As I sit here, my Jacksonville Jaguars are 1-8. Who knew it could be this bad, disappointing, sad? I've tried everything. I painted my toenails different colors. I have brought The Paws. I have left The Paws. I even came up with my own slogan: Stay calm and wear black. All to no avail. So, what do I do now? Do I curse Blaine Gabbert? Do I talk incessantly about how TURRIBLE (I know I spelled it wrong) my team is? Do I long for the days of Jack Del Rio and Shack Harris because at least we were at .500? What's a die hard fan to do? I'm about to tell you what I'm going to do.
It bears repeating the history of the why of what I am about to explain. The overall state of the franchise began in decline with the NFL draft in 2008. It is widely known, understood, assumed that you build your team with the draft, not through free agency and not through waiver wires. Unfortunately, the Jaguars' 2008 NFL draft was one that I believe has contributed to the current demise. What transpired was this: the Jaguars organization "went for it". They spent 5 draft picks for 2 players, Quentin Groves and Derrick Harvey. (for all those people who say the Jaguars never pick "local-SEC,ACC-folk", both of these players were from the SEC-UF and Auburn) Neither player is still with the franchise. So that means the Jaguars wasted 7 (yes I said 7) draft picks on 2 players. Quentin groves played 2 years with Jaguars before being traded to the Raiders. Derrick Harvey played 3 seasons was benched before being traded to the Broncos. The other 3 players from the draft have all gone to other teams. These events are not news to anyone. But, you have to realize when you reach in that manner, the long term consequences are more than skin deep, they are lasting. So we are actually talking 10 players and NONE are still with the franchise (Derrick Harvey, Quentin Groves, Trae Williams, Thomas Williams, and finally Chauncey Washington +the 5 draft picks squandered to get Harvey and Groves). Once again, as I always say, I'm just a girl. I don't know much, but I know you don't trade a crap load of draft picks i.e. the future of your franchise, for 2 players.
And it's been downhill ever since. The Jaguars just haven't been able to recover and we are now feeling the full effects of an ENTIRE draft wasted. Not only that scenario, but the Saga that is Gene Smith has absolutely run its course. Gene has been part of this franchise since it's inception in 1995. I've always watched the Jaguars thinking,"We are one player away". Yeah one player away of getting rid of Gene Smith. He has had a hand in personally picking all the players. I will go on record saying I don't think it's the players fault. I believe it's possible some players don't fit "The Scheme" and are round pegs being shoved in triangular spaces. It just won't work. Gene has to go and I am willing to put for sale signs in his yard.
The question I keep asking myself is, when is this ever going to end? How long are we destined/doomed by these past failures to go season after season without winning? I have had friends on Facebook question my football judgment. "MDK, when are you going to get it? Shad Khan is moving this franchise because it sucks so bad!" Well, let me tell you. I don't quit. I don't give up. I am loyal. This is my city. I chose to move back here from Atlanta. I am a Jacksonville girl from the heart. I'm a football fan from the heart. I will not stop being a Jaguar fan. It will not happen. None of the other 31 teams are MY TEAM. If Shad Khan moves this franchise, he moves it. I can't stop him. But what I can (and everybody else, too) do, is be there support my team, and not hate. I stand with the players in solidarity.
You may ask, "Is that all you're going to do?" Um, no. When the players started wearing black jerseys, the Chicago game, and we lost that Sunday, I decided that I was going to wear black, in some fashion, either pants or shirt, until they win again. I even made my own sign for the stadium (see above). Maybe you saw it during the Colts game.
Just once, I'd like to go through an entire season without threatening to put for sale signs in an upper management's yard. Just one....
BTW: Don't get me started on that silver-football-spoon-in-his-mouth Andrew Luck whose Daddy, Oliver Luck was able to be in attendance at the Colts-Jags game Thursday night. Oh it was so sweet, said no football fan ever. If you want to know more about Andrew Luck and His DADDY please read my blog: It's Not Called the Naive Football League". Also, the 3 blown calls during the game were no mistake. All going towards Andrew's favor. Please spare me the ridiculousness and just give him a Super Bowl ring and shuffle him off with the likes of his father who never really made much of himself in the NFL. LUCK: GO AWAY!!!!!!!!
The Bitter and Always:
MDK In The House
We must protect this house.
Suck for Polian
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