The Jacksonville Jaguars

[Wacca Pilatka]

I've no desire to taunt the Tebow-first fans now and take no pleasure on it, but hope they will realize something from this about where their loyalties should have been all along.

I promise the Jaguars are full of moral, admirable men doing great charitable work in and for Jacksonville.  There's no shortage of quality people in this organization. 

[Dapperdan]

I really wish these stupid people would get off Khan. Unless you were a fly on the wall, no one knows what really happened. Although I would not have liked Tebow being here, I actually respect Khan for sticking by his word about his admiration for Tebow and going for it. You gotta admit he has balls.

The stupid people in this city will never be satisfied with nothing the Jags do. Ive come to realize that. Thats why is crictal for the Jags to be regional and national to build the fan base, because the locals are a few french fries short of a happy meal.

That is the problem. Outside of Jacksonville, the Jags are irrelevant to no one else. Orlando could give a crap about us. We need to figure out a way, and I think Khan was trying to do this with the bid for Tebow, to have more of a face outside our own city. Besides MJD, there is no one else on our team who commands any attention whatsoever. This is one of the major issues facing our franchise. it is wayyy too regional. Is this Gene Smith's fault for drafting too conservative? I have to say yes.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

That is the problem. Outside of Jacksonville, the Jags are irrelevant to no one else. Orlando could give a crap about us. We need to figure out a way, and I think Khan was trying to do this with the bid for Tebow, to have more of a face outside our own city. Besides MJD, there is no one else on our team who commands any attention whatsoever. This is one of the major issues facing our franchise. it is wayyy too regional. Is this Gene Smith's fault for drafting too conservative? I have to say yes.

Were we irrelevant when we went on a tear and beat Pittsburg in the Playoffs?  No.  We were projected as a top 10 team the next year and were all over the national media outlets - then we shit the bed.  People seem to have short term memories.

I agree with you, to an extent, that we have drafted conservatively, but why?  He was building a team to become a contender for a long time - not playing a yearly game of fantasy football.  You can't build a foundation when you miss on your picks.  Sure he drafted conservatively - how many more years would we be set back if the foundation that he's building consisted of Derrick Harveys, Reggie Williams & Matt Jones.  Those were big misses and they hurt the franchise badly.  Has Monroe been a pro-bowler for 4 years - no, but he was playing at that level last year.  What about Knighton (2nd rnd)?  Alualu?  How many games have Gene's draft picks missed due to suspension? 

The reason we were so strong in FA last year is becaue we had targeted players that fit our mold - and we went and got them, and you saw the immediate results.  Not only that, they'll be with the team for the next 2-3 years - not one and dones like so many other FA pickups.  I don't think Williams was a true fit, especially at $90M, and I also don't think that Buffalo was going to let him go - that was their guy and they were going to get him, much like we snagged Poz from them.  Maybe that's why they went so hard - revenge.  I bet they wouldv'e paid Poz prior to FA last year had they projected going back to a 4-3 after only a year.

Peyton Manning was setting the agenda.  We didn't go hard after him because he had no interest.  Quite trying to bang square pegs into round holes.  Target guys that fit your program and get them - don't force it or you'll be a perennial challenger to the Redskins for the most mismanaged team.

[KenFSU]

1) Even though the last few days has shown that there are a lot of Gator/Tebow fans who aren't necessarily Jaguars fans, I think it's also important to note that there are loyal Jaguar fans who genuinely wanted Tim Tebow on this team, and who thought bringing Tebow to Jacksonville was the right move for the franchise. Regardless of my personal feelings on the situation, I genuinely feel really badly for this group. The emotional roller coaster in the last 48 hours of being the frontrunner to sign him, losing him to the Jets, having the Jets back out of the deal, finding out that Jacksonville was again on the very precipice of signing him, and then losing him again to the Jets -- possibly at Tebow's own request -- man, I don't wish that on anyone.

2) It will be interesting to see the fallout within the Jaguars organization. If Khan genuinely wanted Tim Tebow -- which it appears as if he did given the fact that he trumped the Jets' offer -- and Gene Smith somehow messed it up by giving Tebow the impression that he was unwanted by the organization, you've got to think some heads are going to roll. If we see him wearing a sailor suit, carrying a mop, and saying things like, "Is the deck shiny enough for you, Captain Khan?" we'll know he screwed the deal up.

3) I still think we made the wrong decision, but it's time to move forward, and I'm looking forward to being proven wrong.

4) I genuinely feel bad for Blaine Gabbert. He was put in a shitty position last year, and -- through no fault of his own -- he's really been dragged through the mud here in the last few days. For a guy who seemed lacking in confidence last year, I really hope this doesn't carry over onto the field.

5) For better or worse, the Jags still lack that true "name" player that will bring national attention, relevancy, and outside fans. Locally, we're fine as is. I think a lot of home games will be down to the wire this year ticket wise, but I think we should be able to avoid blackouts. If you survey the sports world over the last 10 years though, it's never been more star driven. The big names who make the exciting plays bring national exposure. And winning teams without big stars who make exciting plays tend to get overlooked even when they do well, especially in smaller markets (see: San Antonio Spurs, 2004-2005 Pistons, Tampa Bay Rays, etc.). This is why I was in support of bringing Tebow in as a backup, and was also in support of making a move for Michael Vick when he was available. Not everyone agrees -- probably even less so on Vick -- but that's the beauty of personal opinion And it's been a lot of fun to hear everyone's opinion on the Tebow matter in the last few days.

On next season:

Are you taking the over or the under on a 7-9 season, and why?

[duvaldude08]

I really wish these stupid people would get off Khan. Unless you were a fly on the wall, no one knows what really happened. Although I would not have liked Tebow being here, I actually respect Khan for sticking by his word about his admiration for Tebow and going for it. You gotta admit he has balls.

The stupid people in this city will never be satisfied with nothing the Jags do. Ive come to realize that. Thats why is crictal for the Jags to be regional and national to build the fan base, because the locals are a few french fries short of a happy meal.

That is the problem. Outside of Jacksonville, the Jags are irrelevant to no one else. Orlando could give a crap about us. We need to figure out a way, and I think Khan was trying to do this with the bid for Tebow, to have more of a face outside our own city. Besides MJD, there is no one else on our team who commands any attention whatsoever. This is one of the major issues facing our franchise. it is wayyy too regional. Is this Gene Smith's fault for drafting too conservative? I have to say yes.

Dan, winning commands all the attention we need. As NWR stated, when we were winning and the playoffs, they had nothing but good things to say about us, and we were all over the National Media.  Potroast even said the same thing. We dont need Tebow, we only need to do one thing to get media attention, and thats win. Its actually that simple. And what I mean by regional is within two hours of Jacksonville. We never have tapped into the orlando market. They dont care about the bucs at all, if so they would be going to games. That is an opportunity for us to invade. We have not marketed outside of Jacksonville since we had the team. Reaching out to ALL of NE Florida, southren GA, and central florida up to orlando would benefit us more than you. Ask our new VP.

[thelakelander]

Now Colin Cowherd is on the radio claiming that the Jaguars offered more than the Jets and Tebow picked the Jets because the NYC market is better for his brand!  Now he's talking about how the Jags should just pick up and move to a real city like LA instead of an irrelevant one like Jax.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Now Colin Cowherd is on the radio claiming that the Jaguars offered more than the Jets and Tebow picked the Jets because the NYC market is better for his brand!  Now he's talking about how the Jags should just pick up and move to a real city like LA instead of an irrelevant one like Jax.

It's been repeated ad nauseum - No matter how this turned out, Jacksonville would be at fault.  I expected nothing less.

Wait until Dempsey gets on the radio this afternoon if you really want an excuse to throw up in your mouth.

Edit:  Or you could have listened to Prosser this morning.

[duvaldude08]

1) Even though the last few days has shown that there are a lot of Gator/Tebow fans who aren't necessarily Jaguars fans, I think it's also important to note that there are loyal Jaguar fans who genuinely wanted Tim Tebow on this team, and who thought bringing Tebow to Jacksonville was the right move for the franchise. Regardless of my personal feelings on the situation, I genuinely feel really badly for this group. The emotional roller coaster in the last 48 hours of being the frontrunner to sign him, losing him to the Jets, having the Jets back out of the deal, finding out that Jacksonville was again on the very precipice of signing him, and then losing him again to the Jets -- possibly at Tebow's own request -- man, I don't wish that on anyone.

2) It will be interesting to see the fallout within the Jaguars organization. If Khan genuinely wanted Tim Tebow -- which it appears as if he did given the fact that he trumped the Jets' offer -- and Gene Smith somehow messed it up by giving Tebow the impression that he was unwanted by the organization, you've got to think some heads are going to roll. If we see him wearing a sailor suit, carrying a mop, and saying things like, "Is the deck shiny enough for you, Captain Khan?" we'll know he screwed the deal up.

3) I still think we made the wrong decision, but it's time to move forward, and I'm looking forward to being proven wrong.

4) I genuinely feel bad for Blaine Gabbert. He was put in a shitty position last year, and -- through no fault of his own -- he's really been dragged through the mud here in the last few days. For a guy who seemed lacking in confidence last year, I really hope this doesn't carry over onto the field.

5) For better or worse, the Jags still lack that true "name" player that will bring national attention, relevancy, and outside fans. Locally, we're fine as is. I think a lot of home games will be down to the wire this year ticket wise, but I think we should be able to avoid blackouts. If you survey the sports world over the last 10 years though, it's never been more star driven. The big names who make the exciting plays bring national exposure. And winning teams without big stars who make exciting plays tend to get overlooked even when they do well, especially in smaller markets (see: San Antonio Spurs, 2004-2005 Pistons, Tampa Bay Rays, etc.). This is why I was in support of bringing Tebow in as a backup, and was also in support of making a move for Michael Vick when he was available. Not everyone agrees -- probably even less so on Vick -- but that's the beauty of personal opinion And it's been a lot of fun to hear everyone's opinion on the Tebow matter in the last few days.

On next season:

Are you taking the over or the under on a 7-9 season, and why?

Being realisitc, I say 10-6 and we flirt with a wild card. With our defense playing at a high level, if our offense atleast plays medicore, we can pull of a winning record. Im concerned about Gabbert though. I just hope we really havent destroyed this kid. Hopefully, he takes his experience and uses it for the better, and not the worse.

[duvaldude08]

Now Colin Cowherd is on the radio claiming that the Jaguars offered more than the Jets and Tebow picked the Jets because the NYC market is better for his brand!  Now he's talking about how the Jags should just pick up and move to a real city like LA instead of an irrelevant one like Jax.

I love this kind of talk!! Remember what they said about us when we got team.? Well everybody had sneaker in thier mouth for quite sometime after us being the best expansion in NFL history. This only makes it more gratifying when we win!!

[stephenc]

I tell you what guys. I love Tebow and wanted him here. Thought he would be so great for our team and city. But, these people that are still harping on the Jags saying its their fault are insane. Driving me crazy. Starting to understand what all you Tebow haters felt like. He choose the Jets get over us. Get over it and move on. I believe he'll succeed but whats done is done!! I'm a huge Gator fan but I will ALWAYS be a Jag first. This is my city and I love it!! The Jags are really coming together for this season and its time be "ALL IN" like the billboards so eloquently put it.

[duvaldude08]

I tell you what guys. I love Tebow and wanted him here. Thought he would be so great for our team and city. But, these people that are still harping on the Jags saying its their fault are insane. Driving me crazy. Starting to understand what all you Tebow haters felt like. He choose the Jets get over us. Get over it and move on. I believe he'll succeed but whats done is done!! I'm a huge Gator fan but I will ALWAYS be a Jag first. This is my city and I love it!! The Jags are really coming together for this season and its time be "ALL IN" like the billboards so eloquently put it.

We dont hate Tebow, but the drama that follows him is ridiculos. I honestly dont know how he deals with it. And Its good to know that there is someone who loves Tebow and is a Gator/Jaguar fan that is level headed. This city can barely handle with the attention of having an NFL team, how in the world would we have handled the attention that Tebow commands? We would have self destruct in front of the entire nation. Everything happens for a reason. I look forward to this season regardless.

[duvaldude08]

I was just reading the article about Aaron Ross. ( the CB from the Giants). We passed on him for Reggie Nelson in the 2007 draft. Man we really make some huge mistakes back then.

[Wacca Pilatka]

I was just reading the article about Aaron Ross. ( the CB from the Giants). We passed on him for Reggie Nelson in the 2007 draft. Man we really make some huge mistakes back then.

What makes the Nelson mistake especially maddening is the sequence of events before it.  The Jags had their hearts set on Revis and were prepared to trade up with (I think) Pittsburgh to get him.  Then the Jets jumped in front of them and snagged Revis. 

Then the Broncos helped salvage the day, because in Mike Shanahan's desperation to draft Jarvis Moss - I guess you had to be there - he was willing to trade up three spots.  The Jags got an extra 4th (I think this was used on Podlesh) and were still in position to take one of their fallback defensive backs, one of whom was Ross.

And instead they took Nelson.

[duvaldude08]

I was just reading the article about Aaron Ross. ( the CB from the Giants). We passed on him for Reggie Nelson in the 2007 draft. Man we really make some huge mistakes back then.

What makes the Nelson mistake especially maddening is the sequence of events before it.  The Jags had their hearts set on Revis and were prepared to trade up with (I think) Pittsburgh to get him.  Then the Jets jumped in front of them and snagged Revis. 

Then the Broncos helped salvage the day, because in Mike Shanahan's desperation to draft Jarvis Moss - I guess you had to be there - he was willing to trade up three spots.  The Jags got an extra 4th (I think this was used on Podlesh) and were still in position to take one of their fallback defensive backs, one of whom was Ross.

And instead they took Nelson.

I tell you this much. Gene Smith doesnt get as much credit as he deserves. He has stacked this defense like a brick house. He hasnt really done much with the offense, so this is his year to prove himself on that side of the ball.

[Jason]

Don't take this as a knock on Gene, but bringing in a proven free agent is a LOT different than scouting talent in the draft....