JACKSONVILLE – So far, so good.
As far as quarterback Blake Bortles' mechanics, that's Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley's assessment so far this week.
Bortles, who has struggled at times this season with accuracy, worked with his personal quarterbacks coach – Adam Dedeaux – in Jacksonville Monday and Tuesday. Bradley said Bortles showed positive effects from the work in practice Wednesday and Thursday.
"I thought he has had two really, really good days – really good days," Bradley said Thursday as the Jaguars (2-5) prepared to play the Kansas City Chiefs (5-2) at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, Sunday at 1 p.m.
Bortles, who has thrown 12 touchdowns with nine interceptions this season, has thrown for less than 75 yards in the first half of the last two games. The Jaguars have trailed by a cumulative 47-6 score at halftime in those two games in what became one-sided losses to Oakland and Tennessee.
Bortles, who spent extensive time in the 2015 offseason working with Dedeaux and throwing guru Tom House, told Kansas City media that the two days with Dedeaux this week were positive and that the pair worked on tightening his release and shortening his delivery.
Bradley said the results looked positive in those areas the last two days.
"I just think that sometimes things like this … they come in and it's like a refreshment – just tighten some things up," Bradley said. "I think it's a clearer picture of where you're at and it's another perspective of somebody that he trusts. He's just in a better place and I think there's a combination of things: scheme, understanding, there's a lot of things that go into it.
"Is it something that, 'Oh god, look at this, it's a night and day difference?' I think he's just improved. Let's just put it that way."
Bortles this week also is working for the first time with Nathaniel Hackett as offensive coordinator. Bradley on Saturday promoted Hackett to the position from quarterbacks coach after dismissing former coordinator Greg Olson.
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GOOD DAY
Bradley liked more than Bortles during Thursday's practice, calling it a "good day" and for a second consecutive day saying he liked how the offense felt with Hackett running the unit in practice. "Again, a little bit different style but another good day that we stacked up," Bradley said. "I think it was a good direction and players felt it. So we'll see."
BACK AT IT
Tight end Julius Thomas participated full in practice Thursday after missing practice Wednesday with an ankle issue, and Otto linebacker Myles Jack participated full after missing Wednesday with an illness.
Bradley said he expects Thomas to play Sunday, and that the ankle could be an issue that's monitored by the week moving forward.
Cornerback Aaron Colvin (calf) worked limited for a second consecutive day. Left tackle Kelvin Beachum (knee) and right tackle Jermey Parnell (calf) worked full after practicing limited Wednesday.
INJURY REPORT
Defensive end Jared Odrick missed practice Thursday with a foot/ankle issue. He was the lone Jaguars player not practicing Thursday. Bradley said the team should have a better idea on Friday about Odrick's status for Sunday.
QUOTABLE I
"We probably look at it and see some subtle differences. I don't know how much you would see if you look at just off of TV and things like that. I think they'll move some things according to [quarterback Nick Foles'] strengths, but overall they have their package and all 10 guys know the package. And he [Foles] knows the routes so I'm sure they'll keep somewhat familiarity with that."
--Bradley on the Chiefs' offense with Foles starting in place of Alex Smith
QUOTABLE II
"That was so disappointing on our part for us to play like that. We feel like that's not us whatsoever. We have to go prove that. We can't just say, 'That's not us.' We have to go out and play at that level that we're all capable of."
--MLB Paul Posluszny on responding to a loss to Tennessee last week in which the defense allowed 494 total yards
