FLOWERY BRANCH — Jacksonville quarterback Blake Bortles, who's thrown 30 touchdown passes and just 13 interceptions this season, spoke to the Atlanta media via conference call on Wednesday.
Bortles and the Jaguars (5-8) are set to host the Falcons (6-7) at 1 p.m. Sunday at EverBank Field.
Here’s what Bortles had to say:
Q: What clicked for you guys last week against the Colts when you scored 51 points?
A: It's started out rough. I think we had like four three-and-outs in the first half. We weren't really doing anything well. We couldn't execute. We couldn't make a play. I think the guys did a really good job of responding to adversity and coming out and making plays in the second half. Really, it was kind of a lack of execution and really a lack of making plays that didn't allow us to really get anything done in the first half. I think guys really stepped it up and did better in the second.
Q: What’s working for you in your second year in the league?
A: I think just continue to get live reps. Continuing to get game speed reps. I think the longer that myself and the rest of us are in this system, the more comfortable we're going to get. The more I think we'll be able to own it as a offense and grow within it.
Q: What’s it like to have two deep threats like Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns at wide receiver?
A: It's awesome. They do an unbelievable job. Just by their numbers you can tell that they have had successful seasons. They are hard workers. They are really good teammates. They want to see each other do really well and succeed. They want to see us do well and succeed. …It's special to have the group of young core guys that we do.
Q: What do you see when you study the Falcons’ defense?
A: They do a good job. It's similar to what our defense does with the relationship with (Falcons coach Dan) Quinn and (Jacksonville coach Gus) Bradley. I think we'll go back and review some things from OTAs and camp. That's the last time that we really saw a defense like this. …(Cornerback Desmond) Trufant is a really good player. He has the potential to lock guys down. Up front they do a good job of getting after the passer (the Falcons are last in the league in sacks) and are aggressive.
Q: How you feel that some analytics experts don’t want to give you credit for the success of Jacksonville’s offense?
A: I don't really care. …I'm just kidding. They'll give credit to whoever they want to give credit to. I'm just worried about the guys in this building and what we need to do to be successful.
Q: How do you all try to use T.J. Yeldon and Denard Robinson at running back?
A: Denard came in last week and did a really good job. I think that he showed not only is he a speed guy who can get to the edge, but he runs really hard within the tackle box. I think those two guys have been really impressive in all aspects of it.
Q: What’s your approach to all of the deep passes?
A: It's a big part of who we are. We have guys like the Allens, Julius Thomas and Marquis Lee, guys that can either A, stretch the field or B, go up and win jump balls. I think when you have guys like that, you have to be able to throw those 50-50 balls up….When your guys are making plays and coming down with it you're only going to continue to give them more opportunities to do that. It's part of our offense and who we are. What we want to do is push the ball down the field. The guys have done a really good job of making plays.
Q: Are you all hoping that this win over the Colts is a sign that the Jaguars are turning the corner?
A: I think so. Offensively, we've made strides and improvements these past couple of weeks. We are getting better in areas where we were struggling at. I think we realized that each week is a new week. Each week is a different game plan against a different defense. We have to be able to go out there and do it on a consistent basis. That's really what we are trying to strive for. Each week presents a new challenge.
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