Mike DiRocco, ESPN Staff Writer
Apparently there are worse things to say about an offensive lineman than he’s not fundamentally sound, not tough or not intelligent enough to handle protection changes.
It’s questioning the size of his rear end.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles did that Wednesday, and it sent shock waves through one corner of the locker room.
Veteran Stefen Wisniewski and second-year player Luke Bowanko have been competing to be the starting center throughout camp. They’ve rotated days with the first team and will do so for at least another week. Since Bowanko started 13 games last season, Bortles was asked if he had has developed a rhythm with Wisniewski, who signed with the Jaguars in March.
“Yeah, it feels good,” Bortles said. “He feels good. That sounds weird.”
The laughter had only begun to ease when Bortles inadvertently insulted his teammate: “His butt’s bigger than Bo’s.”
The 6-foot-6, 300-pound Bowanko was offended.
“No,” Bowanko said. “No. No. No. No.”
In fact, Bowanko was so surprised that he asked nearby teammate Zane Beadles to make sure he isn’t incorrect in his belief that his butt is indeed bigger than Wisniewski’s.
“Uh, you seen those hips?” Beadles asked.
Bowanko considered that a victory.
“The hips don’t lie,” Bowanko said.
Then Bowanko tried to figure out why his quarterback would hurt his feelings so much.
“I mean, I don’t know what he’s — you know, it’s to each his own, right,” Bowanko said. “I don’t know which he prefers, but I do know my butt’s bigger than Wis’. I don’t know that that’s a masculine quality that you’re looking to have.”
Unfortunately, the 6-3, 315-pound Wisniewski was not at his locker during the open media period, so he was unable to defend his honor — and his rear end.