A Look Back on Jaguars.com Layouts — Boring… But… Interesting
As a blogger, I appreciate a well designed website. Even though it is 2008, a lot of site owners just don’t get good website design. That is why it is so refreshing to see a professional, well thought out design. Especially when it is done by your local sport team!
Here is a look at Jaguar layouts throughout the years, thanks in part to The Wayback Machine.
This is the first record of the Jaguars.com website. Honestly, I was nine when this thing came about. I am not entirely convinced my parents even had the internet at this point. The site obviously doesn’t even take up the screen and the layout leaves something to be desired. However, it was still better than 99.9% websites out there.
Well, they are taking up more of the page now with the classic salute to frames on the right side of the screen. Unfortunately, the Wayback Machine didn’t archive the images however it does bring a nostalgic tear to my eye seeing some old school names on the Jaguar website.
Oh yes, yes yes! Pictures! Mark Brunnel saying he wants to stay in Jacksonville (as a side note, he was seen playing quarterback for the Saints this preseason)! You can see the evolution of the website. Or, for you Jacksonvillians, the intelligent design of the website.
They keep with that design for a while before spicing it up with some new names!
Take note of the {brackets around the name} at the top of the window. If I remember correctly, that was the trend then. However, my memory is not one to be trusted because in 2003 I was more concerned with that cutie theater boy in my bio class than web trends. Also note that is announcing Quinn Gray getting signed. I’m still rooting for you, Gray.
Again, the site isn’t taking up the whole screen. I think this points more toward the 800×600 resolution of the past than anything. As you can tell, more and more features are developing as the website comes into its own. In case you were wondering, the “No bikinis in Jacksonville” story was not archived. However, this is what Vic Ketchum said about David Carr:
"Joe from Waterloo, NE: Do the Texans just match-up against us better, or does David Carr see something we don’t because he is 4-1 against the Jaguars in his career?Vic: Let’s examine that 4-1. David Carr’s first win against the Jaguars was in 2002 and it was the result of a special teams trick play by the Texans. His next win came last season in Houston and it was the result of a fumble by Byron Leftwich, who was making his first-ever start, as the Jaguars were trying to kill the clock and protect a lead. Carr’s two wins this season, however, were clearly the result of his performance. I was very impressed by Carr this season. Texans offensive coordinator Chris Palmer has Carr on the move in and out of the pocket and I think that has clearly helped him overcome a low release point that I thought could jeopardize his career. Carr has developed this season into one of the game’s bright-young quarterbacks and he will be a tough foe for the Jaguars in the seasons ahead. I don’t know about matching-up well. He’s just good."
Poor David Carr.
Look at the resolutions on those photos! Makes me cringe. Even my high school newspaper had better quality photos. I am glad I cannot read Vic’s in-game blog from that day. I am pretty certain it is the day of the playoff game we did not deserve to be in. The Patriots trounced us. Again. Again, take note of the added features. The website has become very loud.
And then, as it starts to get loud, it becomes suddenly simplistic. Unfortunately, what ever feature they had going did not translate into the Wayback Machine. It flipped between the major stories every few seconds or so. It looked pretty sleak.
There was another design after this that was changed today. Again, the Wayback Machine didn’t archive it well. In fact, all the images are broken and the layout is completely gone. How sad.
As you can see, the website has changed drastically over the years. It has grown up with the team. It only makes sense that a team that grew up with the internet would have one of the better NFL sites. The team started with a web design team. They have always been there and have developed well over time.
Don’t believe me? Take a look at these other NFL team sites. I mean. Seriously. Can we say barf?