Careful what you wish for

by robert ethan on Dec 9, 2011 2:59 PM EST

I looked at the PFT site this morning and most of the news was about quarterback injuries. Most recently Roethlisberger and McCoy from the Thursday night game. Also Sam Bradford, Josh Freeman, etc. I think there were about a dozen quarterbacks who started a game this season who were out of action at the time. Four in the AFC South are gone for the year, if you count Garrard as the Jags presumed starter prior to the season, Manning, Shaub and Leinart. Hasselbeck has also missed a game or two.

But everyone seems to be on Blaine Gabbert's jock about being "braver" in the pocket. Not trying to avoid the rush. Not ducking or dropping to protect himself. I think there are around 20 players on IR for the season, even though they managed to avoid Garrard. If you watched the game last night, both quarterbacks who were hurt came back into the game, but neither was close to 100%. Everyone kissing Roethlisberger's feet, but he shouldn't have been out there. Pitt got away with it, but Ben is going to be that much less effective going forward. That injury isn't going to heal this year. Neither are the various other ones he has. McCoy won't likely play next game.

There has to be a point of reason in terms of the "courage" quarterbacks show in the pocket, and their willingness to take hits to make a play. I think Gabbert is a lot closer to that point of reason that the fans and media who are on him for trying to avoid contact and the injuries that go along with it.

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Seriously?! I'm not even sure where to begin with this ridiculosuness.........smh

"Sad fact about our generation: Most ppl would rather hear "you look good" than "you are good". We spend thousands a year on cars, clothes, & cosmetics; Forget that. I can give you a Bible for free. Save money, save your soul. Get right with the Savior, Jesus Christ."- Travis D. Holmes

by T.Holmes on Dec 9, 2011 4:37 PM EST reply actions

We're applauding or defending cowardice lol...oy vey. #SomeoneBooThisMan!!! LOL (j/k, j/k....kinda)

by T.Holmes on Dec 9, 2011 4:38 PM EST up reply actions

Strangely enough, Holmes

..that is exactly what I was going to suggest…………….. to go give your head a shake.

by robert ethan on Dec 9, 2011 4:43 PM EST up reply actions

-1 LOL

by T.Holmes on Dec 9, 2011 5:00 PM EST up reply actions

Not so sure if I agree...

But it worked for Manning for a pretty long time. I’m sure there’s more examples on both sides out there. He’s may even be getting coached to do that, as there is no game worth the risk of injury for the remainder of the year. Maybe not.

When he can throw a confident and accurate ball reliably, I’ll start paying more attention to his presence. So will the opposing teams.

by Mr.Awesome on Dec 9, 2011 5:00 PM EST reply actions

Manning may be the only QB worth toilet paper to mention that sacked themselves.....can you name anyone else?

Also…we pretty much know for sure that Blaine isn’t being taught to be “that way” because even in the coaches interviews they state it’s something that he needs to work on…

by T.Holmes on Dec 9, 2011 5:03 PM EST up reply actions

I don't think the coaches say anything

Although Gary Pinkel at Mizzou mentioned a couple of times in interviews that they coached Gabbert not to make “negative” plays with interceptions and sacks. He even said they “overcoached” Gabbert in that regard. But Gabbert is responsible for Gabbert. It’s his body, head, and health, out there on the field. His protection hasn’t been great due to the constant flux on the line, his receivers have often dropped balls that he did stand in to throw, so maybe consciously or subconsciously, he is looking to protect his future at this point in the season. You have a young kid (by NFL standards) with his whole career ahead of him who has been coached to be cautious in the past, surrounded by a suspect supporting cast. I think everyone on the team, everyone on the coaching staff, and everyone in the stands is looking ahead to next season, to some extent at least.

When Gabbert was at Missouri, his favorite target, and one of his best buddies was Danario Alexander. The guy is huge, fast, and has great hands. I think he led the NCAA in receiving yards in his junior year and came out with high draft expectations. Then he hurt a knee in the off season and ended up going undrafted as a result. That had to have a major effect on Gabbert, and was probably the main reason he came out early. Look at Da’Quan Bowers this year. Guy was odds on favorite to be top overall pick when he declared for the draft. Hurt his knee in training and ended up late in the second round or something. Lost over $20 million, even by the new CBA standards.

It’s easy to sit in the stands and make judgements about the type of risk these guys should take, and where the point is that bravery becomes stupidity. Roethlisberger is hobbling around like an old man out there, probably off the field as well. He isn’t even 30 years old yet.

by robert ethan on Dec 9, 2011 5:47 PM EST up reply actions

Ben has 2 super bowl rings. Enough said.

by Slawsc on Dec 9, 2011 10:56 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

General rule of thumb...wusses don't make good football players lol....Peyton Manning is the exception to the rule

by T.Holmes on Dec 10, 2011 12:59 AM EST up reply actions

Gabbert AKA " Sunshine "

Gabbert has been awful , yes he has little of anything to throw to but there have been a lot of times where he just throws balls in the ground , over the head , or just his feet and mechanics are all out of whack when there is no pressure in his face !!! We need to draft Luck so then we can send Gabbert packing for picks or players , I’m not sold on Gabbert being the future QB for us , that’s just my opinion ….. We draft Luck and Marvin Mcnutt and pick up Dwayne " Im yo daddy " Bowe in free agency and then we will have something going here ……. Luck / MJD / Bowe / Mcnutt / Thomas / Lewis as our starting offense …… that’s sounds pretty damn good to me ….. 2012 is Jaguar Nation time guys , Lets get ready for our time to shine !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that’s the BOTTOMLINE SON !!!!!!!!!!

L F J

by Daddycrapper on Dec 10, 2011 1:23 AM EST reply actions

this is a joke right?

Cold Blooded

by Jaggaholic82 on Dec 10, 2011 12:39 PM EST reply actions

LOL at all the keyboard heroes here.

Takes big stones to sit down and trash someone for trying to avoid colliding with jacked up 300 pounders coming at you full speed with bad intentions. That is why none of you are afraid to use your real names.

by robert ethan on Dec 10, 2011 2:56 PM EST reply actions

T. Holmes is my real name (Travis Holmes)...and I played my entire Sr football season on a high ankle sprain barely able to finish every game but getting shot up to do so...

I think I’ve earned the right to comment on whether or not dude should have a backbone in the pocket. I’ve played college WR taking hits from Attari Bigby and I’ve played college CB tackling De’Angelo Williams, Josh Cribs, and Kevin Smith (in practice daily). #JustSayin…your argument has no legs to stand on…wussying down football…

by T.Holmes on Dec 10, 2011 3:38 PM EST up reply actions

You're the exception, not the rule

Gabbert thinks he is good enough to play cautious and still keep his job, great. Maybe he can.

by robert ethan on Dec 10, 2011 4:42 PM EST up reply actions

Certainly you know better than those who didn't play

And no offense,

But you’ve never been a guy playing for millions of dollars a year. Getting hurt in the position he’s in right now, could effectively end his career, and if nothing else set it back a couple years.

#Just sayin….maybe if you didn’t keep playing through an injury you’d still be playing football right now.

by Mr.Awesome on Dec 10, 2011 11:26 PM EST up reply actions