JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Bill from Folkston, GA
Hey, John. It is too bad Khan does not put forth as much effort in improving the product on the field as he does improving the viability of the franchise staying in Jacksonville. I agree with you that he is indeed a very good businessman; his track record proves that. His record also proves he does not know how to improve this football team on the field.
This "take," though admittedly a popular one among Jaguars fans these days, is honestly a bit tired and misses the point. The reason is it has little to do with how the NFL really works. First: There are few things more important for the Jaguars than being financially stable compared to the rest of the league; if they're not stable, the franchise can't last here. That's not a "Shad Khan thing." That's a thing no matter who owns the team. Second: Khan is no different than any NFL owner in that he doesn't dig deep daily into the football side of the operations. Why would he? Why, indeed, would any NFL owner do this? Are they supposed to scout players? Are they supposed to draw up plays to beat a Cover 2? Design blitzes? NFL owners all typically put in the same amount of effort on the football side of the operation – which is to say they hire football people and occasionally advise when asked. They might get involved in the final stages of contract negotiations on key, high-income players. They will meet or talk by telephone with general managers and coaches regularly throughout the year, but they're not going to be involved on micro issues on any meaningful day-to-day level. Most of the good ones spend far more time on business operations than football, because it's what they know. The Jaguars haven't been as successful as necessary during Khan's tenure. He takes a lot of criticism because it's his team and the team hasn't won enough lately. And he's obviously getting more criticism these days because fans don't understand the need for two more games in London in the next year or so. That's all fair and expected. But to say he's a bad owner because of the team's record … well, while that's indeed a popular take these days, it's not a particularly accurate one.
Jeffrey from Atlantic Beach, FL
What if Lot J doesn't happen?
That wouldn't be good for the Jaguars' stability in Jacksonville.
Robert from St. Augustine, FL
Should the Jags draft the best available player regardless of position or should they select the best available player for a specific position?
This is rarely an "either/or" answer. Draft decisions usually come down to teams taking best available player as much as possible with a nod to at least some level of need. That's particularly true outside the first round.
Sam from Winter Park, FL
Would you rather have Sheldon Day or Taven Bryan? Pretty obvious answer. Draft pick could have been used on another position of need. This was a poor move by the Jags. Again.
This is a flashback to Super Bowl LIV, and the question implies that it's a no-brainer that Day – a former Jaguars defensive tackle now with the San Francisco 49ers – is better than Bryan, a former first-round selection by the Jaguars now starting for them. I would hardly say that's the case. But is Bryan so much better than average that the selection is beyond being questioned? I hardly would say that's the case, either.
Tom from Jacksonville
Lot J will not bring in the revenue London does. Why give us hope of getting a game back? When looking at it financially, the only thing better than one game in London is two and the only thing better than two is ....
I wouldn't assume Lot J and the Shipyards won't bring in adequate revenue.
Dan from Greenbow, AL
Zone, when is the O-Zone moving past these questions about two games in London? If you're playing general manager, who are the ones cut for cap savings and who is resigned/renegotiated?
This is tricky, because some of the details of this answer depend on how warm certain players are to renegotiating contracts. Such warmth is never guaranteed. Getting players to agree to cap-friendly contracts is often a two-way street, and players have no real obligation to assist the team during such a process. Realistically, I figure the Jaguars probably will release cornerback A.J. Bouye, wide receiver Marqise Lee and defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, linebacker Jake Ryan and either renegotiate with or re-sign defensive end Calais Campbell. I also imagine the team will retain quarterback Nick Foles, guard Andrew Norwell, center Brandon Linder while placing the franchise tag on defensive end Yannick Ngakoue.
Tom from Charleston, SC
The Lot J project has nothing to do with sustainability and everything to do with lining the Khan (con) man's pockets. Stop trying to convience us that he has anyone's interest other than his own for what he does. Stop trying to convience us to follow his lies. After he has made his millions off the taxpayers, he will pack up and leave to wherever he can start anew. The pools, etc., are no more than parts of the shell game. Put up a little to steal a lot. Open your eyes!
There are times when a person's words reveal what the person knows. There are other times they reveal what a person thinks the person knows.
Seth from Ponte Vedra, FL
John, can you please define viable as opposed to wanting to make more money? The Jaguars are profitable. Their owner simply wants to make more.
Khan's not going to be involved in a situation where he's falling behind all his competitors financially on a yearly basis. He's not alone in this. No owner of a professional sports team these days is going to do that, at least not one that wants the franchise to be successful over the long-term.
Brian from Jacksonville
I understand Mr. Khan believes that playing two games in London makes the Jaguars more "viable" in Jacksonville. However, at what point do those games come back to Jacksonville? No matter how much Jacksonville begins to thrive, the revenue from London will always far exceed what the Jacksonville market could ever provide.
This is incorrect. If Lot J and the Shipyards thrive, that can make up the revenue made from London.
Twenty-five-year season-ticket holder
Who owns this Lot J, the city and taxpayers or is Khan buying it? Is he going to lease it from the city? Will the city get a percentage or all go to Khan? How is this all going to work?
It's a joint venture between Khan, Cordish Companies and the city.
Steve from Nashville, TN
John, I know the world is getting smaller, but I think you should stop referring to revenue generated by the London games as "local."
The NFL separates revenue into two categories – shared and local. Local revenue is what teams generate from designated home games, so all games in Jacksonville and London are "local revenue."
Doug from Jacksonville
Maybe when we start seeing activity at the Shipyards or Lot J it will seem real. For now, this is just a conversation about something that isn't happening. When something that hasn't been started, or even approved is completed it will make a difference doesn't make anyone feel better now.
Fair.
John from Jacksonville
Sounds like Yan really needs a new agent... he already lost about $17 million last season and who knows what's ahead? Even if he gets $3 million more than the norm per season over the next five years ... it still doesn't make up for what he lost. Not to mention the signing bonus that he would have had a year ago. Is it really worth the fight between $18, $20 or $21 million. Not if you do the math!
Also fair.
Seamus from Vancouver, BC
Okay, well, maybe this is a more interesting question: what does a director of player personnel do, what does a general manager do, who reports to whom, does the team need both, and what did Polian do poorly that Trent Baalke ("ball-key"? "bailk"?) might do better?
A director of player personnel essentially is the general manager's top advisor, so he reports to the general manager. Yes, a team needs both — and then some – because you want a second set of eyes with that level of experience on the road during the college football season and during Pro Days – and you want a second opinion with that level of experience when setting the draft board and deciding on player moves. It's not as much what former director of player personnel Chris Polian did poorly as much as General Manager David Caldwell deciding a different direction and voice were needed in what certainly is a crucial offseason.
Stephen from Jacksonville
Please dont draft no defense we need offensive wr and trick plays.
No doubt.
