Gabbert question: If he's competing to be a starter next year...

MrYeahBut

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I'm not anointing him for anything. I'll see if he even makes the final cut, let alone beat out Stanton.
 

oaken1

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Quarterbacks, (or any athlete in any sport) don't just go from being "terrible" to "great" overnight, or vice versa. They are a process at all points in their career, going back to grade school. Was Warner "crap" by NFL standards up to his late 20s? Yeah, but there were extenuating factors, and the talent was always there, but latent. Was Palmer "crap" and "washed up" by NFL standards when the Cards acquired him in his mid 30s? Yeah, you could probably say that. He'd been found wanting and replaced in two cities by younger quarterbacks. Brett Favre was traded early in his career, after throwing 4 NFL passes, 2 of which were completed. To the other teams defensive backs. Colts gave up on Peyton Manning and he went to Denver and won a SB. Steve Young was a failure in TB and a backup in SF until he was close to 30, now he's in the HOF.

That is what Arians has been trying to get across about Gabbert. Bruce talks about plays Gabbert made in 2011 and what his impression of him was coming out of college. That may seem irrelevant to you guys, but it's the same player and the same person. Circumstance and situation are everything in terms of career success. The athletes don't get "better" or "worse" than they were, unless they suffer serious injury, up to the point where they lose their prime athleticism. Quarterbacks can play effectively into their 40s if the situation around them is right. At 27 Gabbert has a lot more of his career ahead of him than behind him, and he's the same individual who was the top ranked HS recruit (ahead of Andrew Luck among others), then the top ranked college prospect at the position (ahead of Cam Newton among others). Gabs had a few nagging injuries in Jacksonville that cost him his job there, but nothing that affects him at the moment. He's the same guy, with an extra 10 pounds of muscle and 6 years of NFL experience. Bruce realizes that even if you guys can't.

I agree that situation is important to a QB's development but you obviously have not followed this team for any length of time if you think there is a 50/50 chance BG starts half the games this season. Based on this coaching staff and their history with QBs there is not even a 50/50 chance that BG is on the roster come September.
The kid has the measurables and we all know BA loves measurables but he better have some solid grey matter between his ears and spend every spare moment plus some with his nose in the playbook. we have had a couple talented young guys come through and get sent on their way...exactly how much talent one thinks they have is up for debate... but we could also debate whether or not Gabbert has as much talent as a guy like Matt Barkley...but MB didn't cut it here. I appreciate that the kid has your support but make no mistake about it....if 32 teams had to choose which guy to play for the 2017 season...32 out of 32 teams would choose Carson Palmer over Blaine Gabbert...the same was true for 2016, 2015, and 2014.... the Raiders were in turmoil when Palmer was there, not due to him, and he is the only reason they posted the few wins they did...fortunately for the black hole the organization seems to have gotten themselves back on track with a hot young QB and loads of talent all across the roster...good for them, but we fleeced them on the Palmer trade and everyone knows it.
no one can say Gabbert is washed up...or that he is a has been...because he never was.
before any talk of him taking starter snaps on this team can happen Gabbert needs to prove he belongs in the NFL, and moreso that he belongs on this roster. At this point he has proven neither
 

robert ethan

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Gabbert is entering his 7th NFL season, and has been a starter in 5 of 6 so far. He is same age as Dysert who's never thrown a live pass. 6 years younger than Stanton with nearly 4 times as many starts. Just 5 fewer starts than Pualmer had at the same age. He doesn't need your blessing to show he "belongs".
 

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Alright, I promise I'm not totally anti-Gabbert. I'm rooting for the guy, honestly, and I think the pickup was a good move as a third QB.

But, if we come out next offseason, and say Gabbert is going to be the starter, or is in a competition for the starting job with other players (for the sake of the example, let's say Stanton and AJ McCarron/Glennon/a rookie that isn't a top 5 pick), how would you feel?

I struggle to see a world where the words "Blaine Gabbert, 2018 Arizona Cardinals starting QB" don't make me feel like it's a lost season.
You plan on the Bears cutting him after signing him to a 3 year, $45 million contract?
 

TJ

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NJCardFan

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Colts gave up on Peyton Manning and he went to Denver and won a SB.
Peyton Manning had as much to do with the Broncos winning the Super Bowl as Trent Dilfer had with the Ravens. Both of those teams won on defense and defense alone. Unless you think going 13-24 for 141 yards, no TD's and 1 INT as a hall of fame performance. Broncos would have won that game with my 3 year old daughter at QB.

Steve Young was a failure in TB and a backup in SF until he was close to 30, now he's in the HOF.
Steven Young had talent and Tampa was one of the worst teams in NFL history when he was there. Gabbert doesn't have talent equal to the potential Young had in his little finger. And he was a back-up in SF because arguably the greatest QB in history was keeping the job warm for him. And you honestly can't compare Blaine Gabbert to Steve Young and keep a straight face.
 

robert ethan

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Peyton Manning had as much to do with the Broncos winning the Super Bowl as Trent Dilfer had with the Ravens. Both of those teams won on defense and defense alone. Unless you think going 13-24 for 141 yards, no TD's and 1 INT as a hall of fame performance. Broncos would have won that game with my 3 year old daughter at QB.


Steven Young had talent and Tampa was one of the worst teams in NFL history when he was there. Gabbert doesn't have talent equal to the potential Young had in his little finger. And he was a back-up in SF because arguably the greatest QB in history was keeping the job warm for him. And you honestly can't compare Blaine Gabbert to Steve Young and keep a straight face.
At age 27, Young had 25 starts, a 7-18 record, 53% completion rate, and passer rating of 65. What had he shown to that point to justify "more talent in his little finger" than Gabbert? Blaine is considerably bigger, ran a comparable 40, and had a higher Wonderlic score than Young coming out of college. I couldn't find any other measurements for Young, but I'm willing to bet that Gabbert would have at least matched them all. According to Gil Brandt's notes Steve was 6-0, 205, and ran a 4.55 40 coming out. Blaine was 6-4 1/2, 235 and ran 4.59. The timing was much more rigorous in 2011 as well. Steve was being timed with a stop watch at a pro day event. In terms of career stats at the same age, Gabbert has more starts, higher comp rate, higher passer rating and better TD/Int ratio than Young did. Gabs entire career has been spent on cellar dwellers with lowest team payroll in league. Young spent half that time on the best team of the era.
 
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TheCardFan

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I think its a great signing. What would make it even better is if Gabbert is given a legit chance to beat out Stanton because he would win the #2 job based on talent/production. My concern is BA's loyalty to a fault with certain players/coaches.
 
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Solar7

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You plan on the Bears cutting him after signing him to a 3 year, $45 million contract?
Trust me, I'll do a happy dance if they don't. I think Glennon is nothing more than a quality backup and don't want him on our roster. I was just trying to cobble together a set of names where the price paid for them wouldn't automatically anoint them the starter, unlike a Garoppolo or Cousins.

People are pointing to Gabbert as the QBOTF, and my point really was... What's a scenario where you look at our staff with a straight face and acceptance when they get up to a press conference in 2018 and say "Blaine Gabbert is our starter?"

Even "Gabbert is going to have a chance to compete to start" puts a bad taste in my mouth.
 

JeffGollin

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Gabbert is entering his 7th NFL season, and has been a starter in 5 of 6 so far. He is same age as Dysert who's never thrown a live pass. 6 years younger than Stanton with nearly 4 times as many starts. Just 5 fewer starts than Pualmer had at the same age. He doesn't need your blessing to show he "belongs".
Two ways to spin it:

1. Look at how much experience Gabbert has.

2. With that much experience, why hasn't he performed better?

Gabbert may or may not be asked to fill various situational roles (i.e. step in for an injured Palmer to save a game, protect a lead or come from behind, ride out the 4th quarter of a disaster, warm the bench etc.). We don't know which of these roles, if any, he'll be asked to fill, and we also won't know how well he fills any of those roles till he actually does so.
 

WisconsinCard

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Disagree. I think he will beat out Stanton as #2 (if BA can get over the DS love) and will be one injury away from starting. Most starting QB's don't start every game. After that, who knows? But I am willing to give the guy a chance.

If he does it will be coup for the Cards, I mean that is a huge cap savings between league min and what DS makes. I guess I like the fact that BG is willing to come in for peanuts and prove his worth, or was that the only bag of nuts that were offered to him? Either way it is not a bad signing, "nothing ventured nothing gained" in the end.
 

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If Gabbert makes our roster this year, it'll be as a third stringer, vet-minimum contract.

He's only on a one year deal. if he plays next yet, it won't be for the minimum, but should still be a team friendly contract as he (hopefully) won't have shown anything in a meaningful game with us yet either.

A. I still think the most probably scenario is Carson comes back for another year. Given Keims commitment to building and maintaining a decent OL, AZ is too good of a situation for him to walk away from - with our without Fitz. (This isn't Levi Brown "protecting" Warner's blindside anymore. We are a long ways improved since then.)

B. If Carson doesn't come back, I can see us bringing in either Gannon (probable cut) or Garoppolo, resigning Gabbert and maybe even Stanton again, plus one of next years rookies with our 1st. Hopefully, one of them will stick for a while, but they'll all have an open shot at the main gig.

Michael and Keim have been very aggressive in filling out the roster leading into the draft. No reason to think the same won't be true when it comes time to find the next signal caller.

Go Cards!!!
 
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Solar7

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If Gabbert makes our roster this year, it'll be as a third stringer, vet-minimum contract.

He's only on a one year deal. if he plays next yet, it won't be for the minimum, but should still be a team friendly contract as he (hopefully) won't have shown anything in a meaningful game with us yet either.

A. I still think the most probably scenario is Carson comes back for another year. Given Keims commitment to building and maintaining a decent OL, AZ is too good of a situation for him to walk away from - with our without Fitz. (This isn't Levi Brown "protecting" Warner's blindside anymore. We are a long ways improved since then.)

B. If Carson doesn't come back, I can see us bringing in either Gannon (probable cut) or Garoppolo, resigning Gabbert and maybe even Stanton again, plus one of next years rookies with our 1st. Hopefully, one of them will stick for a while, but they'll all have an open shot at the main gig.

Michael and Keim have been very aggressive in filling out the roster leading into the draft. No reason to think the same won't be true when it comes time to find the next signal caller.

Go Cards!!!

If Garoppolo is on this roster next year, we won't have spent a pick on a 1st round QB. We'll have given up picks and a ton of cash for him to be the unquestioned starter.

I still don't understand how anyone thinks Carson is coming back - or honestly, even wants him back at 39 years old. There is a very demonstrated cliff at this age and there should be reasonable concern with the fanbase if he's even going to be up to par this year.
 

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Lots of good information in this thread with solid arguments on both sides. Here's my two cents.

1. Cards signed a guy with great talent that hasn't put it all together yet.

2. Vet minimum contract is awesome

3. Don't see any downside to this signing at all. Whether Gabbert plays average or great still a good signing.

I rewatched our game against the 49ers to see how Gabbert looked. He was a little shakey in the first quarter but got better and played pretty well the rest of the game. He has a really good arm. He has great size and escapes the pocket really well with very good running ability. I see nothing but upside with this signing.

We all know how complicated BA's offense is so Gabbert isn't going to have it all down in one preseason. I am looking forward to seeing him play a lot as the third QB in August where I believe he will show that he is the best QB not named Palmer. I think he makes the team.

I like the idea of having both Gabbert and Stanton as the backups this year. Stanton because he knows the offense and Gabbert because he has more talent and can escape the pocket making plays with his feet. If Palmer does decide to retire after this year I would prefer we have two experienced QB's going into 2018 that know the offense instead of one.

I really liked Gabbert coming out of college. I thought all he needed was experience playing in an NFL offense for about three years and he would be fine. I still think he can become a very good quarterback. My biggest worry about him is that he played for such sorry teams. Will he be able to overcome that and still have confidence to be a winner?

I would love to see Kurt Warner sit down and have a long talk with Gabbert. If Gabbert's mind is right and with a decent team around him like the Cardinals with some stability he can be the QBOTF. He has more God given talent than most QB's in the NFL. The worst downside that I can see is he becomes a solid backup. The upside is he becomes a starter for us for the next ten years. Either way a good signing.
 

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If Garoppolo is on this roster next year, we won't have spent a pick on a 1st round QB. We'll have given up picks and a ton of cash for him to be the unquestioned starter.

I still don't understand how anyone thinks Carson is coming back - or honestly, even wants him back at 39 years old. There is a very demonstrated cliff at this age and there should be reasonable concern with the fanbase if he's even going to be up to par this year.

Garoppolo is a UFA next year, free to sign wherever he pleases. No compensation due to NE.

Carson is two years younger than Brady. Both still playing at a high level. They don't have much left in the tank, but both are still playing better than Manning's last year.

Go Cards!!!
 
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Solar7

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Garoppolo is a UFA next year, free to sign wherever he pleases. No compensation due to NE.

Carson is two years younger than Brady. Both still playing at a high level. They don't have much left in the tank, but both are still playing better than Manning's last year.

Go Cards!!!

Garoppolo will be franchise tagged, just like the same team and leadership did with Matt Cassel ten years ago. He'll net picks and a huge contract. While I think he'll be good, I just don't think our team is willing to be Kevin Kolb'd again.

Tom Brady is a miraculous exception to the rule - and did not spend a month strongly considering retirement this year. History is against us on this one.
 

JeffGollin

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What we n ed from Palmer -
Garoppolo will be franchise tagged, just like the same team and leadership did with Matt Cassel ten years ago. He'll net picks and a huge contract. While I think he'll be good, I just don't think our team is willing to be Kevin Kolb'd again.

Tom Brady is a miraculous exception to the rule - and did not spend a month strongly considering retirement this year. History is against us on this one.
Don't want to kill everyone's buzz, but Seattle is reported ready to sign either RGIII or Kaepernick. Seems like they figured out what the best fit for their offense was and didn't waste any time going out and buying the groceries.
 
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Solar7

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What we n ed from Palmer -

Don't want to kill everyone's buzz, but Seattle is reported ready to sign either RGIII or Kaepernick. Seems like they figured out what the best fit for their offense was and didn't waste any time going out and buying the groceries.

Those two players make a ton of sense for their scheme. They don't have to change their offense drastically to put in Kaep or RG3. Our offense dictates that we have a player who stays mostly in the pocket and plays from there.
 

Cbus cardsfan

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I texted my Jax friend and asked him if thought Gabbert could be a factor for the Cards. I think his answer summed it up perfectly:

"I have no idea."

That's true because Gabbert has been in bad situations but also he hasn't really done anything worthwhile to make those sitautions better or look more promising.

IIRC, and I'm not positive at all, but it seems like I remember being told McDonough, when he was with Jax, was the driving force behind them selecting Gabbert.
 
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