JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser's five takeaways Sunday from Day Three of Jaguars 2015 Training Camp at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness Practice Fields …
1)This team will run.Gus Bradley talked about this throughout the offseason. Sometimes, it came in hints; other times it was more obvious. On Day Three of 2015 Training Camp, the Jaguars' head coach made it really obvious the offense is going to emphasis the run this season. "We've got to find a way to run the ball," Bradley told reporters after practice. "If we run the ball it will protect the quarterback and it will also minimize turnovers, so just by running the ball we can accomplish a couple of things that are really important to us." The Jaguars believe the move to gap-blocking approach line along with the addition of running back T.J. Yeldon and a deeper group of linemen should help this area. With Greg Olson in his first year as offensive coordinator there is significant interest in how the offense will look next season. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the Jaguars would like it to look like an offense that can control the line of scrimmage and the pace of games with a strong running game.
2)Praiseworthy. Bradley talked more about Blake Bortles Sunday, and while it's not surprising the starting quarterback continues to be a topic in camp, Bradley's thoughts are worth mentioning. He said the second-year veteran has done a good job thus far taking what might be considered "intelligent risks" – i.e., making the throws necessary for big plays without unreasonable risk of interception. "You're seeing him do that," Bradley said. "He'll make some mistakes, but he'll come back. I think he threw an interception off a tipped ball and he came back and completed a pass the next play and went for it again. These guys need to figure out who they're throwing to and what skillsets they have. We talked to them in the team meeting about 'Discover your skills both offensively and defensively,' and they've got to find those things out in these practices." Bradley also on Sunday reiterated what he said Saturday – that Bortles' offseason work on fundamentals and learning the offense has been evident early in camp. "He had a better handle of our offense and I think that allowed him to come in here and play faster," Bradley said. "We talk about playing with absence of fear. They have to have no doubt and in order to have no doubt you've got to put the time in, so to me you're seeing him play with no doubt and no fear and that's a good sign."
Take a look at the 10 best images from the third day of Jaguars training camp.
3.New year, same story.Guard Brandon Linder was a story throughout his rookie season last season because he was well ahead of expectations for a third-round selection. He started 15 games and played at or near a Pro Bowl-level. Linder has shown no signs of a drop-off, with Bradley on Sunday praising his toughness and leadership. "He doesn't have a lot of words but the guys really follow him," Bradley said. "The guys really respect his work ethic and how he goes about it. I think what people would say is first of all he's really good, and second of all his toughness." Bradley was asked if Linder was better than he anticipated. "I would think that he is better than what we thought," he said. "We knew he was pretty good but we're very pleased with him."
4)Henne's presence is a good thing.With the focus throughout the offseason and camp understandably on Bortles, let's take a moment to consider the Jaguars' "other" quarterback: Chad Henne. A starter throughout much of 2012 and 2013, Henne has looked sharp early in camp – as typically has been the case since he joined the team in 2012. It is vogue among some fans to wonder if a good training camp/preseason from Stephen Morris and/or Jeff Tuel could mean either player pushing Henne. Not likely. Henne remains one of the NFL's best backup quarterbacks. In the event of injury to Bortles, the Jaguars feel at least relatively comfortable with Henne. That comfort would wane considerably if he weren't on the roster.
5)Keep an eye on …Allen Robinson. This isn't news if you've been paying attention through the offseason, but the second-year wide receiver appears ready to make a significant jump this season. He hasn't been perfect early in camp with a couple of drops on Friday, but he made the play of the day Saturday with a physical catch of a deflected pass from Bortles. He caught that pass over cornerback Davon House, a play that showed his ability to go up and get the ball and use his body to make the catch.