Thursday, April 18, 2019 (On if the 2018 season felt like a step back after a successful 2017 season) “Well, I think we have to look forward. You learn from the past. You look forward with optimism and certainly I think all of our weaknesses have been addressed. I’m very, very optimistic.” (On his assessment of the roster right now) “Well, I think you ought to ask [Executive Vice President of Football Operations] Tom [Coughlin] and [General Manager] Dave [Caldwell] on the specifics, but certainly I think that we agreed where we needed to upgrade – obviously at quarterback. We got Nick Foles, and it is very, very encouraging the way we are heading.” (On the improvement he would like to see in 2019) “I think we want to be competitive and we want to be in the postseason. I think that was the goal last year; obviously we didn’t do it. The year before, (2017), we kind of overachieved in a good way. You have to move in the direction of winning. We have a great foundation, great people, but the results on the field is what speaks.” (On how confident he is in Lot J and development) “Well, I think if it was easy, it would have been done probably 50 years ago. Obviously, it is something even way before my time, there have been many attempts made, unsuccessfully. But I think it’s very, very important, and we are committed more so than ever. Things change, we look for a different way to get it done – the vitality, the energy, the economic growth, the difference making, all of that really belongs here. I think we are going to be pushing and working with the city for them to do their part so we can do our part. I think it is really, really important for the area and for the city.” (On his hope in Wembley Stadium being available again and if a new CEO will reenergize talks of purchasing Wembley Stadium) “I think it has to make sense for the FA, but when that happens, I think it still is just as good a case. I think we had a very, very good case for doing it, but I’m optimistic. I think eventually when they are ready, we will be ready.” (On if a new CEO could change things up at Wembley Stadium) “I think, really, they have to look at all the stakeholders at the FA. There is the council, a number of other people and I think they have to build a consensus.” (On All Elite Wrestling and how Tony Khan pitched it to him) “The way he pitched it to me was that the talent in wrestling that is out there and what makes a successful league for example – talent and money. The talent is out there and if we can support them and really have a sport, an event, entertainment, then fans will be out there. So far, it’s proven out to be.” (On what gives him confidence that Tom Coughlin is the right man to lead the organization from a personnel perspective) “Tom Coughlin has a history … Obviously, he started the franchise here, you have to have the emotion and drive to be connected, believe in the mission … He absolutely believes. He has the experience, history and results. In my humble opinion – heck, I don’t know anybody better.” (On what his standard is for Tom Coughlin, Dave Caldwell and Doug Marrone) “I think we have to get better and be competitive. We want to be in the postseason. I think that is the goal of all 32 teams. We want to be one of those that makes it.” (On if he has lost his patience in moving forward with some of his proposed projects) “No, absolutely not. I think it is not a question of patience. If you look at it in the last six years, we said that we need to get the gameday experience up, whether it was the pools, the scoreboards … Boom, that happened. Then, we need local revenue, we need people coming into Daily’s Place. That happened, but in fairness, the city participated. We got it done. I’m used to that you have a vision, you believe in it, you have to get all the stakeholders in and get it done. You just can’t talk about it. This has been a little bit slower and yes, you could say a little bit … We are as determined as ever. We need to get it done because I believe in it. I think the Jaguars and the community really needs it. It’s like anything else – if you aren’t growing, you’re dying. We need that. We need to keep the momentum going.” (On if there is any chance he could extend the Jaguars’ annual London trip before the CBA is done) “I would have to check when it does, but we are absolutely committed to it. All the stats, everything we have had … What it has done with playing in London, stabilizing Jaguars here in Jacksonville. Absolutely. I think if it makes sense here … We evaluate every year and what the local market is and what makes sense for the franchise. Yes, we are always looking to be better.” (On what prompted his statement that the Jaguars will be bigger and better in 25 years) “This is a watermark – 25 years. You have to reflect on it. I think people really didn’t believe the Jaguars would be here. When I got here almost seven years ago, it was, where are they moving? I think one of the first things I said was that we were going to do everything to stabilize. We never really thought about that, frankly. In fairness, I think that was really important to Wayne Weaver – that we do everything here to stabilize. I think we have done that, but it’s going to take a hybrid approach. Let’s be real. Playing in London has really worked out very well for us right down to our practice facility here … I think Mark [Lamping] pointed out the best patch sponsor we have [Lycamobile] is a great, wireless company out of London.” (On if the Shipyards is still in progress) “Yes, absolutely. Now, look at it. What makes Shipyards viable? Getting the highway work down. It’s when you look at it, we are not seeing a lot of activity, but really what has gone on behind the scenes and the commitments we have from the federal government, the state of Florida, the city of Jacksonville – it has taken a lot of work. Frankly, all the heavy lifting has been done. Now, we just want to see the visible proof and that is a big, big impediment to the area, so that is done. We don’t see the progress, but it should be anytime now.” (On how disappointed he is that it didn’t work out for Blake Bortles and how exciting it is to get Nick Foles) “I’m still a Blake [Bortles] fan. He’s a great guy. I think he did his best, and a year ago we had great results. To us, we wanted it to work out. I’m sure that so did Blake. I wish him all the best in the future, he deserves it. I think for us, now we have to move on and he [Foles] was the best one out there. I can tell you this, categorically, that as soon as the season was over, our dream was to get Nick Foles for all the different reasons that have been elaborated before, and it happened. I think that’s a critical part that we have addressed.” (On if Coach Coughlin came to him immediately after the season and said that getting Nick Foles was the No. 1 priority) “I think pretty much so. It wasn’t just Tom, I think this isn’t impulsive or impetuous, I think there was a quite a bit of talk put into it. This was … Yes, we wanted to do whatever to get Nick here.” (On the importance of stadium renovations) “I think the stadium has to be upgraded. I think that is our approach. Mark Lamping talked about the sun, the experience. I think we would like to have more events here. This is a city-owned stadium. I think it signifies Jacksonville and so I think it will need work upgrades and we want to work with the city. I think that if you look at all the upgrades that have happened – clubs, scoreboards, pools, Daily’s Place, we have been a big part of spending money with the city. We want to continue to invest with the city to make the stadium be better.” (On how to work with the sun issue around the stadium) “I think there are many, many creative solutions. There was a very creative solution with drones during a [soccer] game, kind of holding a cover up. It was very futuristic, but it could be very cost-effective only on the days you need it. I don’t know how feasible it is, but as an engineer when I saw that – that was for the World Cup in Qatar – I thought, ‘Boy, that [would] work very well for us.’ We want to look at creative solutions that are very cost-effective. This is again, a city-owned public stadium, but we want it to work. Mark [Lamping] talked about the Rolling Stones concert and Lynyrd Skynyrd, our biggest event money-wise since the Super Bowl here. There is a lot of opportunity for venues like that, but A, we want them and B, we want to pursue them and C, have a venue that makes it a success.” (On if he is satisfied with the explanation of why JEA did not end up in Lot J) “To me, it’s not about me being satisfied. I want to focus on things we control. That is for the board to decide. They feel whatever works for them best. I respect them, and we need to move on. We just can’t be tied up in “Myles Jack wasn’t down” kind of mindset. I think we need to focus on that they have decided, and we need to come up with Plan B.” (On if he has an update on Lot J and if it’s in progress) “Well, we have gotten the design done and another of other elements. Now, the city plays a role in Lot J, parking lot, environmental issues, infrastructure … I think right now we are waiting on the city to commit to that and the minute they do, I think we will be ready to move forward.” |
