While basically everyone with a brain expected the Indianapolis Colts to compete for a playoff spot while the Jacksonville Jaguars kicked off a very long rebuild with Trevor Lawrence, very few expected Urban Meyer and his squad to be the biggest laughing stock in the league off the field.
The poor record was to be expected, but Meyer has imploded in his first NFL stint. On top of going to his restaurant to party after a Thursday Night loss and hitting a major wall on the offensive end, the same prickly personality that Meyer exhibited in college has migrated over to the pros.
A new report by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network claims that Meyer is starting to lose control of his temper, as he has had multiple run-ins with coaches and players over the last few weeks. Those in league circles are wondering if Meyer will be back for a second season in 2022.
While Frank Reich and the Colts haven’t been a perfect coaching staff, they consistently provide stability and schematic excellence. That’s better than the lit match in the middle of an oil spill that Meyer has proven to be in Jacksonville.
The Colts should be laughing at Jaguars coach Urban Meyer.
Meyer reportedly benched running back James Robinson in favor of his former Ohio State player in Carlos Hyde, only putting him back in the game when Lawrence recommended it. Marvin Jones, regarded as one of the most mild-mannered veterans on the team, left practice and got into a verbal altercation with Meyer after his criticism of the wide receivers.
Jones spent three years under Matt Patricia and never said a word, yet completely broke after four months with Meyer. The Colts hired Reich after Josh McDaniels left them at the altar, and they STILL managed to have a less chaotic start to their new regime than the Jaguars have had.
Perhaps the most unusual bit was the fact that Meyer told his staff and players that he is a winner and his assistants are losers. Keep in mind, Meyer hired these guys. In an even more shocking move, Meyer went around the room and challenged each of his assistants to name where they had won in the NFL. Truly unhinged behavior!
Meyer was reportedly threatening some coaching changes after consecutive losses in the preseason. If losing in the preseason causes you that much consternation, you’re probably not cut out for the NFL.
Jacksonville does still have Lawrence at its disposal, and they could rectify most of these issues by hiring the right coach and spending well in free agency. However, as long as Meyer is the main man in Duval County, Indianapolis shouldn’t see them as much of a threat in the division.
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