A new owner, a second-year quarterback with his first shot at a full offseason of training, a new head coach and a defense that had played well in 2011 had fans and observers intrigued to see how 2012 would unfold for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Instead of rewarding the optimism, however, the Jaguars struggled mightily once again, dropping to a 2-14 mark that cost a bevy of team officials their jobs.
The 2013 season brings more change. Owner Shahid Khan immediately unveiled a new logo and hired Gus Bradley away from Seattle to become the new head coach. So what does the team need to do to make the improvements that will allow Jacksonville to contend for a playoff spot in the near future? Adam Stites, manager of Jaguars blog Big Cat Country, shared his thoughts with Zoneblitz.
Zoneblitz: What do you make of the Jaguars hiring Gus Bradley as head coach and David Caldwell as general manager? (more…)
Two years ago the Kansas City Chiefs were in the playoffs. I thought heading into the 2012 season, the Chiefs had a chance to rebound from a down 2011 season and chase the playoffs again. I have rarely been more wrong.
Last season was a disaster in Kansas City and it took down yet another coach. Andy Reid was brought in from Philadelphia as Romeo Crennel’s successor and the Chiefs have the top pick in the draft. Can a potentially exciting offseason rekindle the momentum this team had after the 2010 season?
Critics, including Zoneblitz.com, have been hard on the Pro Football Hall of Fame committee over the past few years for perceived shortcomings in their votes. So I think it is only fair to give them credit for the class they chose to induct in 2013.
That’s not to say I agreed with every selection they made. There were others I thought should have gotten in, but the 2013 class included no borderline candidates and nobody who wouldn’t otherwise have gotten in within another year or two had it not happened this season.
Family responsibilities kept me from watching the announcement last weekend, so this is the first chance I’ve had to truly take an in depth look at their choices. And I think it’s one of the strongest in years. (more…)
Willie Davis is probably best known for his NFL playing career, perhaps rightfully so. After all, it did span 12 years and six league championships, including 1966 and 1967, when Green Bay won the first two Super Bowls.
But as good as he was on the field, Davis has led just as successful a life in his post-football days. He’s been a television commentator. He was president of All-Pro Broadcasting, which operates several radio stations. He was a successful executive in the beer industry. And he has served on the boards of nearly a dozen companies.
Davis grew up in Lisbon, La., where his mother hesitated to even let him play football. When he did get on the field, he parlayed the opportunity into a degree from Grambling State (where he played for the legendary Eddie Robinson) and a trip to the National Football League (where he played for the legendary Paul Brown and Vince Lombardi). He starred in the NFL, but he also nearly always had his eye on what he would do next.
With the help of co-authors Jim Martyka and Andrea Erickson Davis, Willie Davis wrote recently published a book, Closing the Gap, that covers the journey that is his life. He also recently joined Zoneblitz.com to share some of those thoughts.
The Harbaugh Brothers, Ray Lewis and his alleged use of deer antler spray and idiot reporters asking players how ticklish they are – all the hype ends Saturday. Finally we get down to the intrigue of the game itself … and this year it’s a hugely intriguing game.
I am extremely curious to see if the Ravens, with several of their most important players aging, can keep up with the more youthful 49ers. I am curious to see whether Baltimore’s coaching staff can come up with a way to neutralize phenom quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
While the storylines off the field have been many, this year’s game on the field also is as intriguing a matchup as we’ve had in a few years. Here is how we see it playing out: (more…)
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I'm sold on 4 of them Brian not quite sold on Benton just yet
A special election could continue to gather momentum but it would probably only be 3-5 players at the most. Its…
Agreed like you said the direct elect option is the only way that the super seniors get in
thanks..and honestly I was not the first to suggest it and it's an idea that many have supported and advocated…
Appreciate the feedback paul I agree with everything you said i like the direct elect idea myself