JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The competition between centers Luke Bowanko and Stefen Wisniewski is one of the most-watched position battles happening in Jacksonville Jaguars' training camp. Coach Gus Bradley said he wants to name a starter soon -- but not too soon.
Maybe the end of next week after the Jaguars’ first preseason game against Pittsburgh on Aug. 14. Or possibly after the second preseason game against the New York Giants. He doesn’t want to wait much longer than that because he wants to make sure the winner gets enough snaps with the rest of the starters to develop the continuity and chemistry that is so important along the offensive line.
"I can tell you, if at all possible, it’s not going to be the fourth week or the third week of preseason," Bradley said. "We’d like to have that where it plays out, but I think it’s more important that we make the right decision, so we’re caught a little bit in that we don’t want to wait but we want to make sure we give it due process. Hopefully when we scrimmage in a preseason game or two, we will get a feel for where it’s at."
Bowanko started 14 games as a rookie in 2014, replacing Jacques McClendon in Week 3. The Jaguars hadn’t wanted to play the sixth-round pick out of Virginia that early but had no choice. Though he had some ups and downs, the Jaguars were pleased with his progress.
The team signed Wisniewski in April. The four-year veteran is familiar with offensive coordinator Greg Olson’s system, having played for Olson in two of his four seasons in Oakland. He’s a durable, dependable player, having started 61 of a possible 64 games.
Bowanko and Wisniewski have alternated days with the first team during the first week of training camp.
"You’d like the offensive line to have as much time as they can to build continuity," Bradley said. "I think it’s pretty important in the offensive line. Whether it happens or not, I don’t know. Let’s see. I am not going to make a decision in a week-and-a-half, and it’s not fair to competition. We’ve got to get the right guy."
