2018 may not have been as big of a year statistically for Blake Bortles as his 2015 campaign, the QBs 4th year resulted in a trip to the AFC Championship after he led his team into Pittsburgh for a road playoff win. But Blake knows he has lot's to improve on if he wants to elevate his play to the next level, and get the team over the hump and into the super bowl. He spoke with the media after the Jaguars last practice in mini-camp, “When we started last year, it was kind of an elementary level, in terms of ‘I’m hearing the play, I’m thinking about the footwork I have to take, the identification, trying to remember what routes guys are running and all that.’ Now, I think I’m kind of owning the offense and having a better understanding of it. Obviously, it is a continuous study and a continuous grind to continue to master it and stay on top of it, but I definitely feel more comfortable with it.”
It is no secret that Nathaniel Hackett will run the offense through Fournette, and Blake expressed what his role means in the rushing attack.
“I think the run game is kind of where we have focused a little extra these OTAs. The passing game as a quarterback – I think everybody installs it a little differently and goes about it a little differently. As a quarterback, you want to know that in and out because that is what quarterbacks are known for and all of that, The run game is what a lot of guys or a lot of people do not really pay attention to and give quarterbacks credit for. I think continuing to learn that – continuing to stay on top of that. [I am continuing to learn] what run plays are good versus what looks and getting us in the best situation to get up to guys and get angles and all of that and give Leonard [Fournette] and the [running] backs the best chance to go and get yards,” he added.
While the Jaguars are known for their stout defensive play, they were also 5th in the league in scoring last season. if Bortles and the offense can significantly improve and continue to make strides throughout the year, they could find themselves playing in February.