:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/37340832/20140814_lbm_ad4_033.JPG.0.jpg)
According to Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley, 7-year NFL veteran Chad Henne will be the team's starting quarterback heading into their Week 1 match-up against the Philadelphia Eagles.
While this announcement isn't unexpected, it's worth noting that Henne hasn't played dramatically better than rookie quarterback Blake Bortles during the preseason. Bortles, whom the Jaguars drafted with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, has actually been impressive. Compare the stats:
| Name | Snaps | Attempts | Completion | Completion % | Yards | Yards/Attempt | TD | INT | Dropped | NFL Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blake Bortles | 55 | 28 | 18 | 64.3 | 277 | 9.9 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 96.9 |
| Chad Henne | 52 | 24 | 16 | 66.7 | 160 | 6.7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 99.3 |
As you can see, Bortles has suffered from some bad luck in terms of drops. One of his pass attempts was also a QB spike. When you adjust for those five plays, his completion percentage could really be as high as 82.1%. His yards per attempt ratio is also significantly better than Henne's figure.
Here's the reaction from SB Nation Jacksonville Jaguars site Big Cat Country:
Through three games in the preseason so far, Henne has been typical Henne. He was unspectacular, though not awful against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He looked good, despite missing some throws against the Bears and then was bad against the Lions. Chad Henne went Chad Henne.
Despite the fact that the No. 3 overall pick, Blake Bortles, has been consistently good through the first preseason games, it appears Henne is the guy Week 1.
Of course, there's still time for Bradley to change his mind, but for now I don't think the Eagles will mind having to face the known NFL veteran, Henne, instead of the more talented rookie, Bortles.
The Eagles and Jaguars will face off in Philadelphia on Sunday, September 7th, 2014 at 1:00 PM EST.