Originally posted by jonnydel:
I've watched a bunch of film on Blaine Gabbert as several people requested some stuff on him. This was a tough one because of 3 reasons:
1. His team was terrible - like, Charles Barkely Turrible! Poor protection most of the time, and a lot, I mean a LOT of dropped passes by receivers.
2. Really poor offensive creativity. There were a lot of plays that were so poorly designed and executed - they could've had Joe or Steve back there and it would've been "Turrible". Plus, when they would get some guys open - they were asking him to do things that I don't think are his strength. Throwing on the run is not a huge strength of his - he's not terrible at it, but it's not something I would try and use as a steady diet.
3. They were often in really poor passing situations. They had a lot of 3rd and longs to throw in - which, it's hard to get a good idea on any QB when it seems like half their film is "3rd and 8".
But, here's what I've seen from film over the past 2 seasons(which isn't as much as you'd think because of all the games Chad Henne played in).
His mechanics are, for the most part, sound. He's a definite rhythm passer. If he's not in rhythm his accuracy is poor at best. He fits best in a system that is a 3,5,7 step drop, timing system. When he has to improvise or climb the pocket, he's out of his comfort zone. He does have a quick release that keeps defenders from jumping too many of his throws. He has a tendency, every once in a while, to stare down his receivers. Being a rhythm passer, I don't think he ever felt comfortable or confident in the guys in front of him to keep him clean.
His arm strength is average. He can get ok zip on the ball on the short to intermediate throws, but he's no Kaepernick. His deep ball flight is good - it's got a good spin to it, but, he tends to throw deep balls inside - which is not really a good thing. When he tries to make "back shoulder" throws - they tend to be "front" shoulder throws..... Meaning, his receivers often had to try and cross over the CB on those throws which put them in tough situations. Or when they beat their man deep and had a step his throws would be a little short and inside.
His accuracy is good when he's in rhythm. But, if he doesn't have his feet set and is on a good platform, he can't wing a ball into a small window.
I think the jury is definitely still out on this guy. He's a guy you look at and go, "I don't know, it's sorta there, but hard to tell".
First, I commend you for having the stomach to watch Jags game film. When the 49ers acquired Bethea, Cook, and SJohnson, I was eager to watch them play. When they got Gabbert, I didn't even want to bother.
I agree very much with him being a rhythm passer. His feet look good as he moves through progressions, in the handful of times he was given a nice pocket. I saw him make quick decisions, but they were too often the wrong decision as he threw into double coverage way too often for my liking. I got this from watching a YouTube clip that someone posted so I was not able to see what Gabbert was looking at (no all22). Just that he threw some very bad looking INTs. Looking forward to any more cut ups you can provide.