Tale of the Tape: Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert

This year’s QB class seems to now be grouped into three guys(with Andrew Luck Staying) that are trying to impress to become the top QB drafted. Right now its between Blaine Gabbert, Ryan Mallett, and Cam Newton. Jake Locker doesn’t have the great completion percentage and has problematic accuracy issues that will most likely keep him out of the top 3. Gabbert in my opinion is a little over hyped by ametuer media scouts that drool over his size, arm, and his athletic ability for such a large guy. However that he reminds me of another Missouri QB who was a lot smaller and had a bit of a weaker arm, Gabbert predecessor, Chase Daniel. Same spread system that throws the ball 50+ times a game and relies more on Yards after the catch(YAC) from the receivers. %70 of Gabbert’s throws are under 15 yards which makes it difficult to really evaluate his NFL intangibles. That was most likely a big reason why Chase Daniel wasn’t drafter(plus his small stature). Gabbert defiantly shows the ability to hit receivers on the NFL signature 25 yard out route. His zip is fantastic and his placement of the ball is top ten pick material. We don’t really know what he would he will be like under center and not in the super shotgun six yards back. The transition will take sometime to correct and I highly doubt he will have a major impact as a rookie. His perfect short throws would be a match made in heaven for a Josh Mcdaniels type system with more formations out of the shotgun and with shorter routes ran by the receiving core. He would complete a major amount of his throws in a more spread specific system. Arizona sitting at num. 5 would seems logical with their history of accurate Qb’s put into Ken Wisenhunt’s system, i.e. Kurt Warner. Gabbert also seems to panic in the pocket if his first read isn’t open which lead him many times to scrambling outside of a pocket that is solid. That would need to addressed especially now that he will need to take snaps under center. His passes outside the pocket on the run are decent and he certainly has the arm strength to throw it to anyone that is open on any part of the field. Also one thing I noticed was that his shorter passes on the run seem to sail on the receiver, making the pass force the receiver to to go high for it, which takes away any chance he could turn back up field and run. Gabbert is a first round pick, but I disagree with most that he is the top QB in this draft. Ryan Mallett has shown me more throws and decisions that would grant him being the first QB off the board. However, as with all draft opinions, its a crap shoot and in the eye of the beholder. Gabbert reminds me a bit of a Sam Bradford and Kyle Orton with a bigger arm with more zip, but without the pocket presence and smarts. I think Gabbert will only thrive in the right system. We will have to find out if that’s correct or not