Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley. Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley thrives on optimism, although he’ll avoid any bold predictions about going worst-to-first in the AFC South.
“We really strive on getting better, and I know that seems like a cliche,” Bradley said Wednesday on the Dan Patrick Show. “I think it’s hard in the NFL … college coaches are seen as developmental coaches and that’s taken away in the NFL. But that’s what we want our coaches to do — develop players. Where that takes us, I don’t know. I think we’re seeing really good improvement with that mindset.”
Jacksonville wanted to get faster across the board — not only in timed speed but in processing information and execution of assignments — and will go young again this season to also gain more experience, Bradley’s two stated goals for 2014.
Bradley said the Jaguars are committed for at least this season to veteran quarterback Chad Henne, who was the starter at the end of Bradley’s inaugural campaign in Jacksonville.
“He’s gotten faster in his second year in our system,” Bradley said, referring not to Henne’s footspeed but his rapid functionality within the offense.
The game has not been too big for No. 3 overall pick Blake Bortles, who delivered two strong showings in his first preseason action but is still second on the depth chart. That is according to plan, Bradley said, and the franchise is not planning to push the rookie into the fire unless it becomes necessary.
The Jaguars do still have holes on the depth chart. Bradley does not agree that one of them is wide receiver, even with No. 1 receiver Justin Blackmon suspended and Cecil Shorts missing most of training camp with a hamstring injury. Second-round pick Allen Robinson is also sidelined with a pulled leg muscle.
“We’re going to get Cecil Shorts back this week, and he’s made plays for us,” Bradley said.
Whether Shorts has a strong complement at receiver depends on another rookie second-rounder, Marqise Lee and Robinson. But this preseason, undrafted free agent Allen Hurns has emerged as a reliable target. Bradley said he’ll be the third receiver in the starting set this week.
There is less drama surrounding the Jaguars’ running back position, where the workhorse will be Toby Gerhart. Bradley, however, clarified that it won’t be all Gerhart, all the time.
“It will be more committee, but obviously Toby will be our starter going in,” Bradley said. “We feel good about what the other running backs have to offer. Jordan Todman and Denard Robinson have good speed. Storm Johnson is kind of a mix of the other guys. Toby’s strength, the more carries he gets, the stronger he becomes. … You don’t see many running backs at this stage where they’re getting over 20 carries.”
