I'd take Bortles without hesitation. No adjusting required. He already managed at least 7.7 yards per attempt every season in college including a fantastic 9.4 last season.
Naturally the Tannehill defenders will attack based on level of competition, under the laughable notion that the Big 12 featured excellent defense. It was actually quite poor, particularly in Tannehill's final season of 2011 in which only Texas threatened to emphasize pass defense.
Besides, Bortles managed several unlikely clutch comebacks, notably at Penn State, at Temple and especially at Louisville, given the caliber of that opponent with several high pro draft picks on defense. He also thrashed Baylor in the bowl game as two touchdown underdog when it was obvious that a huge number of points would be required. Tannehill has invariably flattened out in similar situations, including college with big first halves and next to nothing in the second half.
Bortles has superior instincts and can throw on the run either left or right. He's one of the few quarterbacks who can match Tannehill moving left. There have been issues with wobbly passes but it seemed to be markedly improved in the one preseason game I watched.
Bottom line, with Bortles you get the first quarterback picked in that draft, while we settled for third with Tannehill. That's not always the pivotal factor but as I mentioned yesterday it's always a race to steal a few percent here and there, not give it away. I default to the percentages.
:3w:
