Apr 26, 2013; New York, NY, USA; NFL former player Mark Brunell announces the thirty-third overall pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars during the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

$3.99. That’s what I paid for it. As a Jaguars fan, I check from time to time for Jaguars jerseys and memorabilia on eBay. I came across it and thought why not. I put in my bid, forgot about it, and two days later received a notification that I’d won the bid for a Mark Brunell jersey for the unbelievable price of $3.99. Excited? Yep! But also a little disappointed. Why, you ask? Because I felt disrespected as a fan of my favorite team and player that something like this could mean so little to someone else.

Mark Brunell is arguably the best player in Jaguar’s Football history. He brought the franchise to contending status at an inconceivable rate. Reaching the playoffs in three of its first four seasons. He set all kinds of records and reached the Pro Bowl many times. He was to put it bluntly, “The Man”, and created life long fans outside of Jacksonville, including myself at over 4,000 miles away. Life after Jacksonville wasn’t half bad either. He spent some time with the Redskins.  Then earned a Super Bowl ring while being on the Saints roster. Also mentored Mark Sanchez for a couple of years in New York before leaving the game (the departure of Brunell coincided with the decline of Sanchez. Coincidence? Maybe). He’s taken risks on the real estate playing field that haven’t all panned out. On the flip side he’s established many successful Whataburger franchises. He’s now “Coach Brunell” at Episcopal School in Jacksonville.

Curiosity finally got to me. I had to contact the buyer and find out why. It turns out she was moving on to a new chapter in her life and was getting rid of some old items. I felt better. Even better knowing I was getting another jersey of one of my all time favorite player, for only $3.99.

Sep 11, 2011; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets kicker Nick Folk (2) and quarterback Mark Brunell (8) celebrate the winning field goal in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

Former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell has the honor of reading the Jaguars’ day two picks at the NFL Draft next week.  Brunell was quarterback for the Jaguars for nine seasons from 1995-2003.  He provided the franchise with some of its biggest moments, including postseason appearances in 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999.

Brunell, originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1993, was traded to the Jaguars for picks and immediately provided a much-needed stability at quarterback.  He owns all major passing records for the young franchise.

A journeyman, Brunell played for the Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, and New York Jets following his departure from the Jaguars.  He amassed an overall record of 78-73 in his career and a 63-54 record with the Jags.  It’ll be nice to see him up behind the podium announcing the picks for the Jaguars.

- Luke N. Sims

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The old and the new align in Jacksonville.  The Jaguars are beginning a rebuild like the one Fred Taylor was the icing on the cake for.  Source: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

Jacksonville Jaguars general manager David Caldwell has said there is no timeline on the team’s rebuild.  Head coach Gus Bradley has said he isn’t worried about the record and that he just wants the guys to come out and compete and keep getting better.

But as fans it’s nice to figure out when our team may finally make it to the Super Bowl.

Some teams, like the 2011 San Francisco 49ers, are able to turn it around in a season.  Some teams, like the 2004 Pittsburgh Steelers, are only a quarterback away from becoming competitive.  Yet these are the success stories.  How would it happen for any other team?  Fortunately the Jags are such a young team with a history of success that we can jump back to the founding and see what it takes.

So, let’s look at the Jags’ history to see how long it takes until the Jags are built up enough to truly compete.

The trade for Mark Brunell gave the Jaguars a starting-caliber quarterback immediately.  Source: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

1995

• The Jags are in their inaugural season.  They finish the season just 4-12 but their are signs of success.  Mark Brunell,  Tony Boselli, Jimmy Smith, and James Stewart are all on the team and begin the bond to create an offensive force.

1996 – The Cinderella Season

• The Jags have an amazing end to the season, winning their final five regular season games to finish 9-7 and sneak into the playoffs.  They continue the run and ultimately lose to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship.  The 1996 Jags outplayed their talent at every level.  But they put some key pieces in place.  Kevin Hardy, Tony Brackens, and Aaron Beasley all come in to help make the defense much more of a presence to match it’s offense.

1997 

• In 1997 the Jags start to put it together.  Their talent level and wins are beginning to align more and the 11-5 record in just their third season is more than deserved.  The biggest personnel gain for the Jags is Keenan McCardell who balances Jimmy Smith at wide receiver.

1998

• The 1998 team composition is what makes Jacksonville a threat in their best season: 1999.  Fred Taylor and Donovin Darius both comes to the Jags through the draft and immediately have an impact.  The team finishes 11-5 again but flames out in the divisional playoffs.

1999 – The Ultimate Jags Team

• Finally the Jaguars have “their year.”  The 1999 season is the season the Jaguars are best built.  They finish 14-2, stomp the Miami Dolphins in the divisional playoffs, and lose to the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship. The Titans are the only team to beat them the entire season (three times).  Fernando Bryant is the biggest impact new acquisition but can’t control the Jags losing.

From 1999, the Jags fall apart.  They just aren’t the same anymore.  The run from 1995-1999 resulted in an impressive 49-31 record with most of their losses in their inaugural season.  The Jaguars hit on a number of draft picks, including Boselli, Stewart, Hardy, Brackens, Taylor, and Darius.  They also did well in free agency and trades with by acquiring key pieces like McCardell, Smith, and Brunell.  Role players and decent starters were also acquired in the draft. They had very few busts.

The 2013 Jaguars are year one.  They are the 1995 Jags.  Don’t expect 8+ wins in year one.  It may take a few years, but you have to trust in the talent evaluation.  If the Jags are to emulate their success from before they will need to hit on draft picks, find key free agents to sign, and not be afraid to move past “mistakes.”  The 1997 draft did little to help the Jaguars and they moved past it rather than trying to fit their coveted picks into the lineup.

The Gene Smith era was the opposite of what happened in the Jaguars’ early history.  The Dave Caldwell era could take less or more time than the four year build-up the Jags took before reaching 14-2 in 1999, but like all good things it is important to understand that it takes time for something special to come.

- Luke N. Sims

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