It seemed like a good idea at first. A natural association between an organization in search of identity and a head coach who had won two NCAA championships near the city who was looking for a coach.
Posted Dec 13 2021
Urban Meyer’s name had been in conversation for quite some time when there was an opening for a head coaching job in the NFL. However, the Jacksonville Jaguars were the perfect organization for him, especially since they had the first draft pick, which would allow them to get their hands on their quarterback for the next 15 years, Trevor Lawrence.
Error. There was sand in the gears from the start, and the situation is not improving at all in Jacksonville.
Ahead of Sunday’s Jaguars game, rumors, which have been confirmed by several American media outlets, pointed to an intense spat between Meyer and wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr., a nine-year veteran who has always enjoyed good reputation in the NFL. Meyer has also been accused of calling some of his assistant coaches “losers.” Not fancy.
After the Jaguars’ 20-0 loss at the hands of the Titans in Tennessee, Meyer denied this information and later argued that the organization would fire the person or persons who served as sources for reporters. Despite the many controversies that plagued Meyer’s first three months in the NFL, Jaguars owner Shad Khan reportedly has no intention of firing him. Error, that too.
Warning message: the Jaguars won’t win anything with Meyer. If only because of the rotten climate in which the club finds itself.
Professional players don’t want to be treated like junior players, but that’s exactly what Meyer does. Too stubborn and full of himself to succeed in a professional league? Obviously. As they say in hockey, Meyer’s tactics are “junior stuff.” He should also take to his heels and save himself in the NCAA as soon as possible, where he can reign in the midst of players barely out of adolescence.
Lamar Jackson: less serious than expected
PHOTO DAVID RICHARD, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lamar Jackson (8)
The situation is getting worse for the Baltimore Ravens, who suffered a second straight loss against a division rival on Sunday in Cleveland. But luckily for them, the ankle injury that Lamar Jackson suffered in their 25-24 loss to the Browns isn’t as serious as first thought. Head coach John Harbaugh has not ruled out the possibility that Jackson will be in charge next Sunday when the Green Bay Packers are in Baltimore.
The presence of Aaron Rodgers also seems uncertain for this part. Suffering from a broken toe for about a month, Rodgers said he believed the injury worsened in the Packers’ 45-30 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night. Rodgers opted out of the surgery during spring break for the Packers, who sat out Nov. 29-Dec. 11. Let’s hope for him and the Packers that this move doesn’t cost them a chance to reach the Super Bowl for the first time in 11 years.
Missing pieces in the Bills
The Buffalo Bills erased a 21-point deficit and came close to surprising the Buccaneers on Sunday at Tampa Bay, but ultimately lost 33-27 in overtime. It was the fourth loss in six games for the Bills, who will likely need to earn a second-best berth to advance to the playoffs for the third straight year.
We certainly can’t blame Josh Allen for the setback against the Bucs. He had 308 passing yards and 109 with his legs, playing part of the game despite a foot injury. For the second game in a row, the absence of a leading running back for the Bills was felt. On the other side of the ball, the Bills do not exert enough pressure on the passer. Mario Addison, a 34-year-old player at the end of his career, leads the team with 4 sacks.
The Next Big Quarterback Rivalry
Even without his ace Keenan Allen (COVID-19), Justin Herbert mocked the New York Giants defense on Sunday. Herbert threw three touchdown passes, including a 59-yard gem, in the Los Angeles Chargers’ easy 37-21 victory. In Kansas City, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs already led 35-3 after the first half and crushed the Las Vegas Raiders, 48-9. Raiders who had the brilliant idea of jumping on the Chiefs logo before the start of the match…
Mahomes vs. Herbert, she’s the next big quarterback rivalry in the NFL. These two exceptional talents are of course part of the same division and should continue to do so for at least the next 10 years. The Chargers upset the Chiefs in Kansas City in September and will be No. 1 in the American West if they beat them again Thursday night in Los Angeles. Both teams would then be 9-5, but the Chargers would have the tiebreaker by virtue of their two wins.
The K.-O., or just like
PHOTO GEOFF BURKE, ARCHIVES USA TODAY SPORTS
Dak Prescott (4), Dallas Cowboys
Did the Dallas Cowboys take the knockout? to Team Washington with their 27-20 victory on Sunday? The fight may not be officially over, but the referee’s count is down to eight or nine… And what should worry other NFC teams is that the Cowboys won mostly because of their defense against their division rivals.
DeMarcus Lawrence, Randy Gregory and Neville Gallimore are all back in action, making rookie Micah Parsons, who had two more sacks against Washington, even more dangerous. On the side of Ron Rivera’s training, Taylor Heinicke injured his knee and did not finish the match. Heinicke isn’t a bad player, but his presence on the roster probably won’t stop the organization from shopping for a quarterback this offseason.
The Niners and the Vikings?
We were talking about the frenzied fight in the American Conference on Saturday, but the one for the best second places in the National Conference also promises a lot. The Los Angeles Rams would normally get one of the three spots and the San Francisco 49ers are in good shape for a qualifier, too. The hopes of the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons and Team Washington also remain realistic at this time. Of the lot and with the exception of the Rams, the Vikings and 49ers are probably the best teams, at least on paper. The NFL is always particularly exciting starting in December, but this year it will be absolutely crazy.
