11-17-2015, 02:24 PM
"I never teach my pupils. I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn." - Gus Bradley, Circa 2014
This season has consisted of some ups and some downs, followed by additional downs, and then this past weekend which I can only quantify as a huge up. Their have been bad decisions that we have had to overcome, such as the parting of ways with Josh Scobee. We all know that if he were still a part of our team we would be sitting at 4-5 at the absolute worst and staring down at the rest of the division. Now we must destroy the hated Titans and their laughable 2-7 record they bring into Everbank this Thursday to pull within half game of the division lead of the vaunted AFC South.
This last weekends game was a microcosm of the season. More twists and turns and ups and downs than anyone who didn't have the opportunity to ride Peony Parks roller coaster in the mid 80's can ever understand or relate to. The embattled kicker Myers misses a chip shot field goal in the second half that would have put the game out or reach, and then redeems himself with a bomb at the end of the game to win. The HATERS will say that the officials erred in a missed false start call that should have awarded the Ravens a Victory, but all of JAGSNATION understands, after years of being screwed by Goodell and the NFL, we were bound to FINALLY catch a break.
It is time that we take a deep breath and realize just exactly what we are witnessing and are fortunate to be a part of. We are right in the mix of things and we are past the halfway point! The biggest question is, will John Oehser, author of the best seller "Jags to Riches" that detailed the Jaguars meteoric rise to national prominence during the 96/97 season need to come out of retirement to write a sequel that details this season? I most certainly think so. The Jags will be favored in every game the rest of the season - the question is, can they win each game and do control their own destiny provided Indy and Houston can both lose one non divisional game the rest of the way. Win out (and with a little bit of help) and we are the AFC South Champs at 10-6 - it's just that simple. I still think we get in at (should we drop one) at 9-7, but this division is just to good to think we could drop two and still get in. No way does 8-8 win a division of this caliber. The thought of 10-6 or 9-7 and a division championship gives me chills just thinking about this and home game vs. one of the weakling wild card teams. It would be a tremendous mistake to take things one game at a time at this point as we need to look at and focus on only the big picture - I want New England at their place in a second round play off game!
All of this being said, you cannot tout yourself as the best team in the NFL if you cannot establish yourself as the best team in Florida. The way to establish this is to take home the coveted Ponce De Leon Cup, named in honor of the Spanish Conquistador Juan Ponce De Leon, who discovered the great state of Florida in the 1513. While a division title would be nice, the PDL Cup is in my opinion a must for Gus Bradley to retain his job. I am a Gus Bradley fan. He has clearly and without question established himself as the third best coach in the history of our franchise, and I would love to see him continue on as coach for years to come - but if and only if he can capture this years cup. At one game back, there is some work to do, but the good news is that in case of a tie, we thankfully once again own the tiebreaker.
Miami 4-5
Tampa Bay 4-5
Jags 3-6
Tiebreaker: Most points scored in London this season.
It will be nearly impossible for Mr. Khan continue to keep Coach Bradley without achieving this metric. With proven head Coaches such as Mike Locksley from Maryland more than likely available at the end of this season, it will just be to tempting in my opinion for Mr. Khan to pass on a man with irrefutable character and a coaching track record such as Locksley, who according to my sources has expressed interest in the NFL as he feels he has proven all that he needs to at the collegiate level. I do have enough confidence in Coach Bradley and the rest of his staff where I'm hoping this is not even a consideration at seasons end.
This season has consisted of some ups and some downs, followed by additional downs, and then this past weekend which I can only quantify as a huge up. Their have been bad decisions that we have had to overcome, such as the parting of ways with Josh Scobee. We all know that if he were still a part of our team we would be sitting at 4-5 at the absolute worst and staring down at the rest of the division. Now we must destroy the hated Titans and their laughable 2-7 record they bring into Everbank this Thursday to pull within half game of the division lead of the vaunted AFC South.
This last weekends game was a microcosm of the season. More twists and turns and ups and downs than anyone who didn't have the opportunity to ride Peony Parks roller coaster in the mid 80's can ever understand or relate to. The embattled kicker Myers misses a chip shot field goal in the second half that would have put the game out or reach, and then redeems himself with a bomb at the end of the game to win. The HATERS will say that the officials erred in a missed false start call that should have awarded the Ravens a Victory, but all of JAGSNATION understands, after years of being screwed by Goodell and the NFL, we were bound to FINALLY catch a break.
It is time that we take a deep breath and realize just exactly what we are witnessing and are fortunate to be a part of. We are right in the mix of things and we are past the halfway point! The biggest question is, will John Oehser, author of the best seller "Jags to Riches" that detailed the Jaguars meteoric rise to national prominence during the 96/97 season need to come out of retirement to write a sequel that details this season? I most certainly think so. The Jags will be favored in every game the rest of the season - the question is, can they win each game and do control their own destiny provided Indy and Houston can both lose one non divisional game the rest of the way. Win out (and with a little bit of help) and we are the AFC South Champs at 10-6 - it's just that simple. I still think we get in at (should we drop one) at 9-7, but this division is just to good to think we could drop two and still get in. No way does 8-8 win a division of this caliber. The thought of 10-6 or 9-7 and a division championship gives me chills just thinking about this and home game vs. one of the weakling wild card teams. It would be a tremendous mistake to take things one game at a time at this point as we need to look at and focus on only the big picture - I want New England at their place in a second round play off game!
All of this being said, you cannot tout yourself as the best team in the NFL if you cannot establish yourself as the best team in Florida. The way to establish this is to take home the coveted Ponce De Leon Cup, named in honor of the Spanish Conquistador Juan Ponce De Leon, who discovered the great state of Florida in the 1513. While a division title would be nice, the PDL Cup is in my opinion a must for Gus Bradley to retain his job. I am a Gus Bradley fan. He has clearly and without question established himself as the third best coach in the history of our franchise, and I would love to see him continue on as coach for years to come - but if and only if he can capture this years cup. At one game back, there is some work to do, but the good news is that in case of a tie, we thankfully once again own the tiebreaker.
Miami 4-5
Tampa Bay 4-5
Jags 3-6
Tiebreaker: Most points scored in London this season.
It will be nearly impossible for Mr. Khan continue to keep Coach Bradley without achieving this metric. With proven head Coaches such as Mike Locksley from Maryland more than likely available at the end of this season, it will just be to tempting in my opinion for Mr. Khan to pass on a man with irrefutable character and a coaching track record such as Locksley, who according to my sources has expressed interest in the NFL as he feels he has proven all that he needs to at the collegiate level. I do have enough confidence in Coach Bradley and the rest of his staff where I'm hoping this is not even a consideration at seasons end.
.gif "Laughing")