The Jaguars will create team interest with wins and superstar players
By Kathy Clark
If the Jaguars are going to change the perception of their team by the national media, they must win more games.
The Jaguars don’t get much positive recognition from the national media. This must change. They are often treated as the poor relative of the NFL by the national media. The men in Black and Teal live in the world of at best mediocrity and at worst misery. Why is this? There are the years of poor play, a lack of positive publicity, the small market, and the dearth of superstars.
It’s almost as if when something good happens everyone is waiting for the shoe to drop. Can this be changed? I believe it can.
First, we can’t change our small market so we move on to years of poor play. The team started great when they began their existence in the NFL with a won-loss record of 45-19 from 1996-1999. Since that glorious era, there are a total of four winning seasons.
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Obviously, the Jaguars must find a way to have back to back winning seasons. Winning solves the lack of positive publicity by forcing the national writers to pay attention. In addition, winning also puts this team on national television and increases our fan base.
Next, superstars create interest in the team. Let me give you some examples. The University of Florida was a middle of the road SEC team until Steve Spurrier, Urban Meyer, and Tim Tebow turned them into a powerhouse, with fans everywhere across the college football scene. Another example is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They were the laughing-stock of the NFL until head coach Tony Dungy arrived with Warren Sapp, John Lynch, and Ronde Barber. The team gained respect at last.
How are superstars made? Good coaching hires, good players recruited, good draft choices and lots of luck are very important.
The Jaguars have had stars. Ten of the all-time best are Tony Boselli, Tony Brackens, Jimmy Smith, Keenan McCardell, Fred Taylor, Maurice Jones-Drew, Mark Brunell, Daryl Smith, and the dynamic duo of John Henderson and Marcus Stroud. We fans recognize them but their national name recognition is minimal. Go to the Hall of Fame and you will see NO Jaguars.
This has plenty to do with the national name recognition issue. Most Jaguars stars are described as quiet leaders – lunch pail guys who work hard and do their job without a lot of fanfare. Quiet leaders are great and easy for management, however, a little spice makes the team more interesting.
Check out Fitzmagic (Ryan Fitzpatrick) who became a player in the spotlight despite a poor season by Tampa Bay.
We must work to create some superstars. Jalen Ramsey has it all. He is top-notch on the field with a personality to match. Local sports writers need to publicize him as much as possible. Yannick Ngakoue is another player with superstar potential. Local writers and bloggers must continue to push for a new contract so he can have another banner year. Calais Campbell has had two Pro Bowl seasons and is one of the league’s best pass rushers.
There are potential stars on the present team like Leonard Fournette (if he comes to play), Nick Foles, and others. It is so important to publicize them as much as possible. Hidden surprises are on the team as well.
We fans can help, too. Wear your Jaguars gear proudly. If a Jersey is too expensive there are plenty of T-shirts and hats. Hang a Jaguars flag outside during football season. Together we can make the Jaguars more relevant and maybe finally get Tony Boselli into the Hall of Fame.