Jaguars vs. Jets: Is It Finally Time for Jacksonville to Start Blaine Gabbert?

It appears that the Blaine Gabbert era is beginning in Jacksonville.  Gabbert entered today's game after a horrendous performance by Luke McCown.  The Jaguars suffered a blowout loss to the New York Jets, only managing a field goal.

Luke McCown was taken out of the game after throwing four interceptions, and only six completions.  There aren't many people that feel Luke McCown is a starting quarterback in the NFL.  He has been a career backup only receiving a handful of starts. In those starts, McCown has been unimpressive and unable to hang onto a starting role.

Today's game might have been the last start for McCown.  After taking over, Blaine Gabbert was able to move the offense. He finished 5/6, for 52 yards and no turnovers. While those numbers aren't outstanding, it is far better than those produced by McCown.

Gabbert should start next week because he gives the Jaguars the best chance to win.  He would join Cam Newton and Andy Dalton, as the other starting rookie quarterbacks. Newton has been very effective in Carolina, holding the early lead for Rookie of the Year.  Last week, Dalton suffered an early injury but is back in the starting lineup this week.

In a surprising move, the Jaguars decided that they could release last year's starter David Garrad.  They wouldn't have made that decision counting on Luke McCown to win football games.  Jacksonville was likely starting McCown until they were forced to play Gabbert.  The time has come, they should now feel forced to start Gabbert.

Jacksonville has a decent offensive line and strong running game, two things that will help a rookie quarterback.  Gabbert will rely on Maurice Jones-Drew to draw defenders in the box and open the passing game.  Jones-Drew would also welcome a change at quarterback, because defenses will need to respect Gabbert's throwing ability.