Bortles shines in impressive start
JACKSONVILLE — Down two starting offensive linemen and a trusted receiver, Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles put together a preseason debut that was nearly perfect.
And for one night at least, it was the Jaguars’ defense that was left scrambling to meet the standard.
Bortles led a 15-play drive in his only series against New Orleans on Thursday, mixing the ball around effectively before running it in himself for a 2-yard touchdown. Long after he handed over the keys to the offense and the starting defense went to the sideline, the Jaguars fell 24-20 following a late 4-yard rushing touchdown by Saints reserve tailback Jonathan Williams.
“We’ve been working hard in camp,” coach Doug Marrone said. “We still have a ways to go, but it’s a good way to start.”
Bortles was 6-of-9 passing for 53 yards and converted all three third-down opportunities. A fine preseason debut that was especially impressive considering who was missing.
Before the game, the Jaguars announced 11 players were not dressed to play, including starting right tackle Jermey Parnell and receiver Keelan Cole. Left guard Andrew Norwell, the Jaguars’ prized acquisition in free agency, made it an even dozen on the sideline when he felt tightness in his calf during pregame warmups and was scratched.
Among the others out were defensive ends Calais Campbell and Dante Fowler, who remains on the physically unable to perform list.
Bortles shrugged that off as well as an early backfield collision with running back Leonard Fournette to keep his strong start going.
On the third play from scrimmage, Bortles and Fournette seemingly got their wires crossed and bumped into one another during a handoff. No worries. Fournette gained 6 yards, and the Jaguars continued to march.
By the time Bortles beat the Saints’ defense to the pylon for a rushing touchdown, the Jaguars’ drive had lasted seven minutes, two seconds and covered 79 yards. With the Jaguars up 7-0, Bortles put on his hat and watched backup Cody Kessler enter the game.
The Jaguars halftime.
Fournette carried five times for 24 yards, and backup Corey Grant again looked like a shifty changeof-pace option, catching three passes for 39 yards.
Shane Wynn also caught three passes for 39 yards. Rashad Greene, who is battling to make the team as a sixth receiver/punt returner, caught two passes but also muffed a punt, which he recovered.
“We had two starters out in the o-line, and I think there were three third downs in that situation, and we were three-for-three,” Marrone said. “Blake makes a play with his legs at the end to score the touchdown. It’s a good way to start.”
The start for the Jaguars’ defense wasn’t quite as sharp.
New Orleans opted not to start quarterback Drew Brees, but an offense that was led by backup Tom Savage and featured running backs Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram picked up 33 yards on nine plays against the Jaguars’ first-team defense.
Jalen Ramsey, who had one penalty enforced against him during the regular season last year, was flagged for hands to the face, and Savage later missed an open Kamara on the left side of the field. led 13-10 at