Jaguars owner Shahid Khan had a long conversation with former Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver back in 2010 when Tim Tebow was entering the draft.
Khan’s advice at the time? Draft Tim Tebow.
“100 percent I would have,” Khan told WOKV this week. “Absolutely. . . . Obviously the Rams drafted Sam Bradford, and I was talking to Wayne then on what they ought to do.
“I should have an offline conversation with you, OK? I’m going to absolutely talk your ear off,” Khan told WOKV this week. “Some of the stuff might not be politically correct, but I share your sentiment. I think, when is the next time Jacksonville is going to have an athlete like Tim Tebow?”
Somewhere, Blaine Gabbert just cringed.
“I don’t want to get into 20/20 hindsight, and God help us, the draft record has not been the best with the Jaguars,” Khan said.
Yikes. This comment got enough quick attention in Jacksonville that Khan felt the need to clarify. He told Gene Frenette of the Florida Times-Union that he only would have drafted Tebow after trading down in the first round.
(That clarification says Khan probably doesn’t understand why the comment got so much attention.)
G.M. Gene Smith is responsible for the last three years of Jaguars drafts. Smith just got a contract extension, and his new boss essentially said Smith made the wrong choice to pick defensive tackle Tyson Alualu in 2010. Khan also demeans Smith’s drafting record. (In addition to Smith’s predecessor Shack Harris.)
Khan has brought a lot of energy to Jacksonville, but this comment has to worry Jaguars fans. They want their owner to infuse the organization with money and new ideas.
They don’t want their owner picking the players.