Category: Urban Meyer

Ian Rapoport discusses Tim Tebow’s chances of making the team, potential role

Though it was assumed Tim Tebow was a long shot to make the Jags’ final roster, Ian Rapoport seems to think he has a pretty good chance.

Of all the new additions to Jacksonville’s roster this offseason, the one that seems to be capturing the league’s attention the most is a fifth-string tight end who hasn’t been on an active NFL roster since 2012.

Most of the national media has treated Tim Tebow like a sideshow since he arrived at Jags camp, but the 33-year-old former professional baseball player has quietly gotten to work. In an appearance on the “Pat McAfee Show,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said that from what he’s heard, Tebow’s chances of making the team are fairly high.

“Is he going to make the team?” Rapoport said.”I was told 50/50. But he’s got the head coach in his corner, he’s obviously being brought on for a reason… they watched multiple workouts. I would imagine they think that he’s going to make it if they sign him.”

Rapoport also further propagated a rumor that was first reported by ESPN’s Dianna Russini, which claims that Tebow could see a role similar to the one held by Taysom Hill in New Orleans.

Hill, who lines up at receiver, tight end, on special teams, and even at quarterback at times, is generally considered a tight end or H-back, though there isn’t a good term to describe his role.

“I do think we’re going to see Tebow do that,” Rapoport said.

Though when he was signed he seemed like a longshot to make the team, it seems that Tebow may be doing enough at camp to earn a spot on the final 53-man roster.

That could, of course, be a bad sign for the development of players like James O’Shaughnessy and Chris Manhertz, but it could also mean that, as Rapoport suggested, coach Urban Meyer has something else in mind for his former player. Either way, Tebow’s odds of being on the roster this fall seem to improve by the day.

Watch: Urban Meyer, Charlie Strong aid Chris Jericho during AEW pay-per-view

Members of the Jags’ organization have once again made a cameo in for AEW.

When Urban Meyer joined the Jacksonville Jaguars, fans knew it was only a matter of time before he made a cameo on All Elite Wrestling. He did just that Sunday for the wrestling league’s pay-per-view entitled “Double or Nothing” in the show’s Stadium Stampede matchup between The Inner Circle (led by Chris Jericho) and The Pinnacle (led by MJF).

In a nutshell, the goal for such a match is to utilize the whole venue (or most of it) and fall count anywhere. The means the fight could go anywhere in TIAA Bank Field (pools, field, kitchen, Daily’s Place, coaches offices, etc.) and could be ended there, too.

Somehow, the circumstance led to MJF and Jericho getting caught up in a 1-on-1 situation that ended up in Meyer’s office as he and Charlie Strong were going over some things. While Jericho gained the upper hand, Strong and Meyer gave him some help (giving him some handy weapons) and eventually witnesses the wrestling legend toss his rival out of the office’s back door.

Jericho proceeded through the office and told both coaches to have a great season. Watching it all in astonishment, Meyer’s response was simply ‘Holy s—.’

Afterward, Jericho spoke on the experience and said he thoroughly enjoyed the scene and that Meyer and strong did a great job.

“He was super awesome,” Jericho said Sunday. “And the best part was when we said, ‘do you mind saying holy s–t?’ And I thought he’d say no, he was like ‘yeah I’ll say it.’ I was like that’s great. … Like a great action move there’s a little levity. The Urban Meyer scene was great. We played it straight so it’s not ha-ha slap-stick comedy, and he was one of the highlights for sure. It was a lot of fun.”

It’s been a crazy start to the season for Meyer in his first months in the NFL and the Jags have certainly had their share of moments in the headlines. Then again, it just wouldn’t feel right for fans to witness a regular offseason and they are clearly used to it at this point.

Could Tim Tebow fill a Taysom Hill-like role in Jacksonville?

Tim Tebow’s role with the Jaguars could look a lot like the one that Taysom Hill has occupied in New Orleans, according to a report.

When it was announced that the Jacksonville Jaguars would be signing 33-year-old Tim Tebow to play tight end (a position he’s never played at a high level), it was assumed to be a reflection of Jacksonville’s desperation to find an answer at the position. But according to a recent report, it seems the team might have other plans for the former quarterback.

On ESPN’s “Get Up!” episode on Thursday morning, Dianna Russini reported that league sources have expressed to her that Urban Meyer may be looking to use Tebow like the New Orleans Saints use Taysom Hill (as a wildcat quarterback).

“There are those in the league who think Urban Meyer is bringing Tebow in to play QB at that Taysom Hill role,” Russini said. “Using him in that wildcat as we’ve seen him use in the past.

“Take a look at all of those different offenses [that Meyer coached]. It actually makes a lot of sense. So, yes, he may be on the roster as a tight end, but there maybe more to this Tebow experiment than him playing that position.”

 

A quarterback in college at BYU, Hill has seen action all over the field for the Saints since he was claimed off waivers by the team in 2017 after going undrafted. He’s lined up at receiver, tight end, running back, and returner in addition to playing quarterback as the backup to Drew Brees.

With Brees now retired, Hill will compete for the Saints’ starting job with Jameis Winston and Ian Book, the team’s fourth-round pick, in 2021. In total, Hill has 809 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground to go with 336 yards and seven touchdowns through the air. He’s also thrown four career touchdown passes.

Tebow almost certainly won’t get the chance to see action at quarterback like Hill did with C.J. Beathard and Gardner Minshew representing very solid backup options to Trevor Lawrence. But he could be a similar utility player to Hill that could contribute all over the field.

That may be a bit ambitious for a guy who hasn’t been on a 53-man roster in nine years, and Tebow’s chances of making the team in any capacity are pretty slim given the number of offensive playmakers Jacksonville already has.

But if he’s able to contribute anywhere on the field (including the tight end position he was originally signed to play), Meyer may be able to justify giving him a spot on the final roster.

Brandon Linder approves of Urban Meyer’s approach to give Jags players the resources they need

The Jags’ team captains continue to praise the job Urban Meyer has done by putting the team in position to flourish.

Jacksonville Jaguars center Brandon Linder has been apart of three coaching changes with the team, dating back to the time he was drafted and took the field with Gus Bradley and his staff. Since, he’s seen Bradley and the coach who replaced him, Doug Marrone, both fired and now is playing for his third coach in Urban Meyer.

In Thursday’s media session, Linder shared his first public thought about his new coach in Meyer, and like many of his teammates, he likes what he’s seen so far. Despite the team’s limited time with Meyer, Linder told the media that he’s been great about giving the players the resources they need to succeed, something the past regimes struggled with.

“The difference [is] we’re changing the culture, that’s for sure,” Linder said. “He’s been giving us everything that we need to succeed, and we haven’t had that around here in a while. But he asks it from us when we get on the field and that’s what we’ve been doing. We’ve been putting in work and it’s been good. Everyone’s been trusting the process and buying in to the culture.”

Linder’s statements echoed those of some of the Jags’ other team leaders like Myles Jack and Josh Allen, but to hear him mention the lack of player relations in the past is telling. This is also a huge nugget because many feel Meyer could have a hard time with his locker room after the signing of Tebow.

Of course, Linder was also asked about the plans for the former Gators quarterback, but warned the media to pump the breaks on those discussions as there is a lot that needs to be established first.

“I think it’s one step at a time and see what happens,” said Linder. “Before you start having those conversations, you’ve got to feel where he’s at on the depth chart. So, obviously, it’s only been a couple days, so we have not had that conversation as an offensive staff yet.”

Only time will tell how the Tebow project works out for himself and the locker room, but for the time being, it seems as though the top veterans on the Jags’ roster are buying in on Meyer’s plan.

Watch: Media gets first look at Tim Tebow doing TE drills with Jags

The local media finally got a glimpse of Tim Tebow working out at his new position with the Jags.

It’s been a week since the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Tim Tebow, and so far,  some in the building like Trevor Lawrence have come out to say that he’s at least in great shape. However, the media got their first glimpse at the former Gator on the field for themselves Thursday as Tebow did tight end drills with his teammates and worked on his catching.

In this phase of organized team activities, teams focus on gradually installing plays, conditioning, and mechanics, so this isn’t the moment where players are heavily critiqued. Still, one thing that can be taken away from these videos is that Tebow looks like he’s in great physical shape, something Urban Meyer and Trevor Lawrence have hinted at. While fans can identify tight ends who are taller at the position league-wide easily, Tebow doesn’t look like he’s lacking in the weight department (Jags have him listed at 245 pounds).

Only time will tell if Tebow looks like he belongs as things ramp up. When asked to speak on Tebow, Meyer said he’s seen improvement from Tebow over his brief time with the team but noted that it’s still a new process for the former quarterback. Meyer then proceeded to shift the focus by praising Jags tight ends coach Tyler Bowen for his work with the group as a whole and specifically praising James O’Shaughnessy and Ben Ellefson for their improvements.

Tim Tebow’s deal is a 1-year deal worth the NFL’s minimum for veterans

The details of Tim Tebow’s contract have been revealed, and he will make the veteran minimum salary of $920,000 with nothing guaranteed.

The details of the contract for quarterback-turned-tight end Tim Tebow have been revealed, and unsurprisingly, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed the two-time national champion and former Heisman Trophy-winner to the veteran minimum, per NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Tebow will be on a one-year, $920,000 deal that includes no guaranteed money and an injury split, meaning his salary would drop below the league minimum if he ends up on the injured reserve.

Considering he has no experience playing tight end since his freshman year of high school, it was expected that Tebow would be given a “prove it” contract, and it’s not like he particularly needs the money. Just from his professional contracts alone, Bleacher Report estimates that he’s made over $10 million.

That doesn’t even include endorsement deals or his broadcasting contract with ESPN, the details of which aren’t publicly available but it’s presumably a lucrative deal. This experiment is clearly not about the money for Tebow, who could very well see none if he fails to make the team.

Rather, it seems coach Urban Meyer’s former quarterback at Florida is simply itching for a chance to get back into high-level football however he can. His odds of making the team remain very slim, but if it works out, he will be an incredibly cheap rostered player in Jacksonville.

New episode of ‘The Hunt’ explains why Trevor Lawrence pick took so long

We now know the reason why it took so long for the Jaguars to make their selection of quarterback Trevor Lawrence official on draft night.

There was very little mystery surrounding the first overall pick during the pre-draft process. Though the Jacksonville Jaguars tried (in vain) to shroud their decision-making, all signs pointed to the team taking Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Coach Urban Meyer helping Lawrence organize his early pro-day dispelled any remaining questions about the team’s intentions.

But Jags fans who were anxious to hear Lawrence’s name called on draft night may remember that the team took quite a bit of time before announcing the pick. Many may have just assumed that the team was trying to make the selection more dramatic, but as it turns out, the actual explanation is much more practical (and hilarious).

According to “The Hunt,” the documentary series released by the team recapping the draft, phone issues made it difficult for the team to get in touch with Lawrence.

“When the league called, they said you have to wait seven minutes to turn in the card, so we didn’t pick up the phone to call him,” general manager Trent Baalke said. “He’s sitting on his end wondering why we haven’t called him.”

Apparently, the team tried to call Lawrence several times and received an automated voicemail message.

“After about three tries, we’re getting nervous,” owner Shad Khan said. “And Urban said, ‘I’m getting on my cell phone right now.'”

The third time was the charm, and Lawrence answered the call from Meyer. Clearly, the concern as the clock ticked away was felt on both ends.

“I’m anxious,” Lawrence said as he answered the call.

But that anxiety was unnecessary. With connectivity issues sorted out, the Jaguars could finally go through the formality of turning in their card for Lawrence. Though the timing was a little too close for comfort, the Jaguars avoided what would have been one of the most embarrassing moments in NFL history.

It seems even cell service can’t stop what Meyer and Co. are building in Jacksonville.

Tim Tebow merchandise holds top-5 spots on NFL store

Tim Tebow has only been on the Jaguars roster for one day, and he already claims the top five spots on the official NFL store.

If the plan for the Jacksonville Jaguars in signing Tim Tebow was to keep things as low-key and team-focused as possible, the fans didn’t get the memo on that one. Just a day after the former Heisman-winning quarterback agreed to terms with Jacksonville as a tight end, his merchandise is dominating the NFL store.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the top-five selling items on the official NFL shop are all Tebow-related merchandise, including his new No. 85 jersey (despite the fact that this is just the jersey he was assigned for the first day of practice and could change later).

The five items that are specifically atop the NFL’s list of highest selling items are Tebow’s men and women alternate jerseys, his youth jerseys, and numbered t-shirts. This comes weeks after Trevor Lawrence doubled the record of Day 1 draft selection jersey sales.

Critics of the decision to bring on Tebow have argued that this move was made simply for attention, or, more likely, because of the prior relationship coach Urban Meyer has for his former player. When looking at the frenzy to purchase Tebow-related Jaguars merchandise, it validates a lot of those arguments.

But, to their credit, most of this hype has been created independent of Tebow and the Jags. Meyer hasn’t spoken in great detail about the decision to bring Tebow in, and aside from a short statement he released through the Jaguars upon signing, the two-time national title-winning passer has been silent, as well.

Though he clearly has fan support behind him, Tebow’s chances of making the team remain fairly slim. But Jacksonville still needs tight end help, and it may not take much for Tebow to prove to Meyer that he’s deserving of a roster spot.

Tim Tebow officially signs contract to join Jags

After weeks of a rumored return, Tim Tebow is joining the Jags as a TE as the are in Phase 2 of offseason workouts.

Tim Tebow is officially a tight end for the Jacksonville Jaguars – at least for the moment. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the former first round pick signed a contract with the team and will join them as they are currently in Phase 2 of offseason workouts.

Tebow, 33, will now join his former college coach from his time with the Florida Gators in Urban Meyer, who has now jumped to the NFL. His signing comes after retiring from baseball after a stint where he reached Class AAA for the New York Mets. He initially began that journey in 2016 after trying out the NFL as a quarterback.

Tebow’s NFL career, on the other hand, started in 2010, as he was drafted by the Denver Broncos as a first round selection. In 2012 he was eventually traded to the New York Jets and also had stints with the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles during the preseasons of 2013 and 2015, respectively.

Tebow, who has never played tight end in the NFL, joins the Jags as they could use a pass-catching threat at the position. During the offseason they signed Chris Manhertz and drafted Luke Farrell, both of whom are known as blockers. Last season, Farrell accumulated just five catches for 37 yards with Ohio State, while Manhertz had one more catch than him for 52 yards with the Carolina Panthers.

The other notable tight end on the Jags’ roster is James O’Shaughnessy, who re-signed with them this offseason. His return comes after hauling in 28 catches for 262 yards in 2020.

Jags come in near the bottom of ESPN’s NFL power rankings

Despite a busy offseason, Jacksonville still finds itself at No. 30 in ESPN’s power rankings, the same place it was after free agency.

It was quite an active offseason for the Jacksonville Jaguars. In addition to landing a potential superstar quarterback with the first overall pick in Trevor Lawrence, the team addressed many of the areas of need that resulted in its 1-15 season in 2020.

Despite these improvements, as well as the addition of an exciting new coach in Urban Meyer (albeit one who’s inexperienced at the NFL level), ESPN’s NFL staff doesn’t think all of those changes will result in a significant Year 1 impact.

In its post-offseason power rankings, ESPN has the Jaguars ranked at No. 30, the same spot they found themselves in prior to the draft. According to Jags reporter Michael DiRocco, the offseason additions will help their passing offense (especially rising star D.J. Chark) even though the team may not be vastly improved as a whole.

30. Jacksonville Jaguars

Post-free-agency ranking: 30

Player who benefited most from draft: WR DJ Chark Jr.

Really, all the receivers will benefit from the addition of Trevor Lawrence, but Chark is trying to bounce back from a disappointing 2020 (53 catches, 706 yards, 5 TDs). He made the Pro Bowl and was a 1,000-yard receiver in 2019, and the upgrade in QB play over Gardner Minshew II, Jake Luton and Mike Glennon — all of whom started games last season — gives him a chance to surpass 1,000 yards again. The addition of vet Marvin Jones Jr., helps, too, because defenses can’t just focus on Chark any longer. — Michael DiRocco

Unsurprisingly, the usual suspects find themselves atop the power rankings. Kansas City takes the top spot despite a loss in the Super Bowl, and reigning champion Tampa Bay comes in at No. 2.

Expecting Jacksonville to be among that class of the league’s teams this season is certainly unrealistic. With that being said, though, this franchise has never had a player like Lawrence before. If he lives up to the expectations, the sky’s the limit, and Jacksonville could take a bigger leap forward in 2021 than many are expecting.