Phil Ammann
Those who have been in Jacksonville for decades have long since have internalized the slogan: “Baseball’s never been hotter with the Jacksonville Suns!”
That catchy jingle has been a fixture on commercial radio for decades, promoting whatever event the local minor league baseball team was putting on to fill the stands week after week.
The Jacksonville Suns were as much a part of the city’s fabric as tollbooths on the Fuller-Warren Bridge. As the distinct smell of paper mills (“the smell of money,” it was said). As the Playtime Drive-In on Blanding; as the Po Folks on Beach Boulevard. As Corrine Brown in Congress.
Now? To quote the Violent Femmes, all of them are “gone daddy gone.”
The Jacksonville Suns have set for the last time, replaced with the most experimental branding in Jacksonville sports history: the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, a construct that — after it leaked Tuesday — elicited consternation everywhere from the fervid feeds of social media to the hallowed hallways of city hall.
If you drank every time someone made a joke about the logo looking like a shrimp mounting the Florida Peninsula, you would have been drunk by noon Wednesday.
A petition was started objecting to changing the name of the team.
It wasn’t just local media piling on. National outlets, such as Deadspin, had their say too.
As if the name is undignified, not befitting of the spectacle that is minor league baseball.
Joe Mobley of The Fiorentino Group said it well on Facebook Wednesday: “Would everyone just calm down about the minor league baseball team’s new name? Minor League baseball is about promotions, not the baseball. You have to mix it up a little bit to make money and make it work. Midget wrestling. Used car giveaway night. Monkeys riding dogs.”
It truly is about the hustle.
Is “Jumbo Shrimp” — which you can still get at Mayport — a worse name than the Jaguars?
There aren’t any real Jaguars in this neck of the woods.
Worse than the old minor league hockey affiliate, the Lizard Kings?
What was a “Lizard King” anyway? Only Jim Morrison knew for sure.
Minor league baseball team names should be goofy. The “Suns”? As exciting as a Chrysler K-Car.
And here’s another reality: average attendance in 2015 and 2016 was just over 4,100 each year, the worst two years since 2005. And certainly down from a few years back, when attendance was routinely over 5,000.
The Suns, despite a nice, newish stadium and an owner who came into Jacksonville with a lot of creative promotions experience in Akron, weren’t drawing what they should be.
In short, there was nothing to lose.
An anonymous affiliate of the Miami Marlins is no longer unknown.
For promoters, isn’t that the point?
“Jumbo Shrimp: An Oxymoron, and now a minor league baseball team” via Bill Chappell of NPR – It’s a bold move, meant to energize the local fan base. But a Jacksonville baseball team’s decision to rename itself the Jumbo Shrimp is meeting with a mixed reaction. Some say they can’t wait to buy a team jersey; in other corners, it’s being panned like so much scampi. A petition has been started. Just like a shrimp, the team says, the new name is rich — with meaning. In addition to highlighting the city’s connection to seafood, it’s also a play on Jacksonville’s role as “a big small town — Florida’s largest city, yet in many ways a richly connected and close-knit community,” the team says. “We understand the rich tradition of this region and wanted to embrace it in a way only Minor League Baseball can,” said Jumbo Shrimp General Manager Harold Craw, in a news release. In Minor League Baseball, oddball names are part of the allure, as teams signal that they’re far from the staid world of national sports leagues. Jacksonville’s new crustacean identity replaces the Suns, the team’s former name that dates to the 1960s. The team says it worked with San Diego-based marketing company Brandiose to create its new identity. Brandiose has been part of several extreme makeovers in Minor League Baseball, including the renaming of Connecticut’s New Britain Rock Cats as the Hartford Yard Goats in 2015. “The Jumbo Shrimp will be a fun, fresh face in town, and I am excited for our fans to see them come to life next spring,” says team owner Ken Babby, 36, whose plan for the Miami Marlins Double-A affiliate is similar to the strategy he used in shaking up his Akron, Ohio, team that went from being the Aeros to the Rubber Ducks in 2013.
“Petition to save Jacksonville Suns name gets thousands of supporters” via Action News Jax – The Change.org petition said: “The Jacksonville Suns have been an institution here in Jacksonville since 1962. The name and iconic theme song are as much as part of Jacksonville as the St. Johns River and the Jaguars. Oh, I ‘member going to so many games as a child and rooting for the Suns. Easily some of the best times of my life, and I’ve continued that tradition as an adult, and I cannot fathom the idea of this glorious team having their name changed to the “Jumbo Shrimp.” If you ‘member what it’s like to root for the Suns, sign this petition. I, for one, ‘member.” The petition is asking for 2,500 signatures. As of 6 p.m. Wednesday, it had 6,300.
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“First-time voters bring energy to Donald Trump ‘movement’ in Jacksonville” via Florida Politics – A factor that makes the current presidential race difficult to handicap: Trump tapping into “unlikely voters” — either young voters newly engaged by the process, or older voters who, after years of being disappointed by “establishment” politicians, appreciate what they see as candor from the GOP nominee. Illustrating this phenomenon is sunrise in Jacksonville, where a couple of hundred Trump supporters queued up ahead of a rally set to start at noon. The earliest showed up hours before dawn. And many of them were women — establishing the premise that at least some were immune to the “first woman president” trope advanced by the Clinton campaign. For example, there was Yvonne Fisher, a wheelchair user in her 40s who was one of the very first in line. Her reason for showing early? “We wanted a place at the rally,” Fisher said. Regarding Clinton, Fisher declaimed that “I want a woman president, but not that woman.” Clinton, said Fisher, would be the “end of America as we know it.”
“Northeast Florida pols stump for Trump, urge ‘draining the swamp’” via Florida Politics – A variety of area candidates and elected officials turned out for the Trump rally in Jacksonville … Among them: State Sen. Aaron Bean and State Rep. Jay Fant, Congressman-in-waiting John Rutherford, and former Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll. Making the trip from Tallahassee: Attorney General Pam Bondi … Bean, in his usual style, said “welcome to Trump/Pence country,” before talking about what is “really deplorable,” describing Clinton‘s botched Benghazi response. Bean then channeled Jeff Foxworthy, saying “you might be a conservative if you wished you voted for Ronald Reagan … if you believe in traditional family values no matter what Hollywood said … if you think of somebody’s name when you hear the word crooked … and if you think it’s time to drain the swamp.” A chant broke out. And Bean said “we’re draining it baby. We’re draining the swamp.” Bean then named the enemy. The media. Mark Zuckerberg, George Soros, and Wall Street … “Eight years is enough,” said Bondi. “ISIS and tyrants abroad, they have our world on edge. Who’s not going to be scared of them? Donald Trump.”
“Trump delivers the usual to half-empty hall in Jacksonville” via AG Gancarski of Florida Politics – Much of Trump’s speech was the greatest hits tour. Well-worn routines about Clinton hammering phones to destroy them only deviated when he asked the crowd if any of them had destroyed phones. One hand went up. “I don’t want to know what business you’re in,” Trump quipped. Trump called a Clinton presidency a “constitutional crisis.” … “This isn’t what we need … we need somebody who’s going to go to work,” Trump said. “This is going to be a mess for many years to come.” Trump noted he saw Air Force One in Miami; upon mentioning President Barack Obama, the boos echoed off the empty back wall of the rodeo space. “Why isn’t he back working? He’s campaigning every day. She’s under criminal investigation. I think he has a conflict.” Citing WikiLeaks, Trump speculated that “Obama knew what she was doing.” The Obamacare riff resurfaced. While it seemed fresh just days before, in the context of this campaign’s accelerated news cycles, it seemed as novel as last summer’s hit single.
“John Rutherford nets another $11.5K in CD 4 race” via Florida Politics – The top donor on the notice was the Associated Builders & Contractors PAC, which chipped in $5,000 to the former Jacksonville sheriff Nov. 2. Rutherford also took in $2,000 from Publix’s political committee, $1,500 from Ferber Company chairman Paul S. Ferber, and $1,000 each from the American Dental PAC, the Action Committee for Rural Electrification and Marietta Sand Corporation president Dawn D. Motes. Through Oct. 19, Rutherford had raised about $711,000 for his campaign and had about $35,000 of that money on hand. Since that report, Rutherford has filed seven notices with the FEC totaling a combined $83,100 in new contributions. Democrat David Bruderly, Rutherford’s main competition in CD 4, had raised about $46,000 through Oct. 19 and had about $11,300 of that money on hand.
“Al Lawson enjoys five-to-one money edge over Glo Smith in CD 5 race” via Florida Politics – From Oct. 20 to Nov. 3, Lawson has secured $59,400 in new money, with $9,200 of that coming on Halloween. New Oct. 31 donations came in from the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Democrats Reshaping America, and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisers. Another $5,000 came in Nov. 3 from the United Auto Workers. Lawson, as of Oct. 19, had $103,020 on hand, of $241,573 raised and another $100,000 in personal loans. The extra $54,000 pushed him over $150,000, money he likely won’t need for the stretch run against the underfunded Smith. Barring some mysterious movement in the next few days, Lawson will close this race having had access to over $400,000 of capital, compared to his GOP opponent, who ran her campaign on just over $77,000. Smith’s recent contributions include $1,000 from the political committee of John Rutherford, who is running the political campaign equivalent of a homecoming game against underfunded Dave Bruderly, who got the Democratic nomination in CD 4 without opposition, though he lost a race for precinct committeeman on the same ballot. As well, she garnered $2,059 in contributions Nov. 3.
“Sentencing delayed for charity director tied to Corrine Brown fraud case” via News 4 Jax – Carla Wiley is expected to be a key witness in Brown’s trial on federal corruption charges, which is slated for April 2017. Wiley pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in March, in connection with the questionable Virginia-based nonprofit One Door for Education Foundation. Prosecutors have said that the government expects Wiley could be on the stand for days. According to the indictment against Brown and her chief of staff, Ronnie Simmons, Brown solicited donations for One Door for Education and, at times, prosecutors said she used that money as a “personal slush fund.”
“Open seats boost competitiveness of legislative races” via Tia Mitchell of the Florida Times-Union – Though there is a heavy favorite in most of them, there are seven Northeast Florida legislative races on the general election ballot featuring more than one candidate. Four feature incumbents whose chances of winning re-election are boosted by the fact that their districts are drawn in a way that favors candidates of their political parties. Sen. Travis Hutson … faces Democrat Curtis Ceballos in Senate District 7. Rep. Paul Renner … also won his seat in the 2015 special election. He now faces Democrat Adam Morley in the race for House District 24. Rep. Elizabeth Porter… is running against Jerry Bullard, a Democrat, in House District 10. She is seeking her fourth and final term in the House. Rep. Travis Cummings … is challenged by Libertarian candidate Ken Willey in House District 18. In addition to the District 13 seat forfeited by Reggie Fullwood, two open seats are considered more competitive since there is no incumbent laying claim. Kimberly Daniels, a Democrat, faces Republican Christian Whitfield in House District 14. The seat also represents neighborhoods in Jacksonville that generally elect Democratic candidates, though Daniels’ resume as a one-term city councilwoman and acolyte of U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown could keep things interesting. Bobby Payne, a Republican running for an open seat in House District 19 that includes all of Putnam, Bradford and Union counties as well as southern Clay County, hopes to fend off Democratic opponent Hubert “Joe” Snodgrass in addition to two write-ins.
Duval GOP Victory Night celebration 2016 – The Victory Event is co-sponsored by the Duval Republican Party and the John Rutherford Campaign for Congress. All conservative grassroots volunteers and donors are welcome and encouraged to attend for a casual buffet and cash bar. Event begins 7 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, 225 E. Coastline Dr. in Jacksonville.
Spotted:
“Jacksonville slots referendum now has $2M behind it” via Florida Politics – Another financial milestone for “Families for Safety and Prosperity,” the political committee looking to bring slot machines to bestbet Jacksonville. Jacksonville Greyhound Racing put another $500,000 into the slots referendum marketing effort Oct. 27, bringing its total contribution to $2 million. Of the $2 million, the committee has spent $1,725,75 1 … roughly $264,000 went to mailers. Multi-media advertising occupied another $1.3 million. And $100,000 was spent on digital advertising. Though public polling on the measure is non-existent and private polling is not being shared, the committee continues to spend aggressively, committing $300,000 to marketing Oct. 31. The slots referendum is the second Duval County referendum of the year with at least $2 million in dedicated resources. The “Yes for Jacksonville” effort saw a variety of donors, most of them institutional stakeholders, pushing the pension reform referendum’s coffers over the $2.1 million mark.
“Nine unions will have a say about Lenny Curry’s push to end pensions for new hires” via David Bauerlein of the Florida Times-Union – Collective bargaining talks will occur with six different labor organizations representing workers covered by the General Employees Pension Plan, which Curry wants to close to future hires by putting them in 401(k) style investment accounts. To close that pension plan to new hires, Curry will need to win agreement from all six unions. “If we’re going to get to the finish line, we’re going to get there together,” city Chief Financial Officer Mike Weinstein said in a kick-off meeting for pension talks with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. If that’s not complicated enough, talks regarding the Police and Firefighters Pension Fund will involve two more unions, the International Association of Firefighters and the Fraternal Order of Police … The Fraternal Order of Police also will negotiate on behalf of employees covered by the city’s third pension, the Corrections Officers Pension Plan. On the management side of the table, the negotiations will involve the city of Jacksonville, JEA and the Jacksonville Housing Authority because all three entities have workers covered by the General Employees Pension Plan.
“Governor kicks off I-95/I-295 north interchange project in Jacksonville” via Dan Scanlan of the Florida Times-Union – The interchange is the hub connecting JaxPort with I-95, downtown Jacksonville and Jacksonville International Airport and tourists seeking to reach Central Florida. It also handles an estimated 54,000 vehicles per day on I-95 and 106,500 vehicles per day on I-295, according to state statistics. The project will replace the I-295 eastbound to I-95 northbound lefthand exit and existing I-295 westbound to I-95 southbound lefthand exit with righthand flyovers. That will provide additional capacity at the interstate merger point. The project also will upgrade the signals at I-295’s intersection with U.S. 17 and I-95’s intersection at Airport Road. The project is expected to take 3 ½ years with the reconfiguration complete in summer 2020. The state invested $103 million into the project.
“Secretary of Navy talks jobs, more ships in final visit to Jacksonville” via Joe Daraskevich of the Florida Times-Union – Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus visited Jacksonville Naval Air Station for the final time in his official capacity for one of two speaking engagements on the First Coast. The visit came on a week when the military community is on full display with the Jacksonville Sea and Sky Airshow, and the Navy versus Notre Dame football game both taking place Saturday. Mabus talked about the great relationship the Navy shares with the city of Jacksonville and explained an important decision he made to ensure people who live in the community are the ones working on area bases. He said in 2009 when he took over as secretary 21 ships were based at Mayport Naval Station, but by 2021 there will be 41. The reason for that is the Navy recently announced Mayport as the East Coast home for half the fleet of new littoral combat ships. The aluminum-hull ships are designed to operate close to shore with steerable jet propulsion. The first ship is scheduled to arrive early next year. Mabus said when the Navy was forced to start retiring frigates based at Mayport in 2009, the push was to bring an aircraft carrier to Northeast Florida as a replacement. He said if that decision was made, the vessel wouldn’t arrive until at least 2019. Mabus also said many of the people who work on aircraft carriers are specialized personnel flown in from other places.
“Hurricane: Many historic buildings in St. Augustine damaged” via Jason Dearden of The Associated Press – Experts with the University of Florida said water flooded all seven of St. Augustine’s federally designated historic districts last month, damaging about half of all the 2,000 properties in those areas. Homes and businesses along the city’s waterfront were overwhelmed despite a $6.7 million seawall completed in 2014. “The damage was significant,” said Morris Hylton, director of University of Florida’s historic preservation program, who spent three days helping federal authorities record the damage. “Many, if not a majority, of the historic properties, in particular private residences, were impacted.” Among the famous buildings inundated during the hurricane was Flagler College’s ornate Spanish Renaissance-style main hall, built in 1888. As much as 4 feet of water surged through its basement and breezeway, but the hall’s higher floors remained untouched. School president William Abare, who has served at Flagler for 45 years in different roles, had never seen storm surge in St. Augustine like Matthew’s. Blamed for at least 42 deaths in the United States, Matthew raked a large part of the Southeast Atlantic coast last month after killing more than 500 people in Haiti. Abare refused to evacuate, watching as water flowed over the campus in St. Augustine. Local historians long have claimed the city as the oldest continuously occupied European-established settlement in the mainland United States. “It was a scary sight for me as water was coming over our perimeter wall,” said Abare, referring to a 3-foot-high wall. “You couldn’t see the top of the wall.”
“Tourism still in recovery phase as St. Augustine sheds its image as a storm-battered destination” via Stuart Korfhage of the St. Augustine Record – Unfortunately for those in the local tourist trade, St. Augustine has received lots of attention on both social media and traditional news sources for the flooding that occurred due to Hurricane Matthew. One particular video clip of the flooded streets in front of the Casablanca Inn On The Bay has led many out-of-towners to think of the city as a destination demolished rather than a quaint coastal town with great links to history. And while many residential areas were severely damaged in the storm and some businesses have been temporarily shut down, those in the tourism industry are working hard to make people see St. Augustine as desirable a place as it was a month ago. So far, the effort has been partially successful. Occupancy up; tourists down … Richard Goldman, the CEO and president of the county’s visitors and convention bureau, said in a survey of 42 county hotels and motels there was information that showed occupancy rates bounced back two weeks after the storm. The weekend of Oct. 22 had an occupancy rate 11.6 percent higher than the same period in 2015 after seeing occupancy during the weekend of the storm down more than 31 percent from 2015. Now, some of those people were certainly displaced residents rather than visitors, but it’s still a positive sign, Goldman said.
“Grace Aerospace seeking $332,500 in incentives to move HQ here and add 25 high-paying jobs” via David Chapman of the Jacksonville Financial News & Daily Record – Legislation filed late Wednesday would provide a $332,500 incentives package to the company to move its manufacturing operations to Cecil Commerce and expand its local footprint. The company would create 25 new jobs at an average wage of $50,675 by Dec. 31, 2019, and invest at least $300,000 in capital improvements. Grace Aerospace leases 1,500 square feet at a city-owned building. The expansion and relocation will net another 10,146 square feet leased at a market rate of $6 per square foot at Cecil Commerce Center. The company manufactures wire harnesses and other electronic military aircraft equipment. Grace Aerospace’s clients include Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems … the relocation would allow Grace Aerospace to obtain more business in the growing Southeast aviation market. Of the $332,500 in incentives being offered, $25,000 would come from the city for its 20 percent match of a Qualified Target Industry grant for the higher-wage jobs being created. The state would pay the remaining $100,000 for that grant, $37,500 for a training grant and $200,000 for a veterans training grant. In all, the state would contribute $307,500. The legislation is being introduced to council Wednesday, a day later than usual because of elections.
“IKEA breaks ground in Jacksonville” via Kristen Dressel of Action News Jax – The 290,000-square-foot store is expected to open in the fall of 2017. It will be located near Interstate 295 and Gate Parkway. IKEA officials said it plans to hire 250 workers and 500 construction workers … Public Affairs manager Joesph Roth said a new traffic light will be added on Gate Parkway and he believes the 295 express lane project will help alleviate traffic. “We are confident much of the situation will be addressed prior to the store opening,” Roth said. IKEA said jobs will be posted by the spring.
“JAXPORT partner unveils latest evolution in container shipping” – ATS International has launched a hybrid shipping container specially designed to handle breakbulk and oversized cargo. Known as the Breakbulk Box, the specialty container just completed a successful test shipment from JAXPORT to Puerto Rico. The Breakbulk Box offers shippers the ability to have breakbulk and oversize cargo loaded directly onto a container bed, as the lid and walls lift off in a single top piece. Cargo is secured in place using special lashing hooks inside the container bed. The top is replaced by a stacker or crane, which then allows the unit to be secured and handled just like a standard shipping container. According to ATS, the Breakbulk Box is designed to move seamlessly between trucks, rail and ship. The 53-foot Wide-Top Pick (WTP) container carries the seal of approval for ocean use by the International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC). ATS is currently marketing the prototype container with plans to order at least 100 Breakbulk Box containers in the coming year.
“Beaches Oktoberfest awards over $33,000 to local nonprofits” – Beaches Oktoberfest, Inc. awarded $20,000 to Communities in Schools of Jacksonville (CIS), $10,000 to Jacksonville’s Rugby teams and $3,740 to FUR Sisters – Furever Urs Rescue, Inc. The 2016 Beaches Oktoberfest brought in record crowds, including Oktoberfest fans from all over the country … Attendees enjoyed bands (both local/national acts), authentic German beer, a Ferris wheel, a kid zone, food trucks and more. All local hotels were sold out, several downtown businesses reported increased sales and food trucks had record sales numbers. “We are so thankful for the support of the festival organizers and the community members who came out to the event throughout the weekend. Raising $20,000 will make a huge impact on the work we do with local students, potentially allowing us to reach more students in need of our services,” said Steve Gilbert, Chief Executive Officer for the organization. “Our third year hosting Beaches Oktoberfest was a huge success and we hope this trend continues. This is a great opportunity for our community, and raising over $33,000 for local charities is what makes all the time and effort into an event like this worth it. A heartfelt thank you to CIS and other organizations, who worked hard to help pull off this successful event,” said Keith Doherty, Jacksonville Beach City Council Member and co-founder of Beaches Oktoberfest, Inc.
Save the date: “ZOOLights illumination” via the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens – A one-night VIP event: Thursday, Dec. 8, from 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Enjoy cocktails, dinner, entertainment, and an exclusive preview of ZOOLights just for our Illumination guests. All ages are welcome at this family-friendly event. Please RSVP by Dec. 1. Ticket prices: Adults $40; Children $20; Children 2 and under free.
“75,000 expected for Navy-Notre Dame game at EverBank Field” via Andre Roman of WJCT – Rick Catlett, president of JAXSPORTS, which is hosting the event along with the city, said he is excited for “this iconic football game between the Naval Academy and Notre Dame — (the) longest intersectional rivalry in the history of college football,” to be played in Jacksonville. In preparation for the game, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said fans should arrive at EverBank Field no later than 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Parking opens at 7 a.m, and kickoff is 11:30 a.m. JSO also encourages people to follow their Twitter for game day updates on safety issues, road closures and traffic patterns. Parking is no longer available for purchase online and must be purchased from the JAXSPORTS Office at Everbank Field from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday in front of Lot C. Cost is $25. Event organizers are also encouraging the use of public transportation and shuttle services. The Jacksonville Transportation Authority will operate it’s Gameday Xpress Shuttle Service, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and return service will end an hour after the game. Passes are available for $7 in downtown lots and $12 for suburban lots and can be purchased using their app, MYJTA. The St. Johns River Taxi offers round trip passes for $10. Complimentary Skyway trips are also available from 8:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.
“Management change a boost for Jaguars, at least at first” via Gary Shelton – So far, a change in management has helped Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles.
Bortles had a change in his offensive coordinator, with Greg Olson being replaced by Nathaniel Hackett. Borles also brought in a personal quarterback coach in Adam DeDeaux.
The result, coach Gus Bradley said, has led to two good days of practice by Bortles.
“I just think that sometimes things like this, they come in and it’s like a refreshment,” Bradley said. “Just tighten some things up and I think it’s a clearer picture of where you’re at and it’s another perspective of somebody that he trusts. He’s just in a better place and I think there’s a combination of things; scheme, understanding, there’s a lot of things that go into it. Is it something that ‘oh God, look at this, it’s a night and day difference.’ I think he’s just improved. Let’s just put it that way.”
Bradley said Hackett’s relationship with Bortles has not changed.
“I think they just talk more on the field,” Bradlely said. “I think that Nate was in the background and his time with Blake was more in the meeting room off the field. Now you’re seeing it more vocal on the field.”
Hackett said he was torn between feeling bad for Olson and excitement.
“It’s been crazy. It’s been an emotional roller coaster I think,” Hackett said. “For me, I think for all of us, nobody’s happy with where we’re at. I mean we’re 2-5 and that sucks. It’s unfortunate and I think when something like this happens, it’s sad because my relationship with Coach [Greg] Olson, what he’s done for me, how much he’s taught me and how I feel about him, it’s hard to have him go.
“And then it’s almost hard that, for me, I’m naturally very excited, energetic guy that I’m also very excited. Oh wow, this is exciting! And then you feel guilty being excited and then you realized we have a game in seven days and the players are like, ‘Oh gosh, who’s this guy? What’s he going to be doing?’ and then I’ve been talking to Blake [Bortles] and so it’s just up and down. It’s up and down and it’s just one of those things. We’ve addressed the fact that we’re not happy with where we’re at. We’re 2-5. We’ve got work to do to get better and get back on a good track.”
Bortles has struggled throughout this season. Part of the reason for the change was to try to rescue Bortles.
“First and foremost, I think the quarterback position’s a very difficult position to play,” Hackett said. “And I think that he always has to feel some great support, especially from a guy like me and the position we’ve just been kind of put in with kind of being thrown in the fire and getting it going. I think that as long as he knows that I’m there for him and I want to help make him successful through all the different things, whether it’s mechanics or just understanding what we’re trying to accomplish for our next opponent, I think that’s the first step.
“I love Blake. Everybody keeps telling me there’s things wrong with him and I understand that because we’re not winning, but he’s also done a lot of really good things and I think that sometimes people try to focus on all the negative things with Blake.”
