Out of the Box: Is it better for Jacksonville Jaguars to be underrated?

Is it better for Jacksonville Jaguars to be underrated than have the hype?

For the years that the Jacksonville Jaguars have suffered through losing records, an absence of Pro Bowl caliber players and a generally disinterested National mediascape, many cried out for some respect or for some attention.

It could be argued that the Jaguars didn’t deserved either of these things during this era.

In 2015, for the first time in recent memory, an upstart offense attracted a newfound interest in what was happening down in Duval.  The passing game of Blake Bortles to his pair of 1000 yard receivers Allen Robinson (how could they forget these plays) and Allen Hurns put Jacksonville back on the map. Robinson, of course, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl and Bortles among league leaders in touchdowns.

For those who cried out for more respect – there you have it. But there is no doubt that respect is earned for what happens between the lines every week of the Fall.

This past offseason it would be fair to say that through free agency and the Draft, and on the back of the increased exposure provided by an explosive offense, the Jaguars have beena story to watch in the offseason. The addition of new players and a significant overhaul to the defense has been a huge part of this, but overall there has been a shift in the presence of Jaguars football in the media, and some now predicting a playoff push and even AFC South title.

For those who cried out for more respect – there you have it. But there is no doubt that respect is earned for what happens between the lines every week of the Fall.

The question posed here today, is having this increased focus, attention and dare I say ‘hype’, a good thing for the Jaguars, or would we be better flying under the radar entering 2016? Should we be tempering enthusiasm or letting it soar?

There is no doubt that owner Shahid Khan and the franchise is loving the rise to prominence of Jaguars football. One of the most progressive thinking owners in the game, Khan recognizes what the profile boost means to the off-field business operations, the revenue generation and the vehicle for which to promote Everbank Stadium and the team which inhabits it on game day.

Khan is equally savvy to note that there is no-better way to boost a franchise’s value than with victories on game day. For that, he will lean on head coach Gus Bradley, needing a winning season to assure his place at the helm of the Jaguars into the future.

For Bradley, the expectations had to be high for this year. Knowing a successful season was the only way he would keep his job after his three years of rebuilding, with little success to date. Bradley is now armed with one of the best rosters in Jaguars history and the challenge of converting that young potential into a winning program is his. What does the hype do for Bradley? Well, if he can get the players to buy in, to see a new level of expectations for the Jaguars as a team, you may well see the positive spin-off of the profile.

Ultimately it will be up to the players to lift, to bring it each week and help establish a winning identity and winning culture.

Before last season, most following the league had little awareness of what we had in Allen Robinson. Nobody was convinced about Blake Bortles as a potentially elite quarterback (to be honest – many people outside of the organization still aren’t). There were still questions as to the legitimate value of Allen Hurns or how much of Julius Thomas’ success was tied to the quarterback who made him famous (Peyton Manning in Denver). As a result, people ‘slept’ on the Jacksonville Jaguars. Perhaps opposing meeting rooms didn’t dig deep into the game plans targeted at trying to stop or minimize an Allen Robinson.

In 2016, those questions are clear.

Defensive coordinators facing the Jaguars will be clued into offensive coordinator Greg Olson’s offense, Bortles’ approach and the myriad of weapons. The scrutiny and focus will be higher than ever before. Maybe Jacksonville’s talent and versatility will trump all that, but there won’t be any easy yards in 2016.

A team that a year ago was OK against the run (but not good enough) and poor against the pass, looks significantly improved. Less weaknesses appear for the opposing coordinators to target, and some new threats mean that coordinators must account for the athleticism in all three levels of the defense.

"Coaches and staff, whilst under pressure to perform, must look around a locker room and see winners-in-the-making."

So what does that mean in the balance between ‘flying under the radar’ and being ‘under the microscope’? This writer is just delighted to have positive things to focus on, optimism for the season ahead and a genuine sense that something good is just around the corner.

The fans will undoubtedly sense an excitement and a pride to have been part of the Jaguars fanbase for years. Players have to be upbeat as they note that they are a part of the most talented group in years. Coaches and staff, whilst under pressure to perform, must look around a locker room and see winners-in-the-making. Ownership and team managers, well, they might just see dollar signs, or the chance for a real return on the investments made.

Ultimately, it’s almost time for us to really find out for sure!