I don't think the expectation should necessarily be for Bortles to 'take it up a notch' so much as for our o-line to start doing their part! Because of our poor run blocking we became one dimensional very quickly last season. As a result, we suffered a lot of interceptions; after all, it makes the opposing defense's job easier when they can reasonably expect to know what type of play is coming.

 

How bad is our run blocking? Example- Toby Gerhart's failure to move the ball one yard after four attempts in a row. Was that totally on Gerhart? I think not. That was zero push from our o-line, not to mention generally bad play calling on that occasion.

 

As for Bortles, I think he did fantastic last season given the line in front of him. I know that some say a great quarterback makes plays happen even with a mediocre line; Rothlesberger (sp) is the usual example given. This is often true, but not always; see Phillip Rivers. I think that if the o-line were to start playing at least at an average level that both our run game and (as a result) our passing game will improve. The axiom still stands; the games are won or lost in the trenches.

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