JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – 39 days.
39 days is how long the Jaguars have off before returning for training camp, but "off" may not be the best word to describe it if you ask head coach Gus Bradley.
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Instead of having his team on the field for the final day of mini-camp, Bradley chose to use that time to have the players meet together, without coaches to make sure each and every one of them has a concrete plan for the next 39 days. It is part of an accountability that Bradley and his coaching staff are emphasizing this offseason and the next phase of time off starting today is going to be a big factor in determining where this team is going to go in 2016.
"We have had coaches speak and we have had players speak, really with the idea of let's have a really good plan so when we come back in 39 days from today, we are rolling," said Bradley.
After meeting with starting quarterback Blake Bortles today about his plan, Bradley told us that he was very impressed with the details and thought that went into what he is going to do for the next 39 days. Most of it will be spent here in town but Bortles mentioned he will also meet with quarterback guru Tom House in California for a third straight year. Bortles says that time on the west coast is so important to him and his development, it is something he plans to do for the rest of his career.
"Whether it is a tune up or something that I am not comfortable with, they are good guys to bounce stuff off of, said Bortles. "They are really good because they have a relationship with Oley (Greg Olson) and they know what he tells us here is good. Going out there and working with them is more for me mentally to feel good about what I am doing and kind of re-check myself."
In his final meeting with the media before training camp, Bradley was asked about the progress that Bortles has made so far during OTA's and mini-camp. The fourth-year head coach says that it is easy to see the strides he has made compared to last year.
"I think if you compare this offseason to last offseason, this one has been more defined for him. I think he has learned the next 39 he has a really set plan. The improvements he has made as far as knowledge of the offense and the command of the offense is very evident to us as a coaching staff."
One of the things Bradley and his staff wanted to accomplish in the OTA's and mini-camp was to bond and come together as a team. With several new free agents and rookie draft picks coming into the fold, that could effect the consistency that Bradley is seeking. However, he says he has been surprised with the progress that his team has already made in that category.
"I didn't know how long it would take for them to come together," said Bradley. "I like how fast I've seen them really come together. We still have some work to do but the addition of some of the free agents and the development of the rookies that have been incorporated in, you are seeing that race to maturity."