Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert Learned To Take Criticism Early

As we've all seen, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert has dealt with massive criticism through his rookie year and the 2012 offseason. Much of it deserved, but a lot of it over the top. Luckily, from everything Gabbert says in the media and the way he's carried himself through training camp so far, he hasn't let it get to him. A big reason for that had to do with his time in college at Missouri playing behind Chase Daniel.

During Gabbert's freshman year in 2008, Missouri was on the heels of picking up a No. 1 ranking, but then fell victim to Oklahoma State in an upset and things quickly got ugly for Daniel.

"All of a sudden, the media just turned on him," Gabbert told FOX Sports Alex Marvez. "That was the first time I realized you can't worry about what they say because they don't know.

It's great that Gabbert learned that lesson early in his football life, given what all he's had to deal with so far in his NFL career. We've covered here ad nauseum the reasons for Gabbert's struggles last season and why to give up on him right away was foolish. New Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey felt the same way when speaking with Marvez.

"There were a lot of things going on around (Gabbert)," Mularkey told Marvez. "One thing I can tell you is that never once have I heard him say anything in regards to it bothering him. He's never shown it. No body language. No nothing.

"All he has done is gone out and done what we've asked him to do since we've been here. That's really a big credit to him because he's had a lot of pressure."

Thankfully for the Jaguars, at least in one regard, Gabbert has the right attitude to deal with everything.

"Everybody can tell you all the stuff that's going to happen," Gabbert told Marvez. "But until you live it and see what goes on throughout an NFL season - having the owner sell the team, the coaching staff in turmoil - you're never really prepared.

"We've seen the bottom of the barrel. We're only going up from there. That's why we're looking at this season with such a positive outlook."