Jaguars plan to draft Tebow, months before draft order exists

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Jaguars-plan-to-draft-Tebow-months-before-draft?urn=nfl,190008

It's not at all uncommon for NFL draft teams to lust after college prospects. It usually doesn't happen in September, though.

Of course, not every team is as badly in need of an attendance boost as the Jacksonville Jaguars, either. Their home game this weekend against Arizona will, in all likelihood, be blacked out on local television because they didn't sell enough tickets.

This might be understandable if the Jaguars were a really, really bad team. They aren't, though. Granted, last year wasn't a banner year, but it's not like the Jags are some perennial bottom-feeder. They're not the Lions. I don't think it would shock anyone if they won nine or 10 games this year.

The solution for the attendance woes? Perhaps he's already playing football in Florida, in the NFL's semi-pro developmental league that some of you call the "NCAA." I speak, of course, of Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow. Quoth Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver:

"Star power is incredible, and Tebow is an iconic figure. That's very compelling. He clearly is an outstanding football player and would be an asset to any football organization."

There's also this, later in the AP article:

It was one of the first questions asked when he spoke at a business luncheon Monday. There are “Draft Tebow” stickers circulating the city. And that rumor about the Jaguars commissioning a survey to see what affect Tebow would have on ticket sales?

“I don’t know that it’s actually a survey,” Weaver said.

But there's no denial that they're doing something.

Right now, I'd estimate that the risk of purchasing a Jacksonville Jaguars "Tebow" jersey is very, very low. It's going to happen. It might not be a football decision, but it's happening.

If there's a chance it could mean the difference between the Jaguars staying in Jacksonville, or the Jaguars going somewhere else, they'll move heaven and earth to get him. Even if Tebow is projected as a top-five pick (Ouch! Dan Shanoff just poked me in the back of the head with a sharp stick and screamed, "MORE LIKE TOP ONE, JERKFACE!"), and the Jaguars don't pick until 16th or so, they'll move up to get him. They'll gladly give up the 2011 first-rounder to make it happen.

If they're already doing "surveys" or whatever about how he can help fill the stadium, then it's a wrap. The only question is whether or not Urban Meyer comes with him.

one less chance for crabtree to go top 10

They said the same thing about Vince Young and Houston.

tim tebow bowl?

Very strange timing! David Garrard cant be feeling that good about the announcement!

Originally posted by Stuuk:
Very strange timing! David Garrard cant be feeling that good about the announcement!

Garrard needs a fire lit underneath him. He needs to step up and realize it.

Del Rio is def. on the hot seat and a new coach in town would probably look to draft his QB especially after this team selected what they hope are bookend tackles on day 1 of the draft this past year. But I think Garrard would get at least another year in Jax so Tebow could be groomed.

I'm not so sure the Jags would bring in Meyer though, I think they may make a run at Shanahan or Gruden however if Del Rio gets the boot.

This is one of the smallest markets in the NFL. They really need a marquee player that can draw crowds. Heck, a few years ago my buddy from California had season tickets to Jaguar games. Needless to say, in todays economy he gave them up.

Originally posted by KRS-1:
Del Rio is def. on the hot seat and a new coach in town would probably look to draft his QB especially after this team selected what they hope are bookend tackles on day 1 of the draft this past year. But I think Garrard would get at least another year in Jax so Tebow could be groomed.

I'm not so sure the Jags would bring in Meyer though, I think they may make a run at Shanahan or Gruden however if Del Rio gets the boot.

Shanahan to the Jags makes too much sense. Gary Kubiak (current Texans HC and former Broncos OC) will prob. get canned this offseason and he could be hired as their OC.

Upgrade the WR unit, and add a OL or two, and with Tebow, you could have a very functional offense.

Originally posted by GEEK:

Originally posted by KRS-1:
Del Rio is def. on the hot seat and a new coach in town would probably look to draft his QB especially after this team selected what they hope are bookend tackles on day 1 of the draft this past year. But I think Garrard would get at least another year in Jax so Tebow could be groomed.

I'm not so sure the Jags would bring in Meyer though, I think they may make a run at Shanahan or Gruden however if Del Rio gets the boot.

Shanahan to the Jags makes too much sense. Gary Kubiak (current Texans HC and former Broncos OC) will prob. get canned this offseason and he could be hired as their OC.

Upgrade the WR unit, and add a OL or two, and with Tebow, you could have a very functional offense.

Kubiak won't get canned..They've been somewhat successful since he's been there they just don't have all the tools yet.

Originally posted by 49erfan3252:

Originally posted by GEEK:

Originally posted by KRS-1:
Del Rio is def. on the hot seat and a new coach in town would probably look to draft his QB especially after this team selected what they hope are bookend tackles on day 1 of the draft this past year. But I think Garrard would get at least another year in Jax so Tebow could be groomed.

I'm not so sure the Jags would bring in Meyer though, I think they may make a run at Shanahan or Gruden however if Del Rio gets the boot.

Shanahan to the Jags makes too much sense. Gary Kubiak (current Texans HC and former Broncos OC) will prob. get canned this offseason and he could be hired as their OC.

Upgrade the WR unit, and add a OL or two, and with Tebow, you could have a very functional offense.

Kubiak won't get canned..They've been somewhat successful since he's been there they just don't have all the tools yet.

He is in a tough position...he has yet to take this team above 500. If he can't do it this year he may very well be let go.

Originally posted by Stuuk:
Very strange timing! David Garrard cant be feeling that good about the announcement!

It's all about selling tickets. He's huge in that central Florida area. The Jags couldn't sell out their home opener and are on pace to not be on local tv at all this year. Here's how bad it is for them, the Lions and Chargers I believe filed for extensions for the blackout deadline. The Jaguars didn't even bother, because they still have 17,000 tickets left and its for their freakin home opener for a team that went to and played well in the playoffs only 2 years ago. It makes no football sense whatsoever, but the owner recently committed to staying in Jax, selling tickets is the only way to do so. Personally, all things being equal I wouldn't touch Tebow with a first round pick. Jags figure they'll be worse than the Colts and the Titans, and will snag him top 10.

Originally posted by JDeezy:

Originally posted by Stuuk:
Very strange timing! David Garrard cant be feeling that good about the announcement!

It's all about selling tickets. He's huge in that central Florida area. The Jags couldn't sell out their home opener and are on pace to not be on local tv at all this year. Here's how bad it is for them, the Lions and Chargers I believe filed for extensions for the blackout deadline. The Jaguars didn't even bother, because they still have 17,000 tickets left and its for their freakin home opener for a team that went to and played well in the playoffs only 2 years ago. It makes no football sense whatsoever, but the owner recently committed to staying in Jax, selling tickets is the only way to do so. Personally, all things being equal I wouldn't touch Tebow with a first round pick. Jags figure they'll be worse than the Colts and the Titans, and will snag him top 10.

Getting player for the sole purpose of selling tickets is low and shows how far the team has fallen. Anyways I'm off to buy my Iverson Memphis Grizzly Jersey!

Originally posted by Stuuk:
Very strange timing! David Garrard cant be feeling that good about the announcement!

well, i'm sure the jags could care less about what he thinks....he's 30 and not even an elite qb...time to make a change.

If the Jags select Tebow, it will only be because they want a marque QB, not because Tebow has Florida charisma.

Within 3 years, as soon as the City of Industry stadium is finished in the LA-area, the Jags are a prime candidate to vacate Jacksonville for the LA-market. Might as well already start thinking of this team in this manner.