Praising Gene Smith? Proceed With Caution

Fans at Jaguars Draft parties all over town last night literally exploded with enthusiasm when it was announced the Jaguars had traded up to the 5th pick and taken WR Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma State.

Indeed, it was a slick move by the often criticized team’s general manager, Gene Smith. Not only did he get the man a majority of Jags fans wanted but he practically stole him considering what other teams paid to move up in the draft. The Jaguars gave up a 4th rounder. Smith also is proving to be a master at the shell game, having dropped hints everywhere that the Jaguars were looking to move down, not up.

But as one of Smith’s biggest critic I’m not ready to forgive and forget yet. First, Blackmon has to prove himself and Smith’s evaluation. Second, we’ve seen Smith do this before.

Our memories are often short. Just a year ago Smith surprised us by moving up to the 10th spot and taking QB Blaine Gabbert. There were celebrations all over town then, too. The more Gabbert played last season the less celebrating there was.

I like the move. Lord knows the Jaguars need help at wide receiver. But we’re still waiting to see if Smith can truly judge talent.

In fairness to Smith, wide receiver is one of the riskiest positions to judge. Few, if any, positions produce more busts AND surprises. The Jaguars know the “bust” side of this well, having wasted 1st round picks of receivers R.J. Soward, Reggie Williams and Matt Jones.

If Blackmon proves himself worthy of being drafted so high it could produce incredible results. The addition of Blackmon and free agent Laurent Robinson could have a snowball effect. While Gabbert played poorly as a rookie, he didn’t get much help from his receivers. Better receivers hopefully means a better Gabbert.

It also could make running back Maurice Jones-Drew even more effective. Huh? Didn’t he lead the NFL in rushing last season? (Absolutely, but imagine using MJD less but with the same or better results?) If the Jaguars can throw the ball, MJD won’t have to stare at 8- and 9-man fronts every time he lines up.

Thus far in his career at Jaguar GM, Smith has made solid-to-okay but unspectacular draft picks in the early rounds. He’s overdue to get the kind of impact player NFL teams need to contenders for titles.

Smith’s future as an NFL GM could be riding in Blackmon’s hands.

 

Is the Jaguars’ Problem…MJD?!?!?

Maurice Jones-Drew is the Jaguars best player. He is the team’s most popular player.

But is MJD hurting the Jaguars?

I say yes.

This opinion is meant is no way to criticize MJD. He, in fact, may be the NFL’s best running back. And that is the problem.

The NFL is a passing game. It is about having someone who can throw the ball, someone who can catch the ball, someone who can protect the man throwing the ball and someone who can knock down the man throwing the ball.

Any team who depends on running the ball for its major offensive weapon is a loser.

I’ve said for years running backs are among the least important players in the NFL. Okay, they’re more important than offensive guards and fullbacks and most inside linebackers, but nothing else. (Yes, kickers and punters are more important.) Now, I didn’t say the ability to run the ball when necessary – you know, 3rd-and-one, 1st-and-goal from the 2 — was unimportant, but you don’t need high paid stars for that. You need big bruisers or cat quick smaller guys who can slither through small openings. Running back by committee is the way of today’s successful NFL teams.

I wouldn’t draft the reincarnation of Jim Brown in the first two rounds if he was available.

This isn’t earth shattering news among NFL coaches and general managers. In today’s NFL, you pass to set up the occasional run, not the other way around.

The statistics bear it out. The Super Bowl champion New York Giants were last in the NFL in running last season. The mighty New England Patriots only run as a diversion. There are many other examples.

The major reason for the Jaguars’ offensive woes in recent years is MJD. He’s too talented and too established. I understand the problem Jack Del Rio had when he coached the team:  if you have MJD, how can you not give him the ball as often as possible?

When MJD’s new contract is due the Jaguars will be smart not to re-sign him unless he’s willing to agree to a relatively inexpensive, short term deal. The team needs to find out quickly if Blaine Gabbert can throw it effectively 30-plus times a game; if Laurent Robinson, Mike Thomas and Marcedes Lewis can consistently get open and catch the ball; if Eugene Monroe can be an elite left tackle.

Any more time counting on MJD to carry the offense means more seasons of losing.

 

The TRUTH About Jags QBs

Sports fans, aren’t you tired of being treated like idiots by coaches, players, owners and general managers?

They speak and we’re supposed to take their words as gospel no matter of illogical or stupid they are.

Latest case in point: Jaguars say signing quarterback Chad Henne doesn’t mean they are concerned about Blaine Gabbert?

Of course the Jaguars are concerned about Gabbert. He was lousy as a rookie last season. That doesn’t mean the Jags have given up on Gabbert, but they don’t sign a fourth-year pro with more than two years as a starter to be a backup. Obviously Henne thinks he can be a starter again. Obviously the Jaguars told him he’d be given a fair shot at starting. Otherwise, why’d Henne stop listening to other teams interested in him?

Here’s what the Jaguars should say: “We still believe Gabbert can be the quarterback we thought he was when we drafted him 10th overall last season, but the opportunity to sign Henne was too attractive to pass. Gabbert clearly has some issues that surfaced last season. Whoever our quarterback is needs more help and we’re doing everything we can to address those needs. We think Gabbert will improve, but we also feel Henne’s potential hasn’t been reached. He has shown he can be a winner in the NFL. The competition will help both men. We will evaluate them during the offseason and name a starter based on their performances.”

I never have understood why teams and many media feel it’s necessary to put the starting quarterback’s name in stone I never understood why it’s insulting to a quarterback that he’ll face competition for his job just like every other player. Indeed, competition brings out the best in most people. A quarterback who doesn’t like competition is a quarterback I don’t want playing for my team.

I know this: If Gabbert plays like he did last season the Jaguars are in for another losing season. Perhaps Gabbert will make great strides in 2012. But that’s a big gamble. It’s obvious it’s a gamble new coach Mike Mularkey wasn’t willing to make without a Plan B.

Smart move. Why wouldn’t the Jaguars want to take credit for it? Worried about hurting Gabbert’s feelings? A pro athlete’s who’s so sensitive ought to look into another line of work. Who doesn’t agree with that?

I understand there are times when teams want to hide the truth to gain a competitive edge. Injuries certainly aren’t accurately reported, for example. Who a team is trying to sign and wanting to draft are other examples. But team spokesmen are so conditioned to lying (or at least hiding the truth) that they don’t seem to know how to be honest when the truth is obvious.

I think athletes and fans are smart enough to handle the truth.

 

Tim Tebow…a Jaguar?

Tim Tebow a Jaguar? The thought gives me a tingle. Personally, I’d love it. I’d love the buzz it would create. Tebow love on the First Coast would be over the top. Yeah, Tebow hate would be over the top, too.

Absolutely ticket sales would go through the roof. The tarps would be pulled off. If national media exposure is important to you – and it obviously is for a lot of you although I’ve never understood why – you’d be in hog heaven.

That said, if I owned the Jaguars I wouldn’t touch Tebow. If I was general manager of the Jaguars I’d fight against it. If I was the coach of the Jaguars I’d pray it didn’t happen.

I was among the minority in the media who didn’t think the Jaguars should draft Tebow in 2010. I had – and still do – serious doubts about him ever being anything more than a serviceable quarterback in the NFL. I love the man. I admire him. I respect him. I appreciate his athletic skills. No question, he’s as much of a gamer as I’ve ever seen in sports.

His quarterback fundamentals – or lack of – don’t really concern me. Unorthodox players have succeeded in every sport in every era. Tebow proved last year he could be a winning quarterback in the NFL.

I just don’t think his skills translate to being a championship quarterback in the NFL unless the way the game is played changes drastically.

I’ve said many times the Jaguars should make a serious play for Peyton Manning because I truly believe Manning could bring a championship to Jacksonville if he can still play anywhere near how’s he’s played throughout his career. Yes, I believe he could accomplish that now with the Jaguars if the current roster was tweaked here (top wide receiver) and there (a top pass rusher).

As much as I wish I didn’t feel this way, I can’t see Tebow turning the Jaguars into champions.

A roster with Tebow and Blaine Gabbert as your quarterbacks would be a nightmare. While I don’t have much confidence in Gabbert, he’d be totally useless with Tebow as a teammate. There’d be almost nothing Gabbert could do to convince many Jaguars fans he deserved to start instead of Tebow.

I can only imagine the outrage of the Jaguars fans if the team had a chance to get Tebow and said no –again. I can’t even imagine the outrage if that happened and Tebow went on to become a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback in Denver or somewhere else.

I just know my head keeps telling my heart that the Jaguars acquiring Tebow would be a bad move.

 

Welcome to J-Ville, Mr. Manning!

Shahid Khan likes to make a splash. He’s made no secret of that since taking over as the owner of the Jaguars. Have you seen his $113 million yacht parked downtown?

In the splash department what would create a bigger wave than signing quarterback Peyton Manning as soon as he hits the free agent market, perhaps as soon as next week?

But that’s not all. I think Khan should go for a package deal, signing both Manning and veteran wide receiver Reggie Wayne, who’s been one of Peyton’s favorite targets for nearly a decade.

The Colts, of course, have to release both Manning and Wayne, but that seems to be a formality. Can either really fit in the Colts’ rebuilding plans? Manning’s health issue also has to be resolved.

Obviously it is a long shot to sign either or both, but why not give it a shot? Offer them one-year deals loaded with incentives and options. I’m not suggesting giving them blanks checks, but make the offers generous.

Critics will line up and sarcastically ask, “Why would Manning or Wayne want to play in Jacksonville?”

My reply: Why not?

If Manning and Wayne can still play at or near the level they have throughout their careers, the Jaguars could be a serious Super Bowl contender. The Jaguars have a playoff-caliber defense. They have the NFL’s leading rusher in Maurice Jones-Drew. They have excellent special teams led by placekicker Josh Scobee. What they lacked last season was a passing game – both at quarterback and wide receiver.

Imagine Manning quarterbacking against defenses that have to play both the run and the pass? MJD led the league in rushing while facing defenses with eight men, sometimes nine, playing near the line of scrimmage.

This isn’t about getting rid of quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Everyone I know agrees he was thrown into the starting job too soon. The jury right now is divided about his future: franchise QB or bust? Why not let Gabbert sit, watch and learn from one of the best?

Nor does this mean the Jaguars shouldn’t pursue other and younger wide receivers in free agency. And they should still hope Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon is available with the seventh overall draft pick.

Signing Manning and Wayne would be the ultimate quick fix. The Jaguars have plenty of money under the salary cap they must spend. Quick turnarounds are common in the NFL. And, like I said, the Jaguars already have a lot of winning pieces in place.

The odds are against the Jaguars pulling this off. I understand that. But it definitely won’t happen unless Khan gives it a shot. He wants to make a big splash. Simply making an effort to sign them will excite many fans. If he pulls it off, it will be a tidal wave of excitement hitting our city.

Dear Gene Smith…

Memo to Jaguars General Manager Gene Smith:

Here are some suggestions for you as the offseason begins.

1. Quit looking for boy scouts. I’m happy when the Jaguars players conduct themselves like good citizens, but I’m happier when Jaguars players make good plays.

2. I appreciate how smart you are when evaluating talent, but remember there’s a reason most of the players who play at Mount Union, Lehigh, Grand Valley State and Indiana (Pa.) don’t play at LSU, Ohio State, Florida and Southern Cal. They’re not as talented.

3. Target and draft another quarterback by at least the third round – just in case Blaine Gabbert doesn’t grow a pair of youknowhats?

4. Go after at least two wide receivers/tight ends in free agency.

5. Draft at least two wide receivers/tight ends who played for schools I’ve seen play on TV.

6. Offer cornerback Rashean Mathis a new contract that’s slightly above the veterans’ minimum pay.

7. See if tight end Marcedes Lewis will accept a buyout.

8. Re-sign placekicker Josh Scobee – now!

9. Stop counting on defensive end Aaron Kampman to make a comeback.

10. Work on developing a personality.

 

Jaguars: Now What?

With a miserable 5-11 season now history and a new owner taking over, there are important decisions to be made. Now!

First, owner Shalid Khan must determine what to do with General Manager Gene Smith. Give him total control? Divide all football authority with the new coach? Fire him?

I know Smith recently signed a three-year contract extension, but that doesn’t secure his future. He has come under intense heat – and for good reason in my opinion — since Coach Jack Del Rio was fired. Because Khan will not live in Jacksonville and run the team on a day-to-day basis, it only makes sense that he will hire someone he knows and trusts to oversee his $760 million investment. Will that person only be involved in the business aspect of the franchise?

Second, selecting a new coach.

The hiring of a new coach is a crapshoot. There is, no doubt, a young coordinator out there who’s destined to become the next great coach. Who is he? No one knows. There are veteran head coaches with impressive track records, but regardless of who’s hired his success hinges on having the right players. Occasionally a coach can make a player. You can argue Jim Harbaugh did that this season in San Francisco with quarterback Alex Smith. More often than not, however, players make coaches. Jim Caldwell looked very competent with Peyton Manning at quarterback, but looked lost without him.

Third, making a decision about quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Is he still the quarterback of the future? Should the Jaguars draft another quarterback if, say, Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III of Baylor, is available?

As for Gabbert, certainly it is too early to write him off, but I saw almost nothing that makes me believe he’s a future star. I’ve never claimed to be a great talent evaluator, but Gabbert sends me nothing but negative feelings. He has some physical talent, but he seems to lack all of the intangibles. His receivers were mediocre, but outstanding quarterbacks can make mediocre receivers better.

 

The truth is the Jaguars – like most NFL franchises – aren’t that far from being a contender. The foundation of a solid defense, respectable special teams and an outstanding running game makes a quick turnaround possible.

The decisions made in the next few days will determine the Jaguars’ future for the next several years.

 

Jags: So Close, Yet So Far

I’ve said many times that the difference between the NFL’s best team and the NFL’s worst team is about five players, maybe fewer. The Jaguars, for example, are clearly one of the worst teams in the league. But what if they added Drew Brees at quarterback, Calvin Johnson at wide receiver, Jake Long at left tackle, Jared Allen at defensive end and Joe Haden at cornerback? Would the Jaguars’ other 48 players be talented enough to make the team a championship contender?

Absolutely.

The point I’m making is if you can play in the NFL you’re a talented football player. Obviously there are some great players and, yes, there are some who don’t belong in the league. But we’re talking about a handful of players. Most of the 1,700-plus men who play in the NFL each season are capable contributing to a championship team.

I chuckle when Jaguars fans marvel when rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert makes a particularly good throw – you know, like firing a strike between two defenders for a touchdown – and say that’s proof that he has what it takes to be a stud NFL quarterback. I chuckle because, the way I see it, if he couldn’t make such a throw he never would have been a draft pick – much less the 10th overall pick.

The differences between the great quarterbacks and the also-rans aren’t which throws they can make but how consistently they make them. The same is true of every position.

Think about how difficult it is just to get an opportunity to play in the NFL. Think about how many outstanding college players never make it to the next level. We are, indeed, talking about the best of the best. Often the difference isn’t physical but mental. I’m talking about everything from having the work ethic to stay in top physical shape to the desire to be mentally prepared through film study.

It is the mental aspect where players tend to get better or worse. Using Gabbert as an example, his ability to throw a football isn’t going to improve a great deal, if at all. The unknown is whether or not he’ll grind to make himself more fundamentally sound? Will he handle the criticism and become more determined? We did study and become smarter? How will he handle his wealth and the lifestyle of a pro athlete?

It is the basic parity of talent that makes the NFL so unpredictable. It is why teams go from first to worst, or vice versa, in a single year. It’s why the 13-0 Packers lose to the 5-8 Chiefs and the 0-13 Colts beat the 7-6 Titans. It is why only about half the NFL playoff teams make the post season in consecutive seasons.

It is why high draft picks become busts and undrafted players become stars. It is why NFL coaches are serious when they talk about “the next man up” to replace injured starters.

You don’t get an NFL paycheck unless you can, in some combination, run, throw, catch, block and tackle. It’s the other stuff that makes signing players a gamble. It is why the Jaguars are close to being a title contender, but just as close to remaining a bottom feeder. Ultimately, it is why the NFL so successful.

 

Merry Christmas, Jaguars…

I’ve always maintained the most difficult thing for a commentator is trying to determine if a game was won or lost. Case in point: Did the Jaguars beat the Bucs with stellar play or did the Bucs lose because they stunk up the place?

Obviously, it is always a combination, to a degree, but on Sunday at Everbank Field, as hard as I tried, I couldn’t shake the feeling the Jaguars’ 41-14 victory over the Tampa Bay was more about the Bucs than the Jaguars.

Absolutely, the Jaguars did some good things in overcoming a 14-0 deficit 51 seconds into second quarter with 41 unanswered points (more than doubling its previous high points total this season).

Maurice Jones-Drew, as usual, had an outstanding game, running for 85 yards, catching six passes for another 51 yards and scoring four TDs to establish a franchise career record.

Pro Bowl special team ace Montell Owens had two vicious hits that caused fumbles and basically accounted for 14 points.

Rookie QB Blaine Gabbert played perhaps his best game — which isn’t to say he had a great day.

But the Jaguars did a lot of things that seldom lead to a blowout victory. Gabbert threw two interceptions and both were horrible decisions. There were, as usual, too many dropped passes. The run defense, so stout for much of the season, was shaky in the middle.

Still, it was the bumbling, stumbling Bucs committing seven turnovers, five of which were unforced, that determined the outcome of this game on a windy, rainy, cool day. QB Josh Freeman, who showed so much promise last season, continued to struggle with accuracy. Tampa Bay had 80 yards in penalties. The Bucs tackled like they were cheerleaders.

Tampa Bay looked every bit like a team losing its seventh straight game. The Bucs, in fact, looked a lot like the Jaguars have looked most of the season. Both are 4-9. The similarities with the two teams may include firing the head coach. The Jaguars already have sent Jack Del Rio packing; the Bucs’ Raheem Morris now tops the list of coaches on the hot seat.

It was a special victory for Jacksonville’s interim coach, Mel Tucker, although he downplayed it. According to several players, Tucker shed tears in the locker room. I don’t blame him for being emotional. He now has an NFL victory on his coaching resume. That’s a big deal. What confuses me is why he chose to rattle off a string of clichés in describing his feelings.

Two bad teams playing on a miserable day best describes what happened.

Or, in keeping with the holiday season, you could say Christmas came early for the Jaguars.

From Prime Time to Puke Time

The house was packed. The atmosphere was electric. “Khan Do” signs were everywhere. You could feel the love for owner Wayne Weaver.

It was prime time on national TV and Jacksonville and the Jaguars had their best faces on.

At least until late in the second quarter. That’s when the San Diego Chargers and quarterback Phillip Rivers performed a magic trick. They made the Jaguars’ highly regarded defense disappear.

Chargers 38, Jaguars 14. It looked more like an Alabama-Vanderbilt game than an NFL game.

Yes, the Jaguars’ defense is banged up. Five starters are out; the top three cornerbacks are on the injured reserve. But in the NFL the creed is next man up. For the Jaguars it was more like next boy is up. For the record, the Chargers’ offensive line is a make shift unit because of injuries, but it had little trouble blocking the Jaguars.

There were some bright spots. As usual, Maurice Jones-Drew was outstanding. And rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert had his moments, leading the team on back-to-back touchdown drives in the second quarter. It was the first time this season the Jaguars had scored two first-half touchdowns.

But Gabbert disappeared in the second half and become the punch line for the ESPN crew broadcasting the game. Analysts Jon Gruden was especially critical. Ditto for studio analyst Steve Young, who even suggested the Jaguars look for another QB in next year’s draft.

In case you’re wondering, there’s every reason to believe there’ll be a highly touted quarterback available – Southern Cal’s Matt Barkley, Baylor’s Robert Griffin III, Oklahoma’s Landry Jones – when the 3-9 Jaguars are “on the clock”. Still, this team is in desperate need of help at wide receiver.

The heat is now on General Manager Gene Smith, who last week was given a three-year contract. While Smith hasn’t drafted any Pro Bowlers, he has been credited with improving the team’s overall roster, acquiring quality depth. You couldn’t tell that by Monday night’s performance.

The next major decision Smith must make is hiring a new coach. Any glimmer of hope that interim coach Mel Tucker would light a fire under the team was extinguished by the Chargers. Not only did River throw TD strikes over the Jaguars defense, Ryan Matthews and Mike Tolbert ran it down the Jaguars’ throat.

What started out so beautifully ended as a nightmare. Jaguars’ fans couldn’t even blame this one on Jack Del Rio.