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Mr. Laz · 11-21-2012, 01:39 PM

Blaine Gabbert's future as Jaguars starter in doubt

By Gregg Rosenthal
Around The League editor
Published: Nov. 21, 2012 at 02:14 p.m.
Updated: Nov. 21, 2012 at 02:30 p.m.

After 24 starts, five wins, two head coaches and two hair cuts, the Jacksonville Jaguars no longer view Blaine Gabbert as a franchise quarterback.

Gabbert's season ended on Wednesday when he was placed on injured reserve. NFL.com's Steve Wyche reports via a team source that Gabbert will have surgery on his left shoulder next week, but Gabbert's new place in the pecking order isn't about Gabbert's injury.

Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey went out of his way Monday to say that Chad Henne would start this week's game against the Tennessee Titans because of performance, not injury. That was an interesting first step. On Wednesday, Mularkey made his thinking crystal clear.

Mularkey said that Henne will be the starter going into next season if he plays well over the next six games, according to Mark Long of the Associated Press. Henne was signed to back up Gabbert, but things have changed.

Don't focus on the qualifier of "if he plays well." Mularkey is saying a lot about how the organization views Gabbert just by entertaining the possibility. It's not like Henne is a rising potential future star.

Gabbert was the No. 10 overall pick in the 2011 draft. He was the "franchise quarterback" the team stood strongly behind after a rough rookie season. The Panthers wouldn't consider starting Derek Anderson if Cam Newton goes down. Andy Dalton couldn't lose his job to Bruce Gradkowski if Dalton was hurt. Even Christian Ponder is on stronger ground.

This is a big move for Mularkey. The coach's status for next year if very up in the air, especially if general manager Gene Smith is fired. Mularkey is signaling to ownership how he would handle 2013. The kid gloves are off with Gabbert.

Gabbert has played like just another guy since entering the league. Now the Jaguars are starting to treat him like one.
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.

11-21-2012, 01:39 PM
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	Jaguars no longer view Gabbert as a franchise quarterback? Blaine Gabbert's future as Jaguars starter in doubt By Gregg Rosenthal Around The League editor Published: Nov. 21, 2012 at 02:14 p.m. Updated: Nov. 21, 2012 at 02:30 p.m. After 24 starts, five wins, two head coaches and two hair cuts, the Jacksonville Jaguars no longer view Blaine Gabbert as a franchise quarterback. Gabbert's season ended on Wednesday when he was placed on injured reserve. NFL.com's Steve Wyche reports via a team source that Gabbert will have surgery on his left shoulder next week, but Gabbert's new place in the pecking order isn't about Gabbert's injury. Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey went out of his way Monday to say that Chad Henne would start this week's game against the Tennessee Titans because of performance, not injury. That was an interesting first step. On Wednesday, Mularkey made his thinking crystal clear. Mularkey said that Henne will be the starter going into next season if he plays well over the next six games, according to Mark Long of the Associated Press. Henne was signed to back up Gabbert, but things have changed. Don't focus on the qualifier of "if he plays well." Mularkey is saying a lot about how the organization views Gabbert just by entertaining the possibility. It's not like Henne is a rising potential future star. Gabbert was the No. 10 overall pick in the 2011 draft. He was the "franchise quarterback" the team stood strongly behind after a rough rookie season. The Panthers wouldn't consider starting Derek Anderson if Cam Newton goes down. Andy Dalton couldn't lose his job to Bruce Gradkowski if Dalton was hurt. Even Christian Ponder is on stronger ground. This is a big move for Mularkey. The coach's status for next year if very up in the air, especially if general manager Gene Smith is fired. Mularkey is signaling to ownership how he would handle 2013. The kid gloves are off with Gabbert. Gabbert has played like just another guy since entering the league. Now the Jaguars are starting to treat him like one. Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.
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