(06-22-2017, 10:52 AM)The Real Marty Wrote:

(06-21-2017, 04:37 PM)Dakota Wrote: Let's look at a couple of positions, and a handful of seasons. Positions: QB, RB, CB, and DL. Now, look back at the past few seasons. Let's start with RB. 2 years ago, the Jags used a 2nd round pick on a RB. The following year, they spent quite a bit on another RB. Now, this year, they use pick #4 on yet another RB. Why? Because they knew they didn't have their guy. CB, first the FA from GB (forgot the name). Next, a high pick on Ramsey, followed by a high pick on Boyie(sp).  Same with safety with Sample, Cyp, Church, and Gipson. The D-line has had multiple draft picks and high priced free agents. Now, why did they do all of this? Common sense dictates that they want the best guys on the field.

Now, looking at QB. What do they see in Bortles that keeps them from doing the same thing as all of these other positoins? I don't know. It's almost like they want to let the cream rise to the top except for the most important position on the team.

What are they seeing that we don't that keeps them from following their MO of letting the best guy win? I wish I knew.

I think one reason is because guys at the positions you cite can all get on the field.   We use multiple safeties, multiple CBs, etc.   QB is completely different.   During the season, the starting QB gets 100% of the reps in practice.   This is true for the entire league.  Backup QBs do not get ANY reps during the season, because it is so important to completely prepare the starting QB.  So if you draft another QB, he's either going to sit all year without any reps beyond training camp, or you're going to bench your starter and he won't get any reps for the entire season.   So if you bench your starting QB, he's DONE.   It's final.  That's what makes changing QBs such a huge huge thing.   And that's what makes drafting a new QB a waste unless you are thinking about starting the guy. 

That's why the QB position is treated so differently from other positions.  You can draft other positions, and they will contribute one way or another.   If you draft a QB, and you don't play him, he contributes nothing at all.

The other thing is, in terms of Bortles in particular, finding a quality QB is really hard.   Look at Cleveland.   They have churned through dozens of QBs in the last 8 or 10 years without ever finding a "franchise" level QB.   It's really hard to find one.   So if there is any chance at all that your guy could become a quality starter, you have to let it play out.  Say the odds of Bortles becoming a franchise QB at this point is 10%.   What are the odds the next guy is a franchise QB?   5%?   Go with the 10% chance.  Play it out.

You nailed it with your last paragraph. Intelligent people don't do the equivalent of throwing a tantrum and start drafting bad players or signing bad players just because they think the current QB isn't good enough.

Of course I think Bortles is actually much better than he's given credit for here and around a league that wants the Jaguars to fail, but we'll see what we get in 2017. My guess is there will be a lot of people 8 games into the season trying to reason away credit from Bortles when the team has a winning record and he's playing well. A lot of "it's all Fournette!" and "it's all the defense!" But really if they're winning I think most of us will be happy enough anyway.

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