NFL: The Blaine Gabbert Era Officially Begins in Jacksonville

After waiting for two-and-a-half days and having the media wait on his every word, head coach Jack Del Rio made it official Wednesday morning that rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert would make his first official start as the Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback.

Gabbert is the second first-round quarterback to get a start this season.The first overall pick, Cam Newton of Carolina, was named the starter for the Panthers before the season began.

Ironically, Gabbert and the Jaguars travel to Charlotte to play against Newton and the Panthers this Sunday.

According to the Florida Times-Union, Gabbert’s era will be ushered in with plays designed to help the rookie ease into his first starting assignment.

"I'm going to be ready, there's no question about that," Gabbert said Sunday when asked how he'd feel if he were made the starter for Week 3. "We as quarterbacks prepare harder than anybody else."

Gabbert has been the subject of many rumors since the beginning of training camp when the rookie was in a battle with then starter David Garrard. Garrard, a 10-year veteran, was released from the team four days before the start of the NFL season.

Backup Luke McCown was given the starting slot while the team had hoped to bring the rookie along slowly. A 1.8 passer rating and four interceptions in the team’s 32-3 loss to the New York Jets helped make the decision to bench McCown and go with Gabbert.

Gabbert played the fourth quarter of the game against the Jets and completed 5-of-6 passes for 52 yards.

According to www.espn.com, the move was something Del Rio did in a meeting with both players when he talked to McCown and Gabbert about the plans for the team.

The Jaguars’ offense has looked sluggish so far in the two games played this season. The running game, led by Maurice Jones-Drew, has been effective. Jones-Drew has 185 yards on the ground this season. The passing game, however, is a different story.

The team has no passing touchdowns and, with injuries to tight end Marcedes Lewis and wide receiver Jason Hill, has an already average unit looking for answers under offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter.

There is no word yet whether Lewis and Hill will be ready for the game Sunday.

The drafting of Gabbert has also been the source of talk all over the NFL with the mandate given by Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver that the team needs to make the playoffs for Del Rio to keep his job. Even after the release of Garrard, one of the team’s most popular players, Weaver said he believed the Jaguars were a team that could make the playoffs.