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Jaguars to start rookie QB Gabbert at Panthers
Jaguars to start rookie QB Gabbert at Panthers
By MARK LONG AP Sports Writer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP)The Jacksonville Jaguars have their third starting quarterback in 15 days. They believe this one could be the guy for 15 years.
Coach Jack Del Rio named Blaine Gabbert (notes) the starter Wednesday, switching signal callers three days after Luke McCown (notes) threw four interceptions against the New York Jets . The move comes a little more than a week after Del Rio released veteran starter David Garrard (notes) following a poor preseason and a three-interception practice.
Gabbert will make his first start Sunday at Carolina.
Hes a big strong kid whose really been kind of a star quarterback his whole life, Del Rio said. We think he has a chance to be a franchise-type quarterback. Hes getting a chance now to be our starting quarterback and become that guy.
The transition was inevitable since the Jaguars selected Gabbert with the 10th pick in Aprils draft. Del Rio had hoped to take it slow with the former Missouri standout, even planning to give him a year to watch and learn behind Garrard. But Garrard struggled in the preseason and was outplayed by McCown, a career backup.
Del Rio named McCown the starter five days before the season opener. McCown did enough to win the opener against [Tennessee]e|Titans , but his ninth start in eight seasons was a debacle. He was picked off four times, could have thrown a couple more and was sacked for a safety - all in just three quarters
McCown wanted a chance to redeem himself, but understood the decision.
Whos to say what one deserves, McCown said. It would do me or this team zero good to sit and say I deserve another chance. I didnt perform last week and thats just the blunt fact of it. I didnt play well enough to give our team a chance to win. Im big enough to stand up here and say that.
McCown completed 6 of 19 passes for 59 yards against the Jets, finishing with a 1.8 quarterback rating.
The Jets won 32-3, the second worst loss in Del Rios nine-year tenure. And since hes widely considered to be coaching for his future - team owner Wayne Weaver said the Jaguars need to make the playoffs for Del Rio to stick around another year - it was reasonable to wonder whether he would put his fate in the hands of a rookie quarterback.
Del Rio chuckled when asked whether he went to Weaver to see if playing 14 games with a first-year quarterback would change expectations.
I dont look at life like that, Del Rio said. Im a competitive guy. We expect to be a good football team. That will not change. Absolutely not would be a better way to say it. The furthest thing from my mind.
Gabbert threw 40 touchdown passes and 18 interceptions as a two-year starter at Missouri. Because of the NFL lockout, he missed minicamp, organized team activities and dozens of meetings with offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter.
Nonetheless, he impressed coaches and teammates with his arm strength, pocket presence, situational awareness and speed.
Del Rio said he considered going with Gabbert after opting to part ways with Garrard. But chose to give McCown a chance. He said Gabbert has shown progress in two weeks.
Were excited, Del Rio said. Theres a little freshness to it. Theres big upside potential.
Gabberts teammates rave about his confidence. Guard Uche Nwaneri (notes) recalled Gabberts first live huddle, at [New England]e|Patriots in the preseason opener. Gabbert stared everyone in the eyes, then yelled, Lets (expletive) go, guys, Nwaneri said.
Hes got all the confidence in the world, Nwaneri said. Hes got a good swagger about him. He knows what the challenge is going to be. I think hell thrive against the challenge. He was drafted high and hes itching for an opportunity to get in and make an impact, and now hes getting an opportunity to do that.
Gabbert has wanted to be a starting quarterback in the NFL since he first played football at age 11, so hes looking forward to it and expecting a few jitters.
Youre always going to have butterflies, Gabbert said. When youre doing something you love, that you care so much about and you put so much time and effort in throughout the week, youre going to have butterflies. I think somethings wrong if you dont have them. That just means the adrenalines going and youre ready to go.

