Marrone emphasizes better ball security
Jaguars quarterback
knows expectations are going to be enormously high this season. Even coach
has set the bar high for his starting quarterback.
“Zero turnovers,” Marrone said on Monday when asked what he wants to see most from Bortles this season. “I mean really, and I say that with anyone on our team that touches the football. That’s the one thing that is the biggest cause of winning and losing games. I think that we talk about ball security and that’s not just for a quarterback, but for our receivers, our tight ends, running backs, all the time. When you turn the ball over, it’s hard to win football games.”
Last season, Bortles did not have a turnover in three playoff games and closed out the regular season with a career-low 13 interceptions.
The Jaguars open their season Sunday against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. During the preseason, Bortles had three interceptions and a 67.3 completion rate.
Asked if would be OK with Bortles throwing 15 more touchdown passes than he did last season, but having five more interceptions, Marrone said: “No.”
“Because I know the turnovers will lead to wins and losses more than the touchdowns,” Marrone said. “Now if you said 15-game winning streak, I’ll take that. How’s that?” reputation is growing among his teammates that he is a social media prankster.
He’s roasted All-Pro cornerback on Instagram and he’s joked on Twitter that Bortles needs to fix his stinky breath.
“He’s all jokes and thinks he’s funny,” linebacker said. “You just kind of got to let Leonard do his thing. But we got jokes for him, too. It goes both ways, we just don’t post it on social media.”
Though Fournette was voted by his teammates on Monday as one of the team’s three offensive captains, rookie wide receiver said his former LSU teammates is going to continue being a jokester.
“He got jokes. Coming from LSU, that’s all he did so it doesn’t surprise me,” Chark said. “He’s a big kid with no hair. It’s his personality, but he’s a very good teammate and very approachable.”
The New York Giants went 3-13 last season and coach was fired in December after benching two-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback
Although the Giants have wide receiver
and rookie running back
they still appear to be a rebuilding franchise under Coach
who was hired in January after serving as the Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator last season.
But Jaguars defensive end said they are going to get a true test from the Giants during Sunday’s opener at MetLife Stadium.
“This is a very talented team and we’re going into a tough environment,” Campbell said. “We’ve got to make sure we bring our A game. They are an exciting team, they have a lot of playmakers and a Hall of Fame quarterback getting them the ball. They spent a lot of money in the O-Line and got better there. They are going to be a really good team this year.”