The Jaguars have yet to play a game in the post-Blake Bortles era but things already feel different. At least that’s the vibe coming out of mini-camp, where several defensive players have mentioned how practices have been, well, more difficult with Nick Foles behind center. The comments could certainly be interpreted as shade toward their former teammate.
Jaguars CB A.J. Bouye, who actually played with Bortles at Central Florida, was the first to throw some shade at the new Rams backup.
Via Jags Wire:
“It’s frustrating because you have a really good quarterback and it’s certain plays we were making in past years where you’re there and you make the right breaks and everything, but the ball is only where the receiver can catch it … For example, there was a deep ball that I broke up but, you could tell from the way he was pumping the ball that he was trying to get the safety off the field then come back to his reads. We weren’t seeing that a lot [in the past] and it’s only going to make us better.”
Ball placement and looking off defenders were never Bortles’ strengths, so, while harsh, Bouye’s indirect criticism is certainly warranted.
LB Myles Jack was asked how much Foles was challenging the Jaguars defense in practice and he had to stop himself from sending a shot Bortles’ way.
The damage was already done, Myles. Jack and Bouye haven’t been the only ones taking subtle shots, either…
Even former Jaguars are getting in on the fun…
Beachum was with the Jaguars during the 2016 season. A year late Bortles had done enough to convince the front office that he was worth a $54 million extension. Apparently, the Jags locker room wasn’t as high on their quarterback as the front office was at the time.
