Quote:I disagree. 

 

Gabbert outplayed Henne in training camp and in practices last year, and was named the starter.  That was in a direct competition between the two.  How'd that work out?

 

Bortles benchmark isn't to play better than the current starter, and then he's the new starter.  Bortles benchmark is to improve in very specific areas, and to master the playbook.  When he has done that, the starting job is his.  He's not competing at all with Henne, which is why Henne's performance on the field is COMPLETELY irrelevant to when he assumes the starting role.

 

All those things he needs to improve are going to determine his performance, which needs to be better than Henne before playing.

 

I agree, once he is ready, the job is his.  I just don't see the point in saying, "It's not a competition" when the players are clearly competing to get on the field.  When that is, we don't know yet.... not even GuS/Dave.  And it's certainly too early to say, "It's been laid to rest."  It definitely hasn't.  It's going to take a full preseason and TC before the coaches determine who should start.

 

Gus and Dave are just saying the right things.  They want to take pressure off Bortles so he doesn't feel the need to be ready right away, but the player is still going to compete to be ready right away.

 

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