NFL
Buccaneers and Chiefs Hold Their Final Media Conferences Before Super Bowl LV
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs held their final virtual media conferences, Thursday, before Sunday’s Super Bowl LV.
Bucs Coach Bruce Arians checks his cellphone before the start of Thursday’s media conference.
Age was a primary topic of discussion. As the oldest Head Coach to make his Super Bowl debut, the Bucs’ Bruce Arians was asked about the challenges of coaching at age 68, and what it takes to stay current. “If you’re not looking for new things every year, you’re falling behind. There’s really nothing new in this game. But you have to adapt to stay ahead in this game.”
As the oldest quarterback to start a Super Bowl, the Bucs’ Tom Brady was also asked about how the 43 year old QB compares to younger versions of himself. Tom stressed the importance of continuing to think about how he needs to train, and added “There’s always room for improvement.” We also learned that Tom has been getting in to practice at about 6:15 each morning. Brady pointed out that there are just three days left in the season. Regarding facing the Chiefs, “This is a game that’s really gonna challenge us. They haven’t lost in a long time. We gotta be ready when the ball is kicked off. There’s about 70 plays left in the season. There’s not a lot of margin for error. Our execution should be at the best. Concentration. Focus. We gotta make the plays.”
Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid
Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid was asked about the chance to make history by repeating as Super Bowl Champions for the first time since the Patriots in 2004 and 2005. “I’m aware of it because of the media. I’m old, so I’ve heard it before. When you’re in the middle of it, I don’t think you appreciate it as much. Afterwards maybe we can reflect on it.”
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce added, “We’ll worry about that feeling if we get the opportunity to win this game. Right now we’re really focused on the ‘now.’ We’re not focused on the past or the future. Nobody’s really thinking about the legacy or what it would mean. Everybody’s just fired up about Sunday.”
Another historic element of this game is that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the first to play the Super Bowl at their home stadium. Travis Kelce addressed this issue, saying “The level of focus and determination goes up when you play at someone else’s house. Everybody’s gonna be fired up for this one. Both teams are gonna be locked in doing everything they can to win the football game.”
Another theme involved questions about other players and coaches. Coach Arians was asked to comment on Chiefs QB Pat Mahomes. “He’s unique. He’ll run out to the right and then throw all the way across the field to the left. You teach players not to do that. But he’s a better player than most.”
Travis Kelce was asked about Coach Andy Reid. “What he does best, he challenges the guys to meet expectations. The past two weeks we’ve had the full game plan. A lot of guys are banged up, but we’ve gotta get our work in. Coach Reid does a great job of making sure we’re as ready as we can be.
Tom Brady, who impressed the media with his uncanny Rob Gronkowski impression earlier this week, shared effusive praise for his teammate. “He’s one of the most unique people. Everybody wishes they could come back in their next life as Rob. He’s really positive, a real high achiever. When you’re down and out, you want to be with him. For both of us, we rely on each other for a lot of things.”
Travis Kelce was also asked about playing against Tom Brady and the Bucs. “Going up against a great QB like Brady, you just have to be able to control what you can control. Win the turnover battle. Going up against an offense like that, you just gotta put up points so you’re not behind going into the fourth quarter.”
Brady was also asked about getting his jersey number 12 from Chris Godwin when he joined the team. Brady was ready to take the number 7 jersey, but “Chris was so cool about it, he was amazing. He’s a stud no matter what number he’s wearing. I’m just appreciative he allowed me to use it.”
Brady also took some time for self-reflection, looking back on his incredible career. “I think just being grateful for all the blessings in my life I’ve got, I just try to do the best I can do with every situation. Any time you get a chance to realize your dreams, I’m just so appreciative of all the people that have helped me along the way, I just hope I can give back the same way. I try to give younger players what they need. I’m very grateful and very appreciative.”
Another theme of today’s questioning involved family. Travis Kelce was asked about his father. “He’ll be in attendance. Papa Kelce will be there. I’m just trying to get him a third one (brother Jason won a Super Bowl trophy in Philadelphia). As long as my family are proud of me, what else can I ask for?”
Tom Brady was asked a question by a ten year old reporter who wanted to know about Tom’s family traditions, and how he planned to celebrate a victory on Sunday. “The best part of winning is being able to celebrate with family. If we get the job done, that’s exactly what we’ll be doing.”
On a more somber note, Coach Andy Reid ended his comments to the media by saying, “My heart goes out to the Schottenheimer family.” Former head coach Marty Schottenheimer was recently moved to a hospice facility near his home in Charlotte, NC. Schottenheimer is a member of the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame.
Stay tuned to Florida National News for coverage leading up to Super Bowl Sunday, as the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12) beat the Tennessee Titans (3-13) 20-13 on a rainy afternoon, as Jacksonville remained under a tornado watch for much of the game. Today’s game was the team’s annual “fan appreciation game,” celebrating the fans’ support of the Jaguars all season long, and for the past 30 years.
The Jaguars’ first drive ended with a 48 yard K Cam Little field goal. But neither team managed to score during the rest of the first quarter, as the score remained 3-0.
In the second quarter, Jaguars LB Devin Lloyd intercepted a QB Mason Rudolph pass intended for RB Julius Chestnut, which excited the hometown fans. The Jags capitalized on that opportunity, as QB Mac Jones threw a 2 yard touchdown pass to WR Parker Washington, followed by Cam Little’s extra point, to extend their lead to 10-0. Little later added a 44 yard field goal, but the Titans scored their first points of the game at the end of the second quarter on K Matthew Wright’s 39 yard field goal. The Jaguars were ahead 13-3 at the half.
QB Mac Jones and QB Mason Rudolph (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)
Midway through the third quarter, Mason Rudolph completed a 8 yard touchdown pass to TE Nick Vannett, followed by Matthew Wright’s extra point, narrowing the Jags’ lead to 13-10, which remained the score heading into the fourth.
Midway through the fourth, Mac Jones found WR Brian Thomas Jr. in the end zone for an 11 yard touchdown, followed by Little’s XP, to put them ahead 20-10. Matthew Wright’s 28 yard field goal moved the Titans within a touchdown at 20-13, just before the two-minute warning. The Titans had one final drive to score, but were stopped by the Jaguars defense.
DE Travon Walker’s sack today moved him into the top 10 in franchise history with 23.0, breaking his tie with Marcus Stroud and Bobby McCray. Brian Thomas Jr. also tied WR Randy Moss’ NFL rookie record of eight games with at least 60 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.
Mac Jones finished with 174 yards and two TDs. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars’ rushing with 49 yards. Brian Thomas Jr. was the leading receiver with 91 yards and 1 TD. Today’s attendance was 61,995.
The Jaguars head to Indianapolis to face the Colts on Sunday, 1/5. Kickoff time has not yet been announced for this final game of the season. Be sure to follow www.FloridaSportsChannel.com and www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (3-11) lost to the New York Jets (4-10) at EverBank Stadium, 32-25. This marked Mac Jones’ first loss to the Jets after winning his first five games in his career against the team.
The Jaguars scored on their first drive of the game, with a 3 yard touchdown pass from QB Mac Jones to WR Brian Thomas Jr., with K Cam Little adding the extra point. On that play, Thomas also broke the team rookie record of 865 receiving yards, previously held by WR Justin Blackmon in 2012, as well as the franchise rookie record for receiving touchdowns of six, previously held by WR Allen Hurns in 2014. The Jets responded with a scoring drive that ended with a 22 yard touchdown pass by QB Aaron Rodgers to WR Garrett Wilson, followed by K Anderson Carlson’s XP. The score remained 7-7 at the end of the first quarter.
QB Mac Jones (Photo credit: Harry Castiblanco, Florida National News)
At the end of an eleven minute scoring drive, Cam Little kicked a 28 yard field goal late in the second quarter for the Jags. Little added another 23 yard field goal as the half ended, to put the team ahead 13-7 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Jaguars DT Jeremiah Ledbetter sacked Aaron Rodgers for a loss of 14 yards, and entertained fans with a celebratory backflip. While the play prevented a Jets touchdown, Anders Carlson did manage a 43 yard field goal on the next play. The Jaguars responded with Cam Little’s 43 yard field goal soon after. But Rodgers’ 1 yard touchdown pass to WR Davante Adams tied the game, and the XP by Carlson put the Jets ahead 17-16, which was the score at the end of the third quarter.
In the fourth, Mac Jones found Brian Thomas Jr. in the end zone for a 19 yard touchdown pass. Their two point conversion attempt was incomplete, so the Jaguars pulled ahead 22-17. Anders Carlson missed a 48 yard field goal midway through the quarter. But Aaron Rodgers connected with Davante Adams for a 71 yard touchdown pass, and a two point conversion, to put the Jets ahead 25-22. But Cam Little’s 43 yard field goal tied the game at 25-25 with 1:51 remaining. But the Jets managed to score on a 1 yard touchdown run by RB Breece Hall, and the XP by Carlson. While the Jags had a chance to score, an interception ended their hopes. The final score was 32-25.
The Jaguars wore their “Prowler Throwback” jerseys in celebration of the team’s 30th season. The team debuted the ‘90s-inspired alternate uniform in week 5, when they beat the Colts 37-34.
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence is out for the remainder of the season, as he continues to recover from the concussion he suffered in week 13 by Texans’ LB Azeez Al-Shaair. Lawrence is also expected to undergo surgery on his non-throwing shoulder in the coming weeks.
Mac Jones finished with 294 yards and two TDs. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars’ rushing with 65 yards. Brian Thomas Jr. was the leading receiver with 105 yards and 2 TDs. Today’s attendance was 63,251.
The Jaguars head to Las Vegas to face the Raiders on Sunday, 12/22. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. The Jaguars’ final home game of the season will be against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, 12/29 at 1:00 p.m. Be sure to follow www.FloridaSportsChannel.com and www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10) lost to the Houston Texans (8-5) 23-20, eliminating the Jags from the playoffs. Today’s game marked the Jaguars’ return to the field after a week 12 bye. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence started the game after missing the last two with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder, but left the game late in the second quarter after suffering a concussion in a heated moment between the two AFC South rivals.
QB Trevor Lawrence (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)
The first quarter set the tone for today’s defensive battle, with no scoring by either team. Texans’ K Ka’imi Fairbairn was the first to put points on the scoreboard with a 53 yard field goal early in the second quarter. Fairbairn later added a 30 yard field goal to put the Texans ahead 6-0. A few plays later, QB Trevor Lawrence had to be taken off the field in a cart, after a rough helmet-to-helmet hit by Texans’ LB Azeez Al-Shaair. Al-Shaair and Jaguars’ CB Jarrian Jones were both ejected after the ensuing brawl between the teams. Lawrence was ruled out for the remainder of the game with a concussion, so QB Mac Jones entered the game to take his place. On that same drive, K Cam Little kicked a 33 yard field goal, to leave the Jaguars trailing 6-3 at halftime.
QB Mac Jones (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)
Little added a 30 yard field goal early in the third quarter, to tie the game at 6-6, extending his streak to 15 consecutive field goals made, the longest by a rookie in Jaguars’ franchise history. The Texans’ next drive ended with a 7 yard touchdown run by RB Joe Mixon and extra point by Fairbairn, putting Houston up 13-6. Fairbairn kicked a 28 yard field goal late in the third quarter, extending their lead to 16-6.
Early in the fourth quarter, Little missed a 55 yard field goal attempt, ending his franchise rookie streak at 15 consecutive field goals made. The Texans scored on a 22 yard pass by QB C.J. Stroud to TE Dalton Schultz, followed by Fairbairn’s XP, extending their lead to 23-6. Jaguars TE Evan Engram joined Jeremy Shockey and George Kittle as the only three tight ends in NFL history to record at least 40 receptions in each of their first eight seasons. Soon after, the Jaguars added a 22 yard touchdown pass by Jones to WR Parker Washington. A failed two point conversion attempt left the Jags down 23-12. Jones later connected with WR Brian Thomas Jr. for a 6 yard touchdown pass, tying Thomas for first place in receiving touchdowns by a rookie in franchise history (six). A two point conversion narrowed the deficit to 23-20. But the Texans were able to run out the clock to seal their victory, and knock the Jags out of the postseason.
During today’s game, players, coaches, and staff wore customized cleats and sneakers in support of various charitable organizations that they support, as part of the NFL’s “My Clause My Cleats” campaign. In all, more than fifty charitable causes were represented, including youth health and wellness, cancer research, and social justice.
Mac Jones finished with 235 yards and two TDs. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars’ rushing with 46 yards. Parker Washington was the leading receiver with 103 yards and 1 TD. Today’s attendance was 62,588.
The Jaguars head to Tennessee to face their AFC South rival Titans on Sunday, 12/8. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. The Jaguars’ next home game will be against the New York Jets on Sunday, 12/15 at 1:00 p.m. Be sure to follow www.FloridaSportsChannel.com and www.FloridaNationalNews.comfor more.
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