Tom Coughlin on Blake Bortles: 'He's progressing . . . but there's no bullets flying yet'

5/9/2017

Jaguars EVP Tom Coughlin spoke with the boys from the Midday Chalk on 1010XL earlier today. He touched on Blake Bortles a much more.

By Jordan de Lugo

The God Father of Jacksonville Jaguars football and the current Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tom Coughlin joined 1010XL on Tuesday to discuss the Jaguars offseason, the Jay Fund, and much more.

He seems to be pleased with the progress of the team through out the offseason, but is quick to remind everyone that it's a long process and the team isn't where they need to be just yet.

He talked about the ever important offseason progression of soon to be fourth year QB Blake Bortles. Here's what he had to say:

Well, he's progressing. He's worked very hard in the offseason. He's done a nice job with some of the fundamentals, not all of them (fundamentals) are where you want them to be, so he continues to work on that. All of that is a big part of this accuracy thing that we talk about. Right now it's routes on air. Most of the time everything looks pretty good right there, but there's no bullets flying just yet, so that will be a part of the progression. But to build the confidence, to let him realize as I told him he's got to steer the rudder. We're going to have some weapons there for him and hopefully that's what Leonard can do . . . to give us the kind of ground game that we can control the ball, keep our defense on the sideline, utilize the clock.

Tom was clearly happy with the direction that things are moving in, but again, made it clear that this is not a finished product. There is a lot of work yet to be done.

When asked about Leonard Fournette and Cam Robinson Coughlin seemed excited and surprised that they were able to land both players. He also insisted that he believes third round pick Dawuane Smoot will be able to come in and contribute in year one.

When asked about fourth round pick wide receiver Dede Westbrook, who has major off the field issues, Coughlin said this:

He has a counseling situation going on and if he wasn't a quality young man he wouldn't be here . . . That was a very, very talented individual in a position where we could bring him here and what he could do to take the top off a defense and add as a punt returner . . . again value - tremendous value.

Coughlin is high on the explosive playmakers talent . . . but that was never the question. Hopefully Dede can find his way off the field because if he can stay on the field for the Jaguars he will dramatically improve their offense and special teams.

Stay tuned for more Jaguars news!

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Listen to the entire interview:

THE GENJAG PODCAST

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