The Jacksonville Jaguars

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

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....

How so?  You hear of the the FA signings being as big or bigger busts than the draftees.  I think the theme going forward is SQ Pegs / O Holes - if it doesn't fit, it doesn't fit - no matter how much money you throw at it.

Albert Haynesworth - Square peg for the entire League
TO - Same
Julius Peppers - Right Team -Right Fit
Paul Posluzney - Same

[duvaldude08]

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....

You still have to do scouting even if its a free agent IMO. you still have to observe them , do your research and determine if they are a fit your organization and/or your team. Not to mention he has done great with his defense addition through drafting i.e. Potroast and Alualu. They are the tag team on that front line.

[Jason]

I see your point but it is much easier to analyze the "shape of the peg" when looking at a free agent with a track record in the NFL.  Scouting fresh talent out of college takes a different skill set and is something that few do very well.  Gene has done better with bringing in the right free agent and has not done as well in the draft.

[KenFSU]

John Elway confirmed on the radio today that the Jets and Jaguars' offers were "close enough" to each other, and that the choice to pick New York over Jacksonville was Tim Tebow's. Whatever Tim's reason (the Jets made him feel more welcome, marketing reasons, a chance to spread his religious message on the biggest stage possible), how will Northeast Florida view Tebow now? Does this turn people on Tebow? I'm really not quite sure yet. I tend to think that the people who loved him will continue to love him, and those that don't will dislike him even more.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

  Gene has done better with bringing in the right free agent and has not done as well in the draft.

I guess we'll agree to disagree.  His draft picks have been solid & unsexy.  As I've stated - he's building a foundation and can't run the risk of a 1,2,3rd round pick to bust. 

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

John Elway confirmed on the radio today that the Jets and Jaguars' offers were "close enough" to each other, and that the choice to pick New York over Jacksonville was Tim Tebow's. Whatever Tim's reason (the Jets made him feel more welcome, marketing reasons, a chance to spread his religious message on the biggest stage possible), how will Northeast Florida view Tebow now? Does this turn people on Tebow? I'm really not quite sure yet. I tend to think that the people who loved him will continue to love him, and those that don't will dislike him even more.

I'm standing by my theory that it's just to be closer to the orphanage he's starting for Cromartie's kids.   

[aclchampion]

John Elway confirmed on the radio today that the Jets and Jaguars' offers were "close enough" to each other, and that the choice to pick New York over Jacksonville was Tim Tebow's. Whatever Tim's reason (the Jets made him feel more welcome, marketing reasons, a chance to spread his religious message on the biggest stage possible), how will Northeast Florida view Tebow now? Does this turn people on Tebow? I'm really not quite sure yet. I tend to think that the people who loved him will continue to love him, and those that don't will dislike him even more.

The Gator Nation are not going to want to hear that. It will always be The Jaguars/Gene Smith/Shad Khans fault no matter if Tebow himself comes forward and says "yes I liked New York better."

[Wacca Pilatka]

Alternately, that it's our fault for not building an exciting and "relevant" enough team for Tim to play on.  That said, I have heard a few former Tebow-first fans denounce him since last night for his disloyalty.

[duvaldude08]

  Gene has done better with bringing in the right free agent and has not done as well in the draft.

I guess we'll agree to disagree.  His draft picks have been solid & unsexy.  As I've stated - he's building a foundation and can't run the risk of a 1,2,3rd round pick to bust.

Yeah Im with you. To add to that, Any football person will tell you that you dont build a team through free agency. You draft and develop and that is Gene's theory. Of course, there are variations to that and sometimes you just have to take certain risk, but I think we have some good building blocks in place.  And Gene's results Something VIC used to say that always stuck with me is " A Championship team is not built overnight."

[Adam W]

I just don't get why everyone is so aggrieved. I'm a Dolphins fan and I really wanted them to get Manning. Yeah, I was bummed out that they didn't, but I certainly didn't feel they were entitled to signing him.

Okay, so maybe people aren't acting like the Jaguars were entitled to sign Tebow, but the post-mortems are ridiculous. I can think of one major reason why Tebow probably chose NY over Jax: the Jaguars suck and the Jets are possible superbowl contenders.

It happens every day in sports. It certainly happens all the time in soccer. People choose the team that is likely to show them some success. And prestige: some football teams or clubs just have that reputation or whatever. I personally hate the Jets, but they do have a history AND they're located in the greatest city in the world. That's got to be attractive.

At the end of the day, it didn't happen. And Tebow or no Tebow, the Jaguars aren't going to sell lots of tickets until they start winning games. People will pay to see winners.

[duvaldude08]

Alternately, that it's our fault for not building an exciting and "relevant" enough team for Tim to play on.  That said, I have heard a few former Tebow-first fans denounce him since last night for his disloyalty.

You know honestly, I have never heard him openly thank his fans and support from Jacksonville, specifically. He always thanks his fans, but he never mentions Jacksonville. Which is odd to me. These people are crazy over him more than anybody in this country. Do you think he resents Jacksonville and wont say it? Did it bother him that we didnt draft him? Does his Jacksonville fans ACTUALLY drive him crazy and make his life a living hell? Because I know that If I were him I would not want to play. It would be too distracting.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

AND they're located in the greatest city in the world. That's got to be attractive.

East Rutherford, NJ??

[Adam W]

AND they're located in the greatest city in the world. That's got to be attractive.

East Rutherford, NJ??

Bazinga!

[duvaldude08]

Being that he stated himself that hopefully he returned to Florida, I dont think it had anything to do with NY being such a great location and the Jets being winners (because they sucked last year.). It boiled down to him getting playing time. He stated he preferred playing time over returning to his hometown. Looks like he made his choice. It had nothing to do with the Jaguars " not winning" because the Jets are a complete mess on and off the field.

[Adam W]

Being that he stated himself that hopefully he returned to Florida, I dont think it had anything to do with NY being such a great location and the Jets being winners (because they sucked last year.). It boiled down to him getting playing time. He stated he preferred playing time over returning to his hometown. Looks like he made his choice. It had nothing to do with the Jaguars " not winning" because the Jets are a complete mess on and off the field.

I disagree. They didn't 'suck' so much as they under-performed. Last season was their second-worst season in the past 6 years and they still ended up with an 8-8 record. I think it's fair to say that, recent form aside, they've been trending upwards over the years and the Jaguars have been getting worse.

It pains me to say it because I absolutely despise the Jets. I think pretty much all Dolphins fans do. But if I were in his shoes, I'd probably make the same decision. But I have no idea why he chose the Jets - I just offered a reasonable answer that all the Jaguars/Tebow fans seem to have overlooked.

I think a big problem with Tebow-mania is it makes people think they know the guy. He is probably the only person who knows why he did what he did. I think people should just get over it and move on. It didn't happen. And, as much as I enjoy schadenfreude, I think this will probably end up being a good thing for the Jaguars in the long run.