The Jacksonville Jaguars knew quarterback Blake Bortles would be a long-term project even as they were drafting him No. 3 overall last year. The plan was for him to sit his entire rookie year, but injuries and ineffective play ahead of him forced him into starting duty. Although he didn't look as lost as Johnny Manziel on the field, he didn't look to be completely comfortable either. That's why this season is so important for Bortles and the Jags. Visible improvement has to be made so that the organization feels comfortable that they have a franchise QB in the making.
But will Bortles take a step forward? Second-year wide receiver Allen Robinson may force him to.
Robinson spent much of last season trying to carve out a role for himself. Cecil Shorts III was the veteran leader, Marqise Lee was the much-hyped rookie and Allen Hurns was the pleasant surprise. Robinson, who missed most of OTAs and preseason with a hamstring injury, looked like the odd man out. Missing the final six games with a broken right foot didn't help either.
But this year could be different as Robinson, to the delight of Bortles, has been lighting it up in Jacksonville's offseason program.
"He's been unbelievable," Bortles said via the Associated Press. "He's definitely a threat in the red zone...He's physical. He can run and do everything out in the open field, so he's been fun to throw to."
Robinson, all 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds of him, hauled in 48 passes for 548 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games last year. He likely would have broken Justin Blackmon's franchise record for rookie receptions (68) had it not been for the foot injury. If healthy, he could emerge as the go-to target for Bortles.
"The challenge is for him to play angry," head coach Gus Bradley said. "To play where he's competing to get the ball, competing in all his routes. I think he is extremely competitive. He's got a 40-plus vertical jump, and we want to be able to throw it up to him and I know he's going to come down with the ball. I believe he has that and hopefully we see that."
Shorts is now with the Houston Texans and Lee is recovering from a left knee injury. For now, there are no questions about what Robinson's role is. There are no uncertainties about how he fits into this offense. His goals for 2015 are crystal clear.
"Just trying to make some plays," Robinson said. "That was my mindset coming into this year. I want to be more of a big-play asset to my team this year. I caught some short routes, some third-down stuff last year. But I really want to have that big-play capability."
NFL rosters are all about symbiotic relationships. Each player helps another in a mutually beneficial existence. So if Robinson takes a leap forward in 2015, Bortles will likely see his numbers rise across the board. And that must have the Jaguars front office very, very excited.
