Crying on 8th Street: Confessions of a Football Chick

No one wants to admit being weak. NO ONE. But after the last Jags home game I could be seen driving down 8th street in Jacksonville, Florida balling my eyes out. Why you say? Because I'm a fan and whether or not  I'm being realistic, I still want to win and I'm disappointed when we don't. Is that right? Probably not. But I'll get over it. Eventually.

I don't believe there is crying in football. But everyone has their weak moments. I've certainly had mine over the years, and unfortunately, I might have a few more over the course of this season.

To me, this is a sad time of year. Although I am happy football season has begun, my sweet precious Mr. Tattoo (rescued from Collies Florida Rescue) passed away 2 years ago yesterday. Right before that my beloved Jaguars (Gene Smith and Jack Del Rio) cut my favorite Quarterback David Garrard. It was abrupt. And left me feeling empty. Then Tattoo passed rather suddenly. He was an old dog with many problems, but he loved me. I loved him. He watched football games faithfully with me on the couch. He even watched them on TV while I was at the game (he became despondent about blackouts. LOL). He was a terrific Fantasy Football partner and made many successful trades and acquisitions.

Why does this make me sad? Tattoo left a huge hole in my heart and the Jaguars haven't been the same since Garrard. Am I blaming Tattoo or the Jaguars? No. Does that mean I didn't get another dog? No. Does that mean I root for a different team? No. But I do become reticent this time of year for 2 of the many things that I found joy in every fall.

I long for the days of game winning, Colt-killing 50+ yard field goals by Scobee and Hail Mary's in the North End Zone. And yes, I love my new dog. She just doesn't lounge as much as Tattoo. But I still love her. What does all this say about me? I'm passionate to say the least about the things I love. If that means I'm wrong, I certainly don't want to be right.

P.S. My Husband says I'm not allowed to drive to the games anymore for fear of further meltdowns. HAHA.

MDK In The House

We Must Protect This House

Reasons I Want (NEED) Blaine Gabbert to Succeed

All we have heard leading up to training camp (practice in underwear) is Competition. Competition. I need a Quarterback. I need someone to hang my hat on. I need Blaine Gabbert to succeed this Competition. I'm not really a Henne fan. I mean if he was that great he would still be in Miami. He's not. Don't get me wrong, he's a servicable Quarterback. But I need a starter. I need to see Peyton Manning type behavior. Not Peyton Manning. I'm not delusional. I don't expect my team to go to the Super Bowl. Yet.

Perspective from the 2 training camps I went to:

1. Gabbert down the middle to Cecil Shorts III. Anybody down the middle. I've seen far too many sideline passes the last few years. I need some "down the middle".

2. Hurry up offense!!  Imagine that. I've only been silently BEGGING for HUO for 2 years!

3. Gabbert performing a serviceable pump fake! He even had me fooled.

4. Gabbert clapping his hands and saying "Good job ______". Signs of being a leader. The kind of leader we've wanted him to be all this time.

5. This one like the last one is not really a playmaking point. It does show some leadership improvement and cohesiveness with his team (he has his team members' backs). One of the players at the practice field decided not to stay a long time and sign autographs. A fan started heckling the player. Blaine Gabbert standing nearby says "give the guy a break we all want to get to the showers". Wow. Sticking up for a fellow teammate. Someone has been taking leadership classes. 

There were other things that weren't as good: 

1. Gabbert holding on too long. This one might actually need to be on the good list. Hopefully "chuck and duck" is a thing of the past.

2. Ball making an interception on Gabbert. It's going to happen. 

3. There were several questionable snaps which make me want to fault the backup Center, Brewster. Those snaps looked like fumbles but in all fairness I mention them.

But really. Why must Blaine Gabbert succeed? 

1. The Jaguars spent a top 10 first round draft pick for him. I can't bear to see another draft pick, much less a first round draft pick fall to the wayside. I can't. 

2. How many offenses has this kid had to learn? He has had four different head coaches. JDR, Mel Tucker, Mike Mularkey, Gus Bradley. You have to figure Tucker didn't change the offense that much since he became the HC at the end of the 2011 season. So let's say 3 offenses. That can't be easy. Compound that with being a young QB. We'll be lucky if he isn't totally ruined. I mean that nicely. If he doesn't make it, that will be on JDR and Gene Smith. JDR for firing Garrard and starting Gabbert too soon. He had no offseason to learn with the lockout that year. 

3. The Jaguars need a successful QB now. There is no time for reinventing the wheel with a rookie QB next year. 

4. He's easy on the eyes. Come on. What did you expect from a chick? Much less a football chick. 

 

MDK in the House

We Must Protect This House

Football Potion No.9-My First Quarterback Love

For myself, it was sad news this week that David Garrard has said he will retire. It was even more sad the day, almost 3 yrs ago,  he was let go from the Jaguars (I happened to be at the stadium the following day. And through misty eyes I took the photo.) Why is it sad? Because he was the first NFL quarterback on MY team that I loved.

It feels as if not so long ago, that the media dubbed the Jaguars with a quarterback controversy/competition. I believe it was around 2005. That season, Byron Leftwich went out with a broken ankle. David Garrard led the Jaguars to the playoffs only to find out through the press that Byron Leftwich would start in the playoff game against the Patriots. The curious thing about that was the only footage available of Leftwich doing anything significant on the football field was him being carried by teammates at Marshall after breaking his leg. Seriously? That's the only footage they had? Nothing in the NFL? Anyway, the Jaguars lost to the Patriots and it wasn't even close. I was surprised the Jaguars did not let Garrard start. Why not let the man who led us to the playoffs continue? And there was born a controversy.

And then the rose colored glasses were off. That fateful season, my first as a Jaguar season ticket holder, I had seen 2 quarterbacks, and my choice was made: David Garrard. Why? Because he shined through adversity. He kept a straight face when passed over. He struggled through Crohn's Disease. And last but not least, he didn't "lumber" onto the field like he had been in battle for 30 days straight.

The next season, Leftwich would once again have problems with the ankle and Garrard to the rescue. Only solidifying my opinion of his play. Then the following summer just days before the regular season was the announcement I had been waiting for. David Garrard: starting Quarterback!! Leftwich was released. What a season it was! We made the playoffs, beating Pittsburgh in the final seconds and going on to play New England and lost. But what a wild ride!

The next 2 seasons did not fare as well. Mostly because he spent the majority of his time, in my opinion, laying on the ground looking up. You can't be in that position and win games. However, he did go to the Pro Bowl in February 2010. He also had one of the most exciting moments in my history of going to Jaguar games:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlvOUG8nuZ4

(Buys enough time to get his receivers down field)

Out of seemingly nowhere, the Jaguars drafted Blaine Gabbert 10th in the first round. Well, it was obvious Garrard's days were numbered. I still hoped that the inevitability would be at least 2 years down the road. Less than 1 week before the season opener, Garrard was cut in favor of Blaine Gabbert.

The way he was cut is worth mentioning. He was with the team at the Jacksonville Chamber Luncheon for the Jaguars. He was proclaimed the starter, rode back to the stadium on the bus, and was told he needed to meet with Jack Del Rio. And then, he was released. Needless to say, after that I never turned my football back on JDR. He couldn't be trusted. He let my favorite Quarterback go. He let go of the man that gave the fans a Hail Mary that we are likely never to forget. He let the Quarterback that molded me into the NFL fan that I am.

I would just like to say thank you to David Garrard for the memories. Thank you for being a great Quarterback during my fledgling years as a season ticket holder. In my mind, all will be compared to you.


MDK in the House

We Must Protect This House

It's Us Jaguar Fans Against the World

The last several days in Jacksonville have been interesting. The Alvin Brown vs. Shad Khan showdown was quite the entertainment none of us needed. Personally, I believe most of the hate and vehemence should be aimed at Wayne Weaver and Jack Del Rio for selling us a less than viable product for the last several years. I respect Wayne Weaver for bringing the Jaguars. But I believe the  venom that is spewed toward Jacksonville, its team and fans is largely a result of Wayne Weaver not firing Jack Del Rio in a timely fashion. Like after the 2007 season. Because the Jaguars have not seen a playoff game or a better than 8-8 season in five years or so, they have become an easy target to the media. Easy Pickins as we call it in the south.
This week we had the crown jewel of events go down. After a very successful soccer match between the US and Scotland (if it's not Scottish it's crap), Jacksonville was riding high. The Jaguars submitted their pick for management of the stadium and facilities to the City of Jacksonville. The city promptly sends Shad Khan a letter saying,  the decision was to be made jointly (which is not what the contract says. The Mayor just made it up. The Jaguars have the final say in who manages the stadium) and because it hadn't, the Jaguars and Shad Khan were in default in regards to their contract with the city. Rumor has it, that a management group who donated to Alvin Brown's Campaign for Mayor, was not given as big of a chance as they would've liked. Shad Khan responds with a "let me know what you want to do because I have a training camp that's supposed to take place in July and I need to know if I need to move the team to another city". Thank you Alvin Brown. I now have nightmares of Mayflower moving trucks driving down Bay Street, in the middle of the night, moving the team to the other end of I-10 (L.A.) ala Baltimore Colts to the Indianapolis Colts. Shad Khan does not play people. He spent 700 million dollars for his dream and he doesn't care about some podunk bull crap over picking the same management firm to run the stadium that's been running it for 18 years. Jacksonville doesn't even have a Mayoral Mansion.
The result of all of this was something I thought we might have put to bed. However, it is back with a vengeance. The media is now all over the Jaguars to L.A. story. It's very frustrating as a fan to listen and read all of that nonsense. I'm truly over it. Find a real story somewhere else and if you can't do that, please be quiet. That's as nice as it's going to get.
On a recent trip to Chicago, I wore a Jaguars sweatshirt on the plane (As a matter of fact, I make it a point to wear Jaguars gear all the time but especially when I fly into Chicago. You know because just because my franchise isn't a "storied" franchise, that doesn't make me any less of a fan.)  I also had a Jaguar shirt under it. Did I mention I had my toenails painted Teal? It's the off season. Why am I still wearing my gear? Because I want to and because of all this nonsense about L.A. I'm sick of it. I'm not especially fond of the color teal, but I have all but made it my travel uniform. People have to know out there that there are real Jaguar fans. They are Season Ticket Holders. They sweat to death watching in the stadium on Sundays. I can't believe I'm going to say this, Jaguar fans have feelings too. And we get really mad when people keep dissing us.We don't appreciate people talking crap about us constantly. I have been a season ticket holder since 2005. Did you know we've been rebuilding since 2005? I'm still here and I'm still going to travel in Jaguars gear. Am I drinking the Kool-Aid? Quite possibly. But I still believe. Winning silences naysayers. Winning solves everything.

MDK in the House

We must protect this house.

Jack Del Rio...SHHHHHHH!!!!

I have a past with Jack Del Rio. I know. It's hard to believe. I've waited a long time to share my story. It was around 2006. It was a Tuesday. I was on my way to work. I had left my home early to go to work at my brother's office. At that time I worked there one day per week. His office is a good distance from my home and in a complete different direction than my other office. I wanted a Starbucks and since there wasn't one near his office, I stopped at one by my home on my way. I got my Starbucks and was pulling out of the parking lot. From behind a Range Rover, haphazardly I might add, comes Jack Del Rio and his kids like ducks in a row. I slammed on brakes, stopped,I rolled my eyes and looked. I realized it was Jack Del Rio. I was embarrassed but he truly wasn't WATCHING WHERE HE WAS GOING.
Here is an article that I read on nfl.com. Some of the things he says are pretty funny and dumb from a Jaguars fan's perspective. Let's have a little looksy:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82935a51/article/jack-del-rio-wants-broncos-to-have-a-top-10-defense?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=twitterfeed

"We've established high expectations"- LOL. Jags fans have heard that one a few times.
" And that's one of the things I think we can do with the strength of our pass rushers."-That's right because you don't know what a good pass rusher is Jack. You couldn't find one with a flashlight in phone booth in the daylight. If the Broncos are smart they will have the previous year's pass rushers and won't depend on you to pick a few. He was MISERABLE at it in Jacksonville.
"Defensively we've gotta be able to get people stopped and not let them just run it down the field and control the clock."- LOL. Jack get some new lines dude. Everyone has heard that before. The only thing saving you from being laughed at because of that remark is because NO ONE was listening to you the last year at Jacksonville. Jack sucked at time clock control. SUCKED. If you don't believe me, I can't help you. Maybe Youtube can or perhaps Google. But Denver, watch out. Don't let him too far off the leash. Definitely don't wait 8 yrs to fire him.

Not watching where he was going is a pretty common thing for Jack. His reputation for running things in Jacksonville was kept on the DL (down low) for so long until he was fired.  You ask, like what? It couldn't be that bad?! How about letting players show up to practice anytime they wanted and not fining them. Don't y'all know where fines go? To the charities. So fine them who cares? How about having favorites? That definitely builds a team atmosphere (insert eye roll). How about drinking beers with his buddies while everybody else was watching film and doing game prep? How about playing golf at Glen Kernan or Timuquana on the Friday before a game when he should've been getting ready? I know. You can make all sorts of excuses. He was blowing off steam. He needed a break. Vince Lombardi never acted like that. Every moment before a game was spent strategizing. The story goes that after a game, there would be a cocktail party. You could see Lombardi in the 8mm footage. He was joking and laughing. Then he would stop. Look around. And he would disappear to his war room in his home to start preparation for the next week. The man couldn't enjoy himself and he was very successful. Jack could take a few notes from Coach Lombardi. Maybe if he had, he wouldn't have left a mess in Jacksonville.

MDK in the House

We must protect this house.

Status RUT ROH

Well. Here we are, 5 days from last weekend's drama that was football. I had to gain perspective and for me that took 5 days instead of the usual "24 Hours".  I am going to try and make sense of it in the next few paragraphs and I definitely am not sure I have the answers. It feels more like words spewing out of my mouth. I'm trying to catch them to formulate points or at least make sense. Trying not to hate. Trying not to sound totally off my rocker.

There is the disappointment that is FSU. I don't like saying it. Not at all. They are MY team. When the preseason polls showed them Top 5, I was a little worried.  I was worried when Jimbo would come out of preseason practices and say he was disappointed how the _____ (defense, offense or special teams) practiced on a particular day. It seems as though FSU believed they were better than everyone else, taking for granted what used to be easy wins. College is becoming more and more like the NFL: Any Given Sunday (or Saturday as the case may be). In life you can't take anything for granted. In football, take NOTHING for granted. Not even Wake Forest.

The Jacksonville Jaguars. I've heard people say all week, the first half of the game was boring. Really? You know why it was boring? Because there was nothing to hate on. Because the Jaguars, in the first half, looked like a typical football team on Sunday. Isn't that what we all want?

The second half brought excitement and a lot of drama. Nothing brought more excitement than Gabbert's long throw to Jason Hill. There is definitely a spark with Gabbert. Turk kicking a 22 yard punt was not helpful. I will not say more than that. He's a veteran and now he's been released.

The big item of concern I feel happened inside the 2 minute mark in the fourth quarter. The Jaguars are on the line of scrimmage. Jones-Drew is making changes behind the offensive line. Then out of NOWHERE, Meester hiked the ball. Gabbert apparently wasn't ready and began trying to regain possession of the ball.
First of all, it took 20 seconds or so for this to transpire. Second, the abruptness with which Meester hiked the ball surprised everyone. Sometimes the defense of the other team yells out numbers to catch the center off guard.I believe that could have happened but Meester is too proud to say so.  This guy has hiked the ball a few times in his career. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt.

The first of those 2 observances needs to be explored. Twenty seconds? Seriously. This isn't the first time we have seen this mistake this season. I believe there was one similar in the Panthers game. A Game Manager (P.Manning, T. Brady, or B. Roethlisbereger) knows how to get the play off quickly and stop the clock. The Jaguars have played these teams repeatedly and been a victim of these Game Managers. Jack Del Rio, are you teaching Blaine Gabbert to be a Game Manager? Are you saying he can't have one, uno, 1 play in his hip pocket to pull out in an emergency situation? He doesn't just need to use it when it's a close game or inside 2 minutes. He needs to use it anytime a play could be considered questionable (so the other team doesn't have time to throw the challenge flag) . So, this is my challenge to the Jaguars organization: are you setting Blaine Gabbert up to fail? Or are you going to make this kid a Game Manager?

Well, let's tally up. Turk said he was disappointing, Jones-Drew said it was on the team not the coach, Jack Del Rio said it was his fault, Blaine Gabbert said it was his fault and Meester said it was his fault. How about this: IT WAS MY FAULT BECAUSE I FORGOT MY PAWS AT HOME. I'm sorry.

Well, I've said my peace for the most part. It's the end of the day and I still love both my teams. Which is more than I can say for others.

MDK in the HOUSE

P.S. I could go my whole life without seeing that last play the Jaguars used at the end of the game that allowed the Bengals to score another touchdown. Really.

Shortly after I came home from Sunday's game, I came home to decompress and get my blood pressure down. I decided more football was NOT the answer. I pushed the button on my remote for the DVR. It said "no recordings". NO RECORDINGS?? HAVE YOU LOST YOUR DVR MIND ? I used my DVR as a football archive: Bobby Bowden's last game at the Gator Bowl, 2010 Pro Bowl in Miami, Scobee for 59 yards, and Mike Thomas immaculate deflection. All gone. I proceeded to melt down further and badly. To date, I have recovered one item, Bobby Bowden's last game. I went to Football Fanatics website. They had 10 copies left. Now they have 9 ;-)

Back to Football

As corny as it is to say, for me it's time to get back to football. I've been on a self imposed hiatus the last several weeks: the whole David Garrard thing, a fantastic getaway weekend, the passing of my dog, and 4 freakin interceptions in the Jets-Jaguars game (bonus-1 cracked tooth).

I'm going to introduce you to a concept of mine called "Rebound Girlfriend" or #RG. What is #RG? Let me set it up for you. Bobby Bowden, the legend, was the best coach Florida State had or probably ever will have. In a sense, like a "girlfriend" (boyfriend) that we love but suddenly is not there anymore. The next person to fill this position is called the rebound girlfriend. Because in lots of scenarios the successor is short lived and not well liked, because the original girlfriend was so beloved. You get the idea.

Bobby Bowden- Original Girlfriend
Jimbo Fisher- 2010 Season-Rebound Girlfriend

David Garrard- Original Girlfriend
Luke McCown- Rebound Girlfriend
Blaine Gabbert- Girlfriend waiting-in-the-wings (now Rebound Girlfriend)

Jack Del Rio- Girlfriend we-can't-get-rid-of.  Bless His Heart.

The burning question of how or if Jimbo Fisher has shed the Rebound Girlfriend status, can be answered with the 2010 Florida-Florida State game. All there is to say is 31-7 Noles. Because of that win, I rescinded Jimbo's Rebound Girlfriend status. In other words, you have to "show me". I don't want talk or fancy orange pants that get there own ESPN segment (Eric Dooley-we don't care about your pants, we want you to beat Florida). I want action. I got it. Beating Florida for the 1st time in 6 years was epic. 

The first Jaguar game of the season, Luke McCown looked good with his "Quick Release". "Quick Releases" are great and all but with "Quick Releases" come "Quick Responsibilities" if you will. Brett Favre had a quick release and he threw a bunch of touchdowns and interceptions. However, the second game for Luke McCown would be enlightening. You hate to judge a man on one game, but 4 interceptions is overwhelming. Throwing the ball to the opponent is a sure fire way to keep yourself the Rebound Girlfriend.

This week, the Jaguars named Blaine Gabbert the starter against the Carolina Panthers. The Blaine Gabbert era has arrived. Blaine Gabbert played college football at Missouri. Hopefully he'll understand why he'll have to "show me" before he sheds his Rebound Girlfriend status. Don't worry. I plan to cut him plenty of slack.

SN: Football is brutal as we all know. However, if you hand out NASTY fines in the NFL for helmet to helmet contact then the NCAA  should take a second look on the hit that knocked Kenny Shaw out of the OU-FSU game last week. Just a 15 yard penalty? AHEM.. Tom Wort and Javon Harris.. you boys got off easy.. this time.

MDK in the House

Jack Del Rio, I'd like to introduce you to THE Bobby Bowden

For all of those who watched the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday or ANY Sunday for that matter, have seen them winning and let the other team almost catch up to them. What is the remedy? I absolutely have it. Jack Del Rio, I am pleased to introduce you to THE Bobby Bowden. Bobby Bowden, the unmitigated King of the late hit, King of running up the score, DADGUMMITs and (if it weren't for 1 dumb tutor) King of college football wins  (embellishments abound). At any rate, give Bobby Bowden a cupcake opponent and he could show you the definition of running up the score.
I used to feel slightly guilty for the other teams until I found out some of those cupcake teams get paid 1 million dollars to come and play FSU. They don't get care. They get to play against FSU and they get help for their teams and their programs. I digress.
Jack, the reason you can't get fans behind you in Jacksonville is because you haven't learned the art of running up the score. They know it Gainesville and they absolutely know it in Tallahassee. Try it. You'll like it and the fans will love you on Monday morning.
Side Notes-
Clay Matthews-Could someone please braid your hair into 2 braids or better yet cut that stringy mess out. Thanks.
Donovan McNabb- Seriously? 30 yds of offense? I guess Mom didn't bring the Campbell's this week.
Cam Newton- Don't get too excited yet. It's only the 1st week.
Sebastian Janikowski- Living up to the legend. Gotta love that.

It's About Trust, Stupid

Before reading this blog, please read a previous blog of mine "The Fan". I will try not to use all caps. I can't promise.

     Just today I was thinking about all of the Jaguar Naysayers. I was thinking that once you commit to loving a team, it doesn't matter win or lose, you are still going to love them. That love was tested today.
     Jack Del Rio announced today that the Jacksonville Jaguars were releasing David Garrard. He announced that a Journeyman, twice blown out knee candidate of 30 yrs. old is to be our starter. Fantastic. Was Garrard THE ANSWER? No. Was he going to be here after this season? Probably not. WE ALL KNEW THAT. But when the Jaguars Organization came out several weeks ago and said David Garrard was to be the starter, you had to assume that was the end of the conversation.Then today.
      So, let me get this right. We are supposed to eat up everything the organization says and believe it. Only to have it reversed when they feel it's necessary 5 days before the season opener. Again.        
      Yeah. I said it. Again. This is Deja Vu all over again(thanks Yogi). The Almighty take-out droppin, injury hidin', trippin' over his own 2 left feet Leftwich (aka Slowich). He was fired in the same manner.
     I ask you: was Brett Favre treated like this? No a decision was made early on the Packers were going a different direction. Jack Del Rio you are a day late and a dollar short. You have left us with no options. You will not make the playoffs. And you will not be with us next season. It's just too bad Wayne Weaver won't fire your bee-hind shortly before the season opener against the Titans. You know and hire a real coach.
     So disappointed.
     Then there is my conspiracy theory. Yeah, I know. This is all a grand scheme. I can't believe I'm going to say the next thing. I really don't want it to happen. But I feel it likely will. This is all an attempt to.......
have enough salary cap to acquire..... Tim Tebow. He is third string with the Broncos and getting ready to use the "Wild Horse ala Wild Cat" in Denver. I'm sure Denver wouldn't mind letting the first rounder go to Jacksonville. If that were to happen I would truly be devastated. So devastated that I might become distraught and wear FSU apparel to every game.
      Anyway, Back at the ranch, it will be hard for me the next time Wayne Weaver has a press conference and says "the team will not go to L.A." to actually believe him. I am currently looking for ANYTHING to restore my trust in my much beloved Jaguars.