A day later, Mel Tucker said perspective not only was needed, but easy to find.
Tucker, the Jaguars’ interim coach, said while winning for the first time as an NFL head coach Sunday afternoon was memorable – and while he appreciated and understood the emotions of Jaguars players afterward – it was “just one game.”
Besides, he said, the Jaguars play a nationally-televised game in just three days. That means this is no time for a long celebration.
That was why he liked what he saw late Sunday afternoon.
“I didn’t think it was overly jubilant in the locker room,” Tucker said Monday, a day after the Jaguars’ 41-14 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at EverBank Field.
“It wasn’t overly festive. Obviously, because it was my first win, guys wanted to make me feel good. That was part of it, but the other part of it was guys said, ‘Hey, we kind of expected this to happen.’
“We came into this game expecting to win, expecting to have success.”
Tucker said that’s key, because the key to success in the NFL is consistency and the key to consistency is not getting too up after a victory or too down after a loss.
Tucker, who took over as interim coach for Jack Del Rio 13 days ago, said the Jaguars took the proper approach the week leading to his first game, a Monday Night loss to the san Diego Chargers. He said what was more impressive – and more important – was in the wake of the San Diego loss players didn’t change their attitude, approach or preparation.
On Sunday, the Jaguars fell behind 14-0, at which point they had been outscored 38-0 in a little more than three quarters. But the Jaguars outscored the Buccaneers 28-0 in the second quarter, tying a franchise record for points in a quarter.
By game’s end, ![]()
Their previous high for the season had been 20 points.
The Jaguars will play the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome Thursday at 8:20 p.m. The game will be televised on the NFL Network.
“You have to keep things in perspective,” Tucker said. “The proper perspective right now is, ‘If you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse.’ We have to figure out a way in a short period of time to improve in all three phases. We have to improve starting today. We have to move forward, period.”
Tucker received a game ball from the players after Sunday’s game, and also received a necklace from the defensive line. Tucker joked Monday that the linemen had confiscated the necklace, but said the football is in his office at EverBank Field.
“I feel about the same, personally,” Tucker said. “Everyone in the building has a little more pep in their step today. We want to continue to work and strive to put ourselves in position where we can win more games. I’m always going to be encouraged and upbeat about the next opportunity.
“You don’t get very many in this business. We have another one this week, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Also on Monday:
*Tucker said the Jaguars could sign a kicker this week. Kicker ![]()
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*Tucker said punter ![]()
*Taylor said the status of defensive end ![]()
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*Tucker said wide receiver ![]()
*Tucker said rookie free agent RB ![]()
