Jacksonville Jaguars


The Jacksonville Jaguars were established in 1995 in order to become the 30th franchise to join the NFL during their expansion. They currently play for the AFC South, and are headquartered at the EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida; which is also where they play all of their home games. Their team colors are Black, Teal, Gold, and White and their official mascot is Jaxson de Ville, a large yellow and teal jaguar usually sporting a pair of sunglasses. Even with their short NFL franchise history, the Jaguars have been able to make a large splash by winning two Division championships and appearing in six playoffs. Being such a relatively new team, 17 years can still be considered young; they have many different aspects that they are continuously improving.


Jaguars Brief Team History

Football had always been very big in Florida, but it was mostly focused around college football. The city and all of the football fans wanted more than just a few games a year in their city, and started pushing for a NFL team.  They tried to get various teams to move to Jacksonville over the years, including Irsays’ Baltimore Colts and Adams’ Houston Oilers. It was in 1991 when the NFL announced plans to add another two teams, that Touchdown Jacksonville! made a bid; Touchdown Jacksonville! was started by Jeb Bush, Tom Petway, and Wayne Weaver. In 1993, the NFL owners voted in favor of giving Jacksonville the 30th franchise.

Wayne Weaver remained owner of the Jaguars until 2012, where he sold it to Shahid Khan, an Illinois businessman. The first head coach the Jaguars had was Tom Coughlin and had several amazing seasons. During the 1997 to 1999 seasons, the Jaguars managed to play at an excellent level, bringing in high winning season. However, the three seasons after that were disappointing, having losing seasons consecutively. With that, the Jaguars got rid of Coughlin and acquired Jack Del Rio as their head coach. Under his coaching the Jaguars did manage to get better and when they were at a winning peak, they once again fell into a slump after 2008. Now, during the 2012 season, the Jaguars have a new head coach, Mike Mularkey, and are hoping to rise back up the ranks.


Notable Jaguars Figures

They may not have had a long history, but it was long enough to have several influential characters associated with their team.


Past Jaguars Figures


Jimmy Smith was acquired by the Jaguars when they were just starting out in 1995, and remained with them until 2005 as a Wide Receiver. He had previously played for the Cowboys, and during his time there had won two Super Bowls with them. Smith did bring the same intensity and skill, becoming the NFL Receptions leader in 1999. He did bring many great things to the Jaguars.


Fred Taylor was a Running Back for the Jaguars from 1998, when he was first drafted, until 2008. He was a very powerful and fast running back that helped the Jaguars get to various playoffs appearances. He managed to get over 10,000 rushing yards.


Jack Del Rio was the Jaguars head coach from 2003 until 2011, and was one of the more successful coaches the team has had. With his great coaching, and being able to focus on and train the defense, the Jaguars were ranked in the top 10 in yards allowed during the five seasons he was with the team. He built a good foundation for the Jaguars to stand on.


Present Jaguars Figures


Maurice Jones-Drew has been an excellent Running Back for the Jaguars since he was drafted in 2006. He is one of the League’s smallest running backs, but has proven to be lethal at in that role. He has managed to make a few Jaguar records for single-season all-purpose yards in 2006 and rushing yards in 2011. Jones is truly a well-rounded player, being able to run with the ball or even become a receiver if it is needed.


Cecil Shorts has been a Wide Receiver with the Jaguars since he started his professional career in 2011. He didn’t get much playing time in 2011, but he is more than making up for it during the 2012 season. He has been crucial for the Jaguars in terms of receiving yards and touchdowns, being able to make the long catches, run with the ball, and score effectively; he will just get better as his career progresses.


Paul Posluszny is one terrific Middle Line Backer that the Jaguars acquired from the Bills in 2011. He is able to consistently disrupt plays, getting great tackles, and every once in a while making an interception. He is a very solid player, being able to read the opposing offense and being able to make great tackles. He is one reason the Jaguars defense does so well.


Present Team Personnel

The current owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars in Shahid Khan, who purchased the team from previous owner Wayne Weaver; who was also a founding member of the team. He is also a businessman, Industrial Engineer, and owner of Flex-N-Gate based out of Illinois. I do not know what this may mean for the team in general, but let’s hope Khan continues to give the Jaguars the best possible treatment. The current head coach is Mike Mularkey, who took over for Jack Del Rio, and it has been a shaky new season for Mularkey and the Jaguars.