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The
offense has been glamorous but the defense has done the
dirty work for the Jags.
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Practice Does Make Better!
Joe Hilton's former PFL nickname used to be "Owen."
That is because after 5 weeks in 1997 his record was 0 and 5,
then 0 and 6 and then 0 and 7. Some one asked one day, why do
you call Joe, Owen? Because each week he is "O" and
something. That went on for 7 straight weeks until Hilton won
his first game, against who else, Miami. Womack has a knack for
letting teams off the schnide. But after starting 0-7 in 1997,
Hilton won five of his last four to finish 5-11. At the time Hilton
was coaching the Philadelphia lead by Ricky Watters, Rodney Peete
and Irving Fryar. A lot has changed since then for the first time
division champion. In 1998 Hilton looked to bounce back and make
a run for the playoffs. That, he accomplished. Hilton finished
9-7 and qualified for the playoffs only to bounced out by his
nemesis Dallas 42-17. The next season Hilton set his eyes on Detroit.
With Watters departing for Seattle, and the quarterback position
unstable Joe set his eyes on greener pastures. With Barry Sanders,
Scott Mitchell, and Herman Moore, the Lions looked attractive.
But Hiltons stay was short lived in the motor city. A 62-7 blowout
loss to 6-10 Pittsburgh in the first round of the playoffs combined
with the retirement of Barry Sanders sent Hilton packing once
again. This time for the vacant Jacksonville job once held by
Keith Franklin. Once Frankin announced he would not return to
Jacksonville, Hilton took advantage and made the move. A move
that has paid huge dividends. With Fred Taylor, Brunnel, Smith
& McCardell, in addition to the emergence of Alfred Whitted
and a rock solid defense, Hilton has just as much talent at the
skill position as any other team in THE LEAGUE.
Now Hilton challenge
reamains....win a playoff game. This week he faces the Jets, a
team who blew out in his first meeting and barley beat the second
time. Plus, the curse of the the top seed sits atop his head.
If he can survive the Jets, the Bills may be the only team that
can beat him in the NFC. Otherwise, the Jags will have a clear
road to PFL Superbowl IV.
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