Blake Bortles vs Ryan Tannehill: Week 2 QB duel
By Luke Sims
Oct 26, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) prepares to throw the ball against the Miami Dolphins at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Richard Dole-USA TODAY Sports
Blake Bortles, quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars
Blake Bortles is the future for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Entering year two, it’s still very much about potential for him.
We all know that Bortles is playing on the second-youngest offense in the NFL and that he is struggling to get a rhythm going on offense as a result.
History will not note that well, however. What it will note is how Blake Bortles has played in his career. It will objectively look at the numbers and right now it isn’t looking too good.
The second-year player out of the University of Central Florida took more than his fair share of lumps in his rookie season. Sacked a league-high 55 times, Bortles struggled to competently lead an offense. He could not establish a rhythm despite showcasing impressive arm strength and the potential for sharp passes.
With just 2908 yards in 13.5 games in 2014, Bortles needs to improve being a threat on offense. He threw 11 touchdowns to 17 interceptions and had an average per attempt of just 6.1.
It’s clear that Blake Bortles needs to get better for the Jacksonville Jaguars to win more games. The hope has been that he’ll put it together sooner rather than later, especially after some impressive preseason performances.
Week 1 showed that the preseason was nothing more than a tease. Completing just 55% of his passes against the Carolina Panthers and finishing the day with 183 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, Borltes looked more like his rookie self than the improved second-year player we were seeing.
Against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2, Blake Bortles has to step up. The Dolphins allowed just 188 yards through the air last week and racked up two interceptions as well. They are a threat against quarterbacks and Bortles has been known to sling it around with abandon in the past (the pick-sixes against the Dolphins last year proved to be the deciding factor).
Next: How will Miami's quarterback fare?