Jaguars embrace the new at OTAs

JACKSONVILLE – The NFL is a "what have you done for me lately?" kind of league. A 4-12 record is not exactly ideal for Gus Bradley and the Jaguars, which explains why the team is bringing in plenty of new faces.

"We knew that in the beginning part that we were going to be a young team," said Bradley after day 1 of Organized Team Activities. "We've talked before about it to our team. It's kind of a race to maturity. We're trying to speed up the learning process as fast as we can by keeping it simple enough to where we can see these inexperienced guys become experienced."

Bradley and general manager Dave Caldwell enter their third seasons with the organization. The Jaguars welcomed more than 30 new players to the field including 26 rookies.

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"I think it's such a great environment to walk into, especially as a rookie," said first round draft pick Blake Bortles. "Everybody is very accepting. Everybody's been tremendously friendly."

Chad Henne is one of just 19 veterans on the 90-man roster who came to Jacksonville before Caldwell and Bradley. He recognizes the importance of OTAS when it comes to building team chemistry.

"We have some new rookies and new faces but it's competition. And that's how we're taking it. Each day we want to get better. And all of our philosophies are still out there. Focus on play hard, play fast and play together."

Day two of OTAs is scheduled for Wednesday from 11:25 a.m.-1:25 p.m.