Black and Teal
FanSided

Jacksonville Jaguars: Expect Blake Bortles To Make More Handoffs Than Passes This Season

By Larry Brake

May 26, 2017; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs as offensive guard Patrick Omameh (77) blocks during organized team activities at Everbank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2017; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs as offensive guard Patrick Omameh (77) blocks during organized team activities at Everbank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Jacksonville Jaguars are currently in win now mode.  Expect Blake Bortles to make more handoffs this season as he tries to keep the ball safe.

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone has the enormous task of turning his team into a perennial winner. As a result, Marrone will install the schemes that will change both offense and defense.  Expect the Jaguars to become run-first, pound the rock offense.

John Oehser of jaguars.com reports the following exchange after OTA 10.

"*Marrone, asked how many times a game quarterback Blake Bortles will ideally throw next season, said his answer was simple: “Zero.” He said he wasn’t joking about this, and he wasn’t smiling when he said it. “For me, I’d like to run the ball every play,” Marrone said. “I want to go back to the old way. I want to change the game.” Marrone added that he didn’t know a specific ideal number for Bortles’ passing attempts next season. …"

Since the 2013 season, the Jaguars ran a west coast offense under Gus Bradley. The result was not good. Consequently, the Jaguars’ offense ranked twenty-third in total offense last season.

Expect The Jaguars to Run More Than Pass In 2017

First, Blake Bortles will thrive in the new offense. He will become more of a game manager than a gunslinger. His passing will not be the focus of the offensive scheme for the first time in his career. He will just make sure he securely hands the ball off.

More from Black and Teal

Next, Marrone is rebuilding the offensive line. Cam Robinson is the new left tackle and Brandon Linder is back to playing guard. Marrone is building his version of “the Hogs“. Oh yeah, Branden Albert is appearing at mini camp and will impact the left side of the line with his presence.

Finally, Leonard Fournette will be the main focus of the offense. He will be what John Riggins was to the Joe Gibbs offense. Most noteworthy is the addition of a fullback to the offensive scheme.

The Jaguars are beginning to turn the corner in their quest for the AFC South title. The free agent signings and latest draft picks are enough evidence to prove a desire to win and a willingness to adapt to do it.

Only time will tell how successful the Jaguars will be in 2017. Let’s hope the AFC South title resides in Jacksonville for the first time ever.

Home/Jacksonville Jaguars News