Time for Gabbert era in Jacksonville is now

Published: September 19th, 2011 | Tags: Blaine Gabbert, Around the League, Jacksonville Jaguars, Luke McCown, Mike Mayock

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Rookie Blaine Gabbert very well could be the quarterback of the future, as well as the present, for the Jaguars.

As Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio decides whether to pin his coaching future on starting the Gabbert era now or stick with Luke McCown after a forgettable performance against the Jets, NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock stands very clearly on one side of that fence.

“I’m a big believer that if a rookie quarterback is tough enough mentally and physically to take something of a beating, I think he learns a lot,” Mayock said on “Around the League” Monday. “I think Gabbert is a tough enough kid that you kind of suck it up, you give him an opportunity, the Jaguars aren’t going to win a lot of games anyway and let’s let this kid get an opportunity now. Then next year he comes back at a completely different level.”

The switch to Gabbert seems to be more a matter of when, not if. And if McCown does get another start and continues to underperform, that transition will only be accelerated. Either way, Gabbert should be taking his lumps at some point this season as he learns on the job.

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Gridiron Gab Week Eleven Preview: Cleveland at Jacksonville

Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars

When: November 28,2010

Where: Ever Bank Field

Weather: High of 74, Sunny

Players to watch:

Colt McCoy

Colt’s drive at the end of regulation could go a long way for his career. That was a great drive and if put in the situation again this week I look for Colt to respond with a Touchdown again. Colt is playing against a pretty bad defense this weekend and look forward to seeing how he does against it.

Peyton Hillis

Hillis looks to be headed to the Pro Bowl this season. The Browns running back needs to continue his success he has had this year for this team to be successful. The team needs Hillis to have another big game and lead the team to a victory against a decent Jaguars team.

Chansi Stuckey

Stuckey cost the Browns the game last week against the Jets. Stuckey has had a pretty good year for the Browns and they need to him to rebound from last weeks fumble. The Browns need Stuckey to make some plays this weekend in Jacksonville.

Keys to the Game

Mistake free Football

Win the Turnover Battle

Colt McCoy continues to grow

Establish the Running game.

Stop the Running game.

Prediction:

Cleveland Browns 31 Jacksonville Jaguars 14

The Browns to continue to grow as a football team. I look for McCoy and Hillis to have pretty big games to lead the Browns to their fourth victory of the season. The Browns are going to need Stuckey to forget about his overtime fumble and make some plays this weekend.

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