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My guess is that they won't start Bortles for the first time on the road. 

No one thought Bortles would be  this far along at this point. Start the kid and let him build relationships with Hurns, Lee, Robinson and Shorts. The better chemistry those guys have with Bortles, the better this team will be in the long run.

 

Henne hasn't really screwed up but he has not outplayed Bortles by any means. Bortles gives us the best chance to win so why not play him?

Quote:No one thought Bortles would be  this far along at this point. Start the kid and let him build relationships with Hurns, Lee, Robinson and Shorts. The better chemistry those guys have with Bortles, the better this team will be in the long run.

 

Henne hasn't really screwed up but he has not outplayed Bortles by any means. Bortles gives us the best chance to win so why not play him?

 

I understand the concern about our blockers.  They are bad.... real bad.  That is why we don't play him week 1.  It has nothing to do with him being ready.  He's obviously ready.

 

Quote:My guess is that they won't start Bortles for the first time on the road. 

 

I think it would be smarter to start him at home for his first gig vs a team with a defense that is prone to big numbers.....such as the Colts..... :whistling: 

Quote:I understand the concern about our blockers.  They are bad.... real bad.  That is why we don't play him week 1.  It has nothing to do with him being ready.  He's obviously ready.

 

I get that our line is bad but the first good defense we play is week 5 against the Steelers. Why not give him an opportunity to gel with the first team offense during the first 4 weeks?

 

I guess I'm just not seeing the downside to playing Bortles.

Quote:I understand the concern about our blockers.  They are bad.... real bad.  That is why we don't play him week 1.  It has nothing to do with him being ready.  He's obviously ready.

 

 

I agree that the state of the OL definitely is a factor, and I think it needs to be considered. 

Quote:I get that our line is bad but the first good defense we play is week 5 against the Steelers. Why not give him an opportunity to gel with the first team offense during the first 4 weeks?

 

I guess I'm just not seeing the downside to playing Bortles.

 

The Eagles defense pretty much shut down Roethlisberger a few days ago....I'm not sure that isn't a good defense. 

Quote:I get that our line is bad but the first good defense we play is week 5 against the Steelers. Why not give him an opportunity to gel with the first team offense during the first 4 weeks?

 

I guess I'm just not seeing the downside to playing Bortles.

 

Although the EAgles are not good overall on defense.  They have guys like Trent Cole who have potential to eat our line up.

 

To be perfectly honest with you, Chad Henne getting even half of a season with these rookie receivers is more detrimental to the team than throwing Bortles into the fire.

 

Henne won't throw it to them, and they'll end up like Cecil Shorts was for awhile where he simply wasn't expecting the ball to come his way anymore.

Quote:... they'll end up like Cecil Shorts was for awhile where he simply wasn't expecting the ball to come his way anymore.

You mean like Marquis Lee already plays?  :teehee:

Quote:You mean like Marquis Lee already plays?  :teehee:

Shame on you    

Quote:To be perfectly honest with you, Chad Henne getting even half of a season with these rookie receivers is more detrimental to the team than throwing Bortles into the fire.

 

Henne won't throw it to them, and they'll end up like Cecil Shorts was for awhile where he simply wasn't expecting the ball to come his way anymore.

 

Not sure how true that is...

 

Shorts broke out in 2012 with Gabbert/ Henne

 

as did Blackmon. 

 

 

Do I think the WR development is better off with Bortles, tho? Absolutely. 

Interesting quotes (from Jags.com):

 

“We’re hoping to create an environment where we see fast progress by him, where things are coming faster to him,” Bradley said. “We believe that’s happening for him. He’s not there yet, but we think we can continue it.”

 

Wide receiver Cecil Shorts III said Monday teammates have confidence in either player.

“We can’t control it,” Shorts said. “We have no say in that. We know Chad Henne is our starter and we love Chad. Chad is a smart, savvy quarterback. He’s a veteran and he has been in the league a long time. He’ll do great things this year. I think he’ll be very good this year for us.”

 

Tight end Marcedes Lewis agreed.

“Look, I honestly think people are talking about Bortles because he’s a top pick, a rookie, they want to see him play right away,” Lewis said. “But we have a plan. That’s something management has said from the beginning, and we’re working that plan. Fortunately, we have two quarterbacks playing at a very high level. They’re pushing each other and continuing to get better. We’re fortunate to be in that situation.

“We understand that Chad is our leader, and Blake is right there behind him. It’s good for Blake because he’s able to relax and learn from a guy who’s going to help teach him and Chad is a consummate pro. We’re fortunate for that situation.”

 

Maybe it's just me, but reading between the lines it seems Shorts and Lewis both would prefer Bortles.

The oline is a huge factor, and Blake probably does need time to learn a bit more even though he is better than Henne already in my opinion.

 

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“Until they tell me otherwise, I just go out there and prepare like I’m the starter and play well,” said Henne, who has completed 25 of 38 passes for 230 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions in three preseason starts. “I understand my spot. If we play well and we win games, then (I) stay in. If I don’t, then things will happen. All I can control is game-by-game and how I go out there and play." - Chad Henne

 

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All Chad can do at this point is control what he does, and if he performs really well (but others dont causing a loss) than I think Gus would continue to keep Chad in unless Blake just looks far superior in practice during the season with the 1st string...

Quote: 

“Until they tell me otherwise, I just go out there and prepare like I’m the starter and play well,” said Henne, who has completed 25 of 38 passes for 230 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions in three preseason starts. “I understand my spot. If we play well and we win games, then (I) stay in. If I don’t, then things will happen. All I can control is game-by-game and how I go out there and play." - Chad Henne

 

 

 

Chad actually is spot on with that comment. If he plays well and the team is winning, he will remain the starting QB...at least for a longer period of time than most expect. There would be no reason to remove him hastily, in that scenario.  

As much grief as I have thrown Henne's way over his skill level he has certainly proved to be a pro at other levels. The way he has handled himself in many uncomfortable situations is a fine testament to his good character. That being said, I would rather see BB5 start. It appears to me that he is ready and it's not to big for him. Since I have zero actual skill as to confirm my opinions of BB5's readiness I willingly accept the teams plan. They know better.

The oline hasn't been an issue as far as protecting the QB.  According to PFF, the line has actually been in the top 5 for pass blocking so far this preseason.  It's run blocking where we're near the bottom.  Pass protection isn't a reason to keep Bortles on the bench.  

 

I don't have a PFF premium account, but those who do can confirm: 

 

<b>/r/Alfie</b> 
<span style="font-family:'Gotham Narrow SSm', sans-serif;color:rgb(136,153,166);font-size:13px;background-color:transparent;"><span>@AlfieBCC</span> </span>Aug 25 Jaguars OL is still Top 5 overall grade on PFF through 3 games in pass blocking. Run blocking however is at 27th overall.

Quote:The oline hasn't been an issue as far as protecting the QB.  According to PFF, the line has actually been in the top 5 for pass blocking so far this preseason.  It's run blocking where we're near the bottom.  Pass protection isn't a reason to keep Bortles on the bench.  

 

I don't have a PFF premium account, but those who do can confirm: 

 

<b>/r/Alfie</b> 
<span style="font-family:'Gotham Narrow SSm', sans-serif;color:rgb(136,153,166);font-size:13px;background-color:transparent;"><span>@AlfieBCC</span> </span>Aug 25 Jaguars OL is still Top 5 overall grade on PFF through 3 games in pass blocking. Run blocking however is at 27th overall.

 

Wow, if THAT  is "top 5" pass blocking, then pass blocking (leaguewide) has really gone downhill.  :woot: 

Quote:Interesting quotes (from Jags.com):

 

“We’re hoping to create an environment where we see fast progress by him, where things are coming faster to him,” Bradley said. “We believe that’s happening for him. He’s not there yet, but we think we can continue it.”

 

Wide receiver Cecil Shorts III said Monday teammates have confidence in either player.

“We can’t control it,” Shorts said. “We have no say in that. We know Chad Henne is our starter and we love Chad. Chad is a smart, savvy quarterback. He’s a veteran and he has been in the league a long time. He’ll do great things this year. I think he’ll be very good this year for us.”

 

Tight end Marcedes Lewis agreed.

“Look, I honestly think people are talking about Bortles because he’s a top pick, a rookie, they want to see him play right away,” Lewis said. “But we have a plan. That’s something management has said from the beginning, and we’re working that plan. Fortunately, we have two quarterbacks playing at a very high level. They’re pushing each other and continuing to get better. We’re fortunate to be in that situation.

“We understand that Chad is our leader, and Blake is right there behind him. It’s good for Blake because he’s able to relax and learn from a guy who’s going to help teach him and Chad is a consummate pro. We’re fortunate for that situation.”

 

Maybe it's just me, but reading between the lines it seems Shorts and Lewis both would prefer Bortles.

 


Go watch the interview with Lewis after the 1st or 2nd preseason game. He was asked about Bortles and the smile was ear to ear as he spoke. It then shifted to Chad and while he gave your standard PC answer, there was a definite decrease in enthusiasm. Yeah, maybe they don't mind having Chad in there...but there's a genuine excitement when they talk about Blake.

Quote:The oline hasn't been an issue as far as protecting the QB.  According to PFF, the line has actually been in the top 5 for pass blocking so far this preseason.  It's run blocking where we're near the bottom.  Pass protection isn't a reason to keep Bortles on the bench.  

 

I don't have a PFF premium account, but those who do can confirm: 

 

<b>/r/Alfie</b> 
<span style="color:rgb(136,153,166);font-family:'Gotham Narrow SSm', sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:transparent;"><span>@AlfieBCC</span> </span>Aug 25 Jaguars OL is still Top 5 overall grade on PFF through 3 games in pass blocking. Run blocking however is at 27th overall.

 

Dude its preseason most teams dont blitz as frequent & very vanilla playbooks on both sides of the ball.  I first hope that the Oline can remain healthy this year, and that pass blocking doesnt become a concern if so the team should be very succesful because Toby will power thru for at least 3 yards regardless...