Quote:He's pointing out everything we've all known already.  Other rookie QB's have had it easier because of more talent.  But I think we all knew when Blake was drafted that he may well by the end of the season be the most talented player on our entire team.  Probably sooner than that depending on things.

 

Couple of counter points though:

 

1.  Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson have proven to be more than merely rookie WR's.  They're rookies who look to know what they're doing.  They're still going to have their rookie mistakes, but they both have looked the part of genuine WR's.

 

2.  The oline was horrible with Henne in the game, but I was of the mind that when Blake was in that the line would be better simply because of the player.  Henne isn't a guy who moves well in the pocket or on the run.  Blake does both extremely well.  He's not going to beat a DB in a straight line, but he's got wheels if he needs them.  And he's athletic enough to make great moves inside the pocket.  Not to mention his pocket awareness is one of the things that made him a top pick.

 

3.  The running game is going to be horrible behind any line when opposing defenses are run blitzing on 1st and 2nd down every time.  They had no fear of the passing game with Henne in the game.  With Blake in, that'll be a different story.  Opposing defenses are going to have to back off because Blake will sling it downfield without hesitation.  Having a more even front 7 will make the running game better all by itself.  Not to mention the coaches finally getting Denard on the field more.

 

 

Conclusion - I was of the mind that the only way this team COULD show improvement was to play Blake.  Chad offered you absolutely nothing.  Sure he knew the playbook, but who cares when he can't get through a play, or get the throw off to a hot read WR, or move in the pocket to take a deep shot.  Blake fixes all of these problems.

 

Some talent is there.  Bowanko looked like an actual Center last week.  Robinson and Hurns are very promising.  Denard is coming along nicely and may end up splitting carries more evenly with Toby as the season continues.  Paxtor is almost back at RT so that immediately makes that side of the line better.  And I think Blake is the type of QB that elevates everybody around him.  

 

Good points.

 

And, to balance the article, there's also this...

 

https://captaincomeback.files.wordpress....enbort.jpg

 



 

(A thanks to Tony Khan for the tweet.)

 

Everyone will have an opinion either way.  Bortles' future will be defined by Bortles.

 

But there's one thing certain, there's simply nothing not to be encouraged by from his first steps in the league.

 

Expect growing pains.  Expect picks.  Expect highs.  Expect lows.  Expect enthusiasm.  Expect optimism.

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