Quote:Gabbert's biggest downfall is pocket presence and his fear of getting hit.

I actually agree with what you, Mark, and Bleeding have said. But I think my opinion differs simply because I view Gabbert differently. I think I fall sort of where Harbaugh currently does. I don't think for example that Blaine is the worst QB in history, or that he was destined to be a bust no matter what round he went or what team he went to. And I personally would edit your statement like this:

Gabbert's biggest downfall was not his ability or playing-style, but that he was put over as a starting franchise QB in the NFL, when he'd never done anything on an actual football field to back that sentiment up.

 

I believe for example that if Blaine would have been picked up by team like the 49ers or Patriots, say in the 4th or 5th round, and given years to develop, he may have actually been one hell of a QB. The problem is that combines, weightrooms, and measuring tapes shot him up the boards to a top 10 selection when he clearly wasn't ready, and the Jaguars selected the kid and bet their entire franchise hopes on the "potential" that he may become a great QB. This was not Blaine's fault, no more than it would be if the Jaguars drafted somebody like Connor Shaw at #3 and bet the entire future of their franchise on him too. Does that make sense? Blaine was a 4th round QB on the field, and a 1st round QB when the measuring tape came out.

 

Listen, everyone's certainly entitled to their opinions. And I know there are some people comparing their playing-styles on here, but I personally am not. The only comparison I make between Bottles and Gabbert is their equally sudden rise to franchise status based not upon game-tape, but measurables and potential over the last few months heading up to the draft.

---