Quote:QB Battle? Bortles shines in relief of Henne


Blake Bortles | JAC


(August 14, 2014 10:47 PM EDT)


Blake Bortles shined in Thursday's preseason game against the Bears, completing 11-of-17 passes for 160 yards.


Originally expected to enter the game after halftime, Bortles checked in with 3:35 left in the first half, leading the Jags on a 45-yard field goal drive. With the obvious disclaimer that he faced second and third teamers, Bortles looked better than any rookie quarterback has this preseason, making stick throws on the run while dropping dimes in traffic. Unlike the Jags' last rookie quarterback, Bortles was calm in the pocket, and scrambled to extend plays, not avoid hits. Chad Henne has played perfectly fine this preseason, but Bortles has looked every bit his draft pedigree. The Jags have insisted Bortles will redshirt all season, but sooner rather than later, there's going to be a controversy.