2012 NFL season: Last chance for Jacksonville Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert to prove – NFL feature
The first act of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ new head coach Mike Mularkey after he joined the team in January this year was the marathon meeting that he had with the second year quarterback Blaine Gabbert.
Mike came out content. It was not just the assurance from the QB that he will return to the squad this season as an improved offence leader, it was also the coach’s warning to Blaine: either improve or think of alternatives.
Although the coach did not elaborate what exactly he meant by alternatives, almost all commentators agree it is the possibility of release of the player if he fails again this year. They see the coach being rather lenient to Blaine, who
ended his rookie season on a disappointing note. The player was seen to be most likely in the line of fire as the team went through the phase of transition at all ends. Even though they got the new owner Shahid Khan, Mike persisted with his thinking of giving
the QB another chance.
This happened despite the fact that Blaine’s dismal first year record was in front of him. The QB was an embarrassment for the Jaguars’ former coach Del Rio. The main reason of the criticism of Rio was his decision to leave the rookie
as a starter in spite of his consistent failings on the line. At the end, the official lost his job. Wayne Weaver, the former owner, fired the coach for falling short of his expectations, just before he sold the franchise to its present owner.
The new coach was expected to be very cautious about Gabbert. A number of game analysts believed then there was no reason to give the QB another chance. This did not convince the coach somehow and he ended up just issuing the piece warning
to the player, in the hopes he will improve.
Interestingly, this looks to be the case so far and the player has reportedly performed well throughout the offseason. Mularkey hopes Blaine further progresses before the regular season starts. It nevertheless comes as good news for the
Jaguars.
At the end, it is even more important for Blaine to prove himself. This season remains to be the rare opportunity for him to do so. Failing in the rookie year is not a major problem. A number of players, even those who later developed
to become the elite ones, have failed in their rookie appearances.
Also, it is always difficult for the prospective pro players to adapt and adjust to the changed demands of the pro league environment and conditions. Blaine, too, can be excused for his miserable form in the first year, but he will certainly
not be forgiven and forgotten if he ends up at the same level of display of his skills this season.
It was wise of Mike Mularkey to give the QB another chance and it now depends on the player to prove that the coach’s decision was a risk worth taken. Overall it was not an easy decision for the official to make – he has done so amid a
lot of criticism.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article in no way reflect bettor.com's editorial policies
Tags: