by morgan henley
For a city that isn’t noted for being supportive of their professional football team, Jacksonville is definitely showing its love for the Jaguars. Thanks to a playoff spot and win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Jags are on top of their game. With an impressive season lead by good guy quarterback David Garrard and the insanely popular running backs Maurice Jones- Drew and Fred Taylor, this football year has been good for the Jaguar fan. These players are so appreciative, they even let you know on your morning commute on various billboards around town. So as the next play off game rapidly approaches, the love for the Jaguars is only going to grow.
This playoff game comes at a perfect time for the average Jacksonvillian who is getting over the post-holiday blues. Thankfully the Jaguars don’t have any whiney writers, as football is the only new thing on TV. Also, what better way to forget about the painful sorrows of the college bowl games than to support a team who didn’t crack under pressure? Who cares about Tim Tebow when there’s Fred Taylor?
It seems like almost everyone has brought out their old Jaguars sweatshirts or is sporting their brand new Maurice Jones-Drew jersey. Showing your support is as easy as adding a little teal to your outfit or picking up a T-shirt from Football Fanatics. Pretty much anything goes, but avoid jerseys of traded players. I can understand how a Leftwich jersey might have seemed like a good idea at one point in time and Brunell was once Jacksonville’s super man, but it’s time to invest in a new jersey.
Check out zazzle.com/jville for MJD shirts (Maurice Jones-Drew) and other Jacksonville apparel. Wayne Weaver made a commendable move this season by asking all of the fans to wear teal for the Monday night game against the Colts. Although the game wasn’t exactly in Jacksonville’s favor, losing 29 to 7, almost everyone in the city was showing their support for the team.
This is the Jaguars’ first playoff game in six years, making it coach Del Rio’s first taste of the big game. The team improves every game seemingly from the less than impressive 8-8 season last year. Consistency isn’t really the Jag’s overall strongest quality. The team often waivers in record and popularity. Having to compete with the ridiculously and incredulously popular Florida Gators for Jacksonville’s attention, the Jags have it strangely hard in a city that loves football. A team plagued with blackouts and an empty stadium should expect a wave of support next season after this good year. Don’t let the burden of lacking game attendance fall on the shoulders of Jacksonville businesses like CSX and Winn-Dixie.
When it comes to players, Jacksonville hit jackpot this year. Although many fans still are upset from Fred Taylor’s snub from the Pro Bowl, he did make it in the end due to the Steeler’s Willie Parker breaking his leg. The city truly showed its support after Taylor’s 10,000 running yards earlier this season, with posters given to fans. Signs were around the city. Being a former Gator, Freddy’s an instant hit.
Taylor with Jones-Drew is the perfect duo, the second best in the NFL 2006 season. Whether you call Jones- Drew MoJo, MJD, or Mighty Mouse, he was a gift to the Jaguars with an amazing rookie season. Known for being explosive on the field, he knows how to celebrate a great touchdown run. If you’ve never seen the Mighty Mouse in action, definitely take the time to YouTube him. Another pat on the back has to go to Garrard who went from second string to an 11-5 leading quarterback. The greatest thing about all three of these boys is the comfort they give not only to coach Del Rio and owner Wayne Weaver, but to their fans also. You aren’t going to find Garrard running a highly illegal dog fighting ring or Taylor bringing a gun to a club. All we can hope for is that these three powerhouses can stick around with the team long enough to fill up the bare “Pride of the Jaguar” on the stadium.
If you’re interested in showing your Jaguar love with other Jacksonville fans, help send the team off Friday at the stadium. Give the team your best wishes before their journey to Boston from 10 AM to noon on the Westside of the stadium, the one by Touchdown the Jaguar, near parking lots J and M.
The Jacksonville Landing will certainly be a hot spot on Saturday, along with any of the many Jacksonville sports bars. I can’t imagine it will be too hard to find fellow fans who want to watch the boys in teal every move against the mean Patriot winning machine. Now, a spot close enough to the TV is another story.
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