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Mularkey Will Coach Gabbert Differently Than Previous Coaches

By Adam Stites
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In an article on NFL.com yesterday, Albert Breer discussed the challenges faced by each of the four quarterbacks selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Among those four is obviously Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert, who has a list of challenges that is likely much longer than each of his three counterparts.

In the article, Breer received some comments from new Jaguars head coach, Mike Mularkey, regarding the development of Gabbert and his standing with the team. While Mularkey reiterated his commitment to the young quarterback, telling Breer, "No, it's not (a competition). Blaine's our starting quarterback," it was later comments about his coaching so far in the NFL that were more telling.

Mularkey told Breer, "We're working on some of the fundamentals in his drops now. Not saying that he was taught it wrong, but every coach has their beliefs." Now maybe it's just me, but that sounds an awful lot like Mularkey is really saying, "he was taught wrong, so now we're scratching everything and starting over, beginning with fundamentals."

Way back in October of 2011, very early in the Gabbert-era for the Jaguars, Pete Prisco of CBS said in an article, "Some in the organization think it's only a matter of changing the coaching staff, especially the way he's coached, to get him to improve. There's a feeling in the organization that he's not getting taught the proper fundamentals."

Just about a month later the Jaguars fired their wide receivers coach and relieved Mike Sheppard of his quarterback coaching duties, moving him to receivers coach. Sheppard is no longer with the team, or any team for that matter.

I've been steadfast in my belief that it is still too early to make a definitive opinion on Gabbert. While he certainly wasn't good in his first season with the Jaguars, he had a perfect storm of terrible around him to certainly justify a rookie implosion. With an awful receivers corps, a shaky offensive line and now what appears to have been poor coaching, it's still time to withhold judgement.

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