How much can a QB really improve as the backup? It's an honest question - I don't know the answer. It just seems that when the season starts, practice reps for the 2nd and 3rd teams become limited with the focus being on the starters. So Bortles is likely to see practice snaps decrease, and unlike the preseason he won't be seeing game action. Essentially, his improvement will come almost wholly from film study and speaking with the coaches? I'm not sure how that can replicate game experience, so if the coaches determine he isn't ready now, why would he be ready after 2 or 3 weeks?

 

Another thing - if he truly wasn't ready, why would he be the backup QB? He'd be the third QB and inactive so that there was no chance of getting into the game and injuring his "psyche". Either he's ready or he isn't - no in between. 

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