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Blaine Gabbert News & Rumors

Blaine Gabbert might have the starting job, but he's not acting like it
May 17
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey is saying there's not going to be a competition for the starting quarterback position in training camp. But Blaine Gabbert has the attitude that he is still competing. "I compete every practice," he said. "I know perfect isn't really ever achievable, but I like to think it is. I'm plenty competitive and I get really mad at myself, just like anybody would if you expect it to be perfect. When you miss a throw, miss something easy that you know you can make, the biggest thing is you just have to bounce back." Starting his second NFL season and his first offseason, Gabbert was named the starting quarterback by Mularkey despite his rocky rookie season and the signing"
Mike Mularkey: Blaine Gabbert is our starter, we feel good about him
May 14
Pro Football Talk
 
"It would be easy for Mike Mularkey, as a new head coach inheriting a returning starter at quarterback who looked lousy last year, to be skeptical of his quarterback's ability to lead the team. But in Jacksonville, where Blaine Gabbert is returning as the starter in a new offense, Mularkey insists he's confident in what he has. According to Mularkey, Chad Henne was signed strictly as a backup and does not have the opportunity to earn the starting job in training camp. Instead, Mularkey told Albert Breer of NFL Network, the job belongs to Gabbert, period. "No, it's not [a competition]. Blaine's our starting quarterback," Mularkey said."
Gabbert's rookie year was a nightmare, but he won't be a bust
April 17
CBSSports.com
 columnist Pete Prisco
"There is nothing worse than being called "soft" in the NFL, only imagine it's a word far worse that that, one we can't print here. Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert has been called everything and anything you can imagine to insult his toughness after a rough rookie season in 2011. He's been called the kind of names that would make some players fight back, the kind of things you don't want next to your name. Instead of fighting back, Gabbert has opted to take a different approach to having his toughness questioned by national media, Jaguars fans and even a certain former coach who sits in a Monday night booth and thinks he invented the quarterback position. "I have to respond"
Tim Tebow or not, it's time for Blaine Gabbert to step up his game
April 3
Jacksonville Times-Union
 columnist Gne Frenette
"In his first official day back to work in the Jaguars building, Blaine Gabbert didn't look all that different. The Missouri native wore his St. Louis Cardinals cap, had a standard pinch of Grizzly smokeless tobacco in his mouth, and the long, golden locks were trimmed back a bit, not falling much beneath his shoulders. But inside, things were totally different. Gabbert is feeling more comfortable in his own skin, a little less guarded now that he's not an NFL newbie. The Jaguars' 22-year-old quarterback, the youngest in NFL history to start 14 games as a rookie, comes across as invigorated and refreshed. He's eager to begin laying the foundation for what he expects will be a big step"
Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey says team is ready to build with Blaine Gabbert
March 23
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"The day after the Jaguars failed in their attempt to trade for Tim Tebow, there seemed to be no angst at a fan event Thursday night about losing the Jacksonville native to the New York Jets. Both the coaches and a crowd of about 500 fans at an "Evening With the Coaches" event at EverBank Field appeared ready to go forward with Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne as the Jaguars' two quarterbacks this year."
Addition of Chad Henne means competition, not QB controversy for Jaguars
March 16
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Coach Mike Mularkey insisted Thursday the Jaguars don't have a quarterback controversy despite the signing of Chad Henne as their new backup to Blaine Gabbert. Mularkey said Henne's coming in to compete. "He's coming in as a backup, competing for a starting job,'' Mularkey said. "Everybody comes in here to compete for a starting job. We don't want anybody here that's very comfortable and wants to be a backup role. "Chad knows his role and Blaine and I had a conversation this morning that we are all on the same page of why he's here.''"
David Garrard: Blaine Gabbert needs to develop pocket presence
February 29
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Former Jaguars quarterback David Garrard called in to SiriusXM to chat with Adam Schein and Rich Gannon earlier today. He said he'd be open to a return to the Jaguars, citing a new owner and new head coach as reason he might have a fresh start in Jacksonville. A lot of what Garrard said lined up with his comments to me last week. He did clarify one thing. When he said he was 90-to-95 percent healthy, Garrard said he was talking about his overall football shape. He told SiriusXM his back was 100 percent healthy. Later in the conversation, the talk turned to Blaine Gabbert and his struggles in his rookie season. Garrard told the guys on Sirius that he does think Gabbert can be the future at"
Jaguars hire Greg Olson to work with QB Blaine Gabbert
January 20
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Quarterback Blaine Gabbert's development will be critical to the future of the Jaguars organization. On Thursday, head coach Mike Mularkey hired the man who will work most closely with the young quarterback. Mularkey hired Greg Olson as quarterbacks coach and assistant head coach. Olson was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator from 2009 to 2011. He started in Tampa as the team's quarterbacks coach in 2008 and was offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions and St. Louis Rams before that."
Mularkey's first task is to mentor Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert
January 12
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"One of the first things new Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey did Wednesday when he arrived in Jacksonville was have a one-on-one talk with young quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Mularkey's ability to mentor Gabbert will be a key in his bid to turn the Jaguars around. Gabbert has the lowest passer rating in the NFL this season (65.5) and the Jaguars had the worst offense in the league despite having the league's leading rusher in Maurice Jones-Drew. Gabbert said the two talked about "everything.''"
First Gabbert, now another dice roll for Jaguars
January 11
Jacksonville Times-Union
 columnist Gene Frenette
"Almost nine months ago, the Jaguars went against conventional thinking by trading up in the first round of the draft to select quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Now general manager Gene Smith, with the approval of new owner Shahid Khan, is rolling the dice again by hiring Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey as the Jaguars' head coach entrusted with developing Gabbert into a legitimate franchise quarterback. It's still a gamble because Mularkey, despite his University of Florida roots and a high work ethic trait that Smith craves in both coaches and players, has a resume that is unquestionably a mixed bag."
Jaguars coach sees Blaine Gabbert as courageous, "super-tough"
December 22
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Through this season, many observers have criticized Blaine Gabbert for his pocket presence. Trent Dilfer called him timid. Joe Theismann said he looked like a shrinking violet. Well, Mel Tucker was asked about that during his press conference yesterday, and he gave a strong endorsement for Gabbert in his answer. "I see Blaine as being courageous in the pocket," Tucker said. "I see him as being super-tough. I see him being very, very competitive and my feeling is that his teammates and his coaches feel the same way.""
Blaine Gabbert takes beating as Falcons go on attack
December 16
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Right away, the Falcons defense let Jaguars rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert know they were coming for him. On the Jaguars' very first offensive play, Falcons veteran defensive end John Abraham took him down 10 yards back. Two plays later Gabbert was sacked again, but this time a penalty nullified the stat. It was a sign of what was in store for Gabbert all night in the Georgia Dome in the Jaguars' 41-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons."
Don't kick Blaine Gabbert to the curb just yet
December 9
Jacksonville Times-Union
 columnist Gene Frenette
"It's a good thing Blaine Gabbert isn't running for president. His bandwagon is as empty as the EverBank Field seats near the end of Monday night's loss to the San Diego Chargers. If the Jaguars' quarterback had a campaign headquarters, it'd be boarded up. Ten starts into his career, Gabbert has gone from toast of the town to just plain toast. Apparently, the instant gratification world we live in applies to NFL rookie quarterbacks, because this kid will never be any good. A significant portion of the Jaguars' fan base now views him as a reincarnation of Ryan Leaf. You can hear the Chicken Littles, saying: "Cut your losses, Jaguars. Find another quarterback in the 2012 draft. Or better yet,"
Blaine Gabbert shown bench, but remains starter
November 28
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"For the first time since the third game of the season when coach Jack Del Rio benched Luke McCown for rookie Blaine Gabbert, the Jaguars were dealing with questions about their starting quarterback. Del Rio benched Gabbert in the fourth quarter of the 20-13 loss to Houston on Sunday and put McCown in, hoping he would give the offense a spark. The Jaguars were trailing 20-10 when McCown entered with 7:03 left. McCown led them to a field goal, and on the next drive faced a 4th-and-2 at the Houston 40 with 1:16 remaining. But McCown failed to connect with Mike Thomas and the Jaguars fell short again. Del Rio said "Blaine's our starting quarterback,'' but left himself with plenty of wiggle"
Blaine Gabbert's big moment flutters away
November 21
Jacksonville Times-Union
 columnist Gene Frenette
"For a couple excruciating, hold-your-breath seconds, it appeared Blaine Gabbert was going to ride out of Browns Stadium a conquering hero. Things were shaping up for the Jaguars rookie to have his first fourth-quarter comeback win. A franchise, desperate for some kind of lift in this increasingly miserable season, would get a feel-good memory to validate why they made him a top-10 draft pick. In the end, like Lucy pulling the football away from Charlie Brown at the last second, it all proved to be a big tease. There was no dramatic Tim Tebow moment for Gabbert. He led the Jaguars 70 yards in 2 minutes and 41 seconds, getting some assistance from two Cleveland penalties. Gabbert almost"
Blaine Gabbert's third-quarter drive shows Jaguars promise for future
November 14
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Blaine Gabbert continues to take baby steps in his slow development as a rookie quarterback. The Jaguars were hoping he would get into a groove after the bye week, but he had a 25.7 passer rating in the first half when he completed six of 12 passes for only 48 yards and had a costly interception on their first drive. Then in the third quarter, he showed glimpses of the quarterback the Jaguars are hoping he will become. He engineered a 16-play, 86-yard touchdown drive that took 9:40 off the clock although it was kept alive by a costly third-down illegal use of hands penalty on the Colts backup defensive end Tyler Brayton. Gabbert then capped it with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jarett"
Blaine Gabbert subpar so far among rookie QBs
November 7
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert wasn't afraid to get after the veteran when the Jaguars played the Houston Texans. "I kind of sat down on a route because I thought it was zone and it was a man concept they were running," Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew said. "So he got on me about it, which is a good thing. He's going to make sure we try to make him look good." Halfway through the season, Gabbert's obvious confidence hasn't wavered, but he's had a difficult start to his career. He directs the NFL's 32nd-ranked offense in total yards and passing yards per game and has struggled to master certain mechanics."
Gabbert, Jaguars will try to find passing game during bye week
November 1
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"The numbers tell the story of rookie Blaine Gabbert's rocky first six starts as an NFL quarterback in the wake of the Jaguars' 24-14 loss in Houston Sunday. He is the 33rd ranked quarterback in a 32-team league with a passer rating of 62.0. He also ranks 33rd in completion percentage (45.7) and average yards per attempt (5.24). In the last three games, the Jaguars passed for 76 net yards against Pittsburgh, 73 against Baltimore and 90 against Houston for the worst three-game stretch in franchise history."
Few completions, no excuses for Blaine Gabbert
October 31
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"That he's a rookie quarterback, only 22, with just six starts of NFL experience is the truth. But Blaine Gabbert calls it something else. "Growing pains?" Gabbert said. "That's an excuse. I don't like to make excuses. This team doesn't like to make excuses. That just shows that you're a weak person. We don't make excuses here. We expect to perform at our best week in and week out regardless of the circumstances.""
QB Blaine Gabbert took step back in Monday night win
October 28
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Blaine Gabbert got his first NFL victory Monday night, but he's still suffering the growing pains of a rookie quarterback, according to offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter. "It starts with the quarterback," Koetter said of the problems the Jaguars have experienced with their passing game. "I thought he was making steady progress, and he went up against a top-end defense [Baltimore], and he regressed a little bit." Gabbert completed 9-of-20 passes for 93 yards against the Ravens."
After steady progress, Blaine Gabbert regressed against the Ravens' stout defense
October 28
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"After Monday's game, Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew gave the game ball to rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert. "He said, 'Keep this game ball, it's your first win,'" Gabbert said on NFL Network. "I really appreciated that because he deserves the game ball; he and our offensive line did a tremendous job. It was sweet having him let me keep the game ball.""
Jaguars' rookie quarterback continues to make strides
October 10
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"It wasn't all bad for Jaguars rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert Sunday in the 30-20 loss to Cincinnati. The botched shotgun snap from center Brad Meester and Gabbert's fumble that led to Geno Atkins' touchdown on the final play of the game will obviously make the highlight shows. But before that Gabbert had moments when he looked poised and polished, and completely comfortable in the huddle and behind center. Gabbert completed 15-of-28 passes for 221 yards, including a 74-yard TD bomb to Jason Hill with 8:24 left in the game. That was the Jaguars' first touchdown in the second half this season and put them ahead 20-16."
Young guns Dalton, Gabbert duel
October 9
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Andy Dalton and Blaine Gabbert have been closely tied since last summer. They were counselors at the prestigious Elite 11 passing camp in California. Then, they made the rounds of college award shows and all the pre-draft stuff. Today, though, they face off for the first time when the Bengals take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. It marks the first time rookie quarterbacks have gone against each other in a Bengals game since Oct. 10, 1999, when Akili Smith took on Cleveland's Tim Couch (the Bengals won that game 18-17). Said Dalton when asked if he follows the progress of the other rookie quarterbacks: "I see what Cam (Newton) is doing, and now that Blaine's playing, it's"
Second-half blitzes take toll on Blaine Gabbert
October 3
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"After spending extended time in the cold tub after Sunday's game, Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert walked into his news conference with his hair disheveled and his eye black still smudged after his second NFL start. "We've just got to make plays, and that starts with me," Gabbert said after a 23-10 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. "We didn't execute like we wanted to in the second half and that showed in the score.""
Blaine Gabbert: "Trust me, we'll get better"
September 27
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Blaine Gabbert returned to Jacksonville last night and went right back to football. He went over to Zach Miller's house, because the tight end had TiVoed Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Carolina Panthers and they watched the whole muddy thing. "Whenever you play a football game and you know you messed up, you want to learn from it right there," Gabbert said. "Sucks waiting around because then you think about it for 24 hours. You want to put it to rest. Watch it, diagnose, and make corrections." Gabbert threw 21 passes and completed 12 for 139 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He had a rating of 73.3 in his first NFL start."
With rain and Blaine, plan was too plain
September 27
Jacksonville Times-Union
 columnist Gene Frenette
"On Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, will quarterback Blaine Gabbert be wearing an orange jumpsuit to go with those handcuffs? I realize Jacksonville is a conservative town, and the Jaguars' identity has been as a run-first team, but don't make this into a Tea Party offense. Please, turn the kid with the golden arm loose a little bit. It's understandable the Jaguars didn't want Gabbert slinging it all over Bank of America Stadium in his first NFL start, especially during a downpour. But he wasn't drafted with the No. 10 pick to be a Luke McCown-type game manager, though he sure looked like one for much of Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Head coach Jack Del Rio obviously"
Blaine Gabbert era for Jaguars begins with soggy, frustrating loss
September 26
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Watching rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert lead his team down the field with 62 seconds left in the game, Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio turned to defensive end Aaron Kampman and marveled at what he thought he was about to see. "I turned to Kampman and said, 'This young man is going to lead us to a comeback in his first start,' " Del Rio said. "And it looked like we were on our way to it." Clock confusion got in the way on that final drive. In a game filled with missed opportunities, the Jaguars were only able to make one play in the final 16 seconds. It ended with an incomplete deep throw to Jason Hill and an attainable win slipped from their grasp. The Jaguars fell to 1-2 with the 16-10 loss"
Not all rookies created equal: Gabbert stumbles
September 26
Charlotte Observer
 
"This is how all the non-Cam Newton rookie quarterbacks play. Fumbles. Conservative play-calling. Terrible clock management. That's how the Jacksonville Jaguars blew a winnable game Sunday, and all those things were by-products of Blaine Gabbert's first start at quarterback. He dropped the ball three times, although the Jaguars recovered all three. The Jaguars threw just 14 times until the final two possessions, when they had no other choice. And in the crucial final seconds, with the Jaguars scrambling for shots at the end zone, Jacksonville got off a single snap in the final 16 seconds."
Newton vs. Gabbert: Panthers had mulled both with No. 1 pick
September 25
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"They said rookie quarterbacks couldn't be good this year. They said it would be a lost campaign. They said without offseason programs, how could anyone expect these 21-, 22- and 23-year-old kids to succeed right away — if they even played? So far, those theories have been silenced. Cam Newton made sure of it, at once justifying his pre-draft attention and creating new buzz about just how good he could be. But it almost never happened. Holding the draft's top pick, the Carolina Panthers studied two players heavily. One was Newton. The other? Jaguars rookie Blaine Gabbert — whom the Panthers will face on Sunday, tying the two for the earliest meeting between rookie quarterbacks in NFL"
Jaguars will start Blaine Gabbert against the Carolina Panthers
September 22
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"It's now Gabbert time for the Jaguars. Coach Jack Del Rio benched Luke McCown and named Blaine Gabbert the team's starting quarterback Wednesday. "It's now time for Blaine," Del Rio said. "It's time for him to play." Gabbert is the team's third starting quarterback in the last 15 days, the fifth in the last two years and the eighth quarterback Del Rio has started in his nine years as head coach. The 10th overall pick in the NFL draft, Gabbert is expected to bring stability to the position, for perhaps the next decade. Reflecting the way the players look at Gabbert, guard Uche Nwaneri said, "I want to make sure I am here all 10 years.'' The Jaguars tried to bring Gabbert along"
How top-10 rookie QBs have fared in NFL
September 21
Jacksonville Times-Union
 columnist Gene Frenette
"Jaguars rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert is the 28th quarterback to be selected in the top 10 in the past 20 NFL drafts. Of the previous 27 quarterbacks chosen, 19 became their team's primary starter as a rookie and seven of the remaining eight were full-time starters by the season opener of their second season. Here's how much those coming before Gabbert played as rookies and how they progressed: Player, Rookie year, Team, Draft position, Comment Sam Bradford, 2010, St. Louis Rams, No. 1, Started 16 games, finished with TD-interception ratio of 18-15 and 76.5 passer rating Matt Stafford, 2009, Detroit Lions, No. 1, Started 10 games as rookie for 2-14 team; might transform Lions if"
Jaguars will start Blaine Gabbert against the Carolina Panthers
September 21
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"The Blaine Gabbert era is getting an early start in Jacksonville. The Jaguars will start Gabbert, the rookie they selected 10th overall, against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, sources said. NFL teams set their game plans on Tuesday and the Jaguars' is Gabbert-centric. Gabbert was a two-year starter at Missouri before last year's draft. He threw 40 touchdowns and 18 interceptions while there. He made one NFL preseason start against the New England Patriots this year."
Luke McCown, Blaine Gabbert wait for word on who will start for Jaguars
September 20
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio did not answer the only question the media wanted to ask on Monday, a day after the team's 32-3 loss to the New York Jets. Del Rio was asked several different ways if Luke McCown would retain the starting job after throwing four interceptions and getting pulled for rookie Blaine Gabbert. "The only thing I'd like to say at this point today is that we're evaluating the tape," Del Rio said. "We will let you know when it's appropriate." Asked if the quarterbacks need to know by Wednesday, when they begin practicing for Sunday's game at Carolina, Del Rio said, "Philosophy and thoughts and who might it be and what is the best approach, there's really no good answer."
Sorry Luke, time to begin Blaine Gabbert era
September 19
Jacksonville Times-Union
 columnist Gene Frenette
"Luke McCown is a class act and true professional. He's also as detailed a game-planner as any NFL team could ask for in a quarterback, but there's a reason the 30-year-old with a Texas drawl has been a career backup. And after Sunday's abominable performance at MetLife Stadium, it's almost imperative the Jaguars return McCown to the role he's accustomed to and push the start button on the Blaine Gabbert era. You hate to make such a monumental decision based on McCown's four-interception outing Sunday in a 32-3 debacle against the New York Jets. Everybody has a bad day, right? But if the Jaguars starting quarterback is going to produce such an unmitigated disaster, they might as well ditch"
Blaine Gabbert gets first taste of regular season
September 19
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Blaine Gabbert wore a Jaguars baseball cap and held a clipboard for most of Sunday afternoon's game, a spectator as the Jaguars played the New York Jets. But after quarterback Luke McCown threw his fourth interception, the cap came off and a helmet replaced it. On the sideline, Gabbert began warming up. He took snaps from center Brad Meester. McCown came off the field and wished him luck. It isn't clear yet if Sunday's game marked the start of the Blaine Gabbert era in Jacksonville. But against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium, he saw one quarter of real, full speed NFL action. Gabbert finished the game completing five of six passes for 52 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. "I"
For now, back seat for Jaguars rookie QB Blaine Gabbert
September 4
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"In the best of all possible worlds for the Jaguars, rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert will not start any games this season and play only when the Jaguars are comfortably ahead. That would mean the Jaguars are in a battle for a playoff spot with veteran David Garrard at the helm. But that doesn't mean Gabbert won't have a big role even if he isn't doing a lot more than taking reps with the second team or running the scout team in practice. He gives the franchise hope for a brighter future."
Jaguars Notebook: Rookie QB Blaine Gabbert learning about NFL defenses
August 31
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Like all rookies, Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert noticed a few things about NFL defenses this preseason. He's learned they're a lot faster than what he's seen in the past, and defensive coordinators are a lot more prepared for him. "They know what your weaknesses are as a rookie quarterback," Gabbert said. "They're going to blitz the heck out of you. Just learning that and really the biggest thing is getting myself on film, seeing how I react, seeing where my body takes myself off of my instincts when they bring certain blitzes or pressures." The preseason might be nearing its end, but Gabbert knows that doesn't mean he's going to stop learning. "It's going to be a learning period"
Jack Del Rio assesses Jaguars QB David Garrard and the offense
August 23
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Jack Del Rio said today "David's our starter," which is something he's said throughout the spring, summer and training camp. Four days after Gabbert looked very rookie-like against the Falcons, Del Rio also answered affirmatively when asked if Garrard would start the season opener. But that doesn't mean he was pleased by everything he saw from Garrard and the Jaguars offense on Friday against the Falcons. Asked if Garrard needs to step up his game, Del Rio said yes. Asked if another week would help that happen, Del Rio said yes, again. "We need more efficiency offensively and certainly the trigger man plays a large role in that," he continued. "I think it all ties together. You know how"
Final Review of David Garrard and Blaine Gabbert
August 20
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Blaine Gabbert played into the fourth quarter, a total of seven series, and wound up with statistics that were virtually identical to the ones put up by David Garrard. Gabbert completed 11 of 23 for 96 yards, was sacked twice and had a long pass of 28 yards with a 59.3 quarterback rating. Garrrd was 7 of 12 for 99 yards and one sack with a long trow of 26 yardswith a quarterback rating of 50.3 But for the Jaguars to play the rookie, he has to clearly outplay Garrard and he didn't so Garrard goes to Buffalo next Saturday night as the favorite to win the job. Gabbert, though, did win the post game press conference. He said he play "a little up and down.'' Garrard, though, virtually blamed"
Jags QBs Garrard and Gabbert take competition into second preseason game
August 18
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Blaine Gabbert downplayed his increased repetitions with the first-team offense, but that is just his style. The reality is, the Jaguars have a very real quarterback competition. David Garrard is still in the lead and will start Friday against the Atlanta Falcons. He made a beautiful throw tonight against the Falcons, hitting Cecil Shorts on a fade route in the corner of the end zone. But Garrard's grip on the starting job is not as definite as it was heading into camp. It's become apparent from talking to people in the building and by watching Gabbert throughout camp that he has the ability to be an NFL quarterback -- and soon. The Jaguars said all along they were going to host a"
Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert shows flashes in debut
August 12
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"No one expected his debut to be perfect, but what the Jaguars hoped to see out of their future starting quarterback was the composure, confidence and the ability that would translate into NFL success. Given a chance to start with Jaguars quarterback David Garrard injured, the rookie Blaine Gabbert showed he has it on Thursday night. That didn't mean it was easy. "I think he showed a little poise leading the team down and we had a couple of drops," Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said. "The good thing is I see him on the sidelines saying 'my bad, I could throw it better.' I know one thing, it's great exposure for him and great experience." In a game missing several key starters on both teams,"
Rookie Blaine Gabbert to start at QB for Jaguars in preseason opener
August 10
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"In the Jaguars' game of quarterback musical chairs, rookie Blaine Gabbert will start in New England on Thursday night as Luke McCown and David Garrard are both ailing. Veteran Todd Bouman is likely to play after one practice. McCown didn't take any snaps in the Tuesday night practice, and it is uncertain whether he will play Thursday night. The Jaguars did not disclose his injury, but his back was taped on the field Monday night, and he is coming back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Gabbert was named the starter for the New England game Tuesday by Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio after Garrard remained sidelined with the back ailment he suffered last Thursday. Del Rio, who originally"
Gabbert to start preseason opener for Jags
August 9
Sacramento Bee
 
"Jacksonville Jaguars rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert will start Thursday's preseason opener against New England as David Garrard continues to rest an ailing back. Garrard left practice last Thursday after his back tightened up, an injury that Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio termed "nothing major" at the time."
Logical to allow Newton, Gabbert to build on spread success
August 9
NFL.com
 columnist Vic Carucci
"A quarterback who spent all or most of his college career in a simplified, spread-style offense doesn't necessarily have to be at any sort of disadvantage in making the transition to the NFL. One former NFL coach who enjoyed considerable success with such a scheme thinks in-coming rookies such as Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert will eventually have a chance to thrive with skills they developed while often making plays on the fly. Ted Marchibroda, who was the Buffalo Bills' offensive coordinator as Jim Kelly ran a no-huddle spread attack called "The K-Gun" that helped the team reach four straight Super Bowls, doesn't see any reason for Newton or Gabbert to change what they do for the NFL. In"
Blaine Gabbert looks poised, but still performs like a rookie in Jaguars' scrimmage
August 7
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Blaine Gabbert showed flashes of his potential, but also played like a rookie quarterback at times in the Jaguars' annual intrasquad scrimmage Saturday night. Gabbert completed 12-of-27 passes for 76 yards and one touchdown before 15,122 fans. Gabbert was a victim of four drops. The offense beat the defense 33-11. Gabbert and Luke McCown each played four series, and McCown completed 13 of 18 passes for 136 yards and a touchdown, but had an interception. He had a passer rating of 89.1; Gabbert's was 64. "I thought maybe he was a half-step slower than he has been in practice," Jaguars offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said of Gabbert. "Maybe it's the conditions or whatever. The first time"
Jaguars Notebook: David Garrard's ability impresses Gabbert
August 3
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Blaine Gabbert felt strongly enough about the point that he repeated it three times. "Dave's the starting quarterback," Gabbert said of Jaguars starter David Garrard. "He's a heck of a football player. People say he's not, that's wrong. Some of the throws he can make and makes on a daily basis are extremely impressive." With two padded practices completed by Tuesday morning, Gabbert had impressed his teammates, coaches and onlookers as he's worked mostly with the second team. The rookie quarterback will get some opportunities with the first team. But the Jaguars never intended to rush Gabbert into being a starter, and that plan hasn't changed. "We want to make sure we establish a real"
Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert sure looks like an NFL player
August 2
Jacksonville Times-Union
 columnist: Gene Frenette
"Think of this as stirring a quarterback development, not a controversy, because it's way too early to be nudging David Garrard aside. But I'm actually starting to wonder if the Washington Redskins and head coach Mike Shanahan had one stupendous brain cramp on NFL Draft night. Surely, they had watched a ton of game tape on Blaine Gabbert, the Missouri quarterback that landed in the Jaguars' laps when they traded up with Washington for the No. 10 overall pick. Why did a team even more desperate for a quarterback than Jacksonville not grab him when it was their turn to pick? Did the 'Skins really think Gabbert was unworthy of being taken at that point? Maybe I'm seeing this all wrong, being"
Report: Blaine Gabbert arrived at EverBank Field before 8 a.m.
July 26
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Undrafted free agency negotiations started before anyone expected and so apparently did voluntary activities at the Jagaurs facility. First Coast News caught Blaine Gabbert going into the Jaguars facility this morning at 7:45 a.m. Because camp doesn't start until Wednesday, today's activities are voluntary and Gabbert can be there without a contract signed."
Local high school students try their hands at catching passes from Blaine Gabbert
July 21
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"The kids at Atlantic Coast High School have seen more NFL action than most people this summer as Jaguars players have used their fields for some workouts. This morning was one of those days. Rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who moved to Jacksonville this month, joined tight end Zach Potter and fullback Brock Bolen at the school to get in a little football work. Before long they had high school students running routes and catching passes from Gabbert. "Slowly but surely they all started bailing out because I think Blaine was throwing the ball too hard," Potter said. "He hasn't played a down in the NFL yet, but he's still a top-10 pick and you're out there catching passes from an NFL"