JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jaguars accomplished something Sunday that hasn't been done in Jacksonville in a decade: They secured a spot in the playoffs.
It's been a long time coming.
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Jags fans have been patient and consistent in their support of this team, and this year they've been rewarded. We finally have a team with not only the opportunity to enter the postseason, but also an opportunity to advance deep into the playoffs, perhaps all the way to the Super Bowl.
What's incredible to me is just how far this team has come since training camp. There were so many questions entering 2017:
- Was Doug Marrone the right guy for the job?
- How would his relationship with Tom Coughlin work?
- Would new draft picks Leonard Fournette and Cam Robinson make an immediate impact like everyone hoped?
- What about this offensive line?
- How would Blake Bortles perform after a poor 2016 campaign?
We have to remember that it wasn't that long ago that everyone was convinced that this team would be better, but would still struggle. My prediction was a seven-win, maybe eight-win, season.
We all would have been pleased with that much improvement considering having only three wins last year. Remember Blake's five-interception day in their first padded practice of camp? How about when he was benched for a preseason game and the team was considering starting Chad Henne? He is now in a position that makes it hard to not make him the starter in 2018.
And here we are. With two regular-season games left, the Jaguars have 10 wins and an opportunity to actually get a bye in the first round of playoffs.
So how did this thing turn around so quickly? And who gets the credit? Well, they all do. From management, to the coaching staff, to the players.
It starts with Tom Coughlin making key decisions with the coaching staff, the draft and every other important football decision. Doug Marrone's old-school, tough, hard-nosed coaching approach was clearly the way to go this year. Don't forget Dave Caldwell and his draft picks that have developed and are making a difference. The coaching staff has done an amazing job as well.
But most of all, the credit goes to the players on this team. It's always about the players in my opinion.
This team has come together in a special way. And don't think for a second it's all about talent. Talent is a big part of it, but the truly good teams develop an accountability, a work ethic and a camaraderie that goes beyond the Xs and Os. This team plays together and plays for one another. That is rare.
This football team really is special, and it certainly is a fun time to be a Jaguars fan.
Obviously, there is still some work to be done. The Jaguars can do something that we were not able to do in 1999. They are going to the playoffs, but they need to finish.
It was fun going 14-2 and getting to the AFC Championship game. But we didn't finish.
With this team playing the way it is on defense right now and Blake Bortles hitting his groove, these players can do just that.
I feel good about this team and look forward to the Jaguars finally becoming the best team in football.
Fans, you've waited a long time, and you deserve this. Go Jaguars!