year of his career. Graded in the low 80’s for 1.7 mill. That’s a Ballard signing. People forget them. They want bright lights and shiny new toys.
We should all know by now that’s not Ballard’s way.
So spending to cover flaws works now? Seems to contradict you comment about the Jaguars.
To be clear, I don't want or expect Ballard to sign $35m/year players left and right. But there are plenty mid-range (pay-wise) guys who sign with other teams EVERY year that could've improved this roster.
This year OTOH:
Frankie Luvu
Sheldon Rankins
Geno Stone
Patrick Queen
Jeremy Chinn
Kevin Byard
Jordan Fuller
Sean Murphy-Bunting
Kamren Curl
And several more expensive guys:
Arik Armstead
Christian Wilkins
Bryce Huff
Xavier McKinney
Every year guys like these pass us by.