Emily Dickinson once wrote “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul – and sings the tunes without the words – and never stops at all.”
The is the first time in years that there are any feathers present with Jacksonville Jaguars fans. We've been serious plucked for years. Until now.
First comes the Jags getting a first overall pick in this year's draft, presumably quarterback Trevor Lawrence from Clemson. Some experts say Lawrence is the mostly highly touted quarterback coming out of college since Peyton Manning. Ok we're all jacked about this.
Then the news that three-time national championship coach Urban Meyer has been named the head coach of the Jags.
This is a double-whammy of good. There are few questions about Lawrence's ability to adapt to the NFL. Meyer? There have been questions since Meyer was winning championships at Florida and Ohio State about what success he'd have at the next level. Critics mention the college coaches who didn't make the transition to the pros. But many college coaches have made the transition to NFL greatness: Pete Carroll, Jimmy Johnson, and Tom Coughlin spring to mind as examples. I don't how many more. It doesn't matter. Urban Meyer is a winner with an incredible eye for talent with offensive wrinkles that were always just a little better than the opponent.
Critics of the choice of Meyer also point to the fact he hasn't stayed anywhere for long. How long do you need? The average NFL head coach is 2.75 years of tenure. Even the transient Meyer lasted longer at this previous stops. And any health concerns that Meyer has mentioned in the past may well be left there as well. Annnd as an FSU fan, it would actually be nice to cheer for the guy. Always respected his ability - never wanted him to win.
This year doesn't promise the playoffs with year one, or even year two. This team is in terrible shape. But with nearly a dozen draft picks (including the first overall), the youngest roster in the NFL and the hiring of Urban Meyer, Jacksonville will have some serious NFL buzz and most importantly, our team and our long beleaguered fans will have something it has lacked for too long; hope.
Let's grab the feathers and fly, Jags fans