New Era

by atgators on Nov 29, 2011 8:34 PM EST in Jacksonville Jaguars News

It has been one thing after another today, hearing these names repeatedly...Jack Del Rio, Mel Tucker, Wayne Weaver, Shahid Khan and more. The morning news featured the most action in Jaguars history. It began hearing about the firing of Del Rio and was quickly followed by questions of "Who's the next head coach?" But shortly thereafter, reports surfaced that Mel Tucker, defensive coordinator, would be the new interim HC. From where I stand, people are wondering, "Is Tucker really our new head coach, or are the Jaguars looking for a new head coach and still holding a DC job for Tucker?"

Jack Del Rio went 68-71 with his 9 year career with the Jaguars and no Super Bowls, but did he do the right moves at the right time? He announced he was benching Mark Brunell and giving rookie Byron Leftwich the job in 2003. He insisted Leftwich was his starter in 2007, and then cut him days before the season opener. He did the same thing to David Garrard this season, cutting him five days before the opener and naming Luke McCown the starter. So did he make the right moves at the right time?

Wayne Weaver agreed to sell the team to the Flex-N-Gate owner Shahid Khan. Khan a prospective buyer of the Rams before Stan Kroenke was awarded that franchise with a higher bid last year, has been approved as the new Jaguars owner by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. The NFL's finance committee will vote on the sale Dec. 6 and all owners are to cast votes on Dec. 14.

Now, with the Jaguars having a new head coach and a new owner the question remains, "Is this good for the Jaguars?" As we know, this is a young team and they have a lot to accomplish. With that said, I think it is good because everyone deserves a fresh start.

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I’m much more excited about a new owner than a new coach. It starts at the top and while we love Wayne for bringing us the Jags, he has to take responsibility for the fact that we’ve been bogged down in mediocrity for so long. Say what you will about Jack, but his players always gave the effort.

The strangest announcement of the day was Gene Smith’s extension. By doing that you immediately eliminate interest on the part of any “name” coach, and while I don’t believe a Gruden or Fisher would ever be interested anyway, this just solidifies it. I think it also confirms that everyone still believes Gabbert is the guy to take us where we want to go.

I love that Mel Tucker said today he would make a lot of changes. I love that he has ideas he hasn’t been able to implement and conviction to make the necessary changes. Can’t wait to see what they are and how the players respond.

All in all an epic day, one to remember in the history of this franchise. A new start was desparately needed, and now we’ll have it.

by ruffdaddy on Nov 29, 2011 9:02 PM EST reply actions

very disapointed in the GS extension

a very significant cog in the mediocrity or suck express that has been this franchise’s mantra for past 3 years.

by OGN on Nov 29, 2011 9:51 PM EST up reply actions

Yea he didnt build a top 10 Defense and built our Oline which has been hampered by injuries....

SCALP'EM
Jesus is Lord!

by Thunder64 on Nov 29, 2011 10:19 PM EST up reply actions

Well...

He “built” it by pilfering the players other teams drafted in free agency.

Fidelis Ad Mortem

by JPQ! on Nov 29, 2011 10:21 PM EST up reply actions

Because free agent signing is a very easy thing to do?

Everyone should be GM…its so easy…

by EdGui on Nov 29, 2011 10:33 PM EST up reply actions

LOL...

It’s certainly better odds signing a guy who has proven he can play then drafting one who may or may not make the cut.
I’m not anti Gene, just saying let’s be real.

Fidelis Ad Mortem

by JPQ! on Nov 29, 2011 10:36 PM EST up reply actions

I'm cool with the extension

Who’s to say a new GM would be sold on Gabbert and if that happened, we’d be right back to 2011 and kill all the momentum.

Weaver has done Khan a favor with all of the cap space and no coaches on the payroll after 2011. Now, it truly is a working job interview for all of these guys.

You are banned from Stampede Blue.
You can browse the blog, but you can't participate.

I don't think you took me seriously. If you want it unbanned, email an admin. But, for now, your Stampede Blue privileges are done.

by Joe Fisher on Nov 29, 2011 10:39 PM EST up reply actions

+1

by aibtureman on Nov 30, 2011 9:20 AM EST up reply actions

Because that worked so well for the Eagles huh

Respect My Authoritah

by duuuvaaalll on Nov 30, 2011 10:02 AM EST up reply actions

I said the odds are better...

not 100%.
There are FA busts (I’m looking at you Jerry Porter), but finding FAs who are good is a heck of a lot easier than actually drafting a good player.

Fidelis Ad Mortem

by JPQ! on Nov 30, 2011 10:47 AM EST up reply actions

what's that collective 3 year win oss record again?

by OGN on Nov 29, 2011 10:35 PM EST up reply actions

Ignore everything except this years defense...

That’s how to best analyze Genes success.

Fidelis Ad Mortem

by JPQ! on Nov 29, 2011 10:39 PM EST up reply actions

the Gene Smith extension was the second best news of the day

and that it lessens the chances of Gruden or Fisher coming here is only a positive.

Section 442, RIP
"You think you know, but you don't know."

by unhipcat on Nov 29, 2011 11:15 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed

by Sylvester.The.Jaguar.fan on Nov 29, 2011 11:50 PM EST up reply actions

Word on the street is

The league has been very impressed with Tucker, and that it was only a matter of time before he got a shot at HC. I actually like him quite a lot. Listening to him on the radio was refreshing. I love his “next man up” approach, his attention to details, willingness to provide gameplans specifically tailored to our players strength. It also sounds like he is fairly close with Gene. Even if we don’t win any of our next 5 games, I’ll just be happy to see the team at least have the look of being more prepared and organized. I want to see him as our coach in 2012. There is something about this guy….

by Slvrgun on Nov 29, 2011 9:09 PM EST reply actions

Mel

definately seems to have a presence aabout him.

by P.G. on Nov 29, 2011 9:14 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah people keep throwing up these old head "high profile " coaches

Jay Gruden will probably stay
Jon Gruden likes ESPN
Brian Billick is a bitch, expensive, and didn’t do anything despite being billed a offensive genius
Mike Martz another billed offensive genius had a chance at HC….No
Jeff Fisher….basically a smarter Jack but I don’t want him
Bill Cowher….not coming here.
Norv Turner…not HC material. He’s a coordinator.
Mike Singletary….another coordinator
No NO NO NO NO NO NO

by Slvrgun on Nov 29, 2011 9:27 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe Jay Gruden…but if not Mel will work especially with a GREAT offensive mind O.C……hopefully Mel can finish out 5-0 that would EXCELLENT

by orecic76 on Nov 29, 2011 9:43 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Smarter Jack

Isn’t that a good thing?

by Bryqan on Nov 29, 2011 10:48 PM EST up reply actions

not really

Name a Titans Pro Bowl receiver from the Fisher era.

You are banned from Stampede Blue.
You can browse the blog, but you can't participate.

I don't think you took me seriously. If you want it unbanned, email an admin. But, for now, your Stampede Blue privileges are done.

by Joe Fisher on Nov 30, 2011 10:14 AM EST up reply actions

Pro Bowl overrated

I’ve never liked that arguement because it’s mostly a fan game and not based on stats.

But anyway the answer to the question is Derrick Mason (2000 and 2003) and Marc Mariani (2010)

by Bryqan on Nov 30, 2011 12:01 PM EST up reply actions

mariani was a special teamer

And I will give you Mason and the reply. I meant the Joe Fisher era by the way,

You are banned from Stampede Blue.
You can browse the blog, but you can't participate.

I don't think you took me seriously. If you want it unbanned, email an admin. But, for now, your Stampede Blue privileges are done.

by Joe Fisher on Nov 30, 2011 3:31 PM EST up reply actions

Smarter Jack would be better than Simple Jack

Sean

Pax Armis Acquiritur

by cuffs007 on Nov 30, 2011 2:58 PM EST up reply actions

Man, he impressed me in the press conference today.

I know that people want to have an offensive minded head coach but that maybe to short term thinking. I am not saying that Mel deservers the job next year but it is naive to think that he doesn’t deserve the position because he is defensive minded.

Mel also has a good mustache.

by Rohal on Nov 29, 2011 11:43 PM EST up reply actions

I think the ghosts of Tom Landry, Chuck Knoll, and Don Coryell would do wonders right now. If they didn’t, then at least we’d have something to sell tickets.
I’d give a consultant position to Ewdtrey. hehe

Sean

Pax Armis Acquiritur

by cuffs007 on Nov 29, 2011 10:08 PM EST reply actions

What about Zombie Lombardi

He’s a cheap hire, just requires a steady supply of brains to munch on

by Bryqan on Nov 29, 2011 10:49 PM EST up reply actions

Haha

talking to ghosts does sound like fun.

by Ewdtrey on Nov 30, 2011 1:20 AM EST up reply actions

Sorry, man… I meant a real, live consulting position with the Jaguars… not with the ghosts of coaches… your’s is the only opinion i always look for.

Sean

Pax Armis Acquiritur

by cuffs007 on Nov 30, 2011 6:08 AM EST up reply actions

So the ghost consultant position is open then?

Can I put my name in as someone who’s interested?

Follow me on Twitter

by Adam Stites on Nov 30, 2011 1:22 PM EST up reply actions

You must pass the Ouija board test first.

Sean

Pax Armis Acquiritur

by cuffs007 on Nov 30, 2011 2:04 PM EST up reply actions

Ah well never mind

Homey don’t play that

Follow me on Twitter

by Adam Stites on Nov 30, 2011 2:36 PM EST up reply actions

Well, I hoping Khan guts the GM’s staff and totally cleans out the coaching locker. I don’t want any holdovers. Mel would have to do alot to impress me at this point. I think we just need new blood and hopefully, Gene Smith feels the same way. Alot of heads need to roll for this lousy season – even the water boy should be on notice.

by Catfanatic1979v1 on Nov 29, 2011 10:58 PM EST reply actions

i think it's safe to say that if Gene signed an extension he is not going to cut his own staff

their precarious job status was the reason he didn’t sign an extension earlier in the year

Section 442, RIP
"You think you know, but you don't know."

by unhipcat on Nov 29, 2011 11:19 PM EST up reply actions

I thought I heard today that gene retained his whole scouting department

by Slawsc on Nov 29, 2011 11:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Get rid of the whole roster while your at it

by Sylvester.The.Jaguar.fan on Nov 29, 2011 11:58 PM EST up reply actions

It always

seemed like JDR’s solution to any raised expectations was “OMG CUT THE QB!” Then nothing was ever his fault, because we had a lot of turnover and were breaking in a new QB. JDR’s entire HEAD coaching career has the appearance of being based on smoke and mirrors, and milking a would-be Art Rooney of the last nine years of his tenire as an NFL owner.

I will NOT miss JDR.

by Cowtown on Nov 29, 2011 11:03 PM EST reply actions