Posted: Dec 26, 2016 | Updated: 3 years ago
Throughout his three year tenure in Jacksonville, Blake Bortles has been one of the NFL’s biggest disappointments. Drafted with the third pick out of UCF, Bortles was brought in to bring much needed stability to Jacksonville. Instead, he has struggled mightily, throwing as many interceptions for touchdowns as victories (11 a piece).
Many convinced themselves that this would be a big breakout season for Bortles and the Jaguars after a promising 2015. In that season, Bortles threw for 35 touchdown passes and eclipsed the 4,000 yard mark. While a lot of these stats came in garbage time, he showed raw big play ability. Even though the team finished 5-11, they lost 6 of their games by one score or less, displaying a promising competitiveness.
At 3-12, the Jaguars have regressed in all facets despite the expectations heading into the year. In comparison to last year, Bortles has thrown for 13 less touchdowns, while turning the ball over 20 times throughout the season. With the firing of coach Gus Bradley, GM David Caldwell has announced the next coach brought in does not have to stick with Bortles.
The general consensus is that whomever this new coach is, they should ditch Bortles and find a new quarterback. That sounds promising on paper, but isn’t a very well thought-out idea. This free agency class mostly features a mix bag of mediocre quarterbacks, with Jay Cutler and Colin Kaepernick not being the answer to this team’s problems. As far as the draft goes, no quarterback is even being evaluated at a first round level, with the top prospects believed to be project quarterbacks.
Don’t think this face would solve anything.
Part of the problem with the Jaguars, and other losing NFL franchises is how quickly they change their team. The team was fair in giving Gus Bradley plenty of time to prove himself, but to quit on Bortles after three seasons would be an overreaction. If you think the coach was bad, then why not bring in a good coach to help the quarterback? Bradley was a defensive-minded coach, which clearly showed in Bortles slow development.
Good coaching is what makes quarterbacks reach the next level. Before Sean Payton, Drew Brees was a fairly modest quarterback, with most criticizing him for his lack of height and arm strength. Once teamed with Payton, the duo lit the NFL world on fire, creating one of the most high-flying attacks in football. While I am by no means calling Bortles the next NFL legend, Brees’ story shows the drastic difference a good coach can make.
In Bortles first game without Bradley as head coach, he showed that perhaps we should not give up on him yet. With offensive-minded Doug Marrone at the helm, Bortles had his best game yet, completing 68% of his passes and keeping the ball away from the other team. Not only that, but Bortles led a decisive 38-17 win over the Titans, who at the time were competing for a playoff spot.
Blake Bortles has had a lot of down moments, but so have a lot of quarterbacks early on in their career. Under the right coach, this Jaguars team could be able to turn around fairly quickly. Perhaps the Jaguars have stumbled onto their next coach with Marrone, who had this team playing far more hungrier than they have ever looked.
2 Shares More Posted: Mar 8, 2024 | Updated: 2 weeks ago The NFL is a brutal spectacle. We marvel at jaw-dropping athleticism, but the flip side of those gravity-defying feats are the injuries – the wince-inducing moments that remind us even these superhumans have limits. That’s where wearable tech…
Continue Reading...
Travis Kelce is a household name in American football. He has not only made waves on the field but also in the realm of wealth accumulation. As one of the most prominent tight ends in the NFL. Kelce's prowess on the gridiron has translated into a significant net worth. In…
Continue Reading...
The 2023-24 NFL season culminates in an eagerly anticipated showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. As two powerhouse teams clash on the gridiron, narratives of redemption, legacy, and historical feats abound. The apex of the 2023-24 NFL season
Continue Reading...
2 Shares More Posted: Jan 22, 2024 | Updated: 2 months ago They just can’t get over the hump. Groundhog Day comes early for the Buffalo Bills and their loyal fans, especially since 2021 when the familiar nightmare that is Patrick Mahomes continuously haunts them. Make that three out of…
Continue Reading...
58 Shares More Posted: Jan 21, 2024 | Updated: 2 months ago Before this season, the Detroit Lions hadn’t won a playoff game since early January 1992. Now, they’ve won two in the last seven days. Dominating the Divisional Round: Detroit Lions vs. Buccaneers The Detroit Lions defeated the Tampa…
Continue Reading...
26 Shares More Posted: Jan 20, 2024 | Updated: 2 months ago After 18 weeks of a regular season that was full of action, drama, and concerningly many quarterbacks injured, the NFL Playoffs are upon us. 14 teams have a dream to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy at the Super…
Continue Reading...
19 Shares More Posted: Jan 16, 2024 | Updated: 2 months ago Fantasy football is a game of strategy and skill, and one of the most important aspects of success is managing your team’s waiver wire. This is where you can pick up players not currently on any team in…
Continue Reading...