Well, what do we know about Bortles after 13.5 games?  He started out being really careless with his throws.  The pick-6's were getting old fast.  So he really cleaned that up, and had a very respectable INT ratio in the last half of the season.  Did he look tentative for a while there?  Yes, it's a natural part of developing the decision-making process.  But he didn't lose his aggressive nature.  If he can continue in 2015 with low turnovers, the Jags offense will be in much better position to win games. 

 

What else?  He showed he's durable.  That's a big deal for a franchise QB.  He also showed he knows how to move around and avoid the more serious shots a more stationary QB often takes.  He can protect himself at the end of runs and runs smart.  He's really athletic for a guy his size.  He's also a low-key kind of guy who seems like it's not too big for him, he will put in the hours required to elevate his game, and grow within this offense and team.  I think the footwork and mechanics are fixable and we should see a lot of improvement in year 2. 

 

So yeah, he's the guy.  Gabbert had some difficult circumstances and never really rose above it.  Bortles has had maybe the youngest supporting cast of any rookie in history, but in many ways he has risen above it.  I do think the Jags need to develop another young QB, not to put pressure on Bortles; i just think that method is better than signing mid-level vets like Henne or any of the other "names" who have started for other teams with marginal success.  Besides, you never know who will be the next Tom Brady, a low-round pick that hits the jackpot.

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