Mike Mularkey Hired: 8 Questions Moving Forward for the Jaguars

The new owner is in place.

The new head coach is in place.

The defense, once contracts are extended, will be in place.

What happens now?

If ever there was a time for optimism, fear and quiet resolve, this might be the time in Jacksonville. Mike Mularkey, the man rumored all along to be the new point man for this team, was hired Tuesday night. Now comes the hard part of convincing the Jacksonville fans and the team this will not be the same team that played in EverBank Field last season.

In the press conference on Wednesday, Mularkey was straight to the point in that he wanted to "put a winner on the field." It's a tough sell for a 5-11 team that was "so close," as said many times in sound bites all around town on radio, television and cable.

So close only gets you so far.

And with the hard part also comes the understanding that this is not an easy overhaul. The Jaguars need several key pieces filled on offense, and there are issues about who comes back on defense. 

These questions are just some of the ones the new coaching staff and management will have to answer now that another key piece has been filled. 

If it is true what team owner Shahid Khan said about the team finding someone they "Trust and someone we like," then hopefully, this search ended with the right man getting the job.

Here are some important questions moving forward into the offseason.

8. What Does This Do for Attendance Next Season?

While the Jaguars "sold out" every game this season, only one was truly sold out without help from a corporate sponsor buying tickets or Wayne Weaver buying the remaining tickets and donating them to avoid a blackout.

While Jack Del Rio's star was flickering, people were not buying tickets for the product that was on the field.

Does someone like Mularkey get this city fired up about coming to a football game or, like last year with anti-Tebow resentment, does this fanbase remain sour because a bigger name was not hired?

7. Who Becomes the First High-Priced Free Agent to Come to Jacksonville?

First, the Jaguars need to take care of their own and then worry about the others.

Names like Jeremy Mincey, Matt Roth and Dwight Lowery were key cogs on defense, while Josh Scobee will be a hot commodity as a kicker.

Remember, the team let Adam Podlesh go in free agency, and it hurt them with special teams this season.

If the Jaguars sign these four players, they can focus on other names in the talent pool.

6. What Big-Name Receivers Should This Team Go After?

Harry Douglas, who played in Atlanta and knows Mularkey's system, may be the first player on the list.

 Pierre Garcon of Indianapolis could be high on the radar as well. But both are "Type B" receivers.

What about Marques Colston of Green Bay, Vincent Jackson of San Diego and Stevie Johnson of Buffalo? All three would look great in Jaguars teal.

5. Will There Be Changes to the Offensive Line?

The line did not play that poorly in run blocking, as it moved defenders for the league's top leading rusher.

Pass protection was a joke. And they need more help at the guard position and right tackle.

Brad Meester figures to be around next season again to anchor the line.

A backup center and more depth is certainly needed.

4. Can the Offense Still Revolve Around the Running of Maurice Jones-Drew?

He has to, until someone proves they can be a decent passer on this team.

Whether that is Blaine Gabbert, Luke McCown or a free agent, MJD inherits the load by default.

But the load may be reduced next year. Rashard Jennings is coming back from injury, and DuJuan Harris looked good running the ball in place of MJD.

3. Can This Team Keep Mel Tucker?

They must try their best.

Tucker is the best hope for this team to remain a defensive power.

I don't see a Rex Ryan or Jim Haslet on this team's radar, so Tucker, who is great, needs to be the focal point of retention, much like the free agents on the squad.

If Tucker is being courted by the Minnesota Vikings and he does not get the position, there will be others.

2. Who Becomes the Main Target in the 2012 NFL Draft?

It still has to be a receiver, but the seventh pick does not look to be one where a pass catcher is worthy of that selection.

Do the Jaguars trade down and get Michael Floyd of Notre Dame or Alshon Jeffery of South Carolina?

One name to follow is Kendall Wright of Baylor or Mohammed Sanu of Rutgers.

1. Will We Finally See What Blaine Gabbert Can Do?

I think that may finally be a "Yes!"

Gabbert needs true guidance and a real quarterback coach.

Mularkey can provide both.

If Gabbert throws for 3,000 yards next season, consider it a success.