Greg Gabriel "Not So Sure" Blaine Gabbert Is First-Round Worthy

by Brian Galliford on Mar 15, 2011 12:15 PM EDT in 2011 NFL Draft

Mike Mayock has been beating the drum for Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert for several weeks. First, he compared the junior to the likes of Matthew Stafford and Sam Bradford - immediate-impact type players at the QB position. Then he praised his field vision and arm strength in a video breakdown. When his Top 32 prospects debuted late last week, Gabbert was No. 5 on the list - 15 slots ahead of the next quarterback.

Let's just say that Mayock's opinions on Gabbert are not even close to being universally shared. Most agree that Gabbert's physical skills are excellent, but major concerns remain. Greg Gabriel, a former league personnel man and currently with the National Football Post, is the latest to point out the long list of issues currently plaguing Gabbert's game.

Gabriel credits Gabbert's size, arm strength and straight-line speed, but pretty much goes to town on the rest of his game. Deep ball accuracy, release point, pocket awareness and field vision are all questioned, as is his ability to extend plays with his legs despite above-average athleticism. Is Gabbert worth a first-round pick? Gabriel addressed that question to close his piece.

"A club will probably draft him somewhere in the first round but I'm not so sure he is really a first round talent," Gabriel concludes.

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It’s readings like this that make me want to pass on both Gabbert and Newton – they both have a ton of question marks and look like they have a long road ahead in order to be successful.

that’s why people mock defense to the Bills – simply put – the defensive players save Green are more sure fire prospects if you will.

The QB class for this year is just plain mediocre – nobody sticking out ahead of the pack and all have some major question marks. When it’s a year that no QB can separate himself and overall they look to be mediocre and project type QBs across the board then you have to wonder if any of these guys are worth the investment of a #3 pick.

I’ll go with Poz on this one and hope we trade up or grab Locker – I think it’s better value and i’m not so sure Gabbert/Newton/Mallett etc… are heads or tails a better QB than Locker is.

When you innovate, you've got to be prepared for everyone telling you you're nuts.

by J2 on Mar 15, 2011 12:24 PM EDT reply actions

My Feelings Exactly

I realize that this team needs a franchise QB, but it doesn’t seem that there is an immediate, heads and shoulders above the rest, franchise QB in the draft. Most seem to be possible Franchise QB’s that need some work, each having his own strengths and weaknesses.

That’s why I’ve settled on the fact that I don’t mind if the team goes defense first Peterson or Dareus preferably, or invest in a blue chip prospect like AJ Green. Personally I’m hoping for Peterson.

Then I hope we can get Locker in the 2nd or trade up like you said. Locker has always been my favorite since the start and that hasn’t changed. He’s got all the tools and leadership, just needs to fine tune his game and it wouldn’t take the #3 pick to get him. We get an immediate impact player and our franchise QB sounds good to me.

"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes

by panekattack on Mar 15, 2011 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Personally we all know opinions on qbs are alqays varied. Lets just look at where alex smith went and where aron rodgers went.. People call this qb class mediocre i call it way above avarage. Trent is the best qb from his class. and last year produced maybe 2 starting quality guys. This year theres plenty of guys who can be succesful qbs given the right situation

by matthew62 on Mar 15, 2011 1:12 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

There it is. Someone else who doesn’t buy into the draft slotting is the be-all, end-all in deciding a player’s future.

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

by TheAfghanTwilight on Mar 15, 2011 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Yah where a guy is picked doesnt determine how he is gonna play. Its his athelticism football iq leadership abilties mental make up and all that jazz.

by matthew62 on Mar 15, 2011 1:38 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Who said draft slotting

is the be-all, end-all in deciding a player’s future?

"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes

by panekattack on Mar 15, 2011 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I never said

none of these guys can be successful? I just said that each one seems to come with a lot more question marks than usual. Maybe it’s overanalyzing, maybe it’s that they aren’t as good as previous years? Who knows how they will turn out, I’m just saying this year I’m not completely sold on any of these QB’s and would rather see the Bills take an elite blue chip talent rather than roll the dice with a questionable QB at 3 is all. Obviously if I didn’t think any of these guys could be franchise QB worthy I wouldn’t condone picking Locker at 34.

"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes

by panekattack on Mar 15, 2011 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions

That is really the crux of the problem in this draft isnt it?

nobody sticking out ahead of the pack and all have some major question marks

Compounded by the fact that there are elite defensive players like Peterson to be had in the top 5 and you begin to get an uneasy feeling that scouts and media types are pointing to QBs because that just seems like what is supposed to happen in the draft. A QB almost always goes number one or soon after and so that has to happen. I dont buy the logic.

i’m sure i’m going to regret this conversation… but what the hell - J2

by poz on Mar 15, 2011 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't recall

I don’t recall, but I’m interested to know, how controversial were some of the recent “Franchise Quarterbacks” taken in the last few drafts? Bradford, Stafford, Ryan. Were they consensus top 10 picks all the way around? Were the talent evaluators split 50/50 or 75/25? I know Cam and Blaine are certainly questioned as being top end prospects more than usual, but how much more? I’m interested to know.

If anyone with comprehensive knowledge on the how the critics were aligned pre-draft the last few years could enlighten me, I’d appreciate it.

by Buffalo Bird on Mar 15, 2011 12:30 PM EDT reply actions

I can tell you from what I remember that all 3 were considered 1st round picks by virtually everyone. Kind of like Andrew Luck would have been this year.

For Gabbert and newton – i’ve read articles that say they are 1st round picks and articles that say they aren’t first round picks….

take that how you want to….

When you innovate, you've got to be prepared for everyone telling you you're nuts.

by J2 on Mar 15, 2011 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, that’s what I thought. Just wasn’t sure in retrospect if they had any prominently vocal detractors, like Mayock, Bunting, Kiper etc.

I’ve been of the mind that we should go defense or trade back and other than Mayock’s endorsement of Gabert, I see no reason to change that opinion.

by Buffalo Bird on Mar 15, 2011 12:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2011/3/4/2029411/cam-newton-isnt-a-first-round-pick

here’s the BR cam isn’t 1st round pick from KC Joyner article

When you innovate, you've got to be prepared for everyone telling you you're nuts.

by J2 on Mar 15, 2011 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Other QB's

had question marks, but none were so magnified as these guys. I remember Ryan they said had questionable arm strength, Bradford was a huge risk because they weren’t sure if he could take a hit at the nfl level because he took 2 big ones in college and had significant injuries but then he weighed in at 225 lbs so teams worried a bit less than that. Flacco had question marks about his accuracy and time it would take to mature his game on the field. Sanchez had arm strength question marks and was thought of as a huge risk because he only started for 1 full year before leaving. All in all each QB that was thought of as a 1st round prospect had question marks but none seemed too big to scare teams off like these two. They both seem like much larger risks than these other guys.

Reminds me a lot of the draft with Jamarcus Russell and Brady Quinn. Neither really seperated themself from the other and Quinn very well could have gone 1 and Russell at 17 instead. We’ve seen how both of those guys have worked out. Hopefully the Bills stay away.

"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes

by panekattack on Mar 15, 2011 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

I want to get behind Gabbert or Newton SO bad. I want one of them to be a franchise QB for us. But I just think they are too risky to select at #3. Of course, if we pass on one or both of them, and they become a franchise QB for someone else, I will have to go hang myself.

by CBATL32 on Mar 15, 2011 1:00 PM EDT reply actions

Exactly.

I feel like I flip flop on Newton and Gabbert weekly (and have no interest in other QBs). Today I’m in Von Miller/Heyward (or whoever the best 3-4 DE remaining is at #34)/ Sheppard mode – just load up on front 7 players the first two days.

by Pistol on Mar 15, 2011 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I could give a rat's fanny if the guy is a considered a 1st-round talent or not.

Tell me if he’s starter material in the NFL. Tell me if he can mature into a talented QB. I don’t care what he represents today.

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

by TheAfghanTwilight on Mar 15, 2011 1:17 PM EDT reply actions

Well, we didn’t put it here, but he said, and I quote: “While he is talented, he is not close to being a starting NFL quarterback.”

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Mar 15, 2011 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I take the quote you posted to mean he’s not going to be ready to start right away. Again, that’s something i’m very unconcerned about. It is a coaches’ league.

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

by TheAfghanTwilight on Mar 15, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions

It is a coaches’ league.

Wow. I vehemently and unequivocally disagree with that statement. What’s that saying about polishing a turd?

If it was a coaches’ league, Trent Edwards (or, dare we dream, J.P. Losman) would be quarterbacking this team. Aaron Maybin wouldn’t be the butt of every joke in this fan base. And so on, and so forth.

You need good coaching in the NFL. But it can only take you so far.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Mar 15, 2011 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, the careers of Edwards, Losman, and Maybin can be seen as an endictment on Jauron’s failings as a coach. He was obviously a coach who didn’t pan out. He was a bust.

What about a coach like Bill Belichick? Andy Reid? Rex Ryan?

I’m not trying to imply in either comment that it’s solely on coaching, but there are plenty of reasons to think a talented roster goes nowhere without a talent coach.

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

by TheAfghanTwilight on Mar 15, 2011 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions

It takes a combination. Even the best coaches have very talented players that flop. Belichick has had a lot of talented guys that he’s drafted and they haven’t developed into great players. Maybin isn’t playing any better under Gailey than he did under Jauron. Sometimes extremely talented players don’t make it because of their own deficiencies and the best coach in the world won’t help.

On the other hand, I do agree that a talented roster won’t go very far without a talented coach as well.

by CBATL32 on Mar 15, 2011 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions

That

On the other hand, I do agree that a talented roster won’t go very far without a talented coach as well

was primarily the point I wanted to get across. I should have started and ended with it. LOL.

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

by TheAfghanTwilight on Mar 15, 2011 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions

What about a coach like Bill Belichick? Andy Reid? Rex Ryan?

What about Brian Billick? Tom Coughlin? Mike Martz? Barry Switzer?

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Mar 15, 2011 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions

case in point

But it can only take you so far

Many here espouse to the theory Chan is a good coach and did “genius” work in ’10, yet the team went 4-12.

"Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends. We're so glad you could attend, come inside, come inside" - ELP

by fansince60 on Mar 15, 2011 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I actually am of the belief that losman could of been a good player given the right coaching. Trent just never had the confidence in himself to be successful. All I know is we have a coach that i think will be good for a qb finally. I just want the fo to match him and the team up with the right guy. Wether thats gabbert, newton, locker , kaep, or ponder I do not know I for one will leave it up to them. All I know is I am against this team getting mallet.

by matthew62 on Mar 15, 2011 2:19 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

if a guy “is not close” to being a starter you cant take him at number 3 when you have high ceiling guys like Locker and Mallet who could be available later.

i’m sure i’m going to regret this conversation… but what the hell - J2

by poz on Mar 15, 2011 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

wow

thats exactly what i see with gabbert and more. this guy just became my new best friend

I may have scored a hundred points yesterday, but I scored a lot more off the court.

by Adam_K on Mar 15, 2011 2:16 PM EDT reply actions

Every year is the same thing. Every QB has a lot of questions and some scouts think not ready to start means no first round. This is absolutely crazy. QB is a different position. When you think a guy has tools, work ethic and intangibles to become a Franchise QB you should use your pick, no matter what pick it is.

Other think that makes no sense is say the next year class is better, and we should pass on QB this year and take one next year. Again, every year is the same thing and when next year come, that class is not good as some though. That’s what Bills has been doing for last decade. This team needs attitude to make a definitive change for the future and draft a QB with a high pick.

by hightower_mc on Mar 15, 2011 6:13 PM EDT reply actions

Great article Brian

Gabriel certainly raised valid concerns about Gabberts abilities on the field. I find it interesting that he is (to my knowledge) the first to raise these issues publicly. Mayock has been speaking positively of Gabbert for a few weeks now, and I for one was surprised at how quickly Gabbert ascended in the majority of the mock drafts.

A few weeks ago a rumbler mentioned that Mayock was EXCELLENT at evaluating linemen, but his evaluations of QBs was less accurate. Up until recently, he was making his adjustments and moving on, and I thought it was a bit out of character for him because he was discussing Gabbert a lot.

This year IMHO Kiper has been conservative and adjusted his mock to fall in line with popular opinion or other media analysts. He initially had Newton highest but backed off after several others began making positive statments about Gabbert. I suspect he will start distancing himself from Gabbert next week and gradually move him down a little by the end of the month. Der Jaeger may be right when he said Jake Locker will need the shortest transition time of all the QBs in this years draft, they ALL need work. Let’s see if he becomes the next fast riser.

I am one who doesn’t buy into the philosophy that you pass on a player because the general consensus is they should be picked lower in the same round than where your pick is, for example #8 instead of #3. If it’s a position that needs improvement and you believe in their abilites, a few slots up or down is irrelevant.

"Being a Bills Fan is a Tough Job for Tough People…" – Luther6

by Montel on Mar 15, 2011 8:00 PM EDT reply actions

Question

When I gave my “scouting report” on Gabbert, it was pretty similar to the one above (I got grilled for it). The flaws in Gabbert’s game are not clandestine, you can turn on any one of his games and you’ll see his inadequacies, even in games where he was statistically good. So, why does Mike Mayock love the kid so much? He showed three plays in his “video breakdown” in which he extolled Gabbert for basically following the design of the play. Gabbert hasn’t done a single thing in college that translates to the NFL, all he has is the physical tools. To say he’s risk in the 1st round is quite the understatement.

"I don't agree with a damn thing you say, but I would die for your right to say it."

"If I had to do it all over again, I'd do it all over again."

by ForeignArrow on Mar 15, 2011 11:44 PM EDT reply actions

You're not alone

Others, myself included, have never been on the Gabbert bandwagon and have voiced reasons why. If it’s weren’t for Mike Mayock, I seriously wonder just how many analysts would have even considered this kid first round worthy.

by DJ O on Mar 16, 2011 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions