Chiefs Whitlock is in love with Gabbert - Page 2

Hammock Parties · 09-06-2009, 02:30 PM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/col...y/1427127.html

ST. LOUIS | Oh. My. God. Not since I first laid eyes on an 11-year-old Jeff George has a quarterback captured my football imagination the way Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert did Saturday afternoon with his destruction of the Illinois Fighting Illini.

OMG. A second soulmate, this late in my football fascination, could it really be?

More important, how does Gabbert’s spectacular debut as the Tigers’ starting quarterback impact the Big 12 North race?

I say we recalculate. By Oct. 8, when the Nebraska Cornhuskers arrive in Columbia, Gabbert should be every bit as effective as Chase Daniel was last season. By Nov. 28, the date the Tigers collide with the Kansas Jayhawks inside Arrowhead Stadium, Gabbert has a chance to be as good as any quarterback in the country.

It was just one game, against poor-throwing Juice Williams and poor-coaching Ron Zook. I know.

But Gabbert’s tools are undeniable. In Mizzou’s 37-9 romp, Gabbert took turns impersonating Dan Marino, Tim Tebow and Big Ben Roethlisberger.

Gabbert connected on 25 of 33 passes for 319 yards and three TDs. He ran the ball 10 times for 39 yards and a score. The kid from the St. Louis suburbs, the kid who missed most of his high school senior season and sat patiently behind Daniel as a Missouri freshman, exuded the kind of poise, confidence and star quality you’d expect from Tim Tebow.

Oh. My. God. I’m leaving Jeff George. I’ve found another quarterback who gives me pregame butterflies and makes my heart pound every time he drops to pass.

In my postgame giddiness, I accidentally used the name John Elway, the greatest player in the history of the NFL, in a question to Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel.

“He’s very, very gifted,” Pinkel said of Gabbert before stressing that intangibles such as heart, competitiveness, work ethic and mental toughness will determine Gabbert’s level of success.

For the moment, let’s just forget about the intangibles and focus on what everyone inside the Edward Jones Dome could clearly see.

Blaine Gabbert is the bizness. He’s built like former All-American tight end Chase Coffman, moves in the pocket like Big Ben, runs as fluidly as Elway, releases the football like Tom Brady and makes comparisons to Chase Daniel and Brad Smith seem rather silly.

We’ve never seen Blaine Gabbert before. Not in a Missouri, Kansas or Kansas State uniform in the last 30 years.

Michael Bishop nearly won the Heisman Trophy and dragged the K-State Wildcats within a fourth-quarter meltdown of the national championship. Bishop was no Blaine Gabbert.

I mention Bishop solely for the purpose of referencing the kind of aspirations Pinkel and the Tigers should have for the remainder of Gabbert’s college career, which will likely end after the 2010 season.

Before he departs for the NFL, Gabbert should be in the Heisman race, and Mizzou should be in the national-title hunt.

“Big Blaine” is that good, and his supporting cast is that good, too. Danario Alexander (10 catches for 132 yards), Jared Perry (four for 93 yards and a TD) and Wes Kemp (four for 77 and a TD) may not be as explosive as Jeremy Maclin, as indefensible as Coffman or as reliable as Tommy Saunders, but Maclin, Coffman and Saunders never worked with a passer as physically gifted as Big Blaine.

Mizzou’s offense will be just fine. Mizzou’s defense could be significantly improved from a year ago.

Aldon Smith, Missouri’s redshirt freshman defensive end, isn’t likely to be a four-year letterman, either. If not for Gabbert’s display, we might be writing about Smith today. He clowned the Illini, recording a sack and three tackles for loss.

Smith made a play on Juice Williams in the red zone that will make scouts drool. The 6-foot-5, 255-pounder, with an Illinois blocker seemingly glued to his midsection, stopped Williams from turning the corner and picking up a first down.

Even without Ziggy Hood and Brock Christopher, Missouri’s front seven is quicker, more athletic and better than a year ago. The Tigers won’t have to blitz to pressure the quarterback. And Sean Weatherspoon, Andrew Gachkar and Luke Lambert can slow the run.

Watching Gabbert and Smith dominate Illinois made me think of Pinkel’s primary goal when he took over at Missouri nine years ago. In terms of recruiting, he wanted to lock up the state of Missouri. He envisioned building a top-flight program around a handful of the top players produced in the Show Me State.

Gabbert is from St. Louis. Smith is from Kansas City (Raytown). Talentwise, they’re two of the best football players to ever enroll at Mizzou.

“Why would you live in Missouri and not go to Mizzou?” Pinkel joked with the media.

It’s a good question. Gabbert and Smith are about to become celebrated legends in their home state.

“Hey, bro,” Gabbert said to defensive tackle Jaron Baston as they walked out of the dome, “I’ve got 51 text messages.”

It’s just the beginning. Wait until Jeff George calls to complain about Gabbert stealing George’s football soulmate.

Pitt Gorilla · 09-06-2009, 08:52 PM

I would caution everyone to remember that it was only one game against a Ron Zook coached team. Illinois may have had more talent than a lot of teams, but they weren't well-prepared and did not execute well at all.

I think Gabbert (and MU) will do well as long as he can stay healthy.

Coach · 09-06-2009, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

I would caution everyone to remember that it was only one game against a Ron Zook coached team. Illinois may have had more talent than a lot of teams, but they weren't well-prepared and did not execute well at all.

I think Gabbert (and MU) will do well as long as he can stay healthy.

You have a point there, since Zook couldn't really coach to save his life. He can recruit, without question, but when it comes to coaching, he's just not very good at it.

However, you should take comfort, even though it is the BIG 10 (Not exactly a great conference), it's not like it's against Northern Colorado or something like that.

However, Illinois defense last year, wasn't exactly great. Combine that with arguably their best four defenders on the team (last year) are gone.

In all, MU's offense may not be explosive as it was last year, but they'll still will score alot of points.

ArrowheadHawk · 09-06-2009, 09:01 PM

Wow the greatest ever after one game.

Spott · 09-06-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

I would caution everyone to remember that it was only one game against a Ron Zook coached team. Illinois may have had more talent than a lot of teams, but they weren't well-prepared and did not execute well at all.

I think Gabbert (and MU) will do well as long as he can stay healthy.

I'm cautiously optimistic at best. I think it's way too early for people to start crowning him. He'll have a few weeks to settle in before he has to play against a tough defense when they travel to Stillwater. If he can hang in there and not make a bunch of dumb mistakes against the likes of OSU and UT, then he may be for real.

Coach · 09-06-2009, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spott

I'm cautiously optimistic at best. I think it's way too early for people to start crowning him. He'll have a few weeks to settle in before he has to play against a tough defense when they travel to Stillwater. If he can hang in there and not make a bunch of dumb mistakes against the likes of OSU and UT, then he may be for real.

I wouldn't discount NU. Their defense is pretty solid all around, if not, at least an improvement from 2007.

Granted, the game is in Columbia, but still, I wouldn't overlook Nebraska.

Spott · 09-06-2009, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach

Their defense is pretty soild all around

Stanley Nickels · 09-06-2009, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArrowheadHawk

Wow the greatest ever after one game.

As a Missouri fan, I'm a little curious why he's so effusive with his praise.

Gabbert was good yesterday, no doubt about it. He showed a strong arm, good vision, and good pocket awareness. But he certainly did nothing to deserve to be mentioned by a columnist alongside Dan Marino, John Elway, et al. It almost seems like Whitlock is setting up for any trouble that may come along later in the year; for example, if we lose a few in our really rough stretch with Nebraska, UT, and Oklahoma State, he could clearly ignore Blaine Gabbert's first-year status and say he simply "choked" under the spotlight.

Really, I think everything needs to be much better in perspective. Nice game-- GREAT college debut-- but, as a team we have a lot of work to do. Blaine has potential, but just has to keep on learning and developing.

Coach · 09-06-2009, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spott

You don't agree? Compare their numbers from 2007 to 2008. All of them had significant improvements.

However, the key for Nebraska's defense is the "turnover" department. They need to force more turnovers.

Edit: I see why you were

about. I misspelled "solid".

Pitt Gorilla · 09-06-2009, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spott

They certainly were at homecoming last year.

**KcMizzou** · 09-06-2009, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanley Nickels

As a Missouri fan, I'm a little curious why he's so effusive with his praise.

Gabbert was good yesterday, no doubt about it. He showed a strong arm, good vision, and good pocket awareness. But he certainly did nothing to deserve to be mentioned by a columnist alongside Dan Marino, John Elway, et al. It almost seems like Whitlock is setting up for any trouble that may come along later in the year; for example, if we lose a few in our really rough stretch with Nebraska, UT, and Oklahoma State, he could clearly ignore Blaine Gabbert's first-year status and say he simply "choked" under the spotlight.

Really, I think everything needs to be much better in perspective. Nice game-- GREAT college debut-- but, as a team we have a lot of work to do. Blaine has potential, but just has to keep on learning and developing.

I completely agree. Obviously Whitlock's wayyyy over the top here...

But still, it's damned encouraging for we Mizzou fans who weren't sure what to expect. (And Frankly, weren't 100% sure they had a horse in the Big 12 North race this season.)

Nobody's "crowning" anybody.

Knob · 09-06-2009, 09:40 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYKIcnj1MJY

wild1 · 09-06-2009, 09:45 PM

25 of 33 is pretty darn impressive for your first start, and he definitely has a live arm.

smittysbar · 09-06-2009, 10:23 PM

He impressed the shit out of me

Sweet Daddy Hate · 09-06-2009, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smittysbar

He impressed the shit out of me

WOOT!

JuicesFlowing · 09-07-2009, 01:51 AM

Somewhere, Nate Davis is crying.

09-06-2009, 02:30 PM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4210478	Whitlock is in love with Gabbert http://www.kansascity.com/sports/col...y/1427127.html ST. LOUIS \| Oh. My. God. Not since I first laid eyes on an 11-year-old Jeff George has a quarterback captured my football imagination the way Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert did Saturday afternoon with his destruction of the Illinois Fighting Illini. OMG. A second soulmate, this late in my football fascination, could it really be? More important, how does Gabbert’s spectacular debut as the Tigers’ starting quarterback impact the Big 12 North race? I say we recalculate. By Oct. 8, when the Nebraska Cornhuskers arrive in Columbia, Gabbert should be every bit as effective as Chase Daniel was last season. By Nov. 28, the date the Tigers collide with the Kansas Jayhawks inside Arrowhead Stadium, Gabbert has a chance to be as good as any quarterback in the country. It was just one game, against poor-throwing Juice Williams and poor-coaching Ron Zook. I know. But Gabbert’s tools are undeniable. In Mizzou’s 37-9 romp, Gabbert took turns impersonating Dan Marino, Tim Tebow and Big Ben Roethlisberger. Gabbert connected on 25 of 33 passes for 319 yards and three TDs. He ran the ball 10 times for 39 yards and a score. The kid from the St. Louis suburbs, the kid who missed most of his high school senior season and sat patiently behind Daniel as a Missouri freshman, exuded the kind of poise, confidence and star quality you’d expect from Tim Tebow. Oh. My. God. I’m leaving Jeff George. I’ve found another quarterback who gives me pregame butterflies and makes my heart pound every time he drops to pass. In my postgame giddiness, I accidentally used the name John Elway, the greatest player in the history of the NFL, in a question to Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel. “He’s very, very gifted,” Pinkel said of Gabbert before stressing that intangibles such as heart, competitiveness, work ethic and mental toughness will determine Gabbert’s level of success. For the moment, let’s just forget about the intangibles and focus on what everyone inside the Edward Jones Dome could clearly see. Blaine Gabbert is the bizness. He’s built like former All-American tight end Chase Coffman, moves in the pocket like Big Ben, runs as fluidly as Elway, releases the football like Tom Brady and makes comparisons to Chase Daniel and Brad Smith seem rather silly. We’ve never seen Blaine Gabbert before. Not in a Missouri, Kansas or Kansas State uniform in the last 30 years. Michael Bishop nearly won the Heisman Trophy and dragged the K-State Wildcats within a fourth-quarter meltdown of the national championship. Bishop was no Blaine Gabbert. I mention Bishop solely for the purpose of referencing the kind of aspirations Pinkel and the Tigers should have for the remainder of Gabbert’s college career, which will likely end after the 2010 season. Before he departs for the NFL, Gabbert should be in the Heisman race, and Mizzou should be in the national-title hunt. “Big Blaine” is that good, and his supporting cast is that good, too. Danario Alexander (10 catches for 132 yards), Jared Perry (four for 93 yards and a TD) and Wes Kemp (four for 77 and a TD) may not be as explosive as Jeremy Maclin, as indefensible as Coffman or as reliable as Tommy Saunders, but Maclin, Coffman and Saunders never worked with a passer as physically gifted as Big Blaine. Mizzou’s offense will be just fine. Mizzou’s defense could be significantly improved from a year ago. Aldon Smith, Missouri’s redshirt freshman defensive end, isn’t likely to be a four-year letterman, either. If not for Gabbert’s display, we might be writing about Smith today. He clowned the Illini, recording a sack and three tackles for loss. Smith made a play on Juice Williams in the red zone that will make scouts drool. The 6-foot-5, 255-pounder, with an Illinois blocker seemingly glued to his midsection, stopped Williams from turning the corner and picking up a first down. Even without Ziggy Hood and Brock Christopher, Missouri’s front seven is quicker, more athletic and better than a year ago. The Tigers won’t have to blitz to pressure the quarterback. And Sean Weatherspoon, Andrew Gachkar and Luke Lambert can slow the run. Watching Gabbert and Smith dominate Illinois made me think of Pinkel’s primary goal when he took over at Missouri nine years ago. In terms of recruiting, he wanted to lock up the state of Missouri. He envisioned building a top-flight program around a handful of the top players produced in the Show Me State. Gabbert is from St. Louis. Smith is from Kansas City (Raytown). Talentwise, they’re two of the best football players to ever enroll at Mizzou. “Why would you live in Missouri and not go to Mizzou?” Pinkel joked with the media. It’s a good question. Gabbert and Smith are about to become celebrated legends in their home state. “Hey, bro,” Gabbert said to defensive tackle Jaron Baston as they walked out of the dome, “I’ve got 51 text messages.” It’s just the beginning. Wait until Jeff George calls to complain about Gabbert stealing George’s football soulmate.
Posts: 279,486

09-06-2009, 08:52 PM	#16
Pitt Gorilla Banned! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NOT Columbia, MO 65201 Casino cash: $2540194	I would caution everyone to remember that it was only one game against a Ron Zook coached team. Illinois may have had more talent than a lot of teams, but they weren't well-prepared and did not execute well at all. I think Gabbert (and MU) will do well as long as he can stay healthy. __________________ Your son is a bench warmer because of your weak genetics not because of the coach Norlin Mommsen is disgusting.
Posts: 46,239

09-06-2009, 09:01 PM	#18
ArrowheadHawk Rock Chalk! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Topeka, KS Casino cash: $7964961	Wow the greatest ever after one game.
Posts: 15,672

09-06-2009, 09:40 PM	#26
Knob Starter Join Date: Jan 2004 Casino cash: $7355327	If you want to crown them http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYKIcnj1MJY
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09-06-2009, 09:45 PM	#27
wild1 MVP Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: 31040 Casino cash: $10004900	25 of 33 is pretty darn impressive for your first start, and he definitely has a live arm.
Posts: 6,935

09-06-2009, 10:23 PM	#28
smittysbar Right in the Lumberyard Danny Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: LaPlata, MO Casino cash: $10004942	He impressed the shit out of me __________________
Posts: 6,646

09-07-2009, 01:51 AM	#30
JuicesFlowing Losing with passion. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oblivion Casino cash: $10004925	Somewhere, Nate Davis is crying.
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