Changes, Changes & more CHANGES. That’s what the Jaguars organization is experiencing this off season  But who can blame them? After the worst record in the franchise’s history, it’s no wonder the Shahid Khan is ready to make some serious changes.

This is not anything new to Jacksonville, after all in the 14 months the franchise has been sold to a new owner; fired head coach Jack Del Rio, hired Mike Mularkey; fired GM Gene Smith, hired David Caldwell as the new General Manager; and most recently dismissed head coach Mike Mularkey. Quite a bit for a struggling team.

This is the time when Jaguars fans, such as myself, have to put their confidence & faith in Shahid Khan to lead this franchise in the right direction. After all, I think you’d have to agree that long term success is most more crucial than our short term success. As a season ticket holder, that was hard to type. But as a life long fan I know it’s true.

This morning’s news of head coach Mike Mularkey being released from his duties with the Jaguars was not completely shocking. Especially when you consider that Jacksonville finished 31st in the league this season in defense & 30th in offense; earning themselves the 2nd overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft.

According to Khan’s statement on the Jaguars official website:

“Mike Mularkey is leaving our organization with my utmost respect,” said Shad Khan, owner of the Jaguars.  “Mike gave the Jaguars everything he had on and off the field, and his efforts as our head coach will always be appreciated.  Mike will land on his feet soon.  Until then, I wish nothing but the best for Mike and his family.”

Rather than speculate what I think will happen in the future, I’ll leave you with this positive not.

All the changes that have been made so far were necessary. Gene Smith just had to go. There was absolutely no reason to keep him. Almost every player on the team was recruit by him personally, or he made the choice to keep them on when he took over. Either way, he’s the one that need to answer for the last two disastrous seasons.

On the other hand, I wasn’t completely convinced Mike Mularkey need to be let go. However, I think it’s important that David Caldwell has exactly who he wants on his staff. After all, his future career depends on it.

As for now, we can only wait to see what other changes may happen this off season. The draft is right around the corner. Free Agents will start circulating. It’s only a matter of time before another substantial change hits Duval.

Well my fellow Jaguars fan, it may have been a rough season, but we made it to the end. Even though it was a disappointing season, we have to look at the bright side, at least we can learn from this year. Here’s just a few things I think we learned in 2o12.

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1. Blaine Gabbert is NOT the answer:

In case you were giving him the benefit of the doubt during his rookie season, I hope you learned your lesson.  While this may be a huge let down… At least everyone is aware of the issue & we can move forward. I better not see him sneak up the depth chart EVER again. While he may be right when he said during his post-season interview that he has not had the easiest time in the NFL considering his two years in the league consistent of an owner & coaching change plus a serious injury. However, in my opinion Gabbert is not starting QB quality.

2. The Jaguars without Maurice Jones Drew is as painful as we imagined:

If there’s one player Jaguars fans NEVER want to see go down, that’s MJD. He is the heart & soul of the Jags. Unfortunately, our worst nightmare came true this season & it was painful. If there was a shining light on the Jacksonville offense, it was MJD. Just one year ago, Mojo was the NFL leading rusher. Without him Jacksonville went from having the 12th ranked rushing game in 2011, to the 30th ranked rushing game in 2012.

3. (2-14) teams still have dedicated fans:

If you don’t believe me, check out the fan base on Twitter…. Or take a look at this picture from EverBank this season. Keep in mind, the Jaguars only won one home game this season.

4. People who hate on Jacksonville’s fan base are simple uneducated:

I hear about it all the time… “Aren’t all the Jaguars game blacked out”… “Are you two the only people in the stands”… “The Jags are going to LA” … Let me tell you how hard I laugh every time .. NOT. Let me shed a little light on this situation… Did you know that in 2012 Jacksonville had an average stadium attendance higher than teams like Pittsburgh, Chicago, & Detroit. In fact the Jaguars finished 20th in the attendance rankings for 2012. That means there’s 12 franchises that had less fans turn out this season than the 2-14 Jaguars.

» Continue reading “What Jaguars Fans Learned In 2012″

Ahhhh, what a nice breath of fresh air. After a week hiatus, Roaring Black & Teal is back in action. Did everyone else enjoy the bye week as much as I did? It was the first weekend since August I didn’t have to suffer watching one of my two beloved teams lose. Thanks Football Gods for scheduling USF & Jacksonville to go on bye week at the same time.

Since the Jaguars were on a bye week, it seems to be a low key week in Duval. THANK YOU Jesus… No, not you Tebow.

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Here are a few trending topics coming out of EverBank:

• Chris Harris: With Dwight Lowery & Dawan Landry out due to injuries, Jacksonville signed verteran Safety Chris Harris. It’s rumored that the former Bears & Lions safety could start on Sunday versus the Raiders.
• London: Shahid Khan & Josh Scobee traveled to London on their bye week to promote their first game in the International Series.
• 49ers: It was announced this week that Jacksonville will host the San Francisco 49ers in London.

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Tweet of Week

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Suggested Hash-Tags:

• #BeatOakland
• #IsItChadHenneTimeYet
• #TD4Blackmon

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Follow me on Twitter for more news from the Jaguars Nation.

Whooah, we’re half way there 
Livin on a prayer 
Take my hand and we’ll make it – I swear 
Livin on a prayer 

- Bon Jovi

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Welcome to the 2012 NFL season my fellow Jacksonville fans. Oh man, you have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to write that headline. The time has FINALLY come & we are entering the regular season.

I can’t remember the last time I was so excited for the regular season… It was probably last season, but after week one I forgot all about that.

I already sound like a broken record among my friends so why not let you all in on it too… THIS IS GOING TO BE THE YEAR.

We finally have what it takes to pull out the AFC South division title. This team is finally getting it together; Blaine Gabbert is ready for his second season with a legitimate wide receiver corp. After a long few weeks of preseason, Maurice Jones-Drew ended his holdout. In the middle of last season they finally kicked Jack Del Rio to the curb & acquired Mike Mularkey. Oh & let’s not forget about our new owner Shahid Khan.

All of this has inspired my regular season week one “Mularkey Music” selection, Bon Jovi “Living on a Prayer”:

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Make sure to tune in again next Saturday for more “Mularkey Music”. You can catch up on the prior editions of “Mularkey Music” here. 

Everyone’s favorite time of the year has arrived. No it isn’t because pumpkin spice lattes are back or that you can no longer wear white pants/shoes… 

IT’S FOOTBALL SEASON BABY!

Jacksonville kicks off their regular season schedule on Sunday when they travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings.

Here are the top new stories circulating the Jags Nation as they prepare for Sunday’s game.

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Forbes: Shahid Khan – The New Face Of The NFL And The American Dream

Florida Times-Union: Maurice Jones-Drew, ‘I have to work to get my job back’

Forbes: Cowboys Most Valuable NFL Team

SB Nation: Cowboys Are Worth More Than Jaguars And Rams Combined

Florida Times-Union: Former Jaguars owners Wayne and Delores Weaver donate $7 million to Mayo Clinic

Jaguars.com: Blaine Gabbert Talks About Vikings Game

Florida Times-Union: Jags missing some hands on deck

» Continue reading “News From The Jungle: Welcome To The First Week Football”