JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Tyler from Jacksonville:
I recently read an article about Shad Khan having informal talks of trying to buy the new stadium in London after it's built. I'm trying to be realistic, but I get nervous thinking of the possibility that someday the Jags may be moved overseas.
John: We're not going to start a habit of breaking down the fallacies and holes in every story that links the Jaguars and Shad Khan to a permanent residence in London. But enough people asked about this week's version to merit a response. On Wednesday, Tottenham Hotspurs Football Club of the English Premier League announced plans for a 61,000-seat stadium that will host two NFL games a season beginning in 2018. On Friday, the London Evening Standard reported that Khan is considering selling Fulham Football Club, purchasing Tottenham and moving the Jaguars to London to play in the new Tottenham stadium. The story cited no sources and called the plan in the extremely formative stage. What isn't in the formative stage is Khan's steadfast commitment to Jacksonville since he purchased the Jaguars. The locker room. The training room. The video boards. The game-day experience. The Shipyards proposal. The investments in the city. All are the actions of someone committed to the city, which is why it was unsurprising that Khan's public relations spokesman, Jim Woodcock, immediately tweeted about the ridiculousness of Friday's report: "Reports of client Shad Khan selling #Fulham are utter nonsense and complete fiction. Where does this stuff start?!" He later tweeted that the entire " 'story' on sale of #Fulham, buying Spurs and moving #Jaguars to new Spurs stadium is nothing but falsehoods."
Ronald from Section 118:
So, I just got done reading an article by The Evening Standard that implied Shad Kahn is thinking of selling Fulham, buying the Tottenham FC, and relocating the Jags to White Hart Lane in England once the new stadium is built. I know there's talk of not moving the team anymore, but when you read articles like this, it gets worrisome a little bit. Speculation, Mr. O?
John: I think speculation is a pretty kind word for the article.
Gabe from Washington, DC:
OK, so I can understand why one might not rank Any Given Sunday as highly as I do (especially buying into Al Pacino as the coach), but I think the film did show an exaggerated version of the NFL's dark side. I was also a really big fan of the effects they used when Willie Beamen was playing - specifically with the blurry defenders flashing from one point to another. It really tried to get the viewer to understand how fast and how hectic the game really is. Do you think I have given this enough thought, O-meister?
John: I agreed that the effects were interesting – and did give the viewer a slight feel about the speed of the game. As far as the NFL's dark side, that's a tough one. I've always felt shows and movies that try to dramatize it get into a difficult area. That side tends to get overdone and the result often is a portrayal that's difficult to believe and not really rooted in reality. Speaking of overdone – yeah, you've probably thought about this enough.
Ed from Danvers, MA:
Whoa. I was standing waist deep in the water at St. Augustine Beach this morning and something dark and silent slid by me underwater about four feet away. I don't know what it was, but it was big.
John: #Shadricksighting
John from Cape May, NJ:
It's clear the NFL wants to promote the game internationally and I agree it's the right thing to do from a business aspect. But why London? Why Europe? From the logistics and travel aspects, it is very hard on the players – and from a longevity standpoint, how could you ever have a London-based team in the NFL? Why not turn our attention to our neighbors above and below us? There is clearly a demand in Canada thanks to the CFL and Mexico City, I believe, is the largest city in North America. Wouldn't it make sense to begin to place roots in these places, because these places could clearly be able to support an NFL team, and geographically are more accommodating to the current NFL teams?
John: I don't know that the NFL is ignoring Mexico or Canada. The NFL is actually pretty popular in both areas, and I wouldn't rule out the league someday having a team in, say, Toronto. Europe and Asia are relatively untapped markets where the NFL has a relatively low-profile by comparison and there's a belief that for the long-, long-term stability of the NFL it needs to have a worldwide presence, not just a presence in North America.
Gary from Palm Coast, FL:
Your multi-position list should include Lou "The Toe" Groza. He was an original member of the Cleveland Browns and a six-time All-NFL tackle who also played as a placekicker.
John: You're right.
Herbert from MidState Office Supply Accountz Receevable:
Given that Shad Khan has already stated that he would like to continue playing game(s) in London after next season what are the odds the Jags play a game at Craven's Cottage in the next few years?
John: Very unlikely. Craven Cottage is an outstanding venue for soccer – or, as I say, 'Futbol' – but it has a capacity of 25,700. Playing an NFL game there isn't really feasible.
William from St. Augustine:
Regarding the switch from college quarterback to new NFL position: Gator quarterback Harmon Wages became a Falcons running back. Okay, gotta go, John: Shuffleboard at 5:00 and bingo at 7:30 ...
John: Sounds good. Wait … hang on. I'm in.
Robert from Richmond, VA:
Curt Gowdy/Al DeRogatis or Pat Summerall/Tom Brookshier? I'll go for Pat and Tom ...
John: Me, too. Then again, I grew up watching more NFC on CBS than AFC on NBC, so my memories skew a little more in that direction.
Jim from Jacksonville:
Hi, John. Nice episode of "Jags of the SQUARE table." I can fix it. My dad is a TV repair man. And like, he has this awesome set of tools.
John: Fix what?
James from Jacksonville:
John. I just read the article in the London Evening News Journal. It doesn't shock me at all. As a businessman I know it's false. Any business that continues to show profit growth in a product is not going to make a drastic change in the delivery of that product. Besides, the logistical cost to have 10 away teams come to London and the home team to have to fly to the states 10 times a year would be astronomical. Correct?
John: Yes, and the fact that everything Khan has done since purchasing the Jaguars – including a game-changing proposal regarding the Shipyards – points to a commitment to Jacksonville is sort of worth mentioning, too.
Brian from Portland, OR:
The conversation on greatest football movie only reveals there are no great football movies (but Quarterback Princess with Helen Hunt is pretty special). Any thoughts on why football movies aren't as great as baseball (Field of Dreams, Bull Durham, The Natural), basketball (Hoosiers, Hoop Dreams, White Men Can't Jump), golf (Caddyshack), boxing (Raging Bull, Rocky), or even track (Chariots of Fire)? It seems as though no football movie has ever been truly great...what gives?
John: Apparently you fall into that category of sad, lost souls who never saw "Gus."
Andy from Pittsburgh, PA:
While we're talking about players who played both sides of the ball I'd like to mention Patrick Peterson. Cornerback, wide receiver and special teams. Can you think of another person who played all three phases?
John: Deion Sanders.
Kyle from Pensacola, FL:
I just watched The Replacements again recently. I might make a case for No. 5 in my top 5. That movie had it all, John. Reeves as the hero. Hackman as the coach. A plethora of off-the-wall "B" actors to play the hilarious group of scabs. The soundtrack (The Police, EMF, Queen, Young MC, David Bowie) the little love story, the happy ending.
John: Plus, it had Johnny Utah playing quarterback. Wait. What?
Marcus from Jacksonville:
On the JPP medical-record leak...what process do reporters go through in order to get info like that? I understand guys like the reporter in question have sources all over, but I highly doubt that he has one in a hospital in south Florida. So, I guess my question is, do reporters offer cash for info, or are they just smooth talkers? The only other scenario I can see is if a family member (or agent) released the info to him. Just curious, thanks!
John: There are media outlets who offer cash for stories, but the vast majority of mainstream newspapers, television stations, etc., do not. To my knowledge, ESPN does not pay for their stories and I would be surprised if I ever learned that Adam Schefter paid a source.
Andy from Denver, CO:
Sorry, but Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and The Last Boy Scout have my votes. Am I doing it right, O?
John: I can't even imagine what it is you think you're doing.
