MARK LONG
FILE - This is a 2020 file photo showing Trent Baalke of the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL football team. The Jacksonville Jaguars formally named Baalke general manager on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. (AP Photo)
Jags hire ex-49ers exec Baalke as GM, removing interim tag

By Mark Long Jan. 21, 2021 09:18 AM EST
Urban Meyer and Trent Baalke first met 16 years ago, before the San Francisco

Cars line up outside Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, where the state expanded COVID-19 testing, on Tuesday, June 30, 2020. (Ivy Ceballo/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Super Host? Bucs can become 1st to play Super Bowl at home

By Mark Long Jan. 20, 2021 03:27 AM EST
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a chance to make history at Green Bay on Sunday.

FILE - Florida NCAA college football head coach Urban Meyer talks to reporters after practice in Scottsdale, Ariz., ahead of the BCS Championship game against Ohio State, in this Jan. 8, 2007, file photo. A person familiar with the search says Urban Meyer and the Jacksonville Jaguars are working toward finalizing a deal to make him the team's next head coach. The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, because a formal agreement was not yet in place. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Meyer believes Jacksonville 'is the place' he can win in NFL

By Mark Long Jan. 15, 2021 03:16 PM EST
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Urban Meyer first started thinking about the NFL

FILE - Ohio State NCAA college football head coach Urban Meyer answers questions during a news conference announcing his retirement in Columbus, Ohio, in this Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, file photo. A person familiar with the search says Urban Meyer and the Jacksonville Jaguars are working toward finalizing a deal to make him the team's next head coach. The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, because a formal agreement was not yet in place. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
Urban Hire: Meyer returns to sidelines with NFL's Jaguars

By Mark Long Jan. 14, 2021 10:24 AM EST
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Urban Meyer has won everywhere he’s coached. Small

FILE - Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone watches his team against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Fla., in this Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, file photo. The Jaguars have fired coach Doug Marrone a little more than 12 hours after ending the season with a 15th consecutive loss. It was a move many thought owner Shad Khan should have made at the end of 2019. The Jaguars canceled Marrone’s season-ending news conference scheduled for Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton, File)
Jaguars fire Marrone; owner Khan plans to be more involved

By Mark Long Jan. 04, 2021 09:10 AM EST
Shad Khan has hired coaches and general managers before. He relied on a search

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mike Glennon (2) is sacked by Indianapolis Colts' Kemoko Turay (57) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Jaguars' Marrone bracing for change after 15th straight loss

By Mark Long Jan. 03, 2021 09:04 PM EST
When Doug Marrone saw a report about Urban Meyer preparing to become

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) and running back James Robinson (30) react after they connected for a touchdown pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Jags limp into finale with QB Glennon, without RB Robinson

By Mark Long Dec. 30, 2020 10:03 AM EST
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The worst (and potentially best) season in

New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game as offensive tackle Mekhi Becton (77) blocks Cleveland Browns' Myles Garrett, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
No preseason, no problem: NFL rookies shine in strange year

By Mark Long Dec. 29, 2020 02:30 PM EST
Facing fourth-and-goal at the 1 in the third quarter against the Los Angeles

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, file photo, Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws to an open receiver during the first half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game against Notre Dame in Charlotte, N.C. Lawrence has been named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. The Heisman will be awarded Jan. 5 during a virtual ceremony as the pandemic forced the cancellation of the usual trip to New York that for the presentation that usually comes with being a finalist. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco, File)
Jaguars set sights on Lawrence after years of failure at QB

By Mark Long Dec. 28, 2020 03:00 PM EST
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars have botched the quarterback

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mike Glennon (2) throws a pass as he is rushed by Chicago Bears linebacker Barkevious Mingo (50) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jaguars seemingly win Lawrence with 41-17 home loss to Bears

By Mark Long Dec. 27, 2020 07:06 PM EST
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars seemingly locked up No. 16

Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith (58) intercepts a pass intended for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (17) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Bears close in on NFC playoffs, Jags lock up top draft pick

By Mark Long Dec. 27, 2020 04:06 PM EST
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jimmy Graham disappeared into a tunnel following his

Jacksonville Jaguars running back James Robinson, left, watches the ball before making a touchdown catch on a pass from quarterback Gardner Minshew II (not shown) as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) and linebacker Patrick Queen (48) defend during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Jags starting Mike Glennon vs Bears, sitting James Robinson

By Mark Long Dec. 26, 2020 04:03 PM EST
Mike Glennon will make his fourth start of the season when the skidding

Houston Texans' Keion Crossen (35) breaks up a pass intended by Chicago Bears' Allen Robinson (12) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
A-Rob returns in must-win game for Bears, must-lose for Jags

By Mark Long Dec. 24, 2020 03:23 PM EST
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Allen Robinson opted out long before it became a

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mike Glennon (center) is tackled for a safety by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo, right, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Casting call: Skidding Jaguars holding QB, GM auditions

By Mark Long Dec. 23, 2020 10:56 AM EST
The Jacksonville Jaguars are holding all sorts of auditions during Christmas

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) throws a pass as Baltimore Ravens defensive end Derek Wolfe (95) applies pressure during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Mayor: Jets' win could be defining moment for woeful Jaguars

By Mark Long Dec. 21, 2020 01:08 PM EST
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The sun seemed to shine brighter in Jacksonville on

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) scrambles away from Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Minshew Mania returns, could be limited shows remaining

By Mark Long Dec. 16, 2020 04:57 PM EST
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Minshew Mania is back, at least in theory.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew II, left, throws a pass over Tennessee Titans linebacker Derick Roberson (50) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Robinson quietly closes in on Jaguars' rookie rushing record

By Mark Long Dec. 14, 2020 11:44 AM EST
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Doug Marrone delivered a locker room speech like none

Jacksonville Jaguars running back James Robinson, right, gains yardage as he tires to get past Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Jaguars go back to Minshew, but will they stick with him?

By Mark Long Dec. 13, 2020 06:38 PM EST
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Gardner Minshew was back on the field for the first

Tennessee Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler, left, breaks up a pass intended for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (17) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Henry runs wild, Titans hand Jags 12th straight loss, 31-10

By Mark Long Dec. 13, 2020 04:14 PM EST
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Derrick Henry never asked to stay in the game. His

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) salutes fans as he walks off the field following an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. The Titans defeated the Colts 45-26. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Hometown hurdle? Henry has been quiet in games at Jaguars

By Mark Long Dec. 10, 2020 05:09 PM EST
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Some of Derrick Henry’s biggest plays and most