Tebow to the rescue? Jags owner mulling it over

Updated: September 16, 2009, 4:08 PM ET

Jags owner: Drafting Tebow possible

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Associated Press

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars lost 17,000 season-ticket holders after last season, a staggering number that could lead to blackouts for every home game in 2009.
Most blamed the sluggish economy. Some pointed to the slumping team. Either way, team owner Wayne Weaver has to find a way to get them back.

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How about Tim Tebow?
Weaver told The Associated Press this week that drafting Tebow, the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner who grew up in Jacksonville and has top-ranked Florida seeking its third national championship in four seasons, is something he will consider next year.
Think LeBron James in Cleveland. James, from Akron, Ohio, turned the foundering NBA franchise into an Eastern Conference power and made the Cleveland Cavaliers the hottest ticket in town.
"Star power is incredible, and Tebow is an iconic figure," Weaver said, noting that Brett Favre's arrival in Minnesota prompted about 7,000 season-ticket sales. "That's very compelling. He clearly is an outstanding football player and would be an asset to any football organization."
Weaver pointed to Tebow's popularity, marketability and leadership skills as reasons he would be a perfect fit in Jacksonville. Weaver also believes there's no doubt Tebow will play quarterback at the next level.
Weaver already has started to hear chatter about drafting the 6-foot-3, 240-pound left-hander who has broken several school and Southeastern Conference records.
It was one of the first questions asked when he spoke at a business luncheon Monday. There are "Draft Tebow" stickers circulating the city. And that rumor about the Jaguars commissioning a survey to see what affect Tebow would have on ticket sales?
"I don't know that it's actually a survey," Weaver said.
This much is certain: Weaver expects the Tebow talk to increase between now and April's NFL draft.
"The game is such an important part of this community, and Tebow is such an iconic figure that people would legitimately think, 'Wouldn't it be great if he was a Jaguar," Weaver said. "I'd be silly to sit here and think that's not going to be a huge thing.
"Clearly there's going to be a groundswell for Tebow, and we'll have to make that evaluation if we have a draft pick that's going to be anywhere near him."
Tebow's draft stock is routinely debated. He has taken every meaningful snap from the shotgun formation, has a long windup, throws sort of sidearm and finishes each pass with a leg kick. His arm strength is average and his ability to read defenses is questionable.
But his accuracy, durability and determination to be an NFL quarterback might be hard to overlook -- especially for the Jaguars.
Jacksonville's ticket woes are arguably the worst in the league. There's virtually no chance for the team to avoid blacking out Sunday's home opener against defending NFC champion Arizona, and the situation looks just as bleak for the other seven home games.
Teams normally need to sell out games 72 hours before kickoff to prevent a local television blackout, and Weaver doesn't even anticipate getting a deadline extension from the NFL -- something that prevented blackouts in Arizona, Cincinnati and Oakland last weekend.
"We're far enough away that I don't want to send any false hope out to the community," Weaver said.
It's the latest setback for a franchise that doesn't have a lucrative, naming-rights deal for the stadium, already covered up nearly 10,000 seats to reduce capacity and lower ticket-sales requirements, and faces constant speculation about relocating to Los Angeles.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has seemingly made Jacksonville the poster child for blackouts.
"It's no fun to be in that position," Weaver said. "It is what it is. I'm not going to hang my head. I'm going to work hard and keep doing everything we know how to do to get out there. We've got to realize we're in a difficult economy and do everything we can do to make it affordable."
The Jaguars have tried just about everything.
They didn't raise ticket prices. They focused on group sales. They created value meals at concession stands. They offered season-ticket packages for half the games and recently introduced a "flex pack," which allows fans to buy tickets to any three games and save $30.
The response has been minimal.
Jacksonville mayor John Peyton showed up at practice Wednesday and appealed to fans to buy tickets.
"The viability of this team in our city is critically important," Peyton said. "The Jaguars have become part of the fabric in this city. It's hard to imagine not having this team here and we need to do a better job citywide supporting this team."
The five-county Jacksonville area has 1.3 million people. It wouldn't seem like a stretch to find 60,000 to attend Jaguars games, especially since there's no other major league teams competing in the area.
It wasn't a problem when the franchise started in 1995. But after the newness wore off and losing seasons followed -- the Jags have made the playoffs twice in the last nine years -- attendance started to dwindle. The economic collapse and last year's 5-11 record have season-ticket sales at an all-time low.
Weaver said the market was hit hard because it only has two Fortune 500 companies, CSX (No. 240) and Winn-Dixie (No. 340), and lots of service-based industries.
"The people who own our tickets are families and small businesses, and they're the ones going through the toughest time with tight credit and other things," Weaver said. "We're not in this by ourselves. But we just felt it worse because of the size of our market."
Weaver insists he's committed to Jacksonville and sees signs that things will turn around.
The father of a 14-year-old boy recently called Weaver to let him know his son spent all summer working odd jobs so he could afford season tickets.
"This young man is so passionate about the Jaguars," Weaver said. "He's grown up with us. That's all he knows. There's thousands more like him out there that are growing up with us. As they come of age and they have their own disposable income, they're going to start buying season tickets."
It might happen sooner if Tebow comes to town.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press

As of late, I have been pretty baffled over various reports and articles hinting or outright saying that drafting Tim Tebow is the way to go for ticket sale woes. Sure it sounds like a great idea but really, the impact it MAY provide in ticket sales has no weight at all when building a team. If you to sell tickets build and develop winning teams. Just like it's the players not the plays that matter, it's winning the game, not who is playing in the game that sells tickets and gets fans back on the bandwagon. Start winning more and ticket sales will come back. Plain and simple.


Unfortuanteley drafting Tim Tebow will not fix the ticket sales. In fact that should not even be a deciding factor. If the Jaguars are on the clock and staring at say Tebow, Jevan Snead and say DE Carlos Dunlap, the pick better be the best player wether it is the best QB or the best player. Period. All it takes is a look at the Houston Texans passing on hometown hero Vince Young in favor of Mario Williams to show that it's ok to pass on the local superstar, if it means getting the better football player. Now if they think, as I do that Tebow will dedicate himself to perfecting his craft at the NFL level and can and will be a franchise QB than by all means pull the trigger and give the man a Teal Jersey but please do not let ticket sales become even a miniscule factor in wether to draft one player or another.

It will most certainly sell some tickets but not enough to matter. At least not enough to make not picking a better player the route to go. Winning games puts fans in the seats, even if Tebow were to draw 17,000 season ticket holders, if he and the team does not win the love affar will wear off quickly and the return on the investment will be nothing unless he succeeds.  

Del Rio Lowers Expectations for Harvey

Del Rio Lowers Expectations for Harvey

by Cole Pepper
iJax.com Sports Editor
Jack Del Rio said that fans shouldn’t expect Derrick Harvey to be a big time sack producer, at least not right now.  The former 8th overall pick has recorded 3.5 sacks last season and did not get to the quarterback in the opener against the Colts.

Jaguars defensive end Derrick Harvey recorded 3 1/2 sacks as a rookie.

“I think what’s going to happen until people understand that he’s a big strong tough football player,” Del Rio said. “If people want to see–just because of where he was selected–want to see the sexy sack monster, that’s just not what he is. Hopefully he’ll become that someday and get more sacks, but I don’t think the fact that he’s not the 20 sack guy like [DeMarcus] Ware in Dallas or like a [Dwight] Freeney in Indianapolis…those guys are very rare.”(I have to agree here. Anyone who thought Harvey was the next coming of Mario Williams was out of their minds. What you have in a Derrick Harvey even as a Rookie Prospect prior to the draft was a kid with a large frame gobs of strength and a nose for the ball carrier. Was extremely effective at Florida as an every down DE providing pressure on passing downs but still able to stuff the run and sniff out screens. The Freeny's of the NFL cannot say they are "3 down linemen" Freeney rarely stuffs runs or sniffs out screen passes. Derrick is a big boy with a big motor and puts the pedal to the metal every play)

Rare was the word used by former Jaguars personnel boss James “Shack” Harris when talking about Harvey’s athletic gifts.  That was last year when the Jaguars traded up to select Harvey with the eighth pick of the draft.(I think we all know by now that Harris' did not have greatest mind in evaluating talent in certain regards. Too think Harvey could be a stud DE out of college is one thing but to tout him as a sack monster is not the same as a physical specimen with loads of athletic talent. Harris' comments regarding the pick set the bar too high for Derrick as the impression to the franchise and fanbase was that he would be an imediate impact 10+ sack a year guy. Watching the film of him at Florida shows is gifts but a QB's nightmare was not one of them.)
What do the Jaguars think they have in Harvey now?
“What we have is a good, solid, tough defensive lineman who is about 6′5″, 285 and he plays hard,” Del Rio said.  “So let’s appreciate what he is and stop worrying about whether he’s measuring up to a standard that has been set by somebody else beside me, Gene Smith or his teammates. Once we do that, we’ll be in better shape.” (I agree Jack. Forget what he is not. Forget what you think he should be right now. Instead focus on the fact that after missing all of training camp last year and only one game into his 2nd season Harvey has shown he can be a fixture on the DL for the Jags on everydown for years to come.)
This pre-season, Del Rio raved about the progress that Harvey had made, and some believe that those words established a higher expectation for Harvey this year.
“No, that didn’t set the expectation,” Del Rio said. “Where he was drafted set the expectation and I understand that.”

Despite the lack of sacks, and the apparent lack of expectation of sacks, Del Rio isn’t totally down on Harvey’s play.

“He’s playing well despite not having huge numbers.  He’s been stout, been solid, been tough, been rugged.”

But he’s not getting sacks.  So where do the Jaguars get the pass rush?

“We’ll see,” said Del Rio. 

In conclusion, I believe Jack Del Rio is correct. Derrick has been strong and stout. He has not been hampered by any injuries and the growth in his technique is apparent on a weekly basis. Right now he may just be a Paul Spicer clone but let's not forget that Paul Spicer in his prime made many a Jaguars fan pleased. Second season folks. If, by year 4 he has not picked up the nuances to take the next step to becoming an elite pass rusher than yes it will have been proven he was picked to high or missed expectations. However, in my oppinion, 6+ sacks a year plus all the pressures, hurries and strength he provides on the strong side of the line makes him a rock solid DE. After all a Mario Williams, Julius Peppers, Richard Seymour or a Dwight Freeney does not come around but every few years and the "Sure Fire pick" rarely are sure fire picks. 

Backing up the Harvey pick with the, much more popular at the moment, Quentin Groves was a brilliant move. They drafted the big strong every down LE in Harvey and then took Groves to be the pass rushing RE we have needed since Heyward ruptured his achiles after being signed from Denver.

Give it time. The whole team is young. Another year of growth and developement plus the influx of more young talent around him shoul allow Harvey to flourish and meet the expectations we as fans have set for him however lofty they may be.

Michael B. Williams

Week 1 JAX @ IND - Musing on Garrad / LB's

Watching this game I cannot help but realize that David Garrard has solidified my opinion of a major flaw in his game. Though his decision making has never really been in question, his ability to throw the deep ball absolutely has to be looked at.

As he has shown in the past, Garrard is capable of throwing deep and has a good arm with decent downfield accuracy. The main problem I see is year after year his inability to look off safeties. Constantly staring down his primary read wich never moves the safeties off the deeper routes than rather than going through progression he stares down the primary target until the last second and checks down to the RB or TE. This is fine and the safe thing to do most of the time but when your eyes are locked onto the same WR from start to finish of a play, the likelihood of the defenders knowing where you are going is quite high.

As a side effect of this stare down problem, in my oppinion this causes the WR's to have an even harder time in creating seperation, especially that primary read. Without seperation no reciever is getting open deep down the field.

Those times we do have receivers open downfield Garrard rarely looks there way and if he does, seems so hesitant to pull the trigger. In life if you hesitate you die. In football hesitation is the difference between a 70 yard TD bomb and an INT or a check down.

It would be nice to say the coaching staff has concerns for Garrard throwing deep so therefore gameplan for him to not go downfield much. It is hard to agree with that though as watching his play, when his primary read creates the seperation needed on the deep route, Garrard seems almost scared. Like he does not know if WR stays open or where to chuck the ball to, or is just not confident in himself and his abilities.

Whatever the case is, the staring down of recievers and the inability or unwillingness to throw the deep ball consitantly is leading to mediocre Quarterback play, at best. David needs to adress these issues most rickety tick. At the same time given his age it is apparent we need an influx of youth at the QB position. In all likelyhood the Jaguars will select a QB in the first round. There are plenty to choose from an all have gobs of talent and upside.

Needless to say Garrard needs to have a stellar, not OK, year or he will be staring down a Jevan Snead or a Tim Teebow waiting to take his starting gig. It's time to put up DG. Show the fans and the organization you were worth the 60mil contract you got after one good year.

On a brighter note the Jaguars seem to have one of the best LB corps in the entire NFL. Brent Hawkins and Clint Ingram have been playing very well through preseason all the way leading up to the Colts game. Led by future pro-bowlers, Daryl Smith and Justin Durant, the Jaguars Linebackers stifled the Colts running game. The speed at which they all play is incredible. The tackling is sure and the hits are vicous. Durant and Smith each tallied 12 solo tackles! Phenominal effort fellas.

Derrick Cox.... Wow I like what I see Gene. I really do. Other than the long TD to Reggie Wayne (welcome to the NFL ROOK!) he had an outstanding game with 1 PFL an INT and a Fumble Recovery. Tackled well and showed off the speed, hip movement and instincts Jaguar fans hoped we would show come game time. Derrick has a bright future ahead of him and is on his way to possibly being the first ever Jacksonville Jaguar to be voted Rookie of the Year. If he plays all year like he did this Sunday, he and Rashean will be a force to reckon with.

That's all for now. Will have more after we host the Cardinals next Sunday.

Michael B. Williams

FF - Week 2 Pickups

September 16, 2009, 8:38 AM

Week 2 pickups

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By Matthew Berry
ESPN.com
Archive

I recognize how lucky I am. I am truly blessed.

Getting to be a fantasy sports analyst for ESPN is a dream come true. I started playing fantasy sports a quarter-century ago as a young boy, never imagining that one day I could get paid to play, write and talk about fantasy. And to be able to do it here, at the Worldwide Leader in Sports …

Yo! Hold on! Stop. Check it, check it.

TMR: (looks around) What? What's going on? This is my column. Hello?

Kanye: I just want to say that you're OK, but Eric Karabell is, like, one of the best fantasy columnists of all time. Like, this is ridiculous, OK? Christopher Harris never screws up my team the way you do. This isn't fair.

TMR: (Looks at ground, looks around, feels more confused and awkward than normal.)

Kanye: And Bill Simmons is much funnier. Stephania Bell is smarter. Adam Schefter is, like, money. And you're, like, loose change.

TMR: How are you even here? Aren't I the one writing this?

Kanye: You ain't a writer. You know who's a writer? Jemele Hill. She can write. Tristan H. Cockcroft, now he's a writer. All them guys from Scouts Inc.? They write. You scribble. (pause) No disrespect.

(Kanye leaves to cheers)

Timing, they say, is everything. As one guy in my chat noted on Monday, Kanye's actual message at the MTV awards Sunday night wasn't terrible. He liked Beyonce's video and thought it deserved an award. So did I, frankly. His timing to express that message, however, was, to put this gently, an unmitigated disaster of the jerkiest proportions.

Timing, they are correct in saying, is everything.

You will need to add and subtract players for your team. Whether it is due to performance, injury, role change or bye week need, there will come a time when you need to adjust the roster you left your draft (or auction!) with.

When you make that adjustment is the key.

Understand this: You have no idea what your team is yet. I did a 12-team "expert" league with many well-known fantasy analysts, including my fantasy focus co-host Nate Ravitz, Brandon Funston and a guy I gave his start to at TalentedMrRoto.com, Andy Behrens. Jeff Erickson, Chris Liss, Jeff Ma ... list goes on and on. A bunch of smart, experienced owners and analysts. And Nate. I scored the second-most points of the week, three points behind Ryan Houston.

I also did a 12-team PPR (point-per-reception) league with some random fans that follow me on Twitter (as @therealtmr) and ESPN "SportsCenter" anchor Linda Cohn. I had the worst score of the week. (Linda, who couldn't make the draft and went autopick, wound up with Adrian Peterson and Drew Brees as her first two picks. She's in first.)

I am not crowing about the "expert" team nor am I am freaked out about the Twitter league. Like I said: You have no idea what your team is. And won't until at least four weeks in. I don't make any major moves (barring some crazy Tom-Brady-last-year-type injury) until after Week 4.

But that doesn't mean we can't tweak. There are always one-week wonders. But looking back at last year's Week 2 pickup column, we find DeSean Jackson, Eddie Royal, Matt Cassel, Steve Slaton, Pierre Thomas, Ray Rice, Matt Ryan, Chad Pennington and John Carlson were all suggested. (Of course, there were also some clunkers. Andre Hall? Yeesh.) There is a lot of fantasy goodness out there you need to grab.

More often than not, the tweak is necessary. Like, I'd say, hey Kanye, love the passion, baby, but maybe we do that at a news conference. Or on Jay Leno, when no one's watching. (Viva Howard Stern!)

Pickups of the week

The ownership percentages indicated are for ESPN.com standard leagues. I realize participation levels are different for every league, but this is the best barometer we have, and we do scrub the sample to leave out dead leagues. I've ranked the players in the order in which I would put a claim on them.

Al Messerschmidt/Getty ImagesMike Bell hopped, skipped and jumped his way to 143 yards on 29 carries in Week 1. Sure, it was against the Lions, but it still counts.

Mike Bell, RB, Saints (12 percent): Regular readers of this column over the years know I have a section coming up called "From the obvious name department." And there is no more obvious name this week than Bell, but I put him here for two reasons. One, his low ownership percentage. I'm guessing there are some leagues that don't allow pickups prior to Week 1, since everyone in the business has been screaming about him.

But also, he's here because yes, he will have value once Pierre Thomas comes back. The best example I can give is Derrick Ward last season. Like, he'll get 10-15 touches a game and be a legitimate flex option in 12-team leagues. I still have Thomas finishing the year as a top-15 fantasy running back, but I'd rather have Bell than Reggie Bush. (Who, in a blowout passing game against Detroit and with Thomas out, got all of 12 -- count 'em, 12 -- touches).

Justin Gage, WR, Titans (35 percent): You forget him because he's been banged up and it's the Titans, but Gage had a good Week 1 and it wasn't a fluke. There have been 12 games in which Gage has played wideout and Collins has been the quarterback. His numbers in those games: 42 receptions for 752 yards and seven touchdowns. That comes out to an average of 3.5 receptions per game for 62.7 yards and 0.6 of a TD. OK, now, to disprove all of you that claim I can't do simple math or anything beyond shallow analysis, if you take his per-game averages and prorate them to a 16 games schedule ... Justin Gage would have just over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns. He had 11 targets in the first game and, bottom line, (can't believe I am writing this) he's a guy you want who will be productive as long as Kerry Collins is the QB.

Nate Burleson, WR, Seahawks (23 percent): He was in my Love/Hate update as a reason why I didn't love Deion Branch. Healthy and he has Matt Hasselbeck's confidence. How do I know this? Matt's brother, Tim, told me. We discussed this on Fantasy Football Now, the show I appear on with him, Erik Kuselias, Stephania Bell, Molly Qerim and all our NFL Insiders and reporters (Adam Schefter, Michael Smith, Rachel Nichols, Ed Werder, Sal Pal, etc., etc.). It's every Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET until kickoff. Join us and be smarter. 'Cause we talked about all the guys in this article on last week's show, among others. Anyways, Burleson is just two years removed from a nine-touchdown season and he's got his QB looking for him.

Michael Bush, RB, Raiders (12 percent): It's very simple. The Raiders can run the ball. And run the ball they will. And when it's not Darren McFadden, it's this guy who will run the rock, especially at the goal line. Another in the Mike Bell mold of 12-team flex-play types.

AP Photo/Jeff RobersonJoe Montana and Jerry Rice they're not, but in a pinch, they'll do.

Shaun Hill, QB (13 percent) and Isaac Bruce, WR, 49ers (15 percent): I put them here because they are getting no love and both will be better this year than you think. Hill was a preseason sleeper of mine. Remember, he was top-10 in the NFL in passing yards and passing TDs over the second half of last year. And reports of Bruce's death were greatly exaggerated. Next three games are Seattle, at Minnesota and home vs. St. Louis. Two of those secondaries aren't scaring anyone, and as for the Vikings, you gotta try to beat them through the air, so you know Hill will be throwing a ton, and who he'll be throwing it to. What do you mean, who? Bruce! Weren't you paying attention?

Steve Smith, WR, Giants (25 percent): They are gonna have to throw to someone. And 80 yards later against a good Redskins defense, Eli did just that, looking at Smith eight times. OK, he threw the ball to him eight times. He probably looked a lot more, what with those puppy-dog eyes Steve has. Makes your heart go all pitter patter, don't you know? I'm writing this late. I'm a little loopy. Sorry. Carry on.

Earl Bennett, WR, Bears (29 percent): I may have been wrong on Bennett. He was a trendy preseason sleeper pick for a lot of folks but not me. I wasn't buying the "they went to college together" argument (see Terrell, David and Brady, Tom) but ... only Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Reggie Wayne had more targets in Week 1. And with the Bears losing Brian Urlacher, that defense takes a hit. Which means more throwing for Cutler.

The defenses: I love the Green Bay Packers' D (67 percent) and liked what I saw out of the Atlanta Falcons (4 percent) a lot. The Falcons get Carolina at home this week and the early indications are that the Panthers are, shall we say, turnover prone. I thought the Colts' defense (13 percent) was impressive and they get Miami on Monday (the same Dolphins that let the Falcons be the No. 2 fantasy defense last week) and finally, the Redskins (47 percent) are at home to St. Louis. 'Nuff said.

From the obvious name department:

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx nbx x m xzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZ.x.,,k

Here are guys who are owned in most active leagues but may be available if you are in a shallow league, drafted early or play with morons. If these guys are available, they should be picked up ahead of anyone above.

Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens (56 percent): If you read or heard me at all in the preseason, starting in early July, you know I am wacko for Flacco (and don't claim to have invented the phrase; calm down, Baltimore). He's very legit.

Cadillac Williams, RB, Buccaneers (70 percent): He looked good, son. Strong. He's the Tampa Bay running back I want and the only one I feel safe starting on a weekly basis.

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images"Dude, I just caught two touchdowns!" "Dude, I know, I can't believe it either!"

Jeremy Shockey, TE, Saints (70 percent): I owe an apology to Suzy Kolber, who mentioned Shockey as a sleeper in our SportsCenter Fantasy Football Draft Special. Good call by Suze that I totally dismissed. My poor fantasy heart has been burned too many times by Jeremy and I didn't want to believe. But he's currently healthy and Billy Miller is no longer in the mix.

Chris Henry, WR, Bengals (38 percent): Did nothing in Week 1, but I expect good things in the future. I've put him here because seems like we've been talking about him all preseason, but apparently, it's fallen 62 percent on deaf ears.

How lucky do you feel, punk?

3; I want to see him healthy from that hammy and Gage is the No. 1, but I do still think Nate Washington, WR, Titans (21 percent), will have value before all is said and done. … And Johnny Knox, WR, Bears (1 percent), can flat-out fly. Al Davis on Line 1!

I'm not buying it

Here are some Week 1 stars that I am not buying based on the fact that I don't feel they'll continue to get the opportunity, or because of the circumstances in the game: Robert Meachem, Miles Austin, Kenny Britt, Benjamin Watson, Devery Henderson (in shallow leagues), Mario Manningham and Antwaan Randle El.

Welcome to Dumpsville, population: you

Here are some guys you can cut to make room for the pickups.

Chris Chambers (61 percent), Rashard Mendenhall (65 percent), Earnest Graham (55 percent), Muhsin Muhammad (50 percent), Kevin Curtis (50 percent), Jake Delhomme (38 percent), Jeremy Maclin (33 percent), Michael Crabtree (21 percent) and Shonn Greene (18 percent).

OK, this will be shorter in the coming weeks as, due to the nature of 10-team leagues, many of these players will still be available in Week 3 and beyond. But make sure at least one or two of them are not. Because you need to tweak now. Timing, as they say, is everything.

Matthew Berry -- The Talented Mr. Roto -- would like to remind you, for the last time, that no one puts Baby in a corner. He is a five-time award winner from the Fantasy Sports Writers Association, including a Writer of the Year award. Cyberstalk the TMR | Be his Cyberfriend