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Blake Bortles - Official Thread (2 Viewers)

Rotoworld:

Blake Bortles - QB - Jaguars

After attending Jaguars camp, ESPN's Adam Caplan reported on NFL Insiders Monday that the Jaguars are "gonna stick to their game plan" and keep Blake Bortles on the bench all season.

Bortles has reportedly been better than expected in camp, but the Jags are intent on giving him a full year to "learn" behind journeyman Henne. "They're gonna stick to their game plan," were Caplan's words. "Chad Henne is the starter. Blake Bortles sits all year." We still wouldn't be surprised to see Bortles get late-season playing time if Jacksonville racks up early-season losses.

Aug 4 - 3:39 PM
 
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He looked comfortable and confident in his first preseason game. He saw the field well, made good decisions, and threw with nice velocity and accuracy.

 
It will be interesting to see if they have the resolve to stick to their "keep him on the bench for a year" plan.

How much time does Bradley think he has?

 
Don't worry about Gus Bradley. He's got all the time he needs, and the Jags defense is looking fierce. They will cover the Vegas over bet easily.

I saw a lot of that game, and Blake Bortles looks legit. I know Bradley wants to give him a redshirt year, but he doesn't look like he needs it. Stands tall in the pocket, scans the entire field, zips it downfield, takes the hit and bounces back up. Looks the part of the first QB taken in the draft. Color me impressed.

 
He's going to be a very good NFL QB. I'm not sure about elite, but second tier at the very least.
Bold prediction from one preseason game. I hope for the Jaguars they have found a QB as they deserve some success at that position.
I'm not just basing this on one NFL preseason game. I watched him at UCF. He has both the arm, physical ability, leadership, and poise to be a terrific QB.

 
He's going to be a very good NFL QB. I'm not sure about elite, but second tier at the very least.
Bold prediction from one preseason game. I hope for the Jaguars they have found a QB as they deserve some success at that position.
I'm not just basing this on one NFL preseason game. I watched him at UCF. He has both the arm, physical ability, leadership, and poise to be a terrific QB.
The Roethlisberger comparisons weren't far off. I wasn't that entralled by Ben when he was drafted and he may not be one of the greatest QB's of all time but a guy like that can win in the NFL.

 
Bortles is a top-10 QB in the league ALREADY

This guy had the balls to go into Beaver Stadium and beat super-frosh Christian Hackenberg and an all-around solid Penn State team (consider this his "coming out party") 9/14/13

Thennnn, on primetime, goes into Louisville (ranked #8) - with the consensus pre-season #1 overall draft pick Teddy GoldenGate, and puts the shaft on those wishful BCS bowl candidates 10/18/13

Thennnnn, everyone googles his girlfriend

Thennnnnnn, Bortles "stuns" #5 Baylor in the Fiesta Bowl 52-42

Thennnnnnnnnn, Bortles goes #3 overall

Thennnnnnnnnnnn, Bortles says "Hey Jags, take my boy Storm Johnson in the 7th" - and the Jags listen because they know he is their future

Thennnnnnnnnnnnnnn, BORTLES WINS 7 SUPER BOWLS IN A ROW AND RIDES OFF INTO THE SUNSET GETTING A BLOWY FROM HIS SMOKESHOW WIFE ... and never does viagara commercials

 
Seemed to be working well through his progressions...wasn't locked onto his first option at all. Made some nice throws on the move. Ball came out reasonably quick.

The big disclaimers are that the defense was pretty vanilla (little in the way of disguised coverages or blitzes) and his pocket stayed pretty clean.

Lot to like about his early performances, but anyone calling for him to start over Henne based on this body of preseason work is likely overestimating how well he would play when the real games start.

 
Is it just me or did this guys arm look more impressive than when he was in college? I don't recall that zip on the ball when he was at UCF. He made the throws look easy and also threw really well on the run. Physically, the tools seem to be there. Let's see if he develops the rest of his game. It would be nice to have seen him deal with more exotic defensive looks and real pressure in the pocket.

 
I hated taking him at #3. Would have rather they took an O-lineman or maybe even Sammy Watkins/Mike Evans. Admittedly I did bash the pick. Would have rather they took whatever QB fell to the top of the 2nd round since I wasn't in love with any of these QBs.

With that said, I do like what I've seen from him so far this preseason. I like his calmness among other things. I never liked anything about Gabbert...ESPECIALLY his play. Preferably I'd still like for them to bide their time with him. Let him learn and observe the games...take mental notes. Obviously if Henne struggles after week 4 or so, throw Bortles out there to take his lumps. I'm just so afraid of rookie QBs getting the David Carr syndrome.

I hope the kid pans out. We really need a good QB to help erase the memory of Gabbert.

 
I hated taking him at #3. Would have rather they took an O-lineman or maybe even Sammy Watkins/Mike Evans. Admittedly I did bash the pick. Would have rather they took whatever QB fell to the top of the 2nd round since I wasn't in love with any of these QBs.

With that said, I do like what I've seen from him so far this preseason. I like his calmness among other things. I never liked anything about Gabbert...ESPECIALLY his play. Preferably I'd still like for them to bide their time with him. Let him learn and observe the games...take mental notes. Obviously if Henne struggles after week 4 or so, throw Bortles out there to take his lumps. I'm just so afraid of rookie QBs getting the David Carr syndrome.

I hope the kid pans out. We really need a good QB to help erase the memory of Gabbert.
Gabbert and Ponder are the poster children for why you don't reach for a QB need.

 
I never really understood sitting a young QB unless there was a really good QB ahead of him and the team had playoff aspirations. To me, the best way to learn is experience. If a young QB struggles early and it ruins his career I don't think he is mentally tough and was not going to make it anyway. The Jags seemed to decide he was not ready and wanted him to sit a year before they even saw him practice.

 
I never really understood sitting a young QB unless there was a really good QB ahead of him and the team had playoff aspirations. To me, the best way to learn is experience. If a young QB struggles early and it ruins his career I don't think he is mentally tough and was not going to make it anyway. The Jags seemed to decide he was not ready and wanted him to sit a year before they even saw him practice.
This is like the Nat's with Strasburg. They had a plan and were sticking to it no matter what. They lost in the playoffs because they didn't want their best pitcher to pitch too much.

If Bortles is the best QB on the roster, he should be playing. Having a 37 year old Henne in there does nothing.

 
I never really understood sitting a young QB unless there was a really good QB ahead of him and the team had playoff aspirations. To me, the best way to learn is experience. If a young QB struggles early and it ruins his career I don't think he is mentally tough and was not going to make it anyway. The Jags seemed to decide he was not ready and wanted him to sit a year before they even saw him practice.
This doesn't make much sense. So you think any team with a promising young QB should just take a mulligan on the season as that guy learns and makes potential mistakes? The goal is to win football games. If the team feels that starting the vet over the young guy gives them a better chance at that, than that is what they should do. It isn't all about the QB. The Jags more than likely just feel Henne gives them the best shot at winning right now.

 
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Meh, different player need different handling. You may think that it's the best way to train a guy, but that certainly doesn't make it so. I think Gus Bradley knows what he is doing better than a bunch of armchair QBs (myself included).

 
I never really understood sitting a young QB unless there was a really good QB ahead of him and the team had playoff aspirations. To me, the best way to learn is experience. If a young QB struggles early and it ruins his career I don't think he is mentally tough and was not going to make it anyway. The Jags seemed to decide he was not ready and wanted him to sit a year before they even saw him practice.
This is like the Nat's with Strasburg. They had a plan and were sticking to it no matter what. They lost in the playoffs because they didn't want their best pitcher to pitch too much.

If Bortles is the best QB on the roster, he should be playing. Having a 37 year old Henne in there does nothing.
Henne is 29.
 
I never really understood sitting a young QB unless there was a really good QB ahead of him and the team had playoff aspirations. To me, the best way to learn is experience. If a young QB struggles early and it ruins his career I don't think he is mentally tough and was not going to make it anyway. The Jags seemed to decide he was not ready and wanted him to sit a year before they even saw him practice.
This doesn't make much sense. So you think any team with a promising young QB should just take a mulligan on the season as that guy learns and makes potential mistakes? The goal is to win football games. If the team feels that starting the vet over the young guy gives them a better chance at that, than that is what they should do. It isn't all about the QB.The Jags more than likely just feel Henne gives them the best shot at winning right now.
Exactly and when coaches go from Coach of the Year to fired within two seasons, you absolutely need to win now. Bradley needs to win games. Otherwise it won't matter what kind of potential Bortles has because Bradley will be the linebackers coach in San Diego or something like that.

 
I never really understood sitting a young QB unless there was a really good QB ahead of him and the team had playoff aspirations. To me, the best way to learn is experience. If a young QB struggles early and it ruins his career I don't think he is mentally tough and was not going to make it anyway. The Jags seemed to decide he was not ready and wanted him to sit a year before they even saw him practice.
This doesn't make much sense. So you think any team with a promising young QB should just take a mulligan on the season as that guy learns and makes potential mistakes? The goal is to win football games. If the team feels that starting the vet over the young guy gives them a better chance at that, than that is what they should do. It isn't all about the QB.The Jags more than likely just feel Henne gives them the best shot at winning right now.
No not any team. Every situation is different. It isn't all about the QB, but when you draft a guy 3 a lot of it is. This is Chad Henne ahead of him not Brett Favre.

 
That's a bad misread of Gus Bradley's situation in Jacksonville. He's a terra firma, him and his GM. They are probably the brightest young Coach-GM team in the league and their star is on the rise. The defense is already in the discussion as a potential waiver wire fantasy defense. Bortles and Henne played well. The media and fans are all pushing for BB to start, but Bradley's not basing his decision on any outside pressure or internal pressure for that matter.

 
I never really understood sitting a young QB unless there was a really good QB ahead of him and the team had playoff aspirations. To me, the best way to learn is experience. If a young QB struggles early and it ruins his career I don't think he is mentally tough and was not going to make it anyway. The Jags seemed to decide he was not ready and wanted him to sit a year before they even saw him practice.
This doesn't make much sense. So you think any team with a promising young QB should just take a mulligan on the season as that guy learns and makes potential mistakes? The goal is to win football games. If the team feels that starting the vet over the young guy gives them a better chance at that, than that is what they should do. It isn't all about the QB.The Jags more than likely just feel Henne gives them the best shot at winning right now.
Exactly and when coaches go from Coach of the Year to fired within two seasons, you absolutely need to win now. Bradley needs to win games. Otherwise it won't matter what kind of potential Bortles has because Bradley will be the linebackers coach in San Diego or something like that.
You think Bradley is in a win now or you're fired situation? If he wins 6 games with Henne he stays? I don't think that is the situation there, but I could be wrong.

 
That's a bad misread of Gus Bradley's situation in Jacksonville. He's a terra firma, him and his GM. They are probably the brightest young Coach-GM team in the league and their star is on the rise. The defense is already in the discussion as a potential waiver wire fantasy defense. Bortles and Henne played well. The media and fans are all pushing for BB to start, but Bradley's not basing his decision on any outside pressure or internal pressure for that matter.
This

Even Bortles post-game talked about how there's no pressure for him to play.

You have to remember this is a team that after six weeks last year, people thought they were looking at an historically bad 0-16 team. A team that was getting almost four TDs from Vegas when they went to play in Denver. A team that drafted a highly rated corner that tore his ACL since it isn't about 2014.

Anyway back to Bortles...

I think the thing that people are forgetting about the Bortles situation is that the Jags made changes to Bortles footwork and mechanics. One of the things they have to weigh is if they feel he has had enough reps to reinforce the changes so he doesn't revert to poor form during a live game under stressful situations.

That is one of the things the Jags must look at when they decide he is "ready", not just whether he's making the proper reads or gives the team the best chance to win now.

 
I never really understood sitting a young QB unless there was a really good QB ahead of him and the team had playoff aspirations. To me, the best way to learn is experience. If a young QB struggles early and it ruins his career I don't think he is mentally tough and was not going to make it anyway. The Jags seemed to decide he was not ready and wanted him to sit a year before they even saw him practice.
This is like the Nat's with Strasburg. They had a plan and were sticking to it no matter what. They lost in the playoffs because they didn't want their best pitcher to pitch too much. If Bortles is the best QB on the roster, he should be playing. Having a 37 year old Henne in there does nothing.
Henne is 29.
Close enough.

 
I never really understood sitting a young QB unless there was a really good QB ahead of him and the team had playoff aspirations. To me, the best way to learn is experience. If a young QB struggles early and it ruins his career I don't think he is mentally tough and was not going to make it anyway. The Jags seemed to decide he was not ready and wanted him to sit a year before they even saw him practice.
This doesn't make much sense. So you think any team with a promising young QB should just take a mulligan on the season as that guy learns and makes potential mistakes? The goal is to win football games. If the team feels that starting the vet over the young guy gives them a better chance at that, than that is what they should do. It isn't all about the QB.The Jags more than likely just feel Henne gives them the best shot at winning right now.
Exactly and when coaches go from Coach of the Year to fired within two seasons, you absolutely need to win now. Bradley needs to win games. Otherwise it won't matter what kind of potential Bortles has because Bradley will be the linebackers coach in San Diego or something like that.
You think Bradley is in a win now or you're fired situation? If he wins 6 games with Henne he stays? I don't think that is the situation there, but I could be wrong.
Does anyone really know what's going to happen in Jacksonville? I'd speculate that he has to show something for the fans and owner to get excited about by the end of the year. I'd say best likely case for them is Henne plays well through mid-season and Bortles takes over and looks like a pro QB.

I'd love to see Henne pull a Brees and show leadership and that he deserves to be a starter, but I wouldn't count on it.

 
I never really understood sitting a young QB unless there was a really good QB ahead of him and the team had playoff aspirations. To me, the best way to learn is experience. If a young QB struggles early and it ruins his career I don't think he is mentally tough and was not going to make it anyway. The Jags seemed to decide he was not ready and wanted him to sit a year before they even saw him practice.
This doesn't make much sense. So you think any team with a promising young QB should just take a mulligan on the season as that guy learns and makes potential mistakes? The goal is to win football games. If the team feels that starting the vet over the young guy gives them a better chance at that, than that is what they should do. It isn't all about the QB.The Jags more than likely just feel Henne gives them the best shot at winning right now.
Exactly and when coaches go from Coach of the Year to fired within two seasons, you absolutely need to win now. Bradley needs to win games. Otherwise it won't matter what kind of potential Bortles has because Bradley will be the linebackers coach in San Diego or something like that.
You think Bradley is in a win now or you're fired situation? If he wins 6 games with Henne he stays? I don't think that is the situation there, but I could be wrong.
Does anyone really know what's going to happen in Jacksonville? I'd speculate that he has to show something for the fans and owner to get excited about by the end of the year. I'd say best likely case for them is Henne plays well through mid-season and Bortles takes over and looks like a pro QB.

I'd love to see Henne pull a Brees and show leadership and that he deserves to be a starter, but I wouldn't count on it.
Obviously you do not.

 
I never really understood sitting a young QB unless there was a really good QB ahead of him and the team had playoff aspirations. To me, the best way to learn is experience. If a young QB struggles early and it ruins his career I don't think he is mentally tough and was not going to make it anyway. The Jags seemed to decide he was not ready and wanted him to sit a year before they even saw him practice.
This doesn't make much sense. So you think any team with a promising young QB should just take a mulligan on the season as that guy learns and makes potential mistakes? The goal is to win football games. If the team feels that starting the vet over the young guy gives them a better chance at that, than that is what they should do. It isn't all about the QB.The Jags more than likely just feel Henne gives them the best shot at winning right now.
Exactly and when coaches go from Coach of the Year to fired within two seasons, you absolutely need to win now. Bradley needs to win games. Otherwise it won't matter what kind of potential Bortles has because Bradley will be the linebackers coach in San Diego or something like that.
You think Bradley is in a win now or you're fired situation? If he wins 6 games with Henne he stays? I don't think that is the situation there, but I could be wrong.
I think he keeps his job if Bortles looks at all like their QB of the future. Taking Bortles at #3 was a big call IMO so if it works out it looks good for Bradley.

 
Rotoworld:

Coach Gus Bradley revealed Friday the team plans to let Blake Bortles spend a full quarter with the first-team offense in Jacksonville's third preseason game next week.

The Jags may be reevaluating their stance on "redshirting" Bortles after back-to-back impressive preseason performances. He's only worked with the twos to this point; the Jaguars will now test Bortles with the ones. Chad Henne has performed just fine on his own, but should be feeling the heat. If the Jags see that Bortles is truly ready to start in the NFL, we think they will play him.

Aug 15 - 1:14 PM

Source: Ryan O'Halloran on Twitter
 
Is it just me or did this guys arm look more impressive than when he was in college? I don't recall that zip on the ball when he was at UCF. He made the throws look easy and also threw really well on the run. Physically, the tools seem to be there. Let's see if he develops the rest of his game. It would be nice to have seen him deal with more exotic defensive looks and real pressure in the pocket.
The arm strength issues have been linked to poor throwing mechanics, which the Jaguars coaches are working on improving:

The Jaguars are hoping to fix No. 3 overall pick Blake Bortles' lower-body mechanics during his redshirt rookie year.

Per NFL Network's Albert Breer, the Jags believe Bortles was too much of an "arm thrower" at UCF, which aligns with the draftnik community's belief that his arm strength was not particularly impressive. He'll generate better torque if Jaguars coaches can get Bortles to improve his lower-body technique. Stopgap Chad Henne will open the season on a comfortably long leash.

Source: Albert Breer on Twitter

Jul 24 - 9:18 PM
 
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