by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
The goals for both are the same.
The fans want to see the Jacksonville Jaguars back in the playoffs and Head Coach Jack Del Rio wants to guide the team there.
But he understands the tall task next year’s schedule presents.
Del Rio spoke to the media Tuesday at EverBank Field to recap the 2010 season and offered his plans for 2011 after owner Wayne Weaver decided Monday to retain him as head coach.
“We set our goals at the beginning of every season and one of those goals is to be in the postseason tournament,” said Del Rio.
“We are disappointed we are not in the postseason tournament this year. Everybody wants more. (The media) wants more. The fans want more. Mr. Weaver wants more. Our players and our coaches want more. What I want is a (Super Bowl) ring. I was fortunate to have been able to put on a ring and I want that again,” he said.
Del Rio was a linebackers coach with the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV. He became the Jaguars head coach in 2003.
Del Rio said he was not satisfied with the results of the last two seasons. “This is not about survival. It’s about winning, winning championships,” he said.
He discussed with Weaver Monday how the team can reach that level and one of the issues they agreed on was giving defensive coordinator Mel Tucker the responsibility of calling plays on game day.
“It’s the right thing to allow (Tucker) to do more and more,” said Del Rio. “I can be more of an effective head coach by handing that responsibility over to Mel.”
Just as the offensive and defensive lines have been targeted for improvement in the past, the defense will receive the focus this offseason. The Jaguars will be looking for impact players in the areas of linebacker and secondary.
“We will fortify that area this offseason,” said Del Rio.
Del Rio understood that the team needs to improve to make the playoffs next year, but he also knows the schedule won’t get any easier.
The Jaguars played 10 games the past season against opponents that finished the season at or below .500, and the Jaguars finished at .500 with an 8-8 record.
Teams can change from season to season, but the 2011 schedule includes the usual two games against Indianapolis as well as home games against the Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and road games against the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons.
All but two of the teams made the playoffs this season, and San Diego finished at 9-7 and Tampa Bay at 10-6.
Though home games against top teams like the Ravens, Saints and Chargers, and homegrown Tampa Bay, may be an easier sell for the ticket office, Jaguar fans don’t want to pay to see their team lose.
“Who understands (the fans’ frustration) more than me?” said Del Rio. “I’m like the turkey at Thanksgiving. I’m all in.”
Del Rio said the fans’ frustration meant they cared.
“We have a very passionate fan base, and that’s great. It means the fans are engaged with the team. We want that,” said Del Rio.
The team responded to this season’s “Revive the Pride” drive by Team Teal, an organization created to spark renewed interest and vitality in the Jacksonville Jaguars, with an 8-5 record with three games left and a chance to win the division.
But the road trip to Indianapolis started a three-game losing streak to finish the season.
“I’m not going to make excuses. At the end of the day, we didn’t get it done in Indy. We just didn’t seize the opportunity,” said Del Rio.
“The Redskins game ... I’ve got to do a better job getting our guys ready to win that last home game. I wanted that last home game more than anything for our fans,” he said.
Del Rio wanted to reward all the fans who joined Team Teal this season to support the hometown team through the purchase of season tickets.
“The way we started off the year with signing EverBank for the field, and Team Teal being led by Carl Cannon and Tony Boselli, was great. There’s no question it had a positive impact on the team,” said Del Rio.
“(The Jaguars) were able to play in front of packed stadiums and we didn’t have any blackouts. The fans’ efforts were greatly appreciated,” he said.
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