(08-17-2017, 11:49 AM)keeper88 Wrote:

(08-17-2017, 11:25 AM)mvannostran Wrote: Serious question, if Blake's stays next year we're around 19-20 tds and around 12 INTs, how would you feel?
Because that's what Blake would have been had he thrown the ball only 500 times at his same percentages from last year.
Take into account that throwing less and a better run game would probably result in higher percentage throws and better opportunities, he probably would increase his to rate and lower the INT rate just by being more balanced.

If Blake achieves those numbers as part of a don't screw it up game manager type plan, and those INTs aren't a bunch of game killing P6s, and if we can be a playoff contending team under such plan (not just some meaningless stats compiled by a bottom feeding 3-win team in garbage scenarios), I don't like the plan but I'd have to be okay with it -- for now.  I would note that the margin for error in that plan is pretty slim, especially if you want to graduate to Super Bowl contender, which I think is still our goal some day...  It is much easier to get there with an elite QB that can bail you out versus a don't screw it up game manager, which is increasingly harder in today's NFL though not impossible (see Denver Broncos under Manning, who would qualify as a much better game manager than Bortles btw...).

All the above said, a couple serious questions back at you --- is that our goal for our QB position, long term (a don't screw it up game manager)?   Do you think Bortles is a good pure thrower of the football (meaning can consistently throw a football with the requisite velocity and accuracy needed to be a good, or heaven forbid great, NFL QB)?

As a note to Blake's INTs last year, he had 3 P6s, so by eliminating some INTs overall, we could say that would be maybe 2. Also, we need to remember how many INTs last year were just ridiculous bad luck. Tipped balls, 2 off a foot, etc. So that number is probably a little inflated to begin with.
But no, I would not say those numbers are who I want for our long term answer, but, I also don't believe that's Blake's ceiling either. I think he can maintain a level somewhere between 2015 gunslinger and game manager.
There is definitely cause for concern over Blake's throwing/ball placement consistency. Again though, he's a guy who needs to work on mechanics, I truly believe the combo of Gus and the recommendation by Olson to not work on mechanics last year severely hampered his development. Big Ben, Brees, and Rivers are all examples of QBs who have/had mechanical flaws. Rivers actually throws more P6s than Bortles. I think consistency in his off-season training and proper coaching can really help him take the next step, and I haven't lost faith that he's capable of it. He shows those stretches of brilliance.

I do think it's amazing how mis-construed and exaggerated some of these stories on him get though, specifically the ARob over throw, which XM just said he threw it into the crowd, and the Marrone "horse [BLEEP]" comment.

One other comment, the Ramsey liking an anti-Blake post. Let's play devil's advocate for a minute. Has anyone considered he liked it because he thinks it's ridiculous and that he likes Blake? Instagram doesn't offer a laughing reaction like Facebook does. He very well could have liked it and said "hey Blake, look at this nonsense;" Improbable sure, but not impossible.

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