The Jacksonville Jaguars

[Downtown Osprey]

hands to the face, hangs to the face, hands to the face. Yeah, that penalty is already getting on my nerves and it's only the second preseason game.

Oh, and the awful commentary that is John Gruden.

[I-10east]

^^^You took the words out of my mouth with the incessant hands to the face calls. The awful 'roughing the passer' call on the Jax nickel blitz was the worst call that I ever saw; It single-handedly lead to CHI winning that game (not that it mattered in the preseason, and with our first team beating theirs). If this was the regular season with that BS call, I would be livid!!!

[duvaldude08]

If I see something yellow flash me today I may lose it. They were flagging nonsense. There were only a handful of penalities that really were legit. The rest of that crap they were fishing for penalities on both teams. But back to the game, Henne is "chad" mode last night. I was happy not to see "henne" last night. LOL Bortles continues to make progress. But my question is, how long do you justify sitting him. As they mentioned last night during the games, with the way the practice rules are now is hard for a rookie to learn, unless they are actually playing. For example, they wanted to see how he played being blitzed and under preassure. How can he learn and how can they asses that if hes onthe bench?  To me, sitting Bortles for a year would be a waste of time. I defintely wouldnt oppose it, but at this point I dont see why. He's honestly light years ahead of every QB that was drafted. If he was playing like Bridgewater is, I would say sit him because Bridgewater has been a turd so far. But aif he continues to progress, and has a good outting the next two games against first team defenses. Then what?

P.S. Im not worried about him being another gabby or Leftwich. He's just a better player period. They were bad draft choices all the way around

[duvaldude08]

I loved last nights game. It's always exciting when you spend the final two minutes on the edge of your seat rooting for the team to pull through. And it was exactly was preseason was for, even though I was aggravated when That interception was thrown (I still don't know what Morris was even thinking-threw right to him!), that's the only way to see how people act under fire.

In other related news, a little bit of my observations of the Jaguars effect outside of Jacksonville. I don't think we can truly understand just yet the benefit that Khan is bringing home.

You know Jaybird, people are starting to take notice. It started the end of last season, but people are starting realize "oh shit, we better watch them." My friend lives in Michigan but shes from here. Shes not even a Jags fan, shes all cowboys. But every since she seen our Thursday night game last year, she has been bragging  her hometown and making fans from other teams watch our nationally televised game. She watched last night and lept texting me the entire time. The funniest one was " OMG, Im in absolute shock, Wtf??" She couldnt believe how they were playing. I seen another comment on one website and the guy was from here and was actually at the game. After it was over, his friend in CHicago were blowing up us phone asking "When did the Jags start playing like that??" We have a long way to go, but this is the happiest Ive been since I became a Jags fan five years ago.

[Bridges]

Bortles continues to make progress. But my question is, how long do you justify sitting him. As they mentioned last night during the games, with the way the practice rules are now is hard for a rookie to learn, unless they are actually playing. For example, they wanted to see how he played being blitzed and under preassure. How can he learn and how can they asses that if hes onthe bench?

The issue is they want to make sure they have his mechanics fully down.  Train the muscle memory so that when he does get out there, he doesn't revert back.  If you truly believe he will be the guy, it doesn't hurt to give him some extra time, make sure he has everything down before throwing him out there.

[I-10east]

P.S. Im not worried about him being another gabby or Leftwich. He's just a better player period. They were bad draft choices all the way around

True. I think that Bortles will eventually start sometime this year. I would not have any problems either way; If they make the decision to start Bortles week one, or stick to the temporary Henne plan for now. I look at it as a 'win win' either way.

[duvaldude08]

Bortles continues to make progress. But my question is, how long do you justify sitting him. As they mentioned last night during the games, with the way the practice rules are now is hard for a rookie to learn, unless they are actually playing. For example, they wanted to see how he played being blitzed and under preassure. How can he learn and how can they asses that if hes onthe bench?

The issue is they want to make sure they have his mechanics fully down.  Train the muscle memory so that when he does get out there, he doesn't revert back.  If you truly believe he will be the guy, it doesn't hurt to give him some extra time, make sure he has everything down before throwing him out there.

I guess I try not to use the one size fits all approach with QB's. Some are ready to play out the gate and some need some extra "seasoning" as Caldwell said. Bortles progession has been accelerated. He's caught on very quickly and everything they see as issues as dissappeared fast. I just feel like its one thing to work on mechanics in practice, and actually work on mechanics in a live game. A QB mechanics could look flawless in practice, and terrible on game day. It's just gonna get to the point they will not be able to defend sitting him for a whole year. Honestly, I think the guy is ready. I will see how things go the next two games, but I think he can manage it.

[spuwho]

I was unable to see the game but being both a Bears fans and Jags fan I will say that the Bears defense is in total reconstruction mode right now. They were one of the worse defenses in the NFL in the second half of last season. Injuries, loss of talent, coaching turnovers finally caught up with them.

They drafted alot of defensive talent this year and the collective inexperience will show this year.

Now that is not to diminish the Jags effort in the least. I have been watching replays and I do see some improvements. I am really worried about the center position and Joeckel got beat alot. Next week should show more of how far the offense is coming as they stay on the field longer.

[BridgeTroll]

I was unable to see the game but being both a Bears fans and Jags fan I will say that the Bears defense is in total reconstruction mode right now. They were one of the worse defenses in the NFL in the second half of last season. Injuries, loss of talent, coaching turnovers finally caught up with them.

They drafted alot of defensive talent this year and the collective inexperience will show this year.

Now that is not to diminish the Jags effort in the least. I have been watching replays and I do see some improvements. I am really worried about the center position and Joeckel got beat alot. Next week should show more of how far the offense is coming as they stay on the field longer.

As a Packers and Jags fan all I can say is... Let the season begin!

[Downtown Osprey]

I think a good starting point would be home against Cleveland.

[duvaldude08]

I was unable to see the game but being both a Bears fans and Jags fan I will say that the Bears defense is in total reconstruction mode right now. They were one of the worse defenses in the NFL in the second half of last season. Injuries, loss of talent, coaching turnovers finally caught up with them.

They drafted alot of defensive talent this year and the collective inexperience will show this year.

Now that is not to diminish the Jags effort in the least. I have been watching replays and I do see some improvements. I am really worried about the center position and Joeckel got beat alot. Next week should show more of how far the offense is coming as they stay on the field longer.

Joeckel ALSO man hanlded Jarred Allen like twice. We have to remember this is technically Jockel rookie season. But for him to handle one of the best pass rushers in the leauge like,  thats a good sign. I expect Joeckel to be a mixed bag this year, mostly good though.

[spuwho]

Per NBCSports:

Blake Bortles to play quarter with starters against Lions



All offseason, we have heard that the plan in Jacksonville is for Blake Bortles to spend his rookie season as a backup quarterback behind Chad Henne.

Until Henne is on the field in the regular season opener, there will be people wondering if Bortles can force a course correction with his strong play in the preseason. That group will only grow if Bortles were to turn in the same kind of strong performance while playing with the starters, something he hasn't had a chance to do yet.

That will change next week. Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union reports that Bradley announced on Friday that Bortles will play a quarter with the starters when the Jags face the Lions next Friday night in Detroit. Bortles will also work with the first team at practice leading up to the game.

Giving Bortles time with the starters will, at the very least, give the Jaguars an idea of how he'd handle the job if he's thrust into the lineup during the regular season. If Bortles plays well, though, Bradley and company will have to reassess their decision since there's no reason to leave Bortles as the quarterback of the future if he's the best choice in the here and now.

[copperfiend]

I am trying not to get too excited. But man, Bortles has looked awesome this preseason. He moves well in the pocket, he has shown good arm strength, accuracy. You can tell the stage is not too big for him. Only a matter of time before he is the starter. My guess is mid-season.

[spuwho]

I can understand everyone's excitement, but he has only played against 2nd and 3rd string defenses that are running basic schemes due to lack of experience with their teams.

I would like to see him lineup against a first string D running a nickel package or a scheme where they feign the weak side DB and red dog.

This will force him to check down further and faster in the pocket.

[duvaldude08]

I can understand everyone's excitement, but he has only played against 2nd and 3rd string defenses that are running basic schemes due to lack of experience with their teams.

I would like to see him lineup against a first string D running a nickel package or a scheme where they feign the weak side DB and red dog.

This will force him to check down further and faster in the pocket.

I think the excitement comes from the fact that he has caught on very quick to be a rookie QB. If he's playing this well against 2nd string defenders, its very hopeful he will play the same against 1's. He's accurate, comfortable, has poise, confidence, etc. Honestly, he has looked like a season vet out there to be honest. Yes, he needs more experience with handling the rush (which he should get from detroit this week), but I refuse to calm down.  He's already got the basics down. Thats a good start. And compared to his counter parts (I.E. Bridgewater, Manzel) he is more "seasoned" than Caldwell thought.