Blaine Gabbert is what the NFL community calls a "bust." The former No. 10 overall pick, Gabbert won just five games during his 27 starts with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He threw more interceptions than touchdowns and completed only 53 percent of his passes. The Jaguars cut him after only three years, having seen enough to decide he wasn't their franchise QB.
The San Francisco 49ers signed him, and he played in mop-up duty last season. However, the 49ers decided to bench starting QB Colin Kaepernick, and named Gabbert the starter. Kaepernick was having a down season and even though his numbers this year were better than Gabbert's career figures, Gabbert is the new starter.
Gabbert picked up a win against the Falcons, just the sixth time he's won as a starter in his NFL career. While Gabbert and the 49ers won, he didn't exactly play well. He was mediocre; completing 15 of 25 passes for 185 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 INTs. His passer rating was 76.2, which is lower than Kaepernick's rating this season. The 49ers still won the game, with a helping hand from a Falcons team that played awful, and that should be reason enough for Gabbert to remain the starter in two weeks against the Seattle Seahawks.
With another chance to start, we've complied the nine plays that sum up Blaine Gabbert's career. That includes the highs and the lows. There are a lot of lows.
#1: The Dime
This is a wonderful back-shoulder throw. It's put in the perfect spot. It's the type of throw that makes NFL teams spend a Top 10 pick on a QB. Unfortunately, Gabbert didn't make enough of these in his time with the Jaguars.
#2: The Bad Luck
This is partially bad luck, as Lance Briggs is in the perfect spot. Still, not a great throw by Gabbert, who fired a rocket when he didn't need to. Even the best NFL QBs need a bit of luck to make it in the NFL as a starting QB. Gabbert didn't get much of that in Jacksonville.
#3: The Give Up Pick-Six
Another poor decision by Gabbert that results in an interception. He tried to force this pass and never should have made the throw. He also completely gives up on the play at the end, just like how the Jaguars gave up on him.
#4: The Decision
Look, Gabbert's on the 49ers for this one! I'm really not sure what Gabbert is doing on this throw; perhaps he just didn't see the defender. His technique is awful, as he fails to step into the throw. Reminder: this is who the 49ers are starting over Kaepernick.
#5: Poor Vision
This gif does a great job of showing Gabbert missing the WIDE OPEN receiver. There's actually two open, since the running back gets open just before the throw. Gabbert had two open options, and elected to force the ball to the outside option. It doesn't even appear that Gabbert looked at any other options. It's like Gabbert plays with blinders on.
#6: Forcing Into Triple Coverage
This a bad decision, made worse by the Bears taking it back to the house. Gabbert expects his receiver to curl, but even if that happens, there are still three Bears in coverage.
#7: The Over-Throw
Poor footwork again from Gabbert, as he over-throws his man by several yards. At least it wasn't picked off...
#8: The Overthrow For Pick-Six
... Well this one was. Gabbert has space in the pocket, has a bit of time and proceeds to air-mail his target by 15 yards. It's almost like Gabbert is trying to throw a pick on this play. Maybe he got confused which team he was on. It's tough to come up with an excuse for this one.
#9: Wut
Literally nothing about this throw makes sense. Gabbert completely panicked, like he's a little kid getting caught searching for his Christmas presents weeks before Christmas Day.
Ladies and gentlemen, the starting QB for the San Francisco 49ers!
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