Tag Archives: Jack Del Rio

Sep 21 2011

Jaguars Still In Search of Their Guy: Blaine Gabbert Will Start

After years of searching for a franchise QB, it appears as if the Jacksonville Jaguars are going with their 10th overall pick, Blaine Gabbert.

The Jaguars named QB Luke McCown as the starter after releasing David Garrard. McCown threw 4 interceptions in a loss to the New York Jets.

On Wednesday morning, Del Rio reportedly called both McCown and Gabbert into his office in order to notify both players of the change.

Gabbert struggled during the preseason, but played well (although briefly) during the fourth quarter against the Jets.

Del Rio likely realizes that his time as the head coach of the organization is limited and has been making some aggressive moves in order to improve the team and retain his job.

The Jaguars originally noted that they wanted to give Gabbert more time to become acclimated to their system because of the lack of mini camps, OTAs, etc. Apparently Del Rio’s time has almost run out and Gabbert will have to step in for the organization in their week 3 appearance against Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers which should be an interesting game of rookie QBs.

Sep 6 2011

Jacksonville Jaguars Release David Garrard

Jack Del Rio has persisted throughout the off-season that QB David Garrard will be the starter for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Apparently, the organization has decided to move on from their inconsistent QB; something that I have said should occur since the start of the 2009 season.

QB Luke McCown has been named the starter for now, having outplayed both Garrard and Blaine Gabbert during the preseason.

David Garrard was given the largest contract in Jaguar history and became the starter for 2009 after never having played an entire season in the NFL as a starter.

He was obviously as inconsistent then as he is now.

Del Rio is another weak link on the team and to adamantly stand by two QBs who were never franchise type QBs and for him to consistently play a role poor drafts, the team is still lacking leadership.

They have lost defensive coordinators Mike Smith (current head coach of the Falcons) and Gregg Williams (DC of the Saints who won a Super Bowl his first season there), players such as Mike Peterson, John Henderson, Fred Taylor, Marcus Stroud…I won’t continue.

The point is that the franchise has been drowning for several years now and .500 seasons with a few playoff appearance here or there is not a cause for celebration in Jacksonville. Facing Manning and the Colts and Johnson and the Texans is never a simple task. The Colts typically win the division and it becomes  fight for a wildcard spot among the other three teams.

At least the Jaguars have taken the first of many bold moves to come (hopefully). Gabbert could easily be the QB of the future for the team and if he gets a new head coach next year, things could be looking up for Jacksonville.