NFL Notes: Jaguars, Patriots, Saints

Jaguars

Jaguars HC Doug Marrone told reporters recently that QB Blake Bortles‘ throwing mechanics are “much improved” this year.

“There are certain things, as far as his elbow and his arm, that are much improved,” Marrone said, via Jaguars.com. “I think there are still other things we’re still working on as well as everyone else at this stage. … If we’re throwing 100 footballs to 150 — if we throw 150 he’ll be better. If we throw 200 he’ll be better – 250, he’ll be better. What we’re doing now is trying to build him up and build the arm strength and all the other things along with all of our quarterbacks to get there. The more he throws the better he’ll be.”

Patriots

• According to Mike Reiss, the Patriots came close to drafting Indiana G Dan Feeney in round three, but the Chargers managed to grab him before New England.
  Reiss wonders if the Patriots would have signed David Andrews to his new three-year extension (NFLTR) had they drafted Feeney.

Saints

Saints coach Sean Payton told reporters that first-round OT Ryan Ramczyk is further along with his recovery from offseason hip surgery than they thought.

“He’s in good shape and much further along than really we anticipated, even with his surgery,” Payton said, via ESPN.com. “He’s getting a lot of work, but he’s not getting the [full] team work. He probably is three to four weeks out with his labrum, but he’s picking things up very quickly.

“So it’s been good, it’s been a good exposure.”

Ramczyk confirmed that the Saints appeared to be “impressed” with where he is right now.

“I think they were impressed with where I’m at right now. The rehab’s been really good, and I plan to keep it that way and keep looking ahead,” said Ramczyk. “It’s tough not being able to go out there and compete with the guys and do all that. But for me, I know what I have to do. I know I gotta get in the playbook and understand all the concepts and everything. So I’m just really focusing on that right now.”