After losing 14-10 Sunday on the road at the Cleveland Browns, the 3-7 Jacksonville Jaguars’ playoff hopes are gone, said team General Manager Gene Smith Monday to members of the Rotary Club of Jacksonville.
He described the defeat as a “difficult loss” and having three wins and seven losses on the record after 10 games as “unexpected.”
Smith is looking ahead to the remainder of the 2011 regular season and to April’s NFL draft.
“The last six games will be very trying because we’ll be playing for pride,” he said.
Smith said the theme for the Jaguars’ season has been “adversity” and “every team at some point goes through adversity – just like in life. I think you pass by adversity on the way to success. You can learn so much from adverse situations.”
Smith said he is proud of how the players have handled the disappointing season in a competitive environment.
“In the NFL, if you’re average or below average, it gets exposed,” he said.
In terms of his general philosophy for the 2012 NFL draft, Smith said the team will continue to focus on selecting players for more than raw talent.
“We’re trying to build our roster the right way. Talent identifies a prospect. When you add character and competitiveness, that identifies a Jaguar. We look for players who have positive patterns of performance on and off the field,” he said.
Specifically, the Jaguars want to draft a wide receiver. Smith said it’s too early to talk about specific players, but “one position you can get almost every year is a wide receiver who can help your football team” in the first three rounds of the draft.
Smith was asked what it will take for the Jaguars to achieve a turnaround.
“It starts with me getting some better players,” said Smith.
“Our offense needs to function better and that starts with our quarterback,” he said.
At City Hall Monday morning, Mayor Alvin Brown announced a party before the Jaguars’ Dec. 5 Monday Night Football home game vs. the San Diego Chargers.
Brown, joined by Touchdown Jacksonville Team Teal Commissioner Tony Boselli and Game Day Experience Chair Lenny Curry, proclaimed Dec. 5 “Ultimate TEALGate Day.”
Curry also is chairman of the Republican Party of Florida.
Pregame activities are scheduled to include a concert by a Dave Matthews tribute band in Pepsi Plaza at EverBank Field and appearances by the Jaguars D-Line drum corps and team mascot Jaxson de Ville.
“The Jaguars are a crucial part of our city’s identity. We are fortunate to have an NFL franchise because it puts Jacksonville on a national stage. The Ultimate TEALGate Party is a great way to celebrate our team for all that it gives to our community,” Brown said.
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