Jacksonville Jaguars: Does Blake Bortles need a QB guru?
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles continues to struggle through the start of the 2016 and may need a QB guru to get on track.
Modern NFL teams only go as far as their quarterbacks (unless you’re the 2015 Denver Broncos, and they even had decrepit future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning) and the Jacksonville Jaguars desperately need to find a way to get their QB to work.
After an impressive sophomore rebound following a disastrous rookie season, Blake Bortles looked like the answer at quarterback. Top-10 in yards, second in passing touchdowns, and plenty of guts to go after the big play were the highlights for that season. He still had 18 interceptions, but things were looking better.
The preseason seemed to confirm it. Bortles finished the preseason with a 110.2 passer rating while completing 70.6 percent of his passes for 242 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He was arguably the best-performing relevant quarterback in the preseason.
Many of us were distracted by those dazzling statistics, claiming that Bortles had clearly turned the corner. It isn’t the first time this has happened.
Aug 11, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) passes against the New York Jets during the preseason game at MetLife Stadium. The Jets won, 17-13. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
We were so distracted that we forgot that the preseason means nothing. Absolutely nothing.
The Jags have been treated to rough outing after rough outing for Bortles. He has a 75.0 passer rating (fifth worst in the NFL) largely based on his abysmal six interceptions (second worst in the NFL) thrown in just three games. His completion percentage (62.2 percent) is a career-best so far as are his 281 yards per game.
What we’re seeing is a mix of good and bad. The play calling has moved a bit more horizontal meaning less of his yards are coming off big plays and he can keep the team driving with more first downs but he also isn’t delivering the big touchdown strikes the team became known for in 2015. He’s on pace to complete of 421 of 677 pass attempts (both of which would be career highs) while throwing 26 touchdowns and 31 interceptions.
Clearly, he needs to get better. He’s taking risks and making stupid decisions in all the same situations as before but they aren’t paying off like they did in 2015.
As noted by Steve Box here at B&T, Bortles’ mechanics are just plain poor right now. If the coaching staff was better, they would diagnose the problem and work with him on it. They would have worked on it through the offseason and made sure it was all clicking (like the preseason seemed to show).
At 0-3, the Jaguars have to be thinking of making a coaching change. Whether it’s one of the five guys I speculated on after the Week 3 loss or someone different may hinge entirely on what they can do to get Bortles back on track. The Jags need to capitalize on Bortles’ raw talent and deliver.
Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner talks before the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Offensive coordinator Greg Olson is known for working with young and struggling quarterbacks. He appeared to work wonders on Bortles in 2015 but hasn’t been able to build on that thus far. He doesn’t seem to be the answer.
But there are other quarterback “guru” type coaches that could definitely make it work for Bortles. At the top of that list could well be Minnesota Vikings OC Norv Turner. Turner has worked to make Teddy Bridgewater a threat and, with his injury, managed to turn Sam Bradford into the best version of himself with the Vikings in just two weeks. He should be available after the season.
Finding a QB guru is what so many teams do with the head coach position. It’s a common trend that has been routinely followed by teams that want to win. Just look at Gus Bradley’s fellow 2013 class filled with offensive-minded coaches (Bradley being the clear exception) or look at 2014’s search across the NFL and who was targeted or even 2016’s coaching search with Hue Jackson and Chip Kelly being the most coveted of the bunch.
If the Jaguars want to win, they need to make a change at head coach. If they make a change at head coach, they may need an offensive mind to make sure that Bortles can get back on track.
While the primary focus of the Jacksonville Jaguars was on the defense in the 2016 offseason, many of us simply forgot that Bortles still needs to progress as a quarterback. He hasn’t (at least through three weeks) and has regressed. He needs someone who can nurture him and grow his game off the solid foundation Olson built with him in 2015.
Until the Jags make such a change the team could well flounder through season after season of QB struggles. It doesn’t have to be Turner, but it should be someone who can make a difference.
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