After turbulent week, Meyer aims to lead Jags against Titans
JACKSONVILLE — It would have been quite enough for the Jaguars if the focus this week had been confined to their defensive inability to stop the big play as they remain one of only two teams in the NFL yet to win a game.
The Jaguars, however, went through a firestorm controversy that focused entirely on their head coach — Urban Meyer.
As Tim Tebow said on ESPN Friday, Meyer put himself in the wrong place and was in the wrong state of mind when a video surfaced last week that showed a young woman dancing close to his lap as he sat on a barstool in a Columbus, Ohio, bar. And there was a second video that showed Meyer touching the same woman’s bottom.
Meyer has apologized repeatedly to his players and owner Shad Khan, who released a statement Tuesday calling Meyer’s conduct inexcusable and that he must now regain their trust and respect. Meyer closed his news conference on Wednesday by saying, “I know our fans have been hanging in there with us, and I apologize to them. And I want to make that perfectly clear.’’
It has been 10 days since the Jaguars lost to the Cincinnati Bengals 24-21 after blowing a
14-0 halftime lead. Perhaps, for Meyer, returning to the sideline for Sunday’s game at TIAA Bank Field against AFC South rival Tennessee cannot come soon enough.
Even though speculation remains rampant that Meyer could be fired or resign by the end of the month, finally the narrative changes somewhat for the franchise and its embattled coach.
Finally, there is another opportunity to end a dreadful 19-game regular-season losing streak.
And finally, for a day at least, all of the attention would shift toward the players and how they perform against the Titans — instead of
Meyer’s ill-advised night out on the town a day after deciding not to fly back with the team after last week’s loss against the Bengals.
‘‘I know our players are [ready], and I know I am,” Meyer said.
From quarterback Trevor Lawrence to outside linebacker Josh Allen, the Jaguars players say their focus on preparing for the Titans has not changed for the entire week despite Meyer being under scrutiny.
‘‘We are focused; that hasn’t changed,’’ Lawrence said. ‘‘When we get out there, it’s time to work. Our meetings have been great; communication’s been really good. Obviously, we’re coming off a tough one in Cincinnati, a game we felt we should have won. I’m just excited to put another full game together and go finish it.’’
An objective the Jaguars must meet in the offseason is putting more playmakers on the field with speed for Lawrence. For now, they must utilize the weapons they have available. Without DJ Chark, on injured reserve with a fractured ankle, they have to get the ball in the hands of wide receiver Laviska Shenault and Jamal Agnew more. How do they go about doing it? Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell needs to call designed plays where Shenault gets the ball outside that allows him opportunities in open space.