Quote:I think many people were fine with sitting him as a rookie, just as we are with Bortles.  Gabbert was one of the youngest players in the league when he was thrown into the starting role by a coach desperate to keep his job.  It was like the perfect storm for career disaster that swept up Gabbert. 

 

I wouldn't even entirely blame the coach and front office. The original plan was for Gabbert to be as far down the depth chart as Bortles is expected to be now. Garrard was the Henne figure, Luke McCown was Stanzi, Gabbert was Bortles. Then Garrard's injury issues got him cut at the last minute, thrusting McCown into the starting position. And McCown turned out to be a complete disaster. Yes, a coaching staff further removed from the hot seat could have stuck it out with McCown, but Gabbert being thrown to the wolves was as far from the plan as you can get.

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