Sam’s Commentary

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

When Watching Tony Kornheiser, Buyer Beware

You might remember before Super Bowl XXXIX here in Jacksonville, then-Washington Post columnist Tony Kornheiser wrote a scathing review of Jacksonville as the host city. Since Channel 4 at the time was also owned by the Post, I invited Kornheiser to come on the air and explain his distaste for the city. He declined, but […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Khan Still Moving Forward

Over his career before and as the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Shad Khan hasn’t been impressed by talk. Action and results are what he’s looking for and gives his employees the tools to be successful. That’s why this week at the NFL Meetings in Boca Raton, Khan heard the positive talk about the Jaguars […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Dave Caldwell’s Jaguars Vision

Following and tracking what Jaguars General Manager Dave Caldwell has said from his first day on the job, he hasn’t wavered. Caldwell is measured in his dealings with the media but honest when he can be. That’s why 2016 will be a bit of a litmus test for what he’s done in the four years […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Bradley: Stay to the Plan

At the NFL’s Annual Meeting in Boca Raton, the Jaguars were everybody’s “sleeper pick” to make some noise in the AFC South and contend for a post season berth. But long suffering Jaguars fans probably only heard one phrase uttered by Head Coach Gus Bradley at the annual AFC Coaches Breakfast: “Five year plan.” Wait. […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

“The Hayt” Tests College Players At Sawgrass CC

With the unpredictable weather in North Florida in late February you wouldn’t think that Ponte Vedra Beach would be a good location for an early-spring college golf tournament. But it’s exactly that unpredictability that has been an attractive part of “The Hayt” for 25 years. Starting at Queens Harbor Golf Club and eventually moving the […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Earnhardt, Kyle Busch win Duels at Daytona

He knew it was a fast car so it was a little bit of a decision at the end of the first Duel 150 race at Daytona for Dale Earnhardt Jr. “It’s a hard equation,” he said in Victory Lane when I asked him which was his priority, save the car or win the race. […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Champions Ride for Safety

When I was invited to ride in the “Champions Ride for Safety” by St. Augustine NASCAR Driver Scott Lagasse I was flattered and a bit intimidated. After looking at the list of cyclists, I knew I’d have my work cut out for me. Sixty miles from the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine to the track […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Jaguars Re-sign Chad Henne

In a move that makes complete sense, which doesn’t happen often in the NFL, the Jaguars re-signed Chad Henne to a contract today. As the backup for Blake Bortles, Henne has played an important role in mentoring Bortles through the beginning of his career. In the process the two have become friends with Bortles saying […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

The Players Military Appreciation Day at 17th Hole. Toby Keith concert at 6:30, Tuesday May 10th.

This year’s Military Appreciation Day at The Players will have a new venue, added attractions and a superstar headliner performing. Again, Military Appreciate Day will be on Tuesday of The Players, May 10th, the first day the tournament is welcoming fans. The ceremony will begin at 6, with Toby Keith performing in concert at 6:30. […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Hall of Fame Voting: A Process

“Amalgamation of a career” It’s perhaps an unknown process, but it’s a process nonetheless. To get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame it ultimately takes an 80% yes vote of the selection committee on the Saturday before the Super Bowl. (This year there were 46 members. Thirty-two, one from each NFL team, and, in […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Gators Bolster Offense on Signing Day

With a year under his belt and expectations high, Jim McElwain thought the Gators were very competitive on Signing Day. With twelve early enrollees as well as the graduate transfers, Florida had some specific situations they wanted to address through recruiting. But McElwain didn’t want the players already in school to miss out on the […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

FSU Class Among The Best In The Nation

With eighteen four- and five-star recruits in their signing class of 25, Florida State grabbed what is considered one of the best recruiting classes in the nation for 2016. Continuing it’s national reach, the ‘Noles had 13 players from Florida and nine other states. Seven of their signees are already enrolled in school and will […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Stadium Clubs “Reimagined”

In the 21 years since it was torn to the ground and rebuilt, the stadium downtown, now called Everbank Field, has been transformed from a place to go see a game to one of the premier “fan experiences” in the NFL. As part of a $90 million project scheduled in three parts and to be […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Remembering Rex Morgan

Somewhere along the way in his career, somebody associated with JU decided that Rex Morgan shouldn’t be the head basketball coach at the Arlington school. It’s a bit of a shame, but his loyalty to the Dolphins never wavered. Sunday’s celebration of life for Morgan, who died last week at 67 after a battle with […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

“Krossover” Helping Hs Hoops Teams

For about 30 years or so computers have been in dugouts in Major League Baseball. Images of Tony Larussa scanning through matchups and statistics on a laptop in the dugout sent purists howling saying it signaled the end of the America’s Pastime. Now, every team employs an analytics expert, with some ascending to the General […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Cyclists And Motorists Looking For Compromise

While Jacksonville is a growing city, growing pains are part of the process. The way we live, work and play are important parts of the city’s culture as well as the weather and environment. So when the Florida Department of Transportation held an open house on Tuesday to talk about the repaving of parts of […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Smith Fired in Tampa: Jax DC?

After just two seasons, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fired Head Coach Lovie Smith Wednesday night. Smith took the Bucs job after a successful tenure in Chicago where he took the Bears to the Super Bowl but missed the playoffs five of the last six seasons he coached there. Smith was 84-66 in Chicago and 8-24 […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Jacksonville in the D-League?

Looking to have a Florida based NBA Development League affiliate, the Orlando Magic sent requests for proposals to eight locations in the state yesterday to host the team. Jacksonville is the only North Florida location to receive the request. Daytona Beach, Kissimmee, two locations in Orlando, Lakeland, Estero and Ft. Myers have also been invited […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

For Gus’ Sake, I Hope He’s Right

During his three-year tenure as the Jaguars Head Coach, Gus Bradley has redefined what ‘victory’ means. He was always looking for improvement, getting better, playing your best. But with Owner Shad Khan’s expectations that the team be ahead of where they were at the conclusion of the 2015 season, I asked Gus today whether he […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Coughlin Out At Giants HC

After meeting with the ownership, Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin was asked to step down from his position today. Coughlin won two Super Bowls with the Giants but just finished his third consecutive year without a winning season. Coughlin informed his staff that the Giants were making a change this afternoon. After leading Boston College […]