Just when you think Baltimore Ravens back up quarterback Ryan Mallett has taken the lead in ensuring free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick has a job in the NFL, Jacksonville Jaguars signal caller Blake Bortles steps up to the mic stand, bumps into it with his teeth and knocks on top of a toddler’s head in the first row of the auditorium.
In what has been hailed as one of the worst practices of Bortles’ career, the fourth-year quarterback tossed five interceptions in the team’s first preseason practice Saturday. And these weren’t highly contested picks, either. A back up at the bottom of the roster, Tyler Patmon, who hasn’t played a down of football since 2015 picked off Bortles twice. So far, this new 2017 Blake Bortles looks a whole lot like the 2016 Blake Bortles.
Patmon wasn’t the only defender that got in on InterceptionFest 2017. Linebacker Josh McNary snagged a Bortles pass as did safety Tashaun Gipson. Outside linebacker Telvin Smith returned his pick for a touchdown. So at least that side of the ball has to feel good today, right? Right?
After the horrific practice display, head coach Doug Marrone told reporters, utilizing the gift of understatement, that he was “concerned.”
“I think anytime someone doesn’t perform to what you want to do, you’re concerned about it,” Marrone said. “He’s not the only one that’s out there. There’s some good things. We’re going to look at it. We’re going to look at those plays. If there’s any struggle or things we don’t like, then obviously we’re going to be smart enough to throw that crap out.”
What an awful night for Jaguars QB Blake Bortles. Five INTs under the lights and first practice in full pads
— Mark Long (@APMarkLong) July 30, 2017
The “crap” may end up being Bortles. I’ll admit I’ve been an advocate for the guy and one shitty practice doesn’t change that. But it’s not a good sign when your starting and (should be) franchise quarterback is handing out picks like flyers outside a strip club.
For whatever good Bortles has managed in his short career, he’s been a turnover machine. He leads the league in the last three seasons with 63 and is second in the last three years in interceptions with 51. On the plus side, a lot of that stems from his rookie season. Bortles has 78 touchdown passes to 34 interceptions over the last two seasons. Which doesn’t nearly look as bad.
Blake Bortles threw 5 ints tonight, Jags first padded practice. pic.twitter.com/Vr3SQRlrnW
— Jake (@SeedsofJake) July 30, 2017
Regardless, it’s not the way Bortles, or Marrone, wanted to start training camp in what could be a make or break year for Bortles. Back in may the team picked up his fifth-year option, but that doesn’t mean they have to keep him. It doesn’t help Bortles’ case that the Jags have a pretty decent back up in Chad Henne too. He might find himself in a battle in camp if this keeps up.
One thing there is no question about, if Bortles doesn’t get it together this year, the Jaguars will pick high again in the 2018 NFL Draft and they’ll be looking quarterback.
Mitchell Trubisky has troubles of his own; Bears Injuries
The good news for the Chicago Bears is they hope they won’t have to go to rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky this season. The bad news is, his first practice didn’t go as planned either.
While not the disaster that Bortles laid forth upon the Jaguars’ practice field, Trubisky still had his troubles. In the Bears’ first practice in pads, Trubisky fumbled three snaps during the same drill. The rookie didn’t shy away from taking the blame with reporters after practice.
“Yeah, it was frustrating because that was uncharacteristic of me, and I’ve just got to handle that,” Trubisky said. “They were just wasted plays, and I was kind of frustrated because I kind of wasted a team session right there, and I didn’t allow myself or my teammates to get better. You’ve just got to block that out, bounce back. The other quarterbacks and the coach said something to me that allowed me to get back in rhythm and play football. It’s the most critical part of the play. I’ve just got to take care of that and get better on my part. I think I just lost focus there for a period of time, and then I was starting to overthink it and then couldn’t get it. It’s all about bouncing back and continuing to get better throughout practice. I messed that up, but I also improved in other areas throughout practice.”
Main observation so far today is Mitchell Trubisky needs to keep working on the QB-center exchange. Three snaps on the ground in 1 drill.
— Jeff Dickerson (@DickersonESPN) July 29, 2017
Bears head coach John Fox didn’t heap all the blame for the series on Trubisky.
“Well, it was two different guys at center,” Fox said. “Again, he (Trubisky) is a rookie. First day in pads, our linemen, the centers a little more anxious to get off the ball because there is quite a bit of force getting ready to hit them. So it’s not just the quarterback. First day, getting used to the new center and new quarterback.”
On the bright side, Fox has liked what he’s seen from Trubisky so far in OTAs, minicamp and now camp. Other than dribbling the football like he’s a point guard.
“He (Trubisky) is learning a whole new offense,” Fox said. “A whole different NFL coverage package that we see a little bit more extensive types of coverages. So I think the guy’s done everything he can. He’s improving every day. He’s got a great work ethic. He learns quickly and works hard. You can’t ask for much more ”
In other Bears roster news, running back Jeremy Langford missed practice after tweaking his ankle Thursday. Linebacker Pernell McPhee will miss some time after having arthroscopic surgery on his knee.
Other NFL News
The Cincinnati Bengals placed running back Cedric Peerman on the active/non-football injury list and put wide receiver Monty Madaris on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Oft injured San Francisco 49ers safety Jimmy Ward is injured once again. This time he pulled something during the team’s conditioning test. He will begin cam on the PUP list.
The Indianapolis Colts got some good news Saturday as first round pick Malik Hooker was taken off their PUP list. He can now practice with the rest of the team. They also got some bad news as defensive tackle Kendall Lanford and offensive lineman Brian Schwenke were placed on the PUP list with injuries.
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