The Jacksonville Jaguars

[duvaldude08]

Wayne Weaver referred to these 70,000+ crowds in the first few seasons as "artificial attendance."

He attributed these crowds to initial excitement over the new franchise, surging civic pride, and unsustainable consumer overreach.

At one point, Jacksonville was 4th in the league in ticket revenue

We should be incredibly proud of our attendance figures in the last two years, and I don't think it's completely fair to compare 2012 figures to 1997

+1

I don't get why some people do not understand that the stadium is simply too big for the market. Some are acting as if 67,000 is chump change. With the tarps, we have a freaking stadium that's larger than Soldier Field in Chicago, they seem to be fine with the size of their stadium.

Your right the only problem is now that we are not filling the stadium up now that its been reduced and the tarps in some eyes will always be seen as a negative. Sure we haven't had any black out but the stadium is far from looking full on TV and that's what people see. Unfortunately no one cares about our actual attendance numbers.

Your right. But we also cant dwell on what people think about us either. Even if the stadium was full, they would find something negative to say. Just the reality of being in Jacksonville.

[blizz01]

I suppose that tarps are really a sign of the times - I was flipping through the channels a few weeks ago & noticed that the Talledega race had the grandstands tarped @ turns 1 & 4.  That place is hallowed ground for race fans & is accustomed to busting at the seams...

The ~ 109k. The capacity at Talladega is ~200k.

I do hope that we have a tarp burning party on the 50 yard line one day though...

Maybe we can make a huge slip-n-slide with another or place it on a building downtown.

[I-10east]

The Jags 14 year equipment manager Drew Hampton has been fired. Although the Jags refused to expound on his firing, Justin Blackmon was given some bad new cleats that caused him a sore foot in the final day of rookie mini camp; No telling if there's more to it than just that, or not. 

www.jacksonville.com/sports/football/jaguars/2012-05-15/story/jaguars-notebook-longtime-equipment-manager-drew-hampton

[Keith-N-Jax]

Wayne Weaver referred to these 70,000+ crowds in the first few seasons as "artificial attendance."

He attributed these crowds to initial excitement over the new franchise, surging civic pride, and unsustainable consumer overreach.

At one point, Jacksonville was 4th in the league in ticket revenue

We should be incredibly proud of our attendance figures in the last two years, and I don't think it's completely fair to compare 2012 figures to 1997

+1

I don't get why some people do not understand that the stadium is simply too big for the market. Some are acting as if 67,000 is chump change. With the tarps, we have a freaking stadium that's larger than Soldier Field in Chicago, they seem to be fine with the size of their stadium.

Your right the only problem is now that we are not filling the stadium up now that its been reduced and the tarps in some eyes will always be seen as a negative. Sure we haven't had any black out but the stadium is far from looking full on TV and that's what people see. Unfortunately no one cares about our actual attendance numbers.

Your right. But we also cant dwell on what people think about us either. Even if the stadium was full, they would find something negative to say. Just the reality of being in Jacksonville.

Remember this^^ DD before you drag up another article about what a sports writer said about Jacksonville and the Jags if were not dwelling that  is.

[duvaldude08]

Wayne Weaver referred to these 70,000+ crowds in the first few seasons as "artificial attendance."

He attributed these crowds to initial excitement over the new franchise, surging civic pride, and unsustainable consumer overreach.

At one point, Jacksonville was 4th in the league in ticket revenue

We should be incredibly proud of our attendance figures in the last two years, and I don't think it's completely fair to compare 2012 figures to 1997

+1

I don't get why some people do not understand that the stadium is simply too big for the market. Some are acting as if 67,000 is chump change. With the tarps, we have a freaking stadium that's larger than Soldier Field in Chicago, they seem to be fine with the size of their stadium.

Your right the only problem is now that we are not filling the stadium up now that its been reduced and the tarps in some eyes will always be seen as a negative. Sure we haven't had any black out but the stadium is far from looking full on TV and that's what people see. Unfortunately no one cares about our actual attendance numbers.

Your right. But we also cant dwell on what people think about us either. Even if the stadium was full, they would find something negative to say. Just the reality of being in Jacksonville.

Remember this^^ DD before you drag up another article about what a sports writer said about Jacksonville and the Jags if were not dwelling that  is.

Theres a difference in dragging up an article or reading something that is right in your face.And if Im "dragging up" a negative article trust me, its for the sake of conversation and pertains to whatever is being debated at the present time.  Some articles I choose to read, but there are articles I chose to ignore. If I wanted to drag up negative articles, I would live on bleacher report. There are plenty of ignorant, inaccurate articles on there. Being that I know that, I dont even visit the website.

[duvaldude08]

Is it just me or does Paul Posluszny look like a serial killer??   

[fsujax]

Looks like the Jags are hitting the road. Good for them.

http://www.news4jax.com/morning-show/Team-Teal-to-hit-the-road/-/1875838/13433214/-/36ubqd/-/index.html

[ThisDJ]

Jags Caravan dates

6/1 - Brunswick GA
6/4 - Palm Coast
6/5 - Daytona
6/6 - Gainesville
6/7 - Savannah, GA
6/8 - Waycross, GA
6/9 - Valdosta, GA

[duvaldude08]

May 13, 2012

The Valdosta Mall: Revamped and Ready for Business!
Brittany D. McClure
The Valdosta Daily Times The Valdosta Daily Times Mon May 14, 2012, 01:36 PM EDT

VALDOSTA â€"

VALDOSTA â€" The Valdosta Mall has made tremendous strides since its rebranding away from Colonial Mall in 2007 and it’s refocus in 2008 when it made a move from serving the community to being a part of the community.

“We had taken for granted our place in the community for a long time,” said Jerry Weller, general manager of the Valdosta Mall. “We don’t do that anymore.”

Enid Santana, marketing/specialty leasing manager for the Valdosta Mall, said they have worked hard to make the mall more family-friendly. In large part, this has been done through various events sponsored by the mall.

“All of our events are growing,” said Santana.

They have invited the car show to come back twice a year. PetSmart has partnered with B.A.R.C. and holds weekly pet adoptions. A popular event has been the movies in the plaza.

“The plaza functions very well for events,” said Santana.

The mall is even working to bring the Jacksonville Jaguars football team and cheerleaders to the location for a meet and greet with the community.

“These are things I think this community has always wanted,” said Santana.

Overall, the mall has made a substantial effort to participate in charity events that benefit their retailers and also make the mall a place that is more family-friendly.

Jennifer Denham, a Valdosta Mall marketing assistant, said something new is happening every month and almost every weekend.

“I have seen a dramatic change in the mall,” said Santana.

Santana has been working at the Valdosta Mall since 1991, when she was just 15 years old. She started at a now-closed shop called Starship Records and Tapes.

“I remember when CDs came out,” said Santana.

While the mall has certainly grown since the death of records and cassette-tapes, it has seen tremendous growth even in the last few years. The mall has welcomed seven new stores which include Justice, Maurice’s, America’s Best, Manhattan Menswear and Buffalo Wild Wings.

“We’re working hard to bring a mall that people want to see here,” said Weller.

In the last four months, four new stores have opened and two â€" Shoe Department and Spencer’s â€" have remodeled.

“It’s such a big investment when you remodel,” said Weller.

Shoe Department upgraded to Shoe Department Encore and moved its location which more than doubled the retail space to about 95 square feet. Spencer’s updated its look, while two anchor stores, Belk and JCPenney, rebranded themselves.

Belk changed from its original, cursive logo and moved to a fresher, lower-case logo that represents the modern and up-to-date changes made in the store. JCPenney is making a move to becoming JCP and re-worked its demographic by brightening the retail space and showcasing brands that are current and affordable.

Even the smaller snack and kiosk locations have stepped up a notch. Global Wireless has a modern stand that is more open, brighter and easier to shop. Pretzel Maker and TCBY changed the look of their locations and offer a cleaner, more inviting snack environment.

“It’s contagious,” said Wellers speaking about revamping and renovation.

While specific plans for future tenants are confidential, Weller and Santana assured that big improvements are coming.

Weller, Santana and Denham have worked vigorously to improve the makeup of the mall because the performance of the current stores affects the possibility of future stores. Current tenants’ dedication to the overall vision of the mall has generated some interest. Currently, every space is either filled or leased; however, there is room for growth at outside parcels.

Weller said citizens should see some great changes and newcomers by the end of this year and the beginning of 2013.

“We’re excited about what has happened so far but we’re excited about what will happen in the future,” said Weller.

[Tacachale]

Jags Caravan dates

6/1 - Brunswick GA
6/4 - Palm Coast
6/5 - Daytona
6/6 - Gainesville
6/7 - Savannah, GA
6/8 - Waycross, GA
6/9 - Valdosta, GA

That's a really great start. A long time coming.

[Wacca Pilatka]

Further caravan info: http://www.jaguars.com/caravan2012/

[Wacca Pilatka]

Is it just me or does Paul Posluszny look like a serial killer??   

No, it's not just you 

[duvaldude08]

Is it just me or does Paul Posluszny look like a serial killer??   

No, it's not just you 

I think its the hair and the squared face with the pointy chin.

[Wacca Pilatka]

There's a clip on Youtube of a newscaster in Michigan who starts laughing uncontrollably at a photo of an attempted murder suspect with a squarish face and extremely intense stare.  Looking at a picture of Posluszny alwyas reminds me of that.

[KenFSU]

There's a clip on Youtube of a newscaster in Michigan who starts laughing uncontrollably at a photo of an attempted murder suspect with a squarish face and extremely intense stare.  Looking at a picture of Posluszny alwyas reminds me of that.

That video cracks me up every single time.

Here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=lc-CgzTkyF4

Fantastic comparison

One a side note, this one always leaves me in tears too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R35BLp7x-Ik