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QB Blaine Gabbert takes big step toward being starter | jacksonville.com
Watching quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne meet with reporters last Thursday, a veteran Jaguars player was asked if it was time for Gabbert to show he deserved to start the season opener Sept. 8 against Kansas City."Sure hope so," the player said.Sure hoped so because, the veteran agreed, it’s nearing time to get into Regular Season Mode, when practice time dwindles and the starting quarterback must take most of the first-team reps.
What We Learned: Jets 37, Jaguars 13
Here’s what we learned from the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 37-13 loss to the New York Jets Saturday in the second game of the 2013 preseason . 1. The quarterback issue isn’t decided . . . yet. Head Coach Gus Bradley didn’t name Blaine Gabbert the starting quarterback in Saturday’s post-game, but after Gabbert’s performance against the Jets, it’s increasingly hard to see him not being the starter Week 1. The sprained thumb he sustained won’t help the decision, but Gabbert looked efficient and confident early. He looked in command. Combine that with him starting the first two preseason games . . . again, it’s just hard to see him not starting the regular-season opener.
First Down/Fourth Down: Blaine Gabbert complicates Jaguars’ QB picture after strong performance | Audibles - SI.com
It’s safe to say that Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert left his team wanting more through his first two NFL seasons. The Jags selected Gabbert with the 10th overall pick in the 2011 draft out of Missouri, and in 24 starts, he’s been one of the worst quarterbacks in recent league history. It hasn’t helped that Gabbert has struggled with injuries and inconsistent targets, but the high percentage of fans who would prefer that veteran Chad Henne take over the starting job on a long-term basis speaks to where Gabbert is in the football universe. Under new head coach Gus Bradley, Gabbert is starring in a production of Last-Chance Theater, and he did manage to forward his case on Saturday against the New York Jets.
Game Preview: Eagles-Jaguars
While the entire Jacksonville Jaguars coaching staff has changed, the personnel on offense remains essentially the same. New offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch* will attempt to help turn around a unit that ranked 29th in total offense (299.3 yards per game) and 30th in points scored (15.9 per game) last season. Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne are battling for the starting quarterback job, with Henne outperforming Gabbert in the first preseason game and vice versa in the second. It would appear Gabbert is in the lead overall, though Saturday’s game against the Eagles should be the ultimate determiner. Maurice Jones-Drew, who is coming off a Lisfranc injury that ended his 2012 after six games, is the starting running back and, entering his eighth NFL season, seeking to return to past form. Rookie Denard Robinson is classified as an "offensive weapon" but has seen extensive time at running back and has the most carries (20) of any Jaguar through the first two preseason games.