Sep 9, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin (12) carries the ball during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

Yesterday broke a lot of hearts, but it’s good to be back in the saddle and there are many encouraging signs from yesterday that bode for a brighter 2012 for Jaguar fans. I’m not here to mitigate how much the end to yesterday’s contest hurt, I just don’t think it’s something worth dwelling on. Despite being an emotional roller coaster, the downfall was relatively simple and to me at least, doesn’t dictate a lot of analysis. We were trailing in cruchtime, Gabbert got the ball moving and made a big play to Cecil Shorts to usurp the lead, the defense coughed it up quicker than you can say “Michael Lombardi is a putz”, goes to overtime and the defense again just could not make positive plays. This one is on their shoulders. And Poz knows it.

Onto my thoughts…

1. This Gabbert kid can ball. And he ain’t scared. We’ve all done our fair share of huffing and puffing about how far out of the hand the national media has gotten with their criticism of Gabbert, but anyone with a pair of functioning eyeballs saw a different guy wearing the #11 jersey yesterday than the one we saw last season. No more chuck and duck. No more “seated throws”. No more looking lost and squirming around in the pocket. It’s a combination of things, really…he’s finally got receivers who are getting open, which leads to less “dead time” in the pocket and allows him to be decisive. Mularkey’s done a heck of a job reinforcing his fundamentals and giving him plays and a gameplan that he can execute with speed and confidence. In addition, he’s one year older, feels more comfortable in the pro game, and has by all written account approached the offseason like a man on a mission – improving his mechanics and knowledge of the Jaguars offense. There were still a few signs of growing pains – missing a wide open Justin Blackmon in the end zone on the opening drive certainly hurt and if you’re gonna go for the deep ball on 4th-and-short, you gotta put it where the receiver can make a play. But these are correct mistakes and overall, Gabbert’s game appears to be much more refined this year and devoid of the macro-problems that were plaguing the passing attack. It was ridiculous to think that a guy many critics tabbed as the #1 overall pick last year could suddenly be devoid of talent and too wrought with fear to play the pro game. Yesterday, we got a good look at what Gabbert can be and will hopefully keep growing into – confident, collected, accurate, and capable of making the big play when we need it. (more…)

Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan pledges to make a ticket to Everbank the hottest ticket in the NFL. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

Anything the Jaguars do these days is sure to be met with the jabbering of the peanut gallery. Today, the franchise confirmed that they will be playing four “home” games in London during the 2013-2016 seasons. New owner Shad Khan has expressed his interest in pioneering new marketing strategies for the Jaguars and has already begun this venture by hiring Mark Lamping for the role of team president in an effort to grow the franchise’s regional brand throughout north Florida and south Georgia, due to his success in achieving a similar effort for the St. Louis Cardinals while serving as their team president for more than 13 years. Khan also expressed in his first public address as team owner his interest in building the Jaguars’ international brand by offering to play “home” games abroad and his press conference today confirmed that he and NFL Czar Roger Goodell have agreed to do so. Some people are intrigued, while some think this can only bring more harm than good. The truth is that this shrewd business decision is not a maneuver aimed at the short-term, but a low-risk, high-upside gamble that seeks to parlay the Jaguars clandestine momentum of the last few years into an explosive worldwide coming out party that will cement our home in Jacksonville and force audiences domestic and abroad to rethink their perception of the Jaguars franchise.

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Apr 28, 2011; New York, NY, USA; ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr analyst Jon Gruden and host Chris Berman (L to R) during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

Complete with two big-time first round trades! Make the jump to see the picks… (more…)