The final stat line for Jaguars QB Blake Bortles in the second game of the preseason was nothing earth-shattering. 8 for 16 for 98 yards, with nary a touchdown or interception.
Despite this, there were more positives than negatives for a second straight week.
Bortles established a connection with second year wideout Allen Robinson twice early, once for 21 yards on a crisp play action, and the second time for 36 yards.
Robinson did drop a catchable ball in the Giants’ red zone in the second quarter, and the Jaguars did not score a touchdown, but in the matchup of the first teams, the Jags led as both Bortles and his Giants’ counterpart, Eli Manning, left the game.
Bortles’ throwing motion and mechanics exhibited the kind of results Bortles backers hoped for after hearing of his offseason work with quarterback guru Tom House.
Significant about this game: with tight end Julius Thomas out, the Jaguars played most of the first half from their 11 personnel set, going with three and even four wideouts at times.
The arrow is pointing up for Bortles and the Jags’ first team.
