If yesterday’s Jaguars-Texans game didn’t get your blood pumping, you won’t understand this post. If you didn’t get way too crazy in a local bar, or your living room, to the point you felt like you were at EverBank, you probably won’t understand this optimistic post the day after a Jaguars game. However, if you are like me & scared half your neighborhood due to all the screaming & commotion going on in you house between 1:00- 5:00 pm yesterday, then you will complete identify with the fact the Jaguars made me proud… For the first time, in a long time.

Yesterday’s matchup may have not ended the way Jags fans had hoped, but that’s no reason to be upset. At the end of OT, I couldn’t help but be proud of what the Jaguars had accomplished. Here are the top 5 things I’m most excited about from yesterday… In no particular order:

1. Gabbert Was Replaced:
   Chad Henne… Chad Henne… Chad Henne…He could be half my list. I mean what a phenomenal game from Henne. Anyone remember the last time Gabbert threw 4 TD passes? … I’ll wait. Oh, never? That’s right. Let’s not forget Henne also didn’t throw any interceptions or have any pathetic fumbles, or as I like to call these things “Typ Gabs”… Short for Typical Gabbert’s.
2. First Round Draft Pick Paid Off:
   Justin FREAKING Blackmon ended yesterday’s game with 236 yards, ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Where have you been sunshine? Just when critics started calling this first round draft pick a bust, he shows America isn’t not his lack of talent… It’s his lack of a QB. Week 11 was just the beginning of a successful career in Jacksonville. [Gabbert's position on the depth chart pending.] Blackmon proved he is a player maker & can get his job done. 
   
3. We’re A Road Team:
   This team does NOT like to play at home. I don’t know what it is about EverBank that makes them perform terribly. Maybe it’s the lack of fans cheering, step it up DUVAL. Whatever it is, it’s clear the Jaguars would rather be on the road. That’s why they beat the Colts in Indy, just to turn around & be embarrassed at home. Or why they were destroyed in week 2 by the Texans, just to score 37 pts and send the game into OT when in Houston. Who knows why this is happening… But at this rate I’d rather them stay on the road. At least I won’t have to drive 6 hours to watch them lose.
4. Jacksonville Has A Tight End:
   I have a love-hate relationship with Marcedes. Most of the time I’m hating on him, but it’s just because I love him & expect more. Yesterday, that’s what I want out of him EVERY game. 2 TDS, that is what I’m talking about! Now if we could only step up the yardage a little bit, I’d put you on my fantasy team. A girl can dream right?
   
5. Their Level of Ability:
   This team may be 1-9, but that has nothing to do with the level they are able to compete on when they actually get it together. We caught a glimpse of what the Jaguars were capable of in week 1 vs Minnesota. Then in week 3 they managed to pull out a win. However, very bright moment seems  to be overshadowed. In week 8 they held the Packers to a 9 point lead, which gave fans hope. Yesterday’s matchup proved they can compete with a 9-1 team, even if there record does not reflect such.

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27-7; the final score at the Jaguars season home opener versus their division rivals, the Houston Texans.

Alright, that’s a rough final score, but what’s about to come next is even harder to digest.

I think most fans could agree that the Texans are a great NFL team, possibly even Super Bowl contenders, so the fact we lost is not at all what I am upset about.

However, when facts like these are highlighted in yesterday’s game recaps, my stomach can’t help but turn.

Here are the Top 5 Things I Wish I Didn’t Read About Yesterday’s Game:

[Please note they are in no particular order ... because let's be honest, I couldn't even attempt to rank one of these.]

1. EverBank has nice benches: According to the Texans DE J.J. Watt, “They have shade” and their rivals enjoyed “cooling off” and “were over there relaxing”.
2. Jacksonville set a new franchise record: The lowest amount of total offensive yards in a game, 117 yards. Congrats guys!
3. Texans time of possession: 43 minutes… Wait a second here, aren’t there only 60 minutes in a game?!
4. Blaine Gabbert’s stats: He completed 7 of his attempted 19 passes for a grand total of 53 yards… Why aren’t you on my fantasy team dude?!
5. Jacksonville (0-2): For the 3rd time in five years, the Jaguars are 0-2 entering week 3.

There’s always next week guys, but with these record setting abilities I’m not sure how much more I can handle. In week 3 the Jaguars look to improve their 0-2 records with a win over the Colts in Indianapolis.

The NFL Draft is less than a week away and similarly the world’s finest delicacies, all of the prospects have been picked, prodded, interviewed, and overanalyzed as much as possible (yes, people talk to their food). But this draft presents can prove to be an opportunistic time for our Jaguars.

Since the season ended we have heard all-knowing know-nothings say that the team will pick Justin Blackmon, Melvin Ingram, Quinton Coples or Michael Floyd. I however agree with those that feel the Jaguars will trade back and acquire more draft picks.

As of right now the team does need to upgrade the defensive line and the wide receiver corps. Honestly, I have not been blown away by any particular wide receiver in this draft and think that equal value for that position (should the Jaguars choose to pull the trigger on a receiver) can be found later in the first round. That was my suggestion of Jacksonville thinking about Reuben Randle or Stephen Hill.

So what would make me happy this draft? Us finding and coaxing this year’s version of the Atlanta Falcons to give up numerous picks for our seventh. It might not be as much as the Falcons relinquish last year to get Julio Jones, unless Tannehill is still available, but a nice version of a First Coast Stimulus Package would be quite nice. No, I’m not a politician by any stretch of the word.

But, these are my thoughts. And whether we agree to disagree on the issue or are on the same page, it is certain that a few new rookies will be coming to an NFL franchise near you.

Oh, and let’s try to allow the rookies to get their team gear and lockers before we rip to shreds this season. Much obliged readers, much obliged.

With the NFL draft right around the corner things are heating up in Jacksonville.

Which is great considering people now have something else to talk about now that “he-who-should-not-be-mentioned” signed with the New York Jets.

Thank God. No pun intended.

Here are the top news stories circulating in Duval this week.

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Sporting News: Ugly cycle: Four desperate teams can’t misfire on top-10 picks

SB Nation: NFL Draft: Jaguars Looking To Draft A Defensive End?

NFL.com: Three-time Pro Bowl DT Stroud wants to play after missing year

Big Cat Country: Aaron Kampman Is Confident About Return

Florida Times-Union: Jaguars owner: Tim Tebow didn’t want to come to Jacksonville

This is Blaine Gabbert. His arm, not Tebow's legs, will help this franchise succeed.

These are my quick thoughts on the whole Tebow-to-Jacksonville ‘thing’ (it is a bulleted list because I feel that the Jaguars will have to dodge the same over and over again).

• We already have our guy, Blaine Gabbert.
• Can we at least give Blaine a full offseason with a playbook that has audibles and a passing scheme before we cast him away?

• Last time I checked, Tebow still had trouble throwing to his left.

• I want to see my team air it out for a good 40-45 times a game someday, and this would not be the way to go.

• My gut tells me that Tebow in Jacksonville would amount to less ticket sales than anything else.
• The Jaguars don’t need help selling tickets in the first place, so doing something to appease a small portion of the fan-base as opposed to doing something in the sole effort in winning in ludicrous.

Short, sweet, and straight to the point. Am I right? Of course I am. But you can still weigh in if you want to.