Jacksonville Jaguars

How the National Media Views the Jacksonville Jaguars

// June 14th, 2010 // No Comments » // Aaron Kampman, Coaching Staff, David Garrard, Maurice Jones Drew, Mike Sims-Walker, NFL Draft, Playoffs??? Playoffs!!!?, Rashean Mathis, Thanks Wayne Weaver, jack del rio

Why Your Team Won’t Win the Super Bowl: Jacksonville Jaguars Edition.
Nick Signorelli by
Nick Signorelli
Senior Writer Written on June 13, 2010
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/405022-why-your-team-wont-win-the-super-bowl?search_query=jaguars%20why

No, I am not picking on just the Jacksonville Jaguars! This is a series that I am doing for all 32 of the NFL teams, Why Your Team Won’t Win The Super Bowl.

To me, the Jacksonville Jaguars are one of the strangest teams to figure out. During the NFL’s last expansion, instead of putting a team in the second largest market in America, LA, the powers that be decided to put the franchise in Jacksonville, Florida.

The Jaguars have had numerous problems selling out home games, and have had many games blacked out,for lack of ticket sales.

They have even had games where they would section off parts of the stadium so that people would not see the empty seats.

In my opinion, forget about all the talk about the Rams or the Vikings moving to Los Angeles when their leases are up at their current buildings. In my opinion, it is going to be the Jaguars.

This is not to disrespect the fans of Jacksonville in any way. I actually feel sorry for any city that loses their team. But I honestly believe from the top down the Jaguars are looking to make a change.

For starters this offseason we had the verbal spatting between head coach Jack Del Rio and owner Wayne Weaver over Del Rio’s interest in coaching the USC Trojans when Pete Carroll left to coach the Seahawks.

Del Rio is a former player and coach at USC, and I would be willing to bet the mortgage that the powers that be at USC would have taken Del Rio over Lane Kiffin in a second.

Del Rio has been the Jaguars second coach, only to Tom Coughlin, since the inception of the Jaguars in 1995.

He has made some curious decisions, such as allowing Byron Leftwich to walk out the door and to hand the reigns of the franchise to David Garrard.

Garrard is a decent player, but has yet to prove that he is any where near good enough to lead the Jaguars into the future successfully. And Jacksonville has done nothing to bring in competition for him, or address the situation in the draft.

The defensive line has struggled, even though Aaron Kampman was brought in to help the younger players.

Maurice Jones-Drew and Mike Sims-Walker are two potential superstars, but without a quality offensive line or quarterback, neither one’s skills will reach full potential as long as they are in Jacksonville.

Though there are some bright spots for the Jaguars, there are just too many holes for this team to make a serious run at the Lombardi this year.

My prediction: 5-11, last place in the AFC South.

Season Tickets for the Jacksonville Jaguars Breakdown

// May 5th, 2010 // No Comments » // Jaguar History, Pocket Hercules, TealGate, Thanks Wayne Weaver, Tickets, Tony Boselli, Uncategorized

Submitted by Gene Frenette on April 19, 2010 – 11:45pm

http://www.hyatt.jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/400565/gene-frenette/2010-04-19/jaguars-pulling-out-all-stops-sell-tickets

The level of desperation has reached the point where the Jaguars and the business community are begging people — almost a step short of bribing — to purchase season tickets.

Actually, they’re offering gift-certificate incentives called Teal Deals, which represent more than $2,000 worth of discounts (mostly 33 percent off for a minimum purchase price at area restaurants), as well as price reductions on automotive needs, jewelry, golf, men’s clothing, pest control and even a pet hotel. That’s right, the Jaguars are playing the dog-and-cat card to entice fans to buy or renew a season ticket before May 31.

It’s all part of a massive campaign, which includes the popular 30-30 plan (30 payments over a 30-month period, with no interest or deposit), to reinvigorate a stagnant football market. Between Team Teal commissioner Tony Boselli stumping across North Florida like a medicine man hawking miracle elixir and Bono’s owner Joe Adeeb assembling businesses to offer incentives on season-ticket purchases, no NFL franchise has ever done more off the field to earn the fans’ business.

The objective is to refill those 20,000-25,000 empty seats that became a fixture at home games in 2009. The first step is to at least pack the general bowl (50,797) to lift the television blackouts, which became like a giant zit on the Jaguars’ forehead.

“People get that it isn’t going to be good for our city if we lose the Jaguars,” Adeeb said. “That’s what’s driven me to do this. I’ve got five grandkids, and I want them to grow up with an NFL team. This thing isn’t finished until all those [9,703] covers come off [in Jacksonville Municipal Stadium].”

A decade ago, nobody could have imagined the Jaguars or the business community having to resort to these tactics. In addition to flexible payment plans and three consecutive years without raising ticket prices, season-ticket buyers are now eligible for gift certificates that include free ice cream and a case of wine.

“It’s a neat deal,” Jaguars senior vice president Tim Connolly said. “Maybe it’ll work. It better work.”

No joke. The 2009 season was the first real sign of the Jaguars becoming an endangered football species. Though the Jaguars were around .500 all season, attendance ranged from 42,000-49,000 for the first six regular-season home games. It was a sobering disconnect for a city that embraced its NFL team throughout the 1990s.

The Jaguars aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, but owner Wayne Weaver has made it clear that the turnstiles must churn at a much greater number than last year or moving eventually becomes the only option. The Jaguars and a lot of civic-minded folks are pitching in to see that never happens.

But at some point, fans must decide whether they really want an NFL team. Or will they only show up in big numbers if it contends for Super Bowls and meets other certain conditions.

Connolly said more Jacksonville businesses will likely step up next year to offer a wider range of Teal Deals.

Given all the seats the Jaguars have to fill, they seem willing to try almost anything to attract season-ticket buyers. Who knows. Maybe Maurice Jones-Drew will come over and pressure-wash your driveway.

gene.frenette@jacksonville.com,
(904) 359-4540

Jacksonville Jaguars NFL Draft 2010 >> Tyson Alualu > First Round Pick > DT > California

// April 23rd, 2010 // No Comments » // College Football, Gene Smith, Jaguar History, Maurice Jones Drew, NFL Draft, Player News, Senior Bowl, Tebow, Thanks Wayne Weaver, jack del rio

Despite Tebow Nation’s notion that they know better than the Jacksonville Jaguars latest savior Gene Smith, the Jacksonville Jaguars zigged when everyone expected them to zag. Choosing to follow Jacksonville Jaguars ex-coach Tom Coughlin’s recipe for front seven dominance, Jacksonville decided to go Stroud-Henderson 2.0 and pair up Tyson Alualu with second year, one man wrecking crew, Terrance Knighton.

Even though it was apparent that Jacksonville could have traded down with San Diego, as they jumped to the 12 spot to grab Fresno State RB Ryan Matthews, I feel the Jacksonville Jaguars had their man, and they took him. Hearing Jacksonville Jaguars’s Gene Smith talk about him was to hear a man who had just gotten a new BMW M series for Christmas.

The newest Jacksonville Jaguar Tyson Alualu may be the ultimate character guy, relative to our culture here on the mainland. I could get into it, but it will be well documented in the Jacksonville media. Born and bread in Hawaiian culture, he is not subject to the diva-esque trappings that so many “Professional Athletes” suffer from. (See Reggie Nelson.) Another team I follow has added numerous American Samoans, you can see the rest of the team rally around them as they live and die with each passing play. It has lead to a Division Championship and a playoff birth. It is a culture that stresses teamwork and working together for the greater good. Something our government should take a long look at.

I applaud the Jacksonville Jaguars’ pick, as I’m sure if there was a trade to be had, Gene Smith would have pulled the trigger. Mel Kiper isn’t hiding extras brains in all that hair, just look at Jimmy Clausen. How did Did Mel Kiper’s ranking and clairvoyance work out for the “Best Quarterback in the Draft.” He woke up today in the same spot he was yesterday, knowing all 32 teams passed on him.

The only other question I have is did fellow Califonia alum Maurice Jone-Drew have a say in this pick? Pocket Hercules gets a vote if I were Wayne Weaver.

Check out some of the videos and check back here for the Jacksonville Jaguars Round Two and Three picks.

Tyson Alualu Highlights from jack bauer on Vimeo.

Jacksonville Jaguars NFL Draft 2010 > AFC South front office Draft procedures.

// April 14th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // AFC South, Coaching Staff, ESPN, Gene Smith, NFL Draft, Thanks Wayne Weaver

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcsouth/post/_/id/10783/draft-watch-afc-south-9

Each week leading up to the NFL draft (April 22-24), the ESPN.com blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today’s topic: Decision-makers, who makes the call in the draft room.

Houston Texans

Gary Kubiak was hired ahead of Rick Smith in 2006, so it was a coach endorsing a general manager as opposed to the more traditional way around. They both have roots in Mike Shanahan’s Denver regime and the compatibility from their long relationship makes for a decision-by-consensus environment as opposed to a big division-of-power setup. Smith’s got a large scouting staff — some argue too large — but resources are not an issue for a first-class organization where owner Bob McNair spends what is needed to produce the best chances at success.

Indianapolis Colts

Team president Bill Polian has an excellent track record as a talent-finder and his team is built almost exclusively through the draft, a formula that’s worked for a team that’s consistently won double-digit games during his tenure. He trusts his scouts and the team’s systems, which are evolving under Jim Caldwell as he heads into his second year as coach. Polian has a shrewd feel for who’s overvalued and who’s undervalued and for what will be available when. He also knows he’ll be able to fill some roster spots with undrafted rookies ideal for what the Colts do. Owner Jim Irsay has full faith in Polian’s record and résumé.

Jacksonville Jaguars

General manager Gene Smith has control over the draft and the roster. But having come up as a scout and with an early background in coaching, he knows the value of input from people he trusts. Jack Del Rio is no shrinking violet, and his strong opinions are certainly factored in as Smith hits on the popular “consensus” model. Owner Wayne Weaver is looking to be more involved as the Jaguars press to sell tickets and get into the playoff picture. But those who think that means he’ll be moving name cards on draft day are overreaching.

Tennessee Titans

Jeff Fisher has never sought to be a coach/GM but his power in personnel decisions certainly increased a few years ago when Floyd Reese was dumped and Mike Reinfeldt was hired. The Titans talk constantly about consensus. Reinfeldt controls a well-organized scouting staff and measures input from Fisher’s staff as well. Then the two ultimately come to an agreement. It seems to me Fisher is far less likely to wind up with a player he doesn’t want than Reinfeldt is to call a name that might not be his first choice at a specific slot. While Bud Adams made the call on Vince Young in 2006 when it was still Reese’s operation, he’s not regularly meddling.

Let’s Be Honest: The Real Reason Jacksonville Must Draft Tebow

// March 25th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // College Football, Maurice Jones Drew, NFL Draft, Tebow, Thanks Wayne Weaver, Tony Boselli, University of Florida

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/368740-lets-be-honest-the-real-reason-the-jags-must-draft-tebow?utm_campaign=buzztap&utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter

by bryan richardson
Contributor Written on March 25, 2010

NEW ORLEANS – JANUARY 01: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Florida Gators looks on after defeating the Cincinnati Bearcats 24-51 during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisana Superdome on January 1, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The Jacksonville Jaguars are a franchise facing a crucial time and point in their history. We just concluded are 15th season, and in retrospect I’d have to say it’s been pretty successful.

6 playoff seasons, five playoff wins, 2 AFC Championship games, and 2 Division titles. Considering franchises like the new Cleveland Browns have made one playoff appearance since their move back to Cleveland in 1999 and the Houston Texans have never made the playoffs despite being in the league since 2002, I would say the Jags have been a pretty model franchise for success for a relatively new team.

So why then when you hear about the Jags, it’s negative publicity from not filling up the stadium to moving to Los Angeles to bad drafting to players with run-ins with the law? As good as the history has been, their has been something missing between the early success of the team in the mid to late 90’s under coach Tom Coughlin to the past decade led mostly by coach Jack Del Rio, and it’s not just wins and losses.

Those early Jag teams had a connection to the city, from Mark Brunell to Tony Boselli to Jimmy Smith to Dave Widell and others. I remember waiting up to about 3 in the morning waiting on the Jags plane to land after those amazing playoff wins over Buffalo and Denver in 96′, and the love they received after a tough, hard fought loss to New England in the AFC title game. We loved our Jags unconditionally, and they in return loved us as well and showed it on the field.

Fast forward to now. Outside of Maurice Jones-Drew, is there any other player that you get a sense of just wanting to be around not only because they are stars for your favorite team, but because you get the feeling that they generally care about you as a person?

Enter Tim Tebow. Tebow is the only person, outside of Brunell and Boselli, that you get the feeling that despite how great a player on the field that he is (and the accomplishments are plenty) he may be an even greater person. Tebow and Mojo together can get back the feeling of mutual love between team and fans like we once had and once again make the Jags relevant in our homes and communities, and in retrospect the Jags would receive the unconditional support they sorely lacked in seasons past to perform at a top level on the field.

Before being blasted for writing yet another pro-Tebow article, let me state that why I do believe Tim needs work, if for nothing more than to continue adjusting to his newfound throwing motion, I do believe that the Jags have no other choice. Now just so we are clear, I am not advocating taking Tim with the 10th overall pick, but if we can trade down to the bottom half of the 1st round (which Gene Smith has expressed wanting to do) then I’m all for it.

The reason I say we have no choice is because despite all the efforts of both the marketing dept (30 for 30, 8 month payment plan, etc.) and Team Teal, the Jags still face a staunch reality of not only having this seasons games blacked out, but a real possibility of losing the Jags altogether. Now while I am not saying that Tebow will be a perennial Pro-Bowler (although I think he can become one), can we really afford not to take him and he does somewhere else? If Tim is drafted by another team and leads them to a Super Bowl, that may be the final nail in the coffin for this franchise.

Agree or not, while no player can single-handedly save a franchise, Tim is the only person that can come close. With Tim, Mojo, Tony Boselli and GM Gene moving forward, the Jags can once again get back to the glory days and “Restore the Roar” of the Jags in Jax.

Wayne Weaver hopes the renewal rate hits 80 percent by March 31.

// March 23rd, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Thanks Wayne Weaver, Tickets, Tony Boselli

Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver encouraged by strong season-ticket renewal rate
He says he hopes the rate hits 80 percent by March 31.
By Vito Stellino

http://jacksonville.com/sports/football/jaguars/2010-03-23/story/jaguars-owner-wayne-weaver-encouraged-strong-season-ticket?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+jacksonville%2FksHE+%28Jacksonville+Jaguars+%2B+Jaguars+News+-+Jacksonville.com+and+The+Florida+Times-Union%29

ORLANDO — Now that the first deadline has passed for Jaguars season-ticket renewals, owner Wayne Weaver said he hopes the team will hit the 80 percent renewal rate by the end of the month.

“I think it [ticket sales] came in really well,” Weaver said during the first day of the annual NFL meetings. “Our renewal rate is going to be way up compared to the past. We’ve got a long way to go, but it’s moving well.”

The first deadline was last Friday for season-tickets holders to get the eight-month payment plan and to enter a drawing for various prizes including a trip on a Jaguars road game.

Of ticket sales at this point, Weaver said, “I’m optimistic. I think we’re further ahead than a lot of people thought we’d be. Carl Cannon, Ed Burr and Tony Boselli [who are spearheading the civic group Touchdown Jacksonville] are doing a great job out there, creating some urgency to fill our stadium.”

Tim Connolly, the team’s senior vice president of business development who is directing the ticket-selling drive, said the team is already close to a 70 percent renewal rate and is still processing applications that arrived in Monday’s mail.

If the Jaguars can reach 80 percent by the end of the month, they will have about 5,000 season-ticket holders who didn’t renew, compared to 17,000 last year.

On the fuel gauge on the team’s Web site, the renewal rate is listed at 59 percent, but Connolly said it won’t be updated until later in the week.

A second March 31 deadline (Connolly said it will actually go to April 2) is for season-ticket holders who want to keep their current seats and for ticket buyers who want to sign up for the 30-month plan.

The renewals are important because they cut down on the number of new tickets the Jaguars have to sell if they’re to reach the threshold of 50,957 non-premium tickets to lift the TV blackouts. In 2009, they blacked out all but the final home game against Indianapolis when a Touchdown Jacksonville ticket drive was successful.

“Every renewal is a new ticket we don’t have to sell,” Connolly said.
Connolly said that as of Friday, the team had sold 6,200 new tickets and hoped to reach 7,000 by the end of the month.

He said the club also hopes to sell 80,000 group ticket sales, or 8,000 per game, which would be an increase from 6,000 per game last year.

“There’s a climate for groups from people who can’t afford a season ticket,” he said.

Both Weaver and commissioner Roger Goodell have said that a pro football team isn’t viable drawing slightly more than 40,000 a game, which was what the 7-9 Jaguars averaged last year.

Team Teal Rally TODAY in Hemming Plaza! Get your TealGate on!

// March 11th, 2010 // No Comments » // TealGate, Thanks Wayne Weaver, Tickets, Tony Boselli

Team Teal Rally this Thursday in Hemming Plaza!
Today from Noon to 1p.m.

Noon – 1 P.M. featuring

• “Team Teal” commissioner Tony Boselli
• Jaguars Quarterback David Garrard
• Jaxson de Ville
• Roar Cheerleaders
• food specials and more!

View Larger Map

Jacksonville brings the heat in 2010 NFL free agency.

// March 8th, 2010 // No Comments » // Free Agency, Player News, Thanks Wayne Weaver

In the tradition of Jaguar Favorite, John Jurkovic, now former Packer Defensive Lineman Aaron Kampman has signed with the Jaguars.

As stated in this article on BeTeal via Blackandteal.com….

What about Kampman? He registered 38 sacks between ’06-’08 but had serious problems with the new 3-4 system in ’09. Plus he is coming off from a torn ACL which is always a big risk, although he said he will be ready for the start for training camp. So these factors might lower the price you need to pay for him. But the problem is he is still good enough player to receive multiple offers from teams which will raise his price so high the Jaguars might not want to pay for. I think Vanden Bosch is over the hill; and Kampman might be too expensive to sign here; but if the Jags reach a deal with Kampman; Gene Smith can be patient drafting to the position in April.

Kampman was the second most coveted Defensive Linemen besides Julius Peppers in free agency. A major upgrade which will give potential bust Derrick Harvey a chance to develop in the weight room. Much like Torry Holt last year, I think Kampman’s veteran leadership is as valuable as his 9.5 sacks per year average.

The Jaguars as a team only had 14 last year.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Check out the story below from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal.
By Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel

When Aaron Kampman signed a four-year, $21 million contract with the Green Bay Packers on the eve of free agency four years ago, he knew he would have one more shot to strike it rich before he retired.

He probably didn’t figure it would happen with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

After eight seasons with the team that drafted him in the fifth round of the 2002 draft, Kampman is moving on.

No longer as valuable to the Packers at outside linebacker as he was at defensive end, the 30-year-old Iowa native found a team willing to take a chance on a guy coming off a serious knee injury.

 The Jaguars announced Sunday that they had signed Kampman to a free agent deal. Terms of the contract were not announced, but the Florida Times-Union reported it was worth $26 million over four years, including $11 million guaranteed.

It is no surprise why Kampman was drawn to the Jaguars: They play a 4-3 defense that will allow him to return to the end position.

Kampman has never played right end in his NFL career, always very particular about wanting to rush from the left side, but he’ll play right end in Jacksonville.

“I’m excited about getting my hand back on the ground and rushing the passer,” Kampman said in an interview with the Times-Union. “For the most part, yeah, I think I’m going to be more on the right side. I’m excited about it.

“One example I could cite is what happened up in Minnesota. Jared Allen was a left end at Kansas City and they moved him to the right side at Minnesota, and he was able to have some success in that position.”

Kampman said playing on the right side will make it easier for him to play at a lighter weight, something he has committed to doing since former defensive coordinator Jim Bates spread him out wide starting in 2005. He said he has been battling bigger, stronger tackles on the right side.

“Your left tackles usually are guys that are a little more – can be anyway – a little lighter in the pants, as opposed to your right tackles who are a little more run dominant, a little heavier guys,” he said. “So I get a little excited about that, knowing the strengths of myself, how I like to rush the passer, getting up in guys’ grills and collapsing the pocket.”

The fourth longest-tenured Packer as of the end of last season, Kampman was a fixture at left end, where he went from a power end in Ed Donatell’s defense to an edge rusher under Bates and Bob Sanders.

Kampman transformed himself from a run-stopping 285-pound end into a sleek, 260-pound outside pass rusher, blossoming the very same year he signed the big contract. From 2006-’09, he had 37 sacks, the third most of any player in the NFL over that same span.

It all changed for Kampman when coach Mike McCarthy switched to a 3-4 defense before the ‘09 season. Much to his dismay, Kampman, a two-time Pro Bowl selection at end, found himself learning a completely new position.

He suddenly was forced to stand up in a two-point stance, drop into coverage and play laterally more than he ever had.

Defensive coordinator Dom Capers eventually started using him with his hand down on third-down situations, but Kampman was not the pass-rushing force he had been previously, notching just 3½ sacks before blowing out his left knee in the ninth game.

Prior to the start of training camp in ‘09, Kampman was mostly invisible to reporters because, it was assumed, he was not happy about being moved to linebacker.

When the season started, he never publicly complained and seemed to work daily at getting better at the position.

But his quick decision to sign with a 4-3 team spoke volumes about his preference to play end.

The Packers finished the season with seventh-round pick Brad Jones at left outside linebacker.

Jones proved to be surprisingly effective at the position, playing solidly at end despite being only 6-foot-3, 239 pounds. He finished the regular season with four sacks, more than Kampman had in nine games, but the Packers informed him that he will need to put on 10 pounds of muscle during the off-season.

It’s a given that the Packers will select a 3-4 outside linebacker type in the 2010 draft.

It happens to be a good year for hybrid linebacker / defensive ends, and there should be opportunities to provide competition for Jones, Brady Poppinga and Brandon Chillar.

General manager Ted Thompson did not make any comments about the loss of Kampman and how hard the Packers tried to keep him.

One question Thompson will face is whether he did enough to assure the Packers could get compensation for Kampman.

Depending on how much Kampman makes and how well he produces, the Packers may get a compensatory draft choice somewhere in the third to seventh rounds, but had he traded Kampman before his injury it’s possible he could have gotten a lot more.

The compensatory picks for 2010 free agency aren’t decided until next year.

The Packers now have two unrestricted players left: right tackle Mark Tauscher and running back Ahman Green. Left tackle Chad Clifton agreed to a reported three-year, $20 million on Friday to take him off the market.

The Packers also have eight restricted free agents.

Are Jacksonville’s Jaguars moving? Here are the other candidates for LA

// February 11th, 2010 // No Comments » // Tebow, Thanks Wayne Weaver, Tickets

While this is likely to anger the fanbases of just about every team involved, the reality is that the league is not only trying to put a team in Los Angeles in the near future, but it is hoping that it can do so by moving an existing team rather than adding an expansion team. Los Angeles is one of the biggest markets in any sport, and the league has been trying for years to repopulate it with a team.

Recent developments, including plans for an entirely new stadium complex, show that there is an increasing expectation to put a team in LA, and it looks like a lock to happen within four or five years.

The facility is not likely to be built within the time frame that the NFL is looking to add a team, so whoever moves will likely have to be content with the Rose Bowl for a year or two.

Vikings

Because one purple and gold team, the Minneapolis Lakers, have already been taken out of Minnesota, a Vikings move would draw the ire of a traditionally strong fanbase. Would that vitriol offset the positives from the market increase that move would create? Tough to say.

The wild card in the equation is owner Zygi Wilf. He has repeatedly stated that the team would need a new stadium in order to stay in Minnesota and that when the Metrodome’s lease is up in 2011, it would be the last time the team would play there. If Wilf can’t get his team a new building in Minneapolis, he may be quick to bolt for greener pastures in the land of stars and smog.

Jaguars

Does Tim Tebow hold the fate of an entire team in his hands? Can anyone besides Florida’s anointed one find a way to put fans in the stadium? The Jaguars were one of only three teams with less than 400,000 people in total attendance for 2009 and the only team that spent much of the year in playoff contention with less than 500,000 total attendance.

Also, they are one of the two most recent expansion teams. This means that the team is not upsetting a rich, longstanding football tradition were they to relocate. Several members of the team also have Los Angeles ties, with Jack Del Rio hailing from USC (where he almost become head coach this offseason) and Maurice Jones-Drew a UCLA Alum.

Chargers

Like Minnesota, this is a team that has been searching for a new stadium for quite awhile. In 1997 they settled for a renovation project that improved the (at that time) 30-year-old Jack Murphy stadium, which was renamed to Qualcomm. Later they watched as the San Diego Padres secured funding that helped them build a brand new downtown ballpark.

Petco park came in over-budget, and its owner slashed payroll after getting the ballpark that was supposed to foster the revenue to build a more competitive team. The results soured much of the San Diego’s sports fans, and with the Chargers stating that it would require public funding to build a new stadium, the odds of an initiative being approved in the near future are very slim.

The team also would be moving the shortest distance and could therefore try to expand one fanbase while maintaining another.

Rams

They did it once, and they could do it again. In recent years, the team’s record has been on a progressive downward countdown of three-two-one, and attendance has taken a drastic downturn, ranking just above Jacksonville in 2009.

Much of the team’s ownership already operates out of Los Angeles, and its business infrastructure would already be somewhat in place. The team also holds an existing fanbase in Southern California from its time in Los Angeles. The city of St. Louis apparently has a deadline of Feb. 1, 2012 in order to explain how it is going to make improvements to Edward Jones Dome and increase team revenue.

Bills

The Bills are a little more of an outside shot than the previous teams listed, and the odds have dipped, as Commissioner Roger Goodell seems enamored with using them as his great Canadian Experiment in which Toronto hosts an increasing number of Bills games.

The team is, however, one of the NFL’s smallest markets, wedged between the Giants, Jets, Steelers, and Patriots. Bills owner Ralph Wilson has already expressed long-term concerns about football in Western New York, though ownership would probably have to change hands before the Bills are brought to warm weather.

Jacksonville’s Coaching Exodus

// January 28th, 2010 // No Comments » // Thanks Wayne Weaver, jack del rio

by Jonathan Loesche on Jan 28, 2010 9:19 AM EST
http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2010/1/28/1273828/why-is-jacks-inner-circle-leaving

With the recent departures of Ted Monachino, Kennedy Pola, and Mike Tice from the Jaguars’ staff, questions have arisen as to what is really going on inside the Jaguars organization. These departures have been espescially puzzling since these coaches reportedly were Jack Del Rio’s “Inner Circle” and provided an echo chamber in the locker room.

So then, why is it that these coaches have now either been fired (Monachino) or taken lateral moves with other teams (Pola, Tice)? I think we have to look back at the meeting between Jack, Wayne, and Gene for the answers. I’m going to borrow a few quotes and ideas from Terry’s piece on Black and Teal which you can see there.

Star-divide

The two telling quotes from Wayne Weaver are

People have to be accountable and they know they have to be accountable and there has to be a standard that you set, and that standard has to be adhered to by everybody in the building.

and

“Shame on me that I haven’t done (extensive reviews of the organization) more. Shame on me — for if I would have dug deeper in some of the earlier years with some of the personnel things going on in this building – I would have had a different result,” Weaver said.

What Wayne, in essence, is saying is that he let questionable hires slide and now it’s time for that to come to an end. That is why we bid adios to Ted Monachino. You don’t coach a unit that ranks in the Top 5 Fewest Sack totals All-Time and manage to get to have another year. Joe Cullen’s units in Detroit all had sack totals over 30 while he was there, and think about the talent on those Lions teams.

The accountability issue also arose with Tice. Was he a good coach? Yes Did he both provide an unneeded echo chamber for Del Rio? Yes. If the reports are true that he was Jack’s Chief Lieutenant on the staff, then I can see why it was needed for him to leave town. If the person Del Rio’s trusts the most of staff simply yes’s Del Rio to death, what good does that do?

As for Pola, who knows. It is known he wants to be an offensive coordinator and I guess he figured the road would be easier through Nashville than staying in Jacksonville. It is known that he and Tice also had a lot of input on the offense, to the chagrin of Dirk Koetter. That may have well been another underlying factor.

Either way, it is clear that the organizational structure of coaches being “In” or “Out” is coming to an end quickly. Jack knows it’s do or die and he’ll have to do it without several coaches he’s confided in. Will he rise to the challenge?

PS
Next time you guys hear from me I’ll be in Miami covering the Pro Bowl.