At 6'4", 230 pounds, and a rocket for an arm, Blaine Gabbert definately was an intruiging draft prospect. Gabbert ran the spread offense at Missouri like no one else in the country. Jacksonville couldn't pass on an imensly huge talent like Gabbert. However, his talent and big arm didn't translate to the NFL for his rookie season. Which poses the question, was Gabbert a waste of a first-round draft-pick?
You can hardly blame the Jags' disappointing season on their rookie quarterback. When Gabbert was drafted he was not supposed to be the starting quarterback. He was going to sit behind veteran David Garrard. Garrard was let go though. Thrusting Gabbert into the starting role. Baptism by fire! It is never a good idea to throw a first year quarterback into the NFL. It's a different game, playing with the big boys. Gabbert found out quick, fast, and in a hurry that he wasn't in Missouri anymore.
The offensive line was down right horrible for Gabbert, and just couldn't protect him. The rookie quarterback found himself on his back many times during his rookie campaign, being sacked 40 times. The roster was also plauged by injury, many of which were at the wide receiver position. Gabbert was by no means inserted into the ideal position. His inheritance was a team with a week offensive line and thin at the wide receiever spot! There aren't many elite quarterbacks that could do much with being dealt that kind of hand.
Blaine's numbers were obviously well below average. Throwing only 12 touchdown passes, barely completing 50% of his passes, and throwing 11 interceptions for a quarterback rating of 65.4. There are some things to build on, though. On passes over 40 yards his passer rating is 121.5. Concreting the argument that he has a big arm.
Look at some of the greatest all-time quarterbacks, Troy Aikman in particular. Aikman was highly touted out of college, just as Gabbert was. Troy led his team to a 1 win season his rookie year, then went on to to win a few superbowls!
Gabbert wasn't a total bust. If Jacksonville can add a legitimate deep threat and a few lineman that can actually protect the quarterback, then they can make a run at the playoffs in a week conference!
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