TY's TD Celebration Gets An "Awwww...."

((HT: Will Brinson's Vine))

Here's the context...

Colts WR TY Hilton is a new dad this week and, pretty much, promised at least one touchdown for his new baby girl.

Here's what happened in the endzone after the score


See, the HQ told you it was cute...

Jaguars Apologize For Mascot's Dumb Ebola Sign

((ht: sbnation.com))

Why?

We get that sports mascots are supposed to be funny and entertain, but every once in a while they do something they probably shouldn't.

Which is exactly what the genius behind "Jaxson DeVille", which aside from having one of the lamest mascot names of all-time, doesn't excuse what he did.

For some inexplicable reason, he was seen on the sideline of Sunday's Jagaurs/Steelers game holding a sign that said "Towels Carry Ebola"..

This happened on Sunday... http://t.co/VOlc9PZnlj pic.twitter.com/So1Btx1UZQ
— SB Nation (@SBNation) October 6, 2014

There are precious few people who may have thought that funny. Yet it appeared anyway.

For their part, the Jaguars issued an apology with team president Mark Lamping mentioning the Jaguars had no idea the sign happened until it happened. Lamping also added some form of discipline will be doled out to the employee who plays the DeVille role.

We aren't going to sit here and play political correctness here and say this was totally offensive to all. It wasn't.

But it WAS in poor taste, not funny and just a bad idea in general and also lays credence to the thought maybe mascots should think a little bit before they do something.

Just sayin

Mike Hollis Puts His Foot Into Ice Bucket Challenge

((HT: Mike Hollis' Instagram))

We posted the Biz Nasty #IceBucketChallenge because of its sheer brilliance...

The former Jags kicker Mike Hollis is right up there with the Bill Gates version for challenges that are more ground-based...

There's a little William Tell vibe to it, too...


See...??? Once accurate, always accurate...kick

Jaguars Fans Rally For Tebow--3 Show Up

Uh, it's never a good thing to hold a rally where more media types show up than actual people rallying.

Yet, that appears to be what happened Monday afternoon in Jacksonville.

There was a bit of a ripple in the blogosphere/Interwebs Monday when it was announced a group of disgruntled Jacksonville Jaguars fans were going to hold a rally starting at 3:16p.m in front of the teams stadium to try convincing the team to sign Jacksonville god/former NFL player Tim Tebow.

It appears to not have gone well

Check out this Vine Video of the event:



But the event did get the attention of ESPN.com (surprise) perhaps the biggest Tebow media supporter in the whole land.

Check out their dramatic story RIGHT HERE

They even have their own WEBSITE

Now, all snarkyness aside, it probably wouldn't hurt the Jags to at least take a serious look at this. Because quite honestly, it can't get much worse for the team.

11 points in 2 games. They scored their 1st TD of the season with just under 3 minutes left in the Ugly-a-thon with the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.

It was so bad, an Orlando, Florida TV station aired an apology for being forced by CBS to air the Jaguars/Raiders game.

You can read about that RIGHT HERE

And yes, the dreaded Chad Henne is the quarterback.

Really, we feel horrible, as we were a part of this teams beginnings back in the early 1990's and we have many friends in the River City.

Unfortunately for them, they've got a looooooonnngg way to go before they are going to get better. And they will. But all the years of former G.M Gene Smith are going to be hard to burn off.

It's going to take time.

And while The Tebow might be a short term fix to get butts in seats, there's realistically no scenario where he'd be a long term savior for the team.

And they know this.

But the pressure is going to ramp up. With ESPN pushing the issue, the fanbase will eventually notice and considering Tebow's status as a deity in North Florida, there will be a cry to sign him.

In order for that to happen though, they are going to have to do a little better than today.

Shad Khan Picks Up Fulham

((HT: Action News 30/47 Jacksonville))

We all know that the Jacksonville Jaguars are heading over to play a game in London for the next four years...

And don't tell the HQ that it was the precursor to this idea that Jag-yhoo-urs owner Shad Khan had- picking up the Fulham Football Club for 225-million pounds (or close to US$312-million) from Mohamed Al Fayed and his 16-year tenure as owner at Craven Cottage.

Here's Paige Kelton's quick breaker...


So, in the short term, as the new Premier League season is set to start... Manager Martin Jol may actually have more capital to play with in bringing in sorely-needed talent to boost their 12th place standing in 2012. And Fulham fans will like that... especially to help out Dimitar Berbatov...

The synergy between the football club and the American football club will be too easy to pick up as, the HQ is sure, one will be marketing the other and so on. Don't be surprised to see Fulham frendlies at the Gator Bowl and, when the Jags cross the pond, there will be appropriate crossover there, too.

Like training facilities...

And if you want to buy some FFC gear in Jacksonville, the HQ won't see that as a problem... as the American football team makes its way over there permanently...

Not any time soon, but eventually permanently...

Here's what Khan is getting into...


KHAN!!!!!!!!!!!!

ICYMI: Jaguars Fans Publicly Fight Over The Tebow

((ht: espn.com))

Okay, this is kind of funny, though in a bit of a snarky way.

It appears there is a rash of conflicting emotions for the souls of football fans in North Florida. And for some reason, the cause of this confusion is over the man many in that part of the country, along with ESPN, consider a god, Tim Tebow.

There's been much discussion in Sports talk circles, local media and the fanbase of the Jacksonville Jaguars over the fate of the local legend.

Many Jaguars fans, albeit those with more of an emotional than rational stake in the matter are desperately trying to get the local team to sign the free agent quarterback. So much so that a group of them have launched a petition on the White House website to advocate the signing. Trying at every corner to appeal to Jaguars owner Shad Khan.

Good luck with that.




Also, a prominent (mostly through TV ads) Orlando area attorney by the name of John Morgan (For the People) has taken out ads advocating the same move.



Yes, and there's a reason Mr. Morgan isn't a Football scout.

For every yin, there's a yang and in this case, another group of Jacksonville fans is trying to get the word out that they don't want Tebow on their team.

A group called the "Bold City Brigade" has launched a website as a response to Mr. Morgan's ad. The website they came up with is rather simple. You go there and click on a big check mark if you agree the Jaguars don't need their Tebow.

A link to that site is RIGHT HERE

All of this hullabaloo is quite amusing to the rest of the country and for good reason. Yes, we lived in North Florida for several years and have many friends who are Jaguars and Tebow fans. And we admire their passion and belief that The Tebow can cure all ills.

And really, despite our hatred of what ESPN and other national outlets have made the guy into, we truly feel sorry for him. It's very obvious that he deeply wants a chance to try and be an NFL quarterback. And that is to be respected.

But there is a virtual consensus among coaches and others that he doesn't possess the skills and/or knowledge to do it. There's no shame in dreaming big and striving for that success. There isn't.

But there also needs to be some acknowledgement that it may not happen.

We empathize with both sides of the Great Tebow to Jacksonville debate and know well where it's born from. In North Florida, to be a mega-successful high school player, Hall-of-Fame worthy College Football player--from the University of Florida grants you a status unlike most others.

But what the many of the Jaguars and to an extent Florida Gator faithful fail to remember is not every great College Player is a successful pro. There is a lengthy list of Heisman Trophy winners who did nothing in the NFL.

When you combine that with the circus-like national media obsession that comes with the guy, think about it. Why would you ever want to bring that kind of atmosphere to a team desperately trying to regain a foothold in the collective football consciousness?

Reports: Jaguars to Hire Gus Bradley

Gus Bradley/Seahawks.com

And the carousel quickly begins winding to a close.

Multiple outlets, including ESPN's Adam Schefter and Fox Sports say the beleaguered Jacksonville Jaguars have found a new head coach.

That man is now former Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. Details are still being ferreted out, but the announcement is expected to be made sometime Thursday.

Bradley brings a great resume as a defensive coach both in college and the pros, but the one thing lacking on it is Head Coaching experience. He was the interim head coach at Fort Lewis College, but that is it.

The Jaguars, who just hired David Caldwell to be their G.M are looking to recover from 2012's 2-14 season when the team was rarely competitive and the crowds continue to dwindle.

It will be very interesting to see how this move goes over in the football deprived town.

Developing: Mike Mularkey Fired from Jaguars

This probably is not much of a surprise to our Jacksonville friends and quite honestly, it wasn't a shock to us either.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have parted ways with Mike Mularkey after one 2-14 season as the teams head coach.

The team had fired former G.M Gene Smith a few weeks ago and announced David Caldwell as his replacement on Tuesday.

ESPN.com is already speculating on replacements, saying Caldwell would like to bring in pal and current San Francisco offensive coordinator Greg Roman or current Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan to take over the floundering franchise.

Interest in Jaguars football has been waning and team owner Shad Khan has been frantically looking for ways to boost attendance. We, along with many, were shocked at the Mularkey hiring last season. We also might mention, whomever gets the job, may be dealing with the specter of Tim Tebow. The Jets backup QB has voiced his displeasure at the way he was used (or not) in New York and tons of rumors say he'll get his release or a trade in order to end up in Jacksonville where he is absolutely worshipped.

Stay tuned.

Jaguars owner Khan appears in yet another Gangnam Style parody

--Sigh--

Yes, the headline pretty much summarizes this. We aren't sure what it is about Jacksonville and it's proclivity for really bad attempts at spoofing music videos, but this one was rough.

Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan (KHAN!) and a cast of others took turns appearing in a music video produced by Jacksonville radio station 97.9.

No, not this one:



And yeah, it will probably go viral, at least in the Jacksonville area.

Gangnam Style, a dance-techno song, sung by PSY, a Korean performer, has been a YouTube sensation, drawing more than 200,000,000 hits. PSY has become a crossover hit, appearing on Saturday Night Live and a host of American TV shows. Because of that popularity, it's drawn nearly as many take-offs.

From the Oregon Duck to the Washington Nationals Mascot, there have been more parodies of this song than we...or anybody else can count. And honestly, this one isn't REALLY that offensive. It was shot and edited reasonably well, though Khan (KHAN!)....



...needs to stick with being a rich entrepreneur.

Enough of that, here is the Parody. Enjoy...and please, thank us later:

Jacksonville Jags Playing Home Game In London For Next 4 Years

((HT: FirstCoastNews))

This might be the first step in the Jacksonville Jaguars moving to Los Angeles, or it just might be the first step in anyone else moving to Los Angeles...

The St. Louis Rams thought they were going to be the team playing in London in 2013 and 2014, but they backed out and that left Jacksonville- unless the Glazer family (owners of the Tampa Bay Bucs and Manchester United) decide they're going to be London's team...

Which they might...

But, in the interim, the Jags are jumping overseas...

Here's the Jolly Roger...
Owner Shad Khan wrote a letter to season ticket holders explaining the why behind it all... In short: "My ambition is to make the Jaguars one of the signature franchises in the NFL and to see Jacksonville realize its full potential as a destination for commerce, tourism and living. "An annual home game in London over four years, supported by initiatives in Jacksonville and throughout the United Kingdom to further develop our following, will help us achieve these goals and much more."
This should get interesting... quoting Ol' JR...

"Business is about to pick up..."

Justin Blackmon: I'm done with drinking...for now

((ht: firstcoastnews.com))

Really....

Justin Blackmon is a 1st round NFL draft pick who's future is limitless...until he gets an aggravated DUI charge at 3am, which just adds to the 2010 DUI charge he got near his Texas family home, which mysteriously got lowered to an underage possession charge.

And the best he could muster during his "Apology" press conference is "I'm done with drinking for now". He says "I do not have a drinking problem" Oh, he's sorry for making a poor decision too.

Oh boy.

You guys in Jacksonville picked a winner.

Read about Blackmon and 

Yeah, we get the Jaguars G.M Gene Smith still likes and believes in Blackmon and heck, he may still turn into an NFL star. But this sure isn't a good start.

We know Jacksonville friends, "He's not the 1st person to get in trouble". And you are right, no, he isn't. But come on, you gotta come up with more than this.

Sure, we all know that kids will be kids and that is essentially what Blackmon is, but you also have to show some signs of being a responsible grown-up at some point in your life.

Blackmon will get to visit the NFL Drug and Alcohol counselors very soon and maybe then he admit that he has a problem. It's not something that can't be fixed.

But the impression being given right now by Blackmon and to a lesser extent his new employers is that "We hate that this happened, but sometimes it happens".

No, sorry, this time that answer isn't good enough.

Our friends at 1st Coast News and friend of the OSG, Dan Hicken give us the Blackmon presser:

This Isn't Good. Jaguars #1 Pick Justin Blackmon Arrested In Oklahoma

Once again we ask the question why someone who was a first round pick in the NFL draft, in line to make millions of dollars and be a cornerstone of a franchise do something as dumb as drinking too much then getting behind the wheel.

Jacksonville Jaguars #1 pick Justin Blackmon is the latest.  Blackmon, who was the fifth pick overall in the 2012 NFL draft, was arrested about 3 am by the Stillwater (OK) police department and booked at 10:22 in the Payne County Jail charged with aggravated DUI.
The Jaguars are aware of the arrest and have so far given the standard “no comment.”

According to NewsOK.com, Blackmon was stopped at approximately 3:01 a.m. in a white Chevy Tahoe going 60 miles per hour in a 35 mph zone.

According to the police report, Blackmon was observed to have an odor of an alcoholic beverage. He was unsteady on his feet, had slurred speech and admitted to consuming alcohol before driving.

Blackmon is expected to remain in custody until he sees a judge on Monday. Bond was set at $1000.
About is mind boggling is this is the second time Blackmon has been charged with a DUI. 

Back in October of 2010 Blackmon was arrested in Carrollton, Texas going 82 in a 60 mile per hour zone returning from a Dallas Cowboys game while playing at Oklahoma State.  He was charged with a misdemeanor DUI.

Blackmon's arrest becomes a PR nightmare for the Jaguars.  It calls into question if the Jaguars front office did any kind of background checks especially with a DUI arrest already on Blackmon's record.

For a franchise that's trying to reconnect with their fan base and make a go of it in North Florida/South Georgia this won't help their cause.

Blackmon was schedule to attend one of the team caravan stops in Waycross, GA on Friday. 

I'm willing to bet Blackmon might miss that.



.

Jacksonville to Jaguars: Your lease is to be terminated (UPDATED with Denial)

Shad Khan

((ht: firstcoastnews.com))

Really? With all the tumult and rumors that the Jacksonville Jaguars might leave the city and the city terminates their lease with the team?

Huh?

Jaguars owner Shad Khan is asking the same question tonight after finding out in the Newspaper that the city has found his team in default of their lease and said lease is going to be terminated.

The reason: The city says the team violated the lease by agreeing to hire SMG to manage Everbank Field.

The L.A Jaguars?

Not likely. Although....

Khan is not so amused by the letter from the city of Jacksonville's attorney. So much so that he fired off a letter to the city's mayor, Alvin Brown. And since the city appears to have released their issue with the team to the paper, Khan released his perplexed letter to the media.

You can read it RIGHT HERE

Read the original story on this from a former employer, First Coast News RIGHT HERE

To his credit, Khan is saying all the right things. He says the city never gave him a chance to discuss the process with him. Thus far...the city hasn't commented.

We don't normally side with team owners on many issues, but the city of Jacksonville needs to be really, really careful here. Khan is stating that he just wants the termination rescinded and a chance to compromise, the city hasn't expressed that opinion yet.

If Mayor Brown isn't careful, he may chase the team to Los Angeles without realizing what happened. We truly believe that Khan wants to try and make a go of it in Jacksonville. And having lived there, we can tell you if the team starts to win, people will come.

But they'll come with a caveat. Pro football is not the king in Jacksonville. That's why the fans aren't AS loyal as they are in many other NFL cities. And the city got hit pretty hard by the recession. It isn't a town of mega-rich people. But the are passionate football fans. Very passionate.

We believe that the two sides here will work out there little dispute, but be forewarned, the table is being set and the team...and Khan...if they want it; now have their excuse to leave.

We were going to post this video as a gag, but if you listen to it closely, there are a few parallels here:



1930 UPDATE: After receiving the letter from Khan asking the city to withdraw a lease default letter, Mayor Alvin Brown promptly wrote back and said that the city does not want to terminate the Jaguars' lease.

"Let me be crystal clear: the City of Jacksonville has absolutely no intention whatsoever of terminating its lease with the Jacksonville Jaguars," Brown wrote in a response to Khan.

Here's the letter... thanks to our friends at FirstCoastNews...

And here's Donna Deegan with the breaker...

Jaguars sign Long Ding. No...really

Long Ding/Ctsy: norwich athletics

And yeah, we are thinking the same thing that you probably are.

The Jacksonville Jaguars announced today (Tue) their list of free-agent signee's who will appear at their rookie camp. Among the players on the list...kicker Long Ding.

That's right, Long Ding.

Ding, a native of China, is a graduate of Norwich University in Vermont. And he was apparently a pretty good kicker there too going 13-16 this past season with a long kick of 51 yards.

Read more on Ding from USA Today RIGHT HERE

There is no telling if Ding will actually make the Jaguar roster, they have an incumbent kicker, Josh Scobee who has been pretty good over the past few seasons.

But to mangle a cliche'; he's got a kickers chance.

Because we can't avoid going here, this is kind of stereotyped, but also the main reason this story caught our attention.

Your Tebow Headlines in New York

The New York Post/Ctsy: Newseum.org

Yeah, we can't resist. We feel compelled to do this...or something like that. It's kind of..a little like watching a train wreck or whatever it is that draws people to watch some of the incredibly bizarre reality TV shows that now exist in our universe.

We find it utterly fascinating that The Tebow is now in The Big Apple. Land of tabloid newspapers. Place of maniacal football fans who nitpick over every detail of their team.

Kind of like SEC Football fans.

Yeah, we know, the rank and file Florida fanatics are mystified as to why the hometown Jacksonville Jaguars didn't try harder to get him.

NY Daily News/Courtesy: Newseum.org

And yeah, it would have been a great novelty thing for a year or two, but unless he developed with the lack of talent around him into something he currently isn't, the Jaguars would be assured of never getting any better than they are.

The flip side is Blaine Gabbert isn't making anybody think he is a savior either. And Tebow probably would be an improvement.

You may be right.

The thing that we think of here, and we know the Florida/Jacksonville faithful are loathe to admit it is that the guy isn't everything you think he is. In fact, we'll probably be called haters or worse for saying this...but The Tebow is in this for him.

Think about it.

The marketing opportunities on a national basis in New York as opposed to Jacksonville. They are probably 10,000 times more...at least. But we aren't disparaging the River City because he would have been the face of the franchise, but when push comes to shove, it is still Jacksonville, market 49 in the world of TV. We love Jacksonville, heck, we lived there for several years and have a lot of friends there, but there is no comparison.

But it ain't New York.

No, we feel, strongly, that this was a marketing based decision on The Tebow and his handlers part. We don't begrudge either party for it. They are doing what they feel is in their best interest. And heck, Mark Sanchez, despite his contract extension isn't reminding anyone of Joe Namath either.

Tebow will be a role player in New York. And if they can tailor what they do to his skill set, he can be very successful at it. And if he can be successful at it, he will be a HUGE marketing commodity. And again, Florida folks who look at him as this god-like figure: He isn't that different than other pro athletes, they are all in this for the money and fame.

And ultimately, like it or not, that is what it is all about.

DEVELOPING: Manning A Bronco...??? Whither Smith And Tebow... (UPDATED)

((HT: ESPN))

According to the four-letter, Peyton Manning is heading to Denver- barring something going going kerflooie in contract negotiations with agent Tom Condon.

This way, Alex Smith (another Condon client) could stay with his new BFF, 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh. And it also may mean the end of Tebow-Mania in Denver...

Much to the dismay of all those jersey-wearing Maniacs, unless Tebow gets traded to Jacksonville- which could piss off Chad Henne and/or Blaine Gabbert...

But new Jags owner Shahid Khan needs as many butts in seats as possible...

Here's early discussion on what could be a 5-year, $95-million deal between Peyton and the Broncos...


1400 UPDATE: KUSA-TV sports anchor and FOSG Susie Wargin is reporting that the Manning press conference is tomorrow...

BREAKING:Coaching Carousel: Mularkey to the Jaguars

Mike Mularkey

((ht: jacksonville.com))

The Jacksonville Jaguars have apparently hired the third coach in team history. That man is now former Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator and former Buffalo Bills head coach Mike Mularkey.

Mularkey had been with the Falcons for 3 seasons and has been credited with the development of QB Matt Ryan. That development many consider stunted though due to the Falcons lack of performance in the NFC Playoffs during that time.

Jacksonville.com gives us the full story RIGHT HERE

This should be interesting as Mularkey had generally been considered an effective head coach despite a 14-18 record in Buffalo and his success in Atlanta. Though as we mentioned earlier, there had been growing sentiment that he'd become stale with the Falcons, a team with loads of offensive talent that has generally underdelivered/performed during his tenure.

Mularkey takes over officially from the fired Jack DelRio who ironically has been mentioned as a potential replacement for departed Falcons defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder. Defensive coordinator Mel Turner had been the interim coach

DEVELOPING: Busy day in Jacksonville: Jaguars reportedly sold

((ht: espn))

Wow!

On the heels of the Jacksonville Jaguars firing their head coach Jack Del Rio comes this. The Jaguars are reportedly going to be sold.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter report that employees were notified this morning the team will be operating under new ownership. Supposedly, the new owner, who is buying the team from Wayne Weaver, will keep the team in Jacksonville.

**UPDATE**--Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union reports that Shahid Khan, who was in line to buy the St. Louis Rams a couple of years ago is the buyer. There were questions then as to whether Khan had the finances to pull of that deal. It will be interesting to see what happens this time.

We are guessing more details will come out on this story when the team holds a press conference at Noon on Tuesday.

BREAKING: Jaguars fire Jack Del Rio

((ht: firstcoastnews.com))

Jack Del Rio

It appears the Jack Del Rio era in Jacksonville has come to an end. And that end happens today (Tuesday).

According to a report by ESPN's Chris Mortensen, Del Rio has been relieved of his duties coaching the Jaguars and will not coach next weeks Monday night football game at home against the San Diego Chargers.

Friend of the OSG, Dan Hicken, Sports Director at WTLV-TV in Jacksonville confirms this report.

Del Rio, only the 2nd coach in the Jaguars 16-year history, finished his final season at 3-8. He was 68-70 overall, making the playoffs twice.

It sounds like Defensive Coordinator Mel Tucker will be the interim head coach, though no official announcement has been made...yet.

Bad Yardage Markers: Was the field crew drinking?

Look closely at this picture

((ht: yahoo.com//shutdowncorner))

For some reason, this brings to mind the old Snickers commercial where the guy painting the yardage markers puts "Chefs" in the "Chiefs" end zone.

Whichever member of the grounds crew at Jacksonville's Everbank Stadium painted the lines for Sunday's game vs. New Orleans, made a bit of a boo-boo.

Look closely at the picture. The yardage markers usually point the same direction. However the ones in the stadium's north end zone. Not so much. Look again...the arrows on one side point in one direction, the ones closer to you, the other. That would be incorrect.

Small boo-boo and worth a good laugh, so we'll share.

In case you are wondering about the Snickers commercial: