Blaine Gabbert Pro Day: Talking NFL Draft Prep With Potential Top Quarterback

On March 17th, one of the most highly-touted pro days will be held at Missouri. Blaine Gabbert, the former Tigers quarterback turned top 10 draft prospect who is expected to be among the top two quarterbacks in the draft, will finally get his chance to workout for potential NFL suitors.

It's slightly possible that at least half, if not most, of the top 15 teams in the current NFL Draft order will be on hand to see Blaine throw in what will be his first time throwing for scouts since his final game as a Missouri Tiger.

I got a chance to catch up with Blaine Gabbert during his NFL Draft preparation earlier in the process. He spoke about his college career as well as what he's been doing to improve his stock and his passing ability as he hopes to be a highly drafted and future starting quarterback in the NFL.

We first spoke about the time in Blaine's college career when he wasn't the face of the football program. He got the chance to learn behind a Heisman trophy finalist and current NFL backup in Chase Daniel.

"(Learning behind Chase) helped a lot for me. He taught me how to watch film and take it to the practice field and to game day."

After he did get the chance to start, he really thrived in the Missouri offense. Back-to-back 3,000-plus yard seasons and a combined 40 TDs in the past two years is very impressive, especially considering the fact that it's a complicated, short passing offense.

"The offense evolved every year, with the running game this year especially. He had to mold our offense around (short passes)."

With Andrew Luck staying in school and many scouts, teams and scouting services claiming Gabbert is the next best option at quarterback in the draft, Blaine decided to leave the University of Missouri and throw his hat in the ring for the NFL.

"I feel like I can challenge myself more there than I could in college."

One of the biggest knocks on Gabbert, as it is with most spread offense quarterbacks coming into the NFL, is his need to improve his technique to an NFL level as well as shake the "system" label.

"First off, I've always taken drops from center, whether it was in practice or with my brother in the practice arena, so that won't be an issue. Our offense required running through multiple progressions in a complicated spread offense. It wasn't a one-read system at all."

As far as what he's been trying to impress teams with and what he's been working on to potentially get better as a quarterback prospect, Gabbert was open on what his strengths are outside of just making the reads in college.

"I have a strong arm, but that's not everything. It's about being focused on and off the field and handling your business. I'm fine-tuning my throwing motion, working on my strike point on my throws."

Concerning that accuracy, teams I've talked to have concerns about Gabbert's accuracy outside the hashes and his ability to take over games as a quarterback.

If Gabbert can impress at this pro day on March 17th, it will make teams such as the Cardinals, Bengals, Bills and even the Panthers, which pick first, strongly consider Gabbert with their first pick in the draft.

It won't be a Tim Tebow-like affair with media and fans and scouts swamping the place, but it may be a little difficult to not bump into an NFL scout, coach or GM in Columbia, Missouri on March 17th.

Link to the Full Interview: Blaine Gabbert Interview

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