(01-22-2018, 04:44 PM)KeepinItTeal Wrote: I don't blame him for the loss.  But the team deserves better.  If the coaches had no confidence in him, which the second half play calling showed, then it is time to move on.  I like the guy and have pulled for him since he got here, but there will be better options available.

I don't think the play calling, particularly in the second half, was predicated upon their lack of confidence in Bortles.  They were pretty much 50/50 run/pass during the game, and they darn sure weren't taking the ball out of his hand in the 2nd half.  I think Hackett tightened up, but it wasn't due to a lack of confidence in Bortles.  He's done nothing during the playoffs but exude confidence in making the plays necessary to win the games.  

I think where we stand right now, if the team were to unload Bortles and bring someone else in, that locker room would splinter severely.  As he has gained confidence, so has his team in his ability to make the plays, no matter whether it's with his legs or through the air.  The locker room has stepped up and backed him up, and I don't think that was just a temporary thing.  I think they recognize far better than fans on a message board just how mentally tough he is, and how far he has come as a QB.  There will certainly be guys that on paper are better QBs, but what's the cost?  And are they truly going to make a difference on this roster?  The chemistry matters here.

With the return of Robinson next year, and possibly some additional offensive weapons added to the mix via the draft and free agency, I think we may actually see Bortles come closer to his ceiling.  It's never going to be perfect, but it can absolutely get better.  With Doug and Tom running the show, it seemed like Bortles actually recognized the need to be more of a pro, and he worked to improve this past off season.  I fully expect to see him take another step this off season.

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