<p class="" style="font-size:12px;font-weight:bold;color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Rooster, on 28 Mar 2015 - 10:22 AM, said:<a class="" href='http://jungle.jaguars.com/index.php?app=forums&module=forums&section=findpost&pid=461550'></a>

Quote:I think it depends on the line more than it depends on Bortles. He has the talent to do big things but not if he's on his back 60 times a game. If the receivers stay healthy (which they didn't do last year) with the addition of Julius Thomas I think 20+ TDs should be expected. But I really think it comes down to the line's ability to protect Bortles more than anything else. You watch playoff games and the top QBs have all day to figure out what they want to do with the ball.

"This is key. Without the offensive line doing a good job, I would expect much of the same. I believe Bortles has the ability to be a great quarterback in the NFL. The real question should be what are the expectations for the offensive line. Honestly I was hoping that we would have pickled up at least 1 more quality OL in free agency. I'm not sure that we have adequately addressed the need there, and what is the strategy of the draft, if we are going to go after a lineman. If the current regime doesn't significantly improve as a whole, we will still be in the bottom 5 teams record-wise at the end of the season. "

 

I have to roll with these two opinions. I think he has the 'X' factor that we've been missing in our quarterbacks since Brunell, but he also has the issues with his mechanics. I think that a lot of that problem would be solved with better play from our o-line. He does have a little experience under his belt now, along with our receiver corps. The addition of Julius Thomas will hopefully add a dimension to the offensive attack that has been all but missing for years now. Still... so much of our hope for BB2 rides with the improvement of our o-line, and I'm another one who isn't positive that the need there has been adequately addressed during the off season. Considering that careers are at stake, I would've thought that the o-line would be the absolute top priority.

 

One things for certain; there will be no more excuses if our offensive LT gets pushed around again this season.

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