Blaine Gabbert: Why Jack Del Rio Must Start the Rookie in Week 3

If things could not get worse in the 32-3 debacle against the New York Jets on Sunday, the Jacksonville Jaguars now have another quarterback controversy on their hands.

With Luke McCown's performance against a stout Jets defense and the possibility of injuries continuing to keep key starters out of the lineup next week against the Carolina Panthers, the question has already been asked: "Is it time to give the ball to Blaine Gabbert?"

The rookie from Missouri is still raw, young and most of all, eager. And for now, he may be this team's best chance to play through a season that will now undeniably be a roller coaster should he get the call in only the third week of the season.

Make no mistake, this is still a team that uses the running game first and relies on passing when it has to, but the offense that has been termed "boring" and showed little life other than running back Maurice Jones-Drew needs a shot of adrenaline to get its collective hearts beating a little faster.

Here are some other reasons why Gabbert could be and should be under center Sunday in Charlotte.

If It Was Done to David Garrard, It Should Be Done to Luke McCown

A practice on a Monday morning in the preseason was all Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio needed to see to determine David Garrard was not the right man for the job.

A three-hour nightmare in New York should have the same telling effect.

McCown was awful in East Rutherford. The four interceptions he threw—albeit against a good Jets' secondary—should be an indicator that McCown is a better back-up.

Give the ball to Gabbert, who finished the game in mop-up duty.

It Will Put People in the Seats

I will get this one out of the way early.

The Jaguars have had trouble selling tickets with the NFL lockout and then the dismissal of one of the team's most popular players.

The play during the preseason was shoddy, and fans have been on the fence whether or not to buy tickets.

Put the rookie in, and fans should come out to see if he is the savior of this team.

He Is Raw and Unaware, Which Is a Good Thing

I have said this many times before, and I will stand by it.

In many cases, rookies don't know any better, so they go out and perform to great expectations and really give the fans and the team a taste of what they can do.

And then, they have this thing called the "sophomore" slump.

Gabbert doesn't know any better than to go out there, listen to his coaches and perform.

That is the best thing for the Jaguars right now.

It Will Make Maurice Jones-Drew Happier

A star running back and a rookie quarterback.

Guess who gets the most of the work on the offense?

Last week, Jones-Drew, who always has something to say, complained about how he was used against Tennessee.

The star running back is back at full speed, and he will be counted on more if a rookie is under center.

This is something he cannot complain about.

Gabbert Can Develop a Connection with Cecil Shorts

I know this is a strange one to list, but the Jaguars do not have a great receiving corps.

Cecil Shorts is a rookie from Mount Union. He caught almost everything in preseason practice and looked good in the preseason contests.

Mike Thomas is the top receiver on this team, but as we know, he is not a top-tier receiver (Randy Moss, please come out of retirement).

Shorts and Gabbert can begin work now on a combo that could be great for the next decade.

There Are 12 Million Reasons to Start Him

We all know money talks.

Gabbert was signed to a four-year, $12 million contract. All that money is guaranteed.

Gabbert sitting on the bench is an investment. But sometimes, an investment needs to be spent early and often.

The arm is what the team paid for. Let's see it in action.

Peyton Manning Is Hurt, the Division Is Scrambled

The Colts look awful. Houston looks like the class of the division. Tennessee looked better against Baltimore.

The AFC South will be a case of mistaken identities this year.

With everything that has happened so far—which really means Peyton Manning is out and Houston looks like the team to beat—why not shake things up a bit?

Gabbert needs a learning curve. Now is the time to set one.

Jack Del Rio's Job Depends on This

After yesterday, his seat got a little hotter.

No one is feeling heat like Jack Del Rio. He was given ultimatum upon ultimatum. His offensive coordinator, Dirk Koetter, should be feeling the heat as well.

Del Rio may already have one foot out the door. So why not play his prized pupil?

If Gabbert falters, Del Rio is gone. If Gabbert plays well and the team does not make the playoffs, then Del Rio may exit as well.

Let the rookie play and watch Del Rio hold his breath.