by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
“I was a trailer guy so I’ve been here a long time,” said Gene Smith, Jacksonville Jaguars general manager and senior vice president of Player Personnel to introduce himself to the Rotary Club of Jacksonville at its meeting Monday.
He was referring to his first days with the organization during the construction of the new stadium in 1994. Team administration and staff started out in a single construction trailer that soon became many as the operation grew before the team’s inaugural season.
Smith started with the team as a college scout and was promoted to director of college scouting in 2000. In 2008, he was named executive director of college and pro personnel prior to his elevation to GM and V.P. last January.
“I’ve had a part in every player the team has ever had and I take pride in that,” said Smith.
He related the story of how he was hired and the part Tom Coughlin, the team’s first head coach, played in his career.
“It was on a Tuesday a few days before I was getting married,” said Smith. “Tom Coughlin wanted to interview me so I flew to Jacksonville and spent five hours here. The next day when I was back home I got a call from Coughlin. He said he wanted to hire me but he wanted me to start work on Monday. I had to remind him I was getting married and then we were going on our honeymoon.”
Less than a month before the first preseason game, the presentation naturally turned to football and the Jaguars’ prospects for the upcoming season. Smith said the personnel changes made by the team including the departure of running back Fred Taylor and a fresh class of rookie players means 2009 will usher in a new era for the team.
“I have a great deal of respect for Fred Taylor but there were things that needed to be done to retool the roster. In addition to the draft we’re bringing in a positive veterans presence. Newness brings positive energy to a football team,” he said then added every player signing may not ultimately work out for the team.
“When you’re out there trying to hit home runs you’ll also strike out a lot.”
Smith said he’s “cautiously optimistic” about the Jaguars’ 2009 season and reminded the audience that the NFL is a year-to-year league.
“A team that is 1-15 one year can be in the playoffs the next year,” said Smith.
Expect the team to go back to its roots this season. The game plan is to play to the strengths that led to success a few seasons ago.
“We’re going back to who we are and that’s running the football,” he said. “Football is a very combative game and running the ball gives you the chance to throw the ball. Running also takes possessions away from your opponent.”
He also addressed this season’s challenge to sell tickets. The team has already announced that preseason home games will not be televised and there’s a chance at least some regular season games will not be available on Jacksonville-market television.
“Ticket sales are an issue around the league. With the current economy people don’t have money to do things they’d like to do. We respect the situation people are in,” said Smith.
To stimulate Jaguars ticket sales and to partner with Rotary International, club member Kevin Cook announced a Rotary Dist. 6970 ticket drive. For each ticket sold, he said, the Jaguars will donate $10 to Rotary International’s campaign to eradicate polio.
“All of us in Jacksonville need to support the Jaguars this season,” said Cook.
Like Smith, club president Steve Bacalis also shared a memory of football season 15 years ago. He said Bob Hayes, who was president of the club during the Jaguars’ first season, began each meeting with a cheer: “How about our Jaguars.”
“We were excited about the team then and we’re just as excited now,” said Bacalis.
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