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Touchdown Jaguars!
Touchdown Jaguars!
Episode 109: Liam Coen's Staff Comes Together - Super Bowl Reactions
This episode blends analysis of the Super Bowl outcome with a deep dive into the Jacksonville Jaguars' newly structured coaching staff. We reflect on how the Eagles’ impressive performance can serve as a blueprint for the Jaguars and share personal experiences that highlight emotional ties to our favorite teams.
• Insights into the Eagles’ commanding Super Bowl victory
• Initial reactions to the Jaguars’ newly established coaching staff
• The emotional weight of franchise changes and player trades
• Comparisons of pivotal moments in Jaguars fandom and personal sports experiences
• Looking ahead to the impact these changes could have for the Jaguars’ future
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James Johnson and Phil Smith bring you the best and most up to date Jacksonville Jaguars news. "Touchdown Jaguars!" is a tribute to the prospective ownership group "Touchdown Jacksonville!" In 1991, the NFL announced plans to add two expansion teams and "Touchdown Jacksonville!" announced its bid for a team, and Jacksonville was ultimately chosen as one of five finalists. In November 1993, the NFL owners voted 26–2 in favor of awarding the 30th franchise to Jacksonville. James and Phil have been fans of the franchise ever since and have had the honor (and sometimes dishonor) of covering the team professionally since 2017. The rest as they say, is history.
Still great and good. That is a goal Good. Touchdown Jacksonville 109 yards. Incredible, incredible Play action. Upstairs, wide open Tommy Bohannon. Touchstairs, wide open, tommy Bohannon. Touchdown Jacksonville. Looking for Jimmy in the end zone. Touchdown Jaguars. Touchdown Jaguars. Touchdown Jaguars.
Speaker 1:Welcome to the Touchdown Jaguars podcast. Here are your hosts, james Johnson and Phil Smith. Hey everyone, welcome back to the Touchdown Jaguars podcast. I am your co-host, phil Smith, and joining me, as always, is your other co-host, james Johnson, and Jay.
Speaker 1:We're recording here on the evening of February 10th, so the Monday night after the Super Bowl, and what a crazy evening it was. We're going to discuss that here tonight as well as, as you probably see there in the title, the Jaguars coaching staff, which finally was completed here over the last few days. But, jay, a whole lot to talk about and excited to be back here with you tonight and discuss, obviously, the events of last night when it came to the big game. And then I also want to discuss with you something very traumatizing that happened to me in my sports fandom here over the last couple of weeks and kind of like compare and contrast that to what, what could possibly be something similar to happen to Jaguar fans fans. So just to give you guys a little bit of a teaser on the fun conversation we're going to have here tonight, jay. So how are you doing?
Speaker 2:good to be back here with you yeah, man, it feels like we have like a a newfound love for podcasting, right, like I'm not taking for granted, uh, these episodes that we've done so far and the ones that we'll do in the future, of Trent Baalke not being the GM of the Jacksonville Jaguars. And, yeah, man, like that one move saved the Touchdown Jaguars podcast, essentially. So happy to be back, way more excited than I would have been, you know, had Trent still been here. I'm way more excited than I would have been, you know, had Trent still been here.
Speaker 2:And yeah, man, I can't wait to talk about these coaching hires, because I know that was something that a lot of people were anticipating. The big key for this team heading forward, right, obviously, one of the things that the past regime didn't do all that great and that we left a bitter taste in our mouth is just a lack of development, and you know we have a young team that needs to be developed, and developed quickly at that. So, yeah, I can't wait to talk about these hires and the hire of Liam Cohen himself, which you know I'll get your take on that because I talked about that in the breakdown of his press conference. So, yeah, we can talk about that and hear your takes and your thoughts on the addition. And yeah, man can't wait to get to it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, a lot to catch up on here. You know we were kind of waiting for the staff to take shape and you know that finally happened. And then, you know, obviously we're turning the corner into one of our favorite times of the year, which is draft season, and then of course we will have, you know, some guests lined up here over the next couple of weeks as we start to look into prospects and, again, just a really fun time here on the Touchdown Jaguars podcast. So, just as a reminder for any new listeners, if you need anything in terms of social media pages where you can keep up with the show, all of that can be found in the Linktree link in the show notes of this in each and every single episode. So we appreciate that If you want to support the show, you can head on over to your podcast player of choice and leave us a five-star review, or whatever the equivalent of a five-star review is, wherever you check it out and wherever you listen to us and check us out. All of that is very beneficial and we appreciate you for doing so, if you have already. So, jay, first off, before we get into Jaguar business, as I teased there a moment ago, let's talk about the Super Bowl, right, man?
Speaker 1:I think it was probably acknowledged that the Eagles had the better roster, right? I think a lot of people understood that and have a lot of admiration for how Roseman has built that team. However, the Kansas City Chiefs all season have just gotten away with, you know, close call after close call and I think ultimately that caught up with them in the Super Bowl, right, when you played a team that doesn't allow them to hang around, you know. So we certainly saw that the Chiefs offense didn't look like the Chiefs offensive old, you know those teams in the past. Certainly not like the team that put up 38 against the Philadelphia Eagles a couple of years ago, right? So definitely not even the team that played last year against San Francisco. So just kind of walk us through your reaction, jay, when at one point this thing was 34 to nothing, I think, in the third quarter, what was it? 24-0 at halftime, something along those lines, I thought the Eagles were going to win, but not like this. How did you feel even going into the game?
Speaker 2:Yeah, going into the game, I felt it was going to come down to the wire, because that's just normally how Chiefs games go, with the Chiefs getting the edge at the end, whether that was you know them having the ball last, or you know them being in a situation where they can run the clock out from having the ball last and preventing the Eagles from getting the ball one last time and attempting the game when it drives. So I thought it was going to kind of shape out basically like the Buffalo Bills game, you know. That being said, I'm kind of not shocked that it came out the way that it did, or the results were the way that they were, for the simple fact we were long overdue for this blowout type of super bowls, right, um, it's. It's been a while, to my recollection, if I can recollect correctly, since we've had one um. So like something in the back of my mind was saying we're due for it, we're doing it was a seahawks.
Speaker 1:Broncos was the last one.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so that was a while ago. How many years we're talking here? What?
Speaker 1:Like what? 2013? Something like that, yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah. So in the back of my mind I was expecting one Eventually, just never knew it would be against the Chiefs and the great Patrick Mahomes, you know. But all of that said, man, like I was shocked at the result, and again I shouldn't be at the result and again I shouldn't be. Um, also, you know, when you think about it and you you go back and look at what won the eagles the game, I shouldn't be shocked from the standpoint of they're loaded with georgia bulldogs on offense, so of course they won, handedly right, of course. And and I kind of joked about this too in a thread, right, ph Phil, I think it was our thread with Boogie and Viz. But in the thread I put hey, don't worry, the Georgia Eagles will take care of the Chiefs and you know we'll all be happy and the Chiefs will be dethroned and you know we'll have that discussion when it happens. Right, I was joking at that time, but that's literally what happened, because you know those guys were getting it in in the trenches. So shout outs to them. You know Nolan Smith and Carter and I think the Kobe Dean was injured, so I think he's on IR, if I'm not mistaken. But shout outs to all the guys Go Dawgs Right, got them another ring. Shout outs to all the guys the Go Dawgs right, got them another ring.
Speaker 2:And yeah, man, I mean I'll say this, I was happy with the result and it also gave us a lot of things to reflect on next year or this upcoming season in terms of like, ok, this is what you need to do to dethrone the Chiefs right, and you mentioned it, howie Roseman and how he's constructed that team. You know it came down to them flat out just being better than the Chiefs in the trenches Right, especially how that defense came out to play. And we all know I mean I would say this in my own opinion I don't know if anybody agrees, but I think the Eagles have the best offensive line in football. Maybe some people disagree with me, somebody might put the Lions in there or one of these other teams, but they're pretty stacked on the offensive line side of things.
Speaker 2:So that just emphasized even more how important the trenches are, especially with being able to beat a team like the Chiefs, with being able to beat a team like the Chiefs something that we've struggled with and we've been looking for the answers, as Jacksonville Jaguars fans, of how to beat them and how to get over the hump when it comes to them. So that gave us a little bit of a blueprint. And yeah, man, I would actually like to play the Eagles again next year. We came close within beating them this year. We all had remember that heartbreaking situation with Dearness Johnson and Trevor, where Trevor overshot him and what have you. But I would like to play the Eagles again too, to just kind of see, like after the additions we make this offseason, like where we stand with them, because it came down to the wire with them really quick, I will say you.
Speaker 1:you said Trevor overshot him, but also it was a five foot nine, dearness Johnson, right. Still a terrible play call down in that portion of the field. So I do want to make sure you point that out. Questionable play call, for sure?
Speaker 2:No, no, no, it really, you know what I'm saying Like, if I can recall I reviewed the episode it might have been a solo episode, like I thought it was more questionable on the play calling than Trevor's part. But yeah yeah, you're right, you're right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, but I agree with you. I mean honestly, like on both sides of the ball right for the interior, the Eagles dominated and they have been pretty much dominating all year. If you had told Chiefs fans that going into the game, you know you would hold Saquon Barkley to. I'm pretty sure it was less than a hundred yards. I think it was around like 75, 76, something around those lines. I have to have. I don't have the box score up in front of me, but you probably, if you were a Chiefs fan, you probably think oh, we won that game. Saquon 57 yards. I wasn't even close 25 carries, 57 yards. So did Saquon get them there? In terms of carrying the load, he did that a lot of the season. But Jalen Hurts had a good playoff run. I think he silenced a lot of doubters. I think a lot of people forgot that in that Super Bowl a couple years ago he outplayed Patrick Mahomes. He was the best player on the field in that Super Bowl a couple years ago and I think this goes a long way to silence those doubters. When it comes to him, when it comes to him, when it comes to Nick Sirianni, he may be about to lose his offensive coordinator again in Kellen Moore. He's probably going to be heading to New Orleans. I wouldn't take that job if I were Kellen Moore, that's just me. But yeah, I mean, the Eagles didn't blitz man. That is an insane statistic, Like they got dominated and and the Chiefs offensive line has been a problem all year and ultimately, what I'm worried about is like this ends up being the catalyst for the next Chiefs uh, crack at a three-peat, you know, because they are a smart organization.
Speaker 1:I don't believe Patrick Mahomes. I don't think you believe Patrick Mahomes is going anywhere. Right? This may be the kick. They need to really address that offensive line, right? I mean, Chris Jones is getting up there in age. They're going to address that and find his replacement soon.
Speaker 1:And this is a team that I think will retool very quickly and I just hope that this hasn't awakened something in them, that you them that they just didn't have it this year, Even though they lose one regular season game where their starters played, and then get through the playoff, the AFC, just like they normally do, and then again ran into what I think is the best team in football this year. So the worry is that this does awaken something in them and they fix all of those issues, but it's not going to be easy, right, it's certainly not going to be easy, especially in the AFC. All those, the you know the same contenders are going to be back, and then there's always a few new teams that always present themselves. Hopefully, one of those teams will be Jacksonville. But yeah, man, but yeah man.
Speaker 1:I. Just the fact that the eagles defense didn't even really have to pressure him in terms of blitzing and vic fangio was like just go get him, just go eat and play your game and we'll be good. And that's exactly what happened. And the statistic as far as the blitzes and I think they only had one first down in the first half the Chiefs did they didn't even get to the Eagle side of the field until late into the third quarter. It was a dominating performance, Jay, and honestly, 40 to 22 years from now, like that score will not do justice to what a beatdown this was.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, and you mentioned, you know, the Chiefs, you know, and how quick they can retool. Well, they're partially already there, like, despite this beat down. It was things that I saw that still scares me, right, xavier Worthy, beating double coverage, right, and stuff like that. And I, you know, I was watching him at times, you know, and it was like, and I think he set a rookie record, by the way, for receivers I was watching him and it's like they are going to replace Tyreek Hill quicker than we believe. We wouldn't know about what a good rookie receiver looks like. Right, we got Brian Thomas Jr on our side, but that was one of the things that stood out to me and they've always been good.
Speaker 2:I mean, regardless, they've always been picking in the back of the first round anyway, and they still knock it out of the park. They still find the right answers. They're much like the Ravens in that sense, right, just, you know, sometimes taking the best available player, and it always works out. And Xavier Worthy is a, you know, a testament of that. They're rookie from this year, who I had on my fantasy team too, and he helped me out a good bit, but I think they're already well on the way of rebuilding, you know, and if they keep doing what they do picking in the back of the first round and, you know, getting the right people to spike, picking in the back of the first round, you know, y'all have heard me rave about that front office Brett Veach and Mike Borgonzi, who is now with the Titans, but still it always feels like they have somebody up next Right, even though they lose somebody from their front office each year.
Speaker 2:They lost Chris Ballard, right. They lost Ryan Poles and they still, you know, have been successful and been able to go to Super Bowl, so they, they're not going anywhere. I would think, now, you know, have been successful and been able to go to Super Bowls, so they don't, they're not going anywhere. I would think, now, you know, one thing that you kind of didn't mention there is, you know, replacing Travis Kelsey. You know is that that might be the hardest part of this whole thing is replacing him. But aside from that, they already have the wheels in motion in a lot of other areas that it won't be long before we're talking about them winning another Super Bowl, sooner rather than later.
Speaker 1:This is also this. You just talked about the draft. This is maybe the strongest tight end class in years.
Speaker 2:So there you go.
Speaker 1:So are they going to have to wait every?
Speaker 2:time I turn on.
Speaker 1:Uh, you know kuiper or mcshay or anybody these guys are talking about. What a strong, tight end class this is. You don't think they're gonna target travis kelsey's uh replacement in april, like they might not. They might not have to wait very long yeah, yeah, there you have it, man.
Speaker 2:So it would, to be honest with me, it wouldn't shock me with you know, now that you mentioned that, if they got two tight ends, to be honest with you. But I guess we'll have to find out. But yeah, I guess, now that you mention it, yeah, we'll be on tight end watching the draft for the chiefs to see who they get to replace travis kelsey and look, with our luck, right, he might have a season much like my guy. Why am I blanking on him? That went to the Raiders from UGA. Oh, brock Bowers. Yeah, like Brock Bowers. With our luck, whoever they choose might have a Brock Bowers-like season and they're back to where they were. So, yeah, man, we'll see and time will tell with how they rebuild.
Speaker 2:But congratulations to the Eagles, man. They are a team. You know that. Really, up until some years ago, you know, the Eagles weren't able to really win any Super Bowls. That was their first one. So for them to get their second one within some time of that, that's significant and congratulations to them. And yeah, man, can't wait until next year to see if we can dethrone one of those teams maybe.
Speaker 1:I'm going to pencil in University of Texas tight end Gunner Helm in like the third or fourth round to the Kansas City Chiefs. Let's revisit this in a couple of months and see if that prediction comes to fruition. But yeah, you know, the Eagles fan base not my favorite. They have been relatively cool with us, of course, because of the Doug Peterson thing, but there wasn't really a great outcome either way with these two teams. So the Eagles were, you know I was definitely pulling for them. There wasn't really a great outcome either way with these two teams. So the Eagles were. You know I was definitely pulling for them. I sealed my fate, jay or I sealed the chief's fate, I should say when I put $15 on them in the second quarter. Once that happened, there was no chance they were going to win. So you are welcome, philadelphia.
Speaker 1:You doomed them, just like you doomed the Lions when you were talking all that noise about being a secondary alliance, when I know I'm so sorry I'm so sorry, detroit, I will, I will stay away. So, um, but yeah, shout out to the eagles. And uh, yeah, football season's over, man, at least far as the the play on the field. But once again, one more topic. Before we talk about what, uh, the, uh, the coaching staff, I want to discuss here something very tragic that happened to me just a few weeks ago, jay, I mean, we're not even man, we're not even like two weeks away or two weeks removed from what happened.
Speaker 1:Now, for those of you that do not know, I went to high school in both jacksonville and dallas, so some of ninth and 10th grade in Jacksonville, some of it in Dallas. You know I moved a lot when I was younger, but my basketball fandom, my NBA fandom since 2001, which is the first time I moved to Dallas, has and always has been the Dallas Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki, michael Finley, steve Nash, head coach Donnie Nelson, or Don Nelson. You know that was I really attached myself to that squad and I had been. There's a saying within the fandom it's MFFL MavFan for life. I've been a MavFan for life and you guys know where this is going, of course. A couple of weeks ago in the middle of the night, jay, I'm minding my own business. I'm just. I think I'm in a discord chat with some friends and one of them was eric, you know, my co-host from the way for a podcast, and this shams notification comes across my screen that I am sure is fake, right?
Speaker 1:We all think there's absolutely no way this happened that the dallas mavericks have traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, and Luka Doncic, a top three talent in the NBA and let's be honest, he's not number three, he's number one or two and traded away to the Los Angeles Lakers for an aging superstar in Anthony Davis, can't stay healthy. He has already hurt got hurt in his first game in a Mavericks uniform and Max Christie, who was a good player but also one first-round pick, and I have not and will not recover from this because it is heartbreaking. And there's a whole lot of other drama unfolding around the Dallas Mavericks right now, between the ownership group, the general manager as well, well as the fans. We're not going to get into that. You can head over to my Twitter to find out. You know more about what's going on there, but I wanted to ask you, jay, what would be the equivalent? Do you think of what?
Speaker 1:Whether it be the Jaguars or any team of this happening, the only thing that I could relate it to is the jalen ramsey trade a few years ago and this, the luka donchish trade, was that multiplied by a hundred. Again, luka was supposed to be a guy that was supposed to be a maverick for life. We went from dirk novitski and transitioned into the luka donchish era. That doesn't happen in any sport. It just doesn't happen, and the only thing I could compare it to was the Jalen Ramsey trade. I know we were very heartbroken about that, so I want to know is there any player in any of your fandoms? You know you're a fan of quite a few different teams anything that you think could compare to what I am going through as a, for now, dallas Maverick fan and forever a Luka Doncic fan?
Speaker 2:No, you're right. I mean, the Jalen Ramsey thing is the closest thing that would be to that. You know, as an Atlanta Hawks fan, I worry often about Trey Young getting traded, but that still is not of the same magnitude of Luka getting traded. Now I mean, I will say this when dallas traded luca, that means that the hawks won the trade, the whole trade ordeal.
Speaker 1:For those of you who are, you know, into the nba yeah, you guys want to send them back, you want to send us straight I'm good.
Speaker 2:I'm good on it, man, um, but yeah, man, like I don't know what would be that gut wrenching I was. I was just puzzled and devastated for you when it happened. And, yeah, much like you, I was like this can't be real, right, you know, shams got hacked, whatever the case may be, and he doubled down and he was like no, this is for real, for real. And I was, like you know and I've said this many, many times, phil, I don't understand NBA trades like I understand NFL trades. But I knew instantly when that happened that it made not a lick of sense and that it was not good for the Dallas Mavericks.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I get it, anthony Davis is one of the better defenders in basketball if not the best defender in basketball, it depends on who you ask but that still didn't make a lick of sense because of Luka's age right, luka's ability on the offensive side of the ball and just from the standpoint of. They were in the finals with him and you could say his defense is a liability and all of that, but still, they were in the finals with him and without him. You have to feel like that will not be the case anymore. So, no, like you can't. It's hard to find an equivalent of that of losing somebody that talented right, like and I don't even think the Jaguars at the moment have anybody on their roster that talented right In terms of Luka being, like, arguably the best player in basketball, right, you know, so like I can't even think of a Jag scenario. You know that is even similar to that. You know. Here's what I came up with, jay a Jag scenario. You know that. That is even similar to that. You know, like I know.
Speaker 1:I came up with Jay. Sorry, sorry to cut you off, here's what I came up with Right. So in 2011, maurice Jones drew led the league. He had the rushing title. Right, 1,606 yards. Right. What if, after that season, they traded him for 2020? Adrian Peterson? Right, when he was 35 years old. Like we know, adrian Peterson is an all-time running back. Right. But if we got him in 2019 or 2020, as opposed to the height of his powers, right, like, that's the closest thing I can think of, like during that time frame of, like a jaguar player that we all, that was beloved, uh, and making that kind of deal right, right.
Speaker 2:So I mean, like I said, the. So when we talk about current jaguars, one guy that comes to mind that's as close to the top 100. You know, the top one of 100 players is probably josh allen, right, and you know, I guess it would be the equivalent of maybe trading him, for I don't know, man, like I'm trying to think of an agent in right now that you know who still makes some noise but like um, what's the guy on the like?
Speaker 1:dexter lawrence?
Speaker 2:uh, not dexter lawrence, demarcus lawrence on the cowboys like demarcus, right, right, yeah, yeah, it'll be the equivalent of that and the jazz saying, hey, we needed some more cap space, or whatever the case may be, like we all blow a gasket if that happened, right, so, like that's the the closest comparison you can make because you know he's probably the best player on the team, right, uh, but yeah, trading him for somebody like a agent demarcus lawrence or what's the, it's a defensive end. Um, is it preston smith? Uh, that's just hit the age of 30.
Speaker 1:Right, yeah, one of those guys, one of the Z'Darrius Smith, preston Smith, somebody like that. Yeah, yeah, right.
Speaker 2:Right, is it Darius or Preston Smith? Man, like we'd all be ticked, like that. Would you know that might put some people over the edge in terms of their Jaguars fandom. But yeah, man, I feel for you. Man, as I text, as I texted you in our thread, you know, I wish I was living in Jacksonville for that moment, because I would have me and you, I would have picked you up and we would have had to go to a bar or two. You know, because I felt your pain, man, because I, you know, I, live in fear every year that Trae Young might get traded. But that's another story for another time, man, but I feel your pain on that. And look, man, now that you know the Mavericks have broken your heart like you have, like they have just come on ahead. Jump on the Hawks wagon with us. Right, we're, we're ascending, we're building, all right. I know Jalen got hurt this year, but before Jalen got hurt we were on the right path. Jump on with a young team because we're coming, all right.
Speaker 1:So you guys just traded away everybody. I feel I feel like, uh, orlando would be a safer bet, that's closer, possibly, possibly. But yeah, jay, if you see me, if Jaguar fans out there, if you guys see me, and I'm just sad. That's why I offered to buy me a drink or something, because, yeah, I've definitely needed it, because it's heartbreaking. I spent, I'm still sad, I go back and forth between the phases of angry and sad and confused, and you know, all that anger is aimed at the, once again, the ownership group and all of that. So I never thought that in all of my fandoms in terms of ownership, that the Mavericks would be run the worst. For those of you that don't know, mark Cuban is no longer the majority owner of the team. He sold them his majority stake in 2023. So he is no longer around. He certainly would not have let that happen. But I digress, just wanted to bring that up and vent to you guys and let you know that I'm hurting and hopefully the the Jaguars can maybe, at least during the off season, make me feel a little bit better. But, jay, let's actually get to some Jacksonville Jaguar news here, because the coaching staff is complete. We have our guys in in terms of Liam Cohen staff. So, yeah, I'll just go down this list of names that we have here from the website. We have offensive coordinator Grant Yudinsky. Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanelli. Special teams coordinator Heath Farwell. Passing game coordinator Shane Waldron I'm sure we'll talk about that Quarterbacks coach Spencer Whipple.
Speaker 1:Offensive line coach Sean Serrett. Wide receivers coach Edgar Bennett. Tight ends coach returning, richard Angulo, chad Morton. Running backs coach. Offensive passing game specialist John Van Dam. Assistant wide receivers coach Tyler Tettleton. Defensive line coach Matt Edwards. Linebackers coach Tem Lukabu. Defensive backs coach Anthony Perkins. Secondary coach Ron Miles. Assistant defensive line coach Derek LeBlanc. Assistant linebackers coach Kevin Wilkins. Assistant defensive backs coach Drew Lascari. Defensive assistant Mario Jabarreal. Assistant special teams coach Luke Thompson. Assistant head coach Jay Kaiser and assistant to the head coach Elizabeth Harrison. So if I butchered some of those names, I genuinely apologize, but that's our coaching staff, jay, there are some rumors in terms of bringing in maybe a veteran coach to kind of walk Liam Cohen through this process. We'll talk about that maybe a little bit later in this episode, but what do you think about the staff that, uh, coach Cohen has assembled here? Uh, in terms of these names and even some returning names as well from the previous regime?
Speaker 2:uh, yeah, I mean I have some, some concerns with that offensive staff. As you said, we will start with shane waldron. The good thing is, you know, obviously liam cohen's calling the plays. He's already said that, he's already established that. But I just haven't come away impressed with what the bears built and a lot of what drew me to just looking at the Bears organization and you know what they built and how things have gone for them. It's because of the discussions we've been having about getting Ian Cunningham and that's why he's one of the guys that I mean I like, but I'm not as high on as others. When you look at the makeup of the Bears Now, granted, ryan Poles is the, you know, head honcho. He's the top GM there, so his imprint is more on the staff than Cunningham's. But also, you know, I looked at, you know just how things went for them throughout the season. I just wasn't really impressed with, you know, shane Waldron as aron, as an offensive coordinator for the Bears. I think, yeah, he was the offensive coordinator for them. So that's concerning. Now what I will say is not only do we not have to worry about that too much, because Liam is going to be calling the plays, but Shane Waldron did at one point draw the play scripts for Sean McVay and the reason that's important. I know you all saw the video with the other gentleman that we interviewed for the OC role. That's escaping me right now, but, that being said, that video highlighted all of the people that wrote scripts for Sean McVay and a lot of them have gone on to have success right as in being a head coach. You know, zach Taylor is a head coach now, as a few others, and Liam was one of the people that held that role as well. He's now a head coach. So you know, when you write scripts for Sean McVay and you know study under him for a little bit, you do come out of that situation at least a decent, offensive mind. Maybe not offensive, you know, coordinator caliber or whatever the case may be, but you know, I think that is significant and that may have been what gravitated Liam towards him. Obviously, they're all from the same tree and they know each other, so that's another reason. So so that was one of the head scratchers on the staff.
Speaker 2:For me, that'll be one we'll watch heading forward, because we are coming off a situation where we had an assistant in Press Taylor, which a lot of us didn't like, and it's funny because we basically swapped Press Taylor out for Shane Waldron. Speaking of the devil right. We switched Press Taylor out for Shane Waldron Speaking of the devil right. We switched Press Taylor out for Shane Waldron. And no, press Taylor's not the devil, by the way, it was a joke. So we basically switched the most hated coaches on both staffs out for each other. So that was a concern. Also, sean Surrett is another one I wasn't like super impressed with, although he is coming from a Vikings team where you know he was under Coach McConnell. So there's that.
Speaker 2:But at the same time, when you look at I looked it up on PFF when you look at where the Vikings offensive line finished, they were just ahead of the Jaguars last year, like literally the spot ahead of them. The Jaguars were 19th and the Vikings were 18th. Now, granted, they went through some injuries. Obviously, they lost their left tackle I think it was it Darasaw that they lost because they had to trade camp with us for Cam Robinson. So obviously that might have messed their numbers up a little bit.
Speaker 2:Uh, so you know, if that's the case we might have a better coach then I'm giving him credit, for we'll see in time. We'll tell um. But yeah, just learning under coach um. O'connell, um, for a little bit. You know you could never like overlook that because he is a bright offensive mind in this game. Edgar Bennett, I love that addition. Right, we're getting somebody back in the city of Jacksonville that was born and raised in Jacksonville. He went to Lehigh, went to Florida State, so that's a great story in itself. He's coached some notable names Devontae Adams, obviously. Greg Jennings, because he was with the Packers for some time. James Jones, who we see on TV all the time, who's on Fox Sports now.
Speaker 1:That's the former running back too right. J Edgar Bennett Former.
Speaker 2:Bears back. Yeah, yeah he was a former running back.
Speaker 1:He used to kill it on game day. Remember NFL game day when there were multiple football games, Right yeah, that's the Edgar Bennett right.
Speaker 2:Jordy Nelson was another wide receiver that he coached. At one point in time he elevated himself to become an offensive coordinator for the Packers. So you know you're looking at a guy with potential offensive coordinator potential down the road, you know, if it ever came to Liam wanting to give the job to somebody else. So I like that addition of him. I also the idea of retaining coach Heath Farwell Me and you have joked about it, but, as you said, we kind of were serious about us having the top specialties in football and he's a key part of that Right. You know, it wouldn't surprise me if we ended up next year with the best special teams in the NFL, like period. If Parker Washington can hold on to the ball and stop fumbling, they probably can have the best special teams in football, and he is a key reason for it. So I was glad to keep him, as well as keeping Richard Angulu, former Jaguars tight end. He was actually a decent tight end for the Jags on the Jack Del Rio too, by the way, but keeping him. He formally came from the Ravens. I mean, obviously Evan Ingram, you know, although he went through the injury last year, it's been solid. Luke Farrell has been solid. The growth of Brenton Strange how can you overlook that as well? So that was a good retention, or good to retain him as well, and some of these other guys you know. It'll be interesting to see where their careers go.
Speaker 2:With the Jacksonville Jaguars, with Coach Udinski, you know one of the things that, of course, stood out very, very young but at the same time very, very detailed, right, and you know, very, very close to his quarterbacks and the people on his offense. You shared that story, by the way, phil. I think it was from the Minnesota's, you know, their most notable newspaper. So that was a great article and that was refreshing to read. So, as you said, it'll be interesting to see the relationship that he builds with Trevor Lawrence.
Speaker 2:And look man, you got to be real special to be an offensive coordinator before you hit 30, right, you're talking about people that are, you know, essentially offensive prodigies, kind of you know what it reminds me of and he hasn't gotten to this level yet, obviously but just kind of how Sean McVay was working his way up the ranks as a young, offensive mind before he even became the head coach for the Rams. So you know, maybe we're looking at a similar path and a similar mind with him, and time will tell. But you know it'll be interesting because and Evan Ingram even said it's like Grant is younger than Ingram, so a lot of our players, or some of our players, are going to be learning from, basically, a coordinator that's younger than them. So that'll always be an interesting dynamic to watch. But I am excited about that hire and I think the Jaguars may have struck gold with that, but time will tell on it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, the Udinski hire I am really excited about. You talked about that article, jay, and shout out to Danieliel griffiths he was the one who originally had shared it from the, uh, the star tribune just seemed like a go-to guy for kevin o'connell, you know a guy that was always right there with jj mccarthy. Now, unfortunately, of course, jj mccarthy's rookie season, uh, didn't even get off the ground. He got hurt before it started. But the fact that, you know, it seemed like those two were kind of in lockstep the entire time, it's got to be. It's really exciting for Trevor, you know, and also just the offense in general. So really excited about that.
Speaker 1:Anthony Campanelli you guys have seen the clip, right, everyone has seen that. And then a guy that looks like he is just ready to get to work and didn't even give us a Duval in his little introductory video, right, didn't even do any of that. He's like I'm not here for any of that, I'm ready to go hit some people, right? So, yeah, the Shane Waldron thing is interesting. Like you said, we just swapped Press Taylor and Shane Waldron, which is just really, really funny in the grand scheme of things, since, for some reason, you know, bears fans have this have been really upset with the Jaguars for what seems like no reason Again, because Ben Johnson chose them.
Speaker 1:I'll stand by it that the Bears were Ben Johnson's second choice, and if Shad Khan had just done the right thing early on, I think Ben Johnson would be our head coach. But that's all in the past. We don't care about that now, unlike the Chicago Bears. But overall, jay, I mean there are definitely some names on here that I'm very excited about. But yeah, also, you know, just from what I've been hearing from you and some other people, some concerning additions as well.
Speaker 2:But we'll see if they they're able to put it all together and see what we get out of Liam Cohen and his staff in year one. Yeah, you mentioned somebody that I missed there, and how could I? He's probably the loudest person within the coaching staff, you know, he's our new Joe Cullen. But Anthony Campanelli and, yeah, man, like I enjoy watching the Packers' packers defense right, and especially in the trenches. It felt. It felt like they had four individuals that could be, you know, just could play like a pro bowler on any given day, and that's a lot of what helped them make a lot of noise is just what they did in the trenches. They're four starting guys, or you know, they're the guys that were atop their depth chart and Kenny Clark and you know, devontae Wyatt and others like that. And Rashawn Gary that's another one that I'm missing there, the kid, what's his name? Kingsley? I butcher his last name all the time, but Kingsley, number 55. He's pretty pretty good as well too, and he's an ascending player at that. But yeah, all of that said, man, like that Packers defense was fun to watch. It's a lot of guys that you know, especially in the secondary right, that will hit the free agent market or free agency market, and you know we've been talking about them, especially with how we perform at the cornerback position that we could be looking at that you know could come in and help us in the secondary. So I wouldn't be surprised if that relationship of Coach Campanelli kicks into effect during the free agency period, because you know that always does. That's always the case with assistants and players you bring in. So, yeah, it'll be exciting to see how you know not only that, but or if they go for anybody in free agency, but just how they fix that secondary in general, because it was, it was terrible, right, like it's a lot of work that needs to be done there, even more so than in the trenches, right, phil, which we mentioned a lot. Um, you know, the trenches just need some help in the interior.
Speaker 2:I feel like we need a whole new secondary, almost right, tyson Campbell hasn't lived up to his contract, which this is coming from a Georgia fan and I'm hoping he does, but to this point he hasn't lived up to his contract, has dealt with a lot of injuries. You know they couldn't find the answer on the other side of him. They tried, you know, multiple options there. It was a turnstile over there. Andre Sisco just took a leap off of a cliff, you know added a little bit too much weight. That probably hurt him.
Speaker 2:But like, I'm not really super high on bringing him back next year and that's crazy to say because coming out of Syracuse I love the guy right. So he's a free agent this year and you know I have a hard time saying like, yeah, let's, let's run it back with him, you know. So it's a lot of answers, that safety that needs to be answered as well. So I think that's going to be where I watch, you know, in terms of what Campanelli can bring in or I guess it's not up to him, but what he'll request and what he can get out of the secondary additions that we make in the future Huge bummer man.
Speaker 1:I bought his jersey. I was all bought into Andre Sisco and his potential, as a lot of people were. So we'll see if the staff in terms of not just the coaching staff but also the front office and the general manager's office if they see enough in Andre Sisco to bring him back. I do think that maybe the film from 2023 is enough for a team to bring him in on a flyer. You know, I don't think he's going to command too much in the open market, but they'll have to look at that and see if maybe they, if they feel like they can get him right, you know. And then antonio johnson he was all over the place. So, yeah, turnstile is the right, the right terminology there.
Speaker 1:When it comes to the secondary man, because, um, yeah, you feel relatively good about the front seven, we're interested to see what this change in coaching staff means for Devin Lloyd. You've got to hope that he can get right, but we'll see. Man, there's a lot to be enthusiastic about when it comes to this coaching staff. But also, you hope that liam cohen is in the vein of like a dan campbell, where if something isn't working then he's not afraid to pivot right. That's how ben johnson ended up as oc, you know. So hopefully he is that kind of guy that can make adjustments on the fly and also know when to stick with things and also when to move on, which is something we didn't see, obviously, from Doug Peterson.
Speaker 1:But, jay, we know we have a draft season coming up, as I alluded to in the beginning of the episode, and we're still on that general manager hunt as well, so we'll see how that goes over the course of the next few weeks. Is there anything else you want to mention about this coaching staff or anything jaguar related? Before we wrap up for the week? And you know, just see what happens next. We're in a little bit of a waiting period with this team, but also uh, you know it's, it's an exciting time, uh, right now, to be a jaguar fan, which hasn't necessarily been the case as much lately nah, that's it, man, we covered it all.
Speaker 2:Um, yeah, can't wait to do that gm announcement episode. We might even do a space um me and stodge. So, uh, yeah, be on the lookout. Shout out to everybody who has uh dropped in on the space, um, especially youtube phil. You have popped in aaron, so on and so forth. So shout outs to everybody who's been jumping in on that. And yeah, man, um can't wait to uh for draft season. We finally have a draft season without Trent Baalke, where we don't have to mark people off for arm length and because they don't have this trait or that trait, right? So it's going to make for a fun draft season. It's gonna make for a fun mock draft season. We'll put some mock drafts out just to, as we always do, just to kind of get everybody's reactions.
Speaker 1:And, yeah, man can't wait to um to get this off season officially kicked off, man yeah, it is an exciting time to be working with some real adults in the room for the first time in a long time. But thank you guys so much for tuning into this episode uh, the first post super bowl episode of the year, as we turn our attention fully towards, of course, the gm search, but also the nfl draft, like jay just mentioned. Make sure you check out the link tree link in the show notes of each and every single episode. You'll find everything you need. Follow us ontree link in the show notes of each and every single episode. You'll find everything you need. Follow us on social media. You'll find both Jay and I's personal pages as well as the podcast page. And, yeah, make sure you check out the website as well touchdownjaguarscom. But, folks, that is my co-host, james Johnson. I am Phil Smith, and do not forget to tune in to touchdown Jaguars for each and every Jaguar touchdown and we will see you next time.