Per Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union, the Jaguars hired Mike Mularkey to be the team’s next head coach.

Mularkey, who spent the last four seasons as the Falcons’ offensive playcaller, was widely regarded as the top candidate for the job since the regular season concluded.

What’s odd is that he didn’t even formally interview until today, so he evidently wowed owner Shahid Khan and Jacksonville’s brass into quickly making it official. Impressive considering Atlanta just came off an embarrassing Wild Card round loss, failing to put up a single offensive point against the Giants.

This will be the second head coaching stint for Mularkey, who held the position with the Bills in 2004.

With the Falcons, Mularkey was praised for developing Matt Ryan into a very solid — perhaps even borderline elite — quarterback, while overseeing an offense that consistently ranked near the top in scoring.

In Jacksonville, however, he’ll have his hands full with Blaine Gabbert, arguably the worst starting signal-caller in the NFL, along with a unit that lacks talent in nearly every area.

On the other side of the ball, the Jags are hoping to retain Mel Tucker, who took over as interim coach when Del Rio was fired, as defensive coordinator. Tucker is a bit of a hot commodity, having recently been linked to several coordinator vacancies, including in Minnesota, where he has an interview scheduled for Tuesday night.

Although the team’s new ownership has already been determined, the same can’t be said for its head coach.

Defensive coordinator-turned-interim coach Mel Tucker will oversee the final game, but the Jags are expected to be in the market for a notable hire to do what Jack Del Rio couldn’t — resurrect an otherwise dormant franchise.

Former Pro Bowl running back Fred Taylor knows just the guy for the job.

Earlier this week, Taylor told the Florida Times-Union that Jacksonville needs to target a big-name coach this offseason; preferably one with a winning background, like former longtime Titans head man Jeff Fisher.

“His track record speaks for itself,” Taylor said. “You start talking about Bill Cowher and those guys they’re pretty content behind the broadcast, the analyst’s desk or whatever.”

Taylor, who’s arguably the greatest player in team history, is well-versed on Fisher, having played against him many a time during his 11 seasons with the Jags. He thinks it’d be a good fit for Fish, who’d likely be inclined to stick it to Tennessee twice a year.

“He’s going to be super motivated to go and kick Tennessee’s ***** each time they play,” Taylor said. “He’s a good coach. I think they throw out the whole rivalry thing and look at the standpoint of this guy’s been successful. It’s only twice a year he has to play his old team.”

Taylor may be on to something here; could the Jags have been one of the two teams that supposedly contacted Fisher last month? If it happened, it’d certainly make an otherwise nondescript “rivalry” between the Jaguars and Titans that much more compelling.

While the list varies across the NFL coaching spectrum, one of Wayne Weaver‘s final acts as owner — before selling the team to Illinois businessman Shahid Khan — will be to conduct an “extensive search” to find Del Rio’s successor, NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora reports.

One of the more experienced candidates speculated to be in the running for the gig was NFL Network’s own Brian Billick, former coach of the Ravens from 1999 through 2008.

It does makes sense, after all. Billick is a championship coach with a distinguished pedigree, one that could potentially turn around the Jags’ franchise after many years of ineptitude.

A perfect fit, right? It would be, except for one minor detail: he already withdrew his hat from the ring.

Appearing on NFL Network, Billick threw cold water on the idea of him roaming the sidelines in Jacksonville, saying his qualifications don’t match what the franchise is seeking.

“They’re looking for young and cheap, and I’m neither,” Billick said.

He didn’t say it outright, but it seems Billick is very much content with his role as a studio analyst — a spectator free of the pressure that goes along with coaching.

“Look, I’m relaxed, my cardiologist says I’m doing great, life’s good,” he joked.

Assuming Billick’s name can safely be removed from the mix, La Canfora mentioned a few others that could be in the running, including Mel Tucker, the team’s defensive coordinator turned interim coach, former Falcons and Seahawks coach Jim Mora, and current Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.

Following the Jags’ loss to the Texans on Sunday, Del Rio announced that Blaine Gabbert will remain the team’s starting quarterback, despite being benched in favor of Luke McCown, the Sporting News reports.

“Blaine’s our starting quarterback until I tell you otherwise,” Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio told reporters following Sunday’s 20-13 loss to the Texans.

During the fourth quarter against Houston, Del Rio yanked Gabbert, who had completed 13-of-29 passes for 136 yards and an interception up to that point.

The ninth-year head man for Jacksonville defended his decision to make the switch, but acknowledged it just wasn’t enough as his struggling squad fell to 3-8 on the year.

“We’re just not able to generate enough offense to put ourselves in position to win the game,” Del Rio said. “In an effort to find that spark, I made the switch obviously in the fourth quarter and put Luke in. Luke gave us a little life there at the end. It was nice to see.

“It’s tough to win in this league when you are not scoring. We fight, we give great effort, we’re working hard at it. We’re just not making enough plays.”

McCown entered, basically in garbage duty, throwing for 62 yards on eleven attempts. His pocket presence was a tad better than that of Gabbert, who displayed happy feet and looked intimidated by the defenders around him.

On the other hand, Gabbert’s teammates did little to help him out, dropping some very catchable passes, including a would-be touchdown late in the contest.

The Jaguars organization invested heavily in Gabbert, trading up in the draft to select the former Missouri Tiger. They’ll have the rest of the season to determine whether or not he can be the future at the position.

Otherwise, should he continue to fizzle, it could spell the end of Del Rio — who is already hanging on by a thread — and possibly even general manager Gene Smith.

According to the Associated Press, Jags head coach Jack Del Rio on Wednesday anointed Blaine Gabbert as the team’s starting quarterback for their Week 3 matchup against the Panthers.

Del Rio made the switch after witnessing a horrific game by Luke McCown, who threw four interceptions and finished with a 1.8 passer rating in a blowout loss to the Jets.

Gabbert, the draft’s No. 10 overall pick, entered the game in mop up duty, finishing 5 of 6 for 52 yards. During the preseason, when he received extending playing time, Gabbert completed 35 of 70 passes for 365 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

Despite getting the nod, Gabbert won’t have much to work on offense, and will likely spend much of the afternoon handing the ball off to running back Maurice Jones-Drew.

As Jacksonville’s hopeful franchise option, Gabbert was going to eventually get his shot, though it’s come earlier than expected due to McCown’s ineptness under center. Considering their lack of an alternative, Gabbert is likely to remain the Jags’ starter going forward — even if he falls flat on his face, as most first-year players do.

Jags receiver Jason Hill told the Florida Times-Union that Gang Green corner Darrelle Revis is “overhyped”, based solely on the fact that he plays in the country’s biggest market.

“Same one that everyone else gives us,” Hill said. “This is a league full of great players. I think sometimes they get overhyped. I talked to Drew [Coleman], Drew played there. He says it’s just the aura of New York. They got a big media. That’s not the Jacksonville paper, that’s the big New York Times paper so they get more pub. That’s what it is.”

Though Hill guarded himself by calling Revis a “good player” — an understatement, to say the least — he claims Revis is more nationally recognized because “he just made a lot more plays on TV than we’ve made being here in Jacksonville.”

“I think the whole New York is overhyped,” Hill said. “Him personally, he’s a good player, Pro Bowl player, I’m trying to make it to the Pro Bowl, too. This’ll be a good game to put some notches on our belts too. It’s the New York Times vs. the Jacksonville paper. New York Times they got a lot more viewers than you got.

If you don’t know who Jason Hill is, well, I don’t blame you. He was the 49ers’ third-round pick in 2007 and signed with Jacksonville in 2010. In six seasons, he’s recorded just 55 receptions, and has missed the last two days of practice with a hip injury.

His resume doesn’t exactly give him a ton of room to talk about any other player — especially of Revis’ caliber — but that’s what happens when a team are nine-point underdogs heading into their matchup and could use the spark.

This situation brings back shades of 2007, when Steelers safety Anthony Smith, another relatively unknown player, guaranteed his team would beat the Patriots in the week leading up to the contest. The end result? New England won in a laugher, 34-13, and made Smith look silly on multiple instances.

Now I’m not saying the Jets are what the Pats were that year — a juggernaut — nor am I discrediting Hill’s ability. But, assuming he suits up for this game, he may suffer the same fate as Smith while he’s stranded alone on Revis Island.

According to the Florida Times-Union, Taylor will sign a ceremonial contract with the Jaguars on Friday so he can retire as a member of an organization that he spent 11 seasons with.

The Jags selected Taylor with the ninth overall draft pick in 1998. The former Gator ended up setting two single-game franchise records with the Jaguars, rushing for 234 yards against the Steelers in 2000 and 194 yards against the Saints in 2003.

Taylor remains Jacksonville’s leading rusher in team history with 11,271 yards, and is the NFL’s 15th leading rusher of all-time. Surprisingly, he was selected to just one Pro Bowl in his career (2007).

After the Jags cut him loose in 2008, a move that surprised many, Taylor latched on with the Patriots and played in just a handful of games before injuries derailed his last two seasons.

Much like most ‘backs in their late thirties, the 35-year-old Taylor is ready to explore life after football. Following a career filled with productivity and class, it’s safe to say he’s earned that decision.

According to the Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker reaffirmed on Wednesday that he’d like to play for the Dolphins.

“We would love that,” Sims-Walker said. “Me and him, our relationship on the field and off the field. We make each other better. We compete with each other so much that we’re going to bring the best out of each other every single minute. That will be the best thing for the whole team.”

Sims-Walker is referring to Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall, his best friend and former college teammate at the University of Central Florida. Apparently, the two have discussed joining forces again — this time with the ‘Fins.

While he has no idea where he’ll land due to the lockout indefinitely delaying the start of free agency, MSW won’t be returning to Jaguars, who told him in March that he will not be re-signed. Despite knowing he’s on his way out, Sims-Walker praised the organization and head coach Jack Del Rio, in particular.

“I love the Jacksonville Jaguars community with all my heart,” Sims-Walker said in a phone conversation. “I’ll still say it to this day, but Jack Del Rio is probably one of the best coaches in the NFL.”

“It’s always good to have a coach whose played the game because he understands,” Sims-Walker said of his now former coach. “A lot of coaches who didn’t play the game they don’t understand what we go through physically and mentally and emotionally.”

Sims-Walker was the team’s third-round pick in 2007 and has made a name for himself over the last two seasons. After climbing up the depth chart, he finally opened eyes in 2009 when he posted 63 receptions for 869 yards and seven touchdowns. Last season, Sims-Walker battled injuries, which hampered his production a bit, but still finished with 562 yards and seven touchdowns.

Those numbers may not be All-World, but take into account that the Jaguars are primarily a run-first offense, and their quarterback situation has been shaky at best.

In Miami, Sims-Walker could add an element they’re sorely missing — a homerun threat opposite Marshall. The Dolphins have Davone Bess and Brian Hartline on the roster, though both are more suited for the slot. They also drafted Edmond Gates last month, but there’s little chance a rookie will start.

Although the Dolphins already have their hands full with Marshall, who was recently in intensive care after a domestic dispute, they need a spark to turn their 30th-ranked scoring offense around.

Sims-Walker may be the perfect man for the job.

The mystery was solved tonight as the Jacksonville Jaguars traded up to select Gabbert with the No. 10 overall pick.

The Redskins, who were thought to be seriously interested in Gabbert, acquired the Jags’ second-round pick — No. 49 overall — in the swap.

The Jaguars, meanwhile, landed a guy who has terrific athleticism and downfield vision, but some knock his pocket presence. Gabbert recorded over 6,800 yards and 40 touchdowns in his career.

He should rival David Garrard in training camp for the starting job, and has a chance to start from day one.

Mel Tucker (right)

It looks as if the Jacksonville Jaguars’ staff won’t be undergoing any changes as both coordinators from last season will return in 2011.

Specifically defensive coordinator Mel Tucker, who agreed to terms on a new contract today, NFL.com’s Jason La Canfora reports. Earlier today, John Fox got the head coaching gig in Denver, beating out Jags’ offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter; he’ll be returning by default.

After head coach Jack Del Rio met with owner Wayne Weaver after the season, they both concluded that Tucker will take on a much bigger role in the defensive playcalling next season. Del Rio’s background is on the defensive side of the ball, but, after almost losing his job, he should have no problem deferring some of the power over to Tucker.

Tucker has been the DC in Jacksonville for two seasons and held the same position with the Cleveland Browns in 2008. The organization reportedly holds him “in high regard”, so he could become a permanent fixture on the team’s staff.

The Jaguars finished 27th in total defense in 2010. On top of that, they allowed a little over 250 passing yards per game, as well as 121 yards on the ground. Tucker has to fix an otherwise lackluster secondary, while shoring up their pass rush, before those rankings significantly improve.