Jacksonville Jaguars: What We've Learned Through Week 1 of Preseason
The first two weeks of the preseason are coming to an end, and it's fair to say there have been a lot of positives to take away from the Jacksonville Jaguars' practices and first preseason game. The preseason is the time for the final tune-ups and changes, and the Jaguars are doing their best to prepare themselves for the 2015 season.
The Jaguars got a satisfying 23-21 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, have seen players return from injury and continue to have great competition for multiple positions. This is mixed in with new injuries, but the general week or so has been positive.
It's an exciting time for the Jaguars and their fans, thanks to all the questions that are prevalent and being answered. This team has grown a lot from this point last year, and it's reasonable to think that the progress isn't finished.
It's not quite the start of the season, but the competition in practice and on the field is heating up. This Saturday's matchup against the New York Giants will be even closer to a full-fledged NFL regular-season game, and that means we'll be even closer to seeing the Jaguars' final product.
Chris Clemons Is Officially Back in Action
1 of 5
Chris Clemons has drawn a lot of flack from fans due to his absence from OTAs, but his absence from training camp was met with confusion rather than anger. The Jaguars put him on the active non-football injury list for two weeks for undisclosed reasons, and no one was quite sure why.
There has been plenty of speculation as to what it could possibly be, but what matters is that he's back and focused. According to Jaguars.com's John Oehser, he's happy to be back and ready to work:
"My mindset is being who I am. ... I missed the whole offseason. Coach didn’t have a problem with that. He had a problem with it, but that’s the plan we had and that’s the plan we’re going by now. They’ve always given me support. The support of my teammates and coaches always matters to me.
When I go out each and every day, and each and every Sunday, that’s who I go out to play for – my coaches and my teammates.
"
It's obviously an encouraging quote, and it seems that head coach Gus Bradley has dealt with it and that he's in proper shape and is ready to work. At 33, it's not like Clemons has a lot to learn, but his absence could come back to haunt him this season should he underperform.
Clemons' entire offseason is not what his teammates, coaches or fans prefer, but it's over now. Clemons will definitely have to deliver on the field come the regular season, but until then, it's a positive that he's back on the field.
Blake Bortles Looks Poised and Mature
2 of 5
The Jaguars need a big year out of quarterback Blake Bortles. Maybe not incredible stats or game-changing performances, but they need improvement, consistency and proper game management when it's needed.
Bortles' 11-of-15, 118-yard performance against the Steelers was definitely a good start. He delivered a solid game, and it could have been even better if it weren't for two or three drops from his receivers.
However, while Bortles' stats were impressive, what was more impressive was how he did it. He looked mature and composed and executed the mental and tactical aspects of the QB job well.
With this performance coming in the preseason, it has to be taken with a grain of salt. There's certainly not a guarantee that Bortles will deliver in similar ways in the regular season, but this performance was encouraging all the same.
Bortles' offseason work has been consistently praised, and that has carried into the first preseason game. If he can execute a similar showing against the Giants, the Jaguars' and Bortles' confidence will continue to build.
Both Denard Robinson and Toby Gerhart Are Striving for the Starting RB Job
3 of 5
Running backs Denard Robinson and Toby Gerhart both had a good night against the Steelers, albeit short ones thanks to the plethora of backs at the Jaguars' disposal currently. Rookie T.J. Yeldon didn't see the field, and Gerhart and Robinson made sure to make the most of their opportunities.
Robinson showed the quick, instinctive running we saw last year. His overwhelming burst has been met with better technique over the past year, and he just seems to be improving with time.
For Gerhart, it was the effort. While some players on both sides seemed to resign to the fact that the preseason wasn't the time for 100 percent effort, Gerhart consistently worked hard and earned every single yard he could.
The two are still likely behind Yeldon for the feature job, and that's OK. Yeldon hasn't seen the field in a Jaguars uniform yet, and there is still time to compare and choose. But in the meantime, Gerhart and Robinson are making their cases, and that just gives the Jaguars reliable and flexible options at RB.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
The Battle at Center Remains the Tightest Positional Battle for the Jaguars
4 of 5
Luke Bowanko got the starting nod last Friday night against the Steelers, and he duly delivered a solid performance, as he did often last year. Stefen Wisniewski saw plenty of playing time as well and also handled himself nicely.
However, Wisniewski didn't see time against the first-team defense of the Steelers. That doesn't help his case, but he certainly didn't screw up, which is probably why the battle is still so tight, as Jaguars.com's John Oehser reported.
According to Oehser, "Wiz" and Bowanko are continuing to see even time with the first team in practice, and either could be the starter for this Saturday's game against the Giants.
This heated battle has been expected, but it's really promising to see that both are performing well and that the Jaguars are having a hard time choosing. The situation at center was nothing close to this last year, and it's definitely a positive to have this battle raging.
Wisniewski is still the personal pick for starting center, but it doesn't seem like the Jaguars can go wrong either way. It's a good problem that the Jaguars haven't had to deal with in recent years, and it's fantastic to see it return.
The Jaguars' Injury Situation Could Be Much Worse
5 of 5
No team ever wants to see its players get injured, especially if said players play vital roles in the team. Sadly, the Jaguars had to endure that pain twice Friday night when tight end Julius Thomas and strong safety Jonathan Cyprien both suffered hand-related injuries.
Thomas broke a bone in his hand, and Cyprien fractured a finger, which can be tricky injuries to deal with. However, the Jaguars can expect both of them to be back for Week 1, and that is where it turns positive.
Sure, it's not preferable to have two key players miss valuable time on the field with their teammates, but the fact that both will be near 100 percent by Week 1 makes it a lot easier to take.
Plus, as Jaguars.com's John Oehser reported, defensive end Jared Odrick, defensive tackle Roy Miller and the aforementioned Clemons have all returned to practice and look likely to play this weekend.
Considering the Jaguars' absent pass rush against the Steelers, this news is much appreciated. Finally, DT Sen'Derrick Marks should be back for Week 1. Injury strikes every team, but the Jaguars are in pretty good shape in the grand scheme of things.
All stats were provided by ESPN.com unless otherwise stated.
Evan Reier is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report covering the Jacksonville Jaguars. Follow Evan on Twitter @evanreier.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
