• If you were anything but a Jag fan, it was a fun game to watch. But you’re a Jag fan, so you have to take the end-of-the-game, 24-21 loss to Baltimore and start preparing to wait ‘til next year.
• Jag Coach Tom Coughlin must have been in shock because he seemed quite cool during his postgame news conference, where often he snaps at the media even when he’s won. He used words like “incredible” and “unbelieveable” and aimed any darts at the refereeing, which was questionable many times.
• That sign in the sky wasn’t one that the National Football League likes to see. The banner behind an airplane advertised“Sportsbook.com,” a European-based betting service that lets you place bets on a credit card account. The NFL has a big anti-gambling campaign.
• Fans seem to be adjusting to the new security rules that went into effect after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Lines into the stadium moved quickly and, according to one ticket taker, fans were leaving prohibited items, such as large bags and camera cases, at home.
• More security: any reporter with a laptop had to turn it on before he was allowed to take it to the press box, and even then it was marked with his name and it had to stay in his possession. Reason: at the last home game, an unattended camera bag raised concerns and the bomb squad was called. The owner of the bag was a photographer who was busy taking pictures.
• The turnout was 53,530 but there was little enthusiasm. Should be different next game when the Green Bay Packers show for a Monday night game. The usual fanfare will accompany the game, including a Rotary club address by NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue.
• Though the game was technically a “sellout,” finding a ticket, or block of tickets was no problem. Those selling tickets far outnumbered potential buyers.
• Some of the early-arriving fans were treated to Ravens defensive lineman Tony Siragusa — all 340-plus pounds — kicking field goals during pregame warmups, using his left foot. He made a couple, too.
• Jaguars fans won’t have Jonathan Quinn to kick around much longer, says Jaguars Inside Report senior editor Vic Ketchman. Quinn, a free agent at the end of the season, will play elsewhere next season, says Ketchman, who thinks Quinn will be very successful with another team because all his problems here are “mental.”
• Look alikes: Jaguars defensive end Tony Brackens and heavyweight boxing champ Lennox Lewis.
• Maybe defensive lineman Larry Smith is working his way out of Coach Tom Coughlin’s doghouse. Smith, who was on the inactive list for the last couple of games after a locker room brawl, was in uniform Sunday. He was also featured in Up Close & Personal section of Jaguars GameDay program.
• Ravens coach Brian Billick was sporting a swollen, bloody nose at his post-game news conference. He was head-butted by Tony Siragusa following the winning touchdown.
— by Jeff Brooks and Fred Seely