Quote:So, if I'm reading this correctly, you're saying Mariotta is a better Checkdowner and his receivers are good at picking up YAC? Is that really what we need in Jacksonville right now? Yet another Checkdowner? I seem to recall this board being livid in the not-too-distant past about having a Checkdowner under center. Maybe not you specifically but the point still stands.

 

If anything, most of us would agree needs to be more balance not just in short vs. long passes but passes vs. effective runs. However, your singularly stat driven impression of Bortles, such that it is, comes off as exceedingly disingenuous as well. You represent an inaccurate extreme that Blake is a horrible QB and is hopeless. You may not intend to...but that's how you come off. That's no more true than those proclaiming Blake is the next Joe Montana. The truth lies somewhere in the middle and the signs point to him eventually growing into a very good quarterback if he keeps putting in the work and cleaning up his game (along with better coaching). Why can't we all just agree to that and stop this nonsensical debate?

 

No, what I'm saying is that YAC is a mark of an accurate and well timed ball. Having good YAC production is not the same as being a checkdowner, just look at YPA.  My point is that efficiency is what wins game in the NFL and to knock Mariota doing things that NFL greats rely on game in and game out on their way to multiple superbowl wins and the hall of fame doesn't make sense to me. I'm not saying that Bortles is the worst QB or absolutely hopeless, but its far from obvious he is going to be more than an average QB in this league. He has been better in his 2nd year, but far from the franchise QB and lock top 10 QB many are making him out to be. He is still one of the most inaccurate passers in the NFL and needs to make better decisions. 

 

The only problem I have is with posters who write off Mariota when all the facts and good reasoning support him and those who will blindly defend Bortles in the face of obvious evidence. The excuses for Bortles and the attempts to discredit Mariota are laughable.

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