Whitlock is in love with Gabbert

[Hammock Parties]

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.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by JuicesFlowing

Somewhere, Nate Davis is crying.

Truth.

[Mr. Kotter]

As a Jayhawk fan, I have to give Gabbert a tip of the hat....respect, bro.

[Mecca]

You see some people jump up and down about Gabbert because he is a legit talent at the QB position. When I say that I mean we're talking about a guy that has an NFL future and so far he doesn't look like a bonehead that was always what held back mad praise being laid out for Josh Freeman.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Mecca

You see some people jump up and down about Gabbert because he is a legit talent at the QB position. When I say that I mean we're talking about a guy that has an NFL future and so far he doesn't look like a bonehead that was always what held back mad praise being laid out for Josh Freeman.

I'm just happy he can see over the line.

(That helps you know)

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by ArrowheadHawk

Wow the greatest ever after one game.

I would submit that we learned more in one game against Illinois than Kansas will be able to learn in their first five games at home against Northern Colorado, at UTEP, at home against Duke, at home against Southern Miss, and at home against Iowa State.

Just throwing that out there.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Guh, it gets worse.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/col...y/1429829.html

Missouri’s Gabbert is the new QB love of my life

JASON WHITLOCK COMMENTARY

“Jason, what is this nonsense about you dumping Jeff George for a younger quarterback?” Dr. Brian Anthony Homer asked at the beginning of our weekly therapy session. “It’s completely irresponsible. You don’t walk out on a 30-year relationship for a 19-year-old who has played one game. This is nuts!”

Doc, have you seen Blaine Gabbert? He’s 6 feet 5, 240 pounds. When he throws a pass, I get goosebumps and feel young again. He makes me feel the way Jeff used to, like a state championship, national title or Super Bowl are all possibilities.

“Are you really this stupid, Jason?” asked Dr. B.A. Homer, Kansas City’s leading sports therapist. “You really want to throw away 30 years over a teenager who probably doesn’t even remember your name?”

The truth is, Doc, this isn’t about Jeff. The passion has been gone in our relationship for at least two years. I mean, he hasn’t played in an NFL game since 2001. I’m always going to love Jeff and his right arm, but love is never enough. I’m just a fan. I have needs. I need game action.

“Jeff still wants to play,” B.A. Homer reminded me. “He hasn’t retired. In fact, he put out that workout tape this summer and did a string of radio interviews. You saw Jeff this summer. He’s in terrific shape. He looks 30. He needs you now more than ever. These are his golden years.”

I’m a sports writer at the midpoint of my career. I need something new, fresh and hot.

“We talked about this, Jason,” B.A. Homer said. “Did you get the new expensive sports car like I suggested? And what happened to you settling down with the 20-something divorcee my wife set you up with?”

Wrecked the car. And LaTisha was a wreck.

“You can get new ones,” Dr. Homer pleaded.

It’s football season, Doc. I need a quarterback to love.

“Why not Tom Brady? He’s coming off a knee injury. Why not Donovan McNabb? He’s your favorite NFL player. You told me how proud you are that McNabb took Michael Vick under his wing.”

They don’t make me feel the way Blaine Gabbert did Saturday.

“He’s a kid, Jason! He’s going to make a fool out of you. You think you’re the only sports writer trying to woo this kid? Bryan Burwell and Bernie Miklasz have been chasing Blaine since high school. He grew up in their backyard. Burwell’s been talking this kid up for two years.”

So? Blaine will see that they don’t care about him the way I do.

“Jason, the truth is, you flirt with every young quarterback who bats an eye at you. You watched Brad Smith light up Illinois in 2002 and thought he was the second coming of Michael Vick. Heck, just last year you lost your mind over Todd Reesing and saw him as the next Doug Flutie. Do you remember predicting that Chad May should be in the Heisman race and would have a long NFL career?”

There’s a gigantic difference between harmless flirting and real love.

“Oh, just admit it. You’re easy. Any college quarterback after a 300-yard passing day could have his way with your laptop. You’ll dump Blaine for Reesing or Carson Coffman next week.”

No. This is the real thing. Blaine and I could easily be together for the next 20 years. He has everything I want in a quarterback — big frame, strong arm, sound throwing motion, confidence in and out of the pocket, touch, swagger and he wears No. 11, the same number Jeff wore at Illinois and when he broke into the NFL.

“So that’s all this is, you trying to recapture your youth? It’s not about what’s best for Blaine?”

I am what’s best for Big Blaine.

“That’s ridiculous. He needs a sports writer closer to his own age, someone he can relate to, someone who won’t add to the immense pressure he already feels trying to replace Chase Daniel. I think Gabe DeArmond of PowerMizzou.com would be a perfect match for Blaine. From what I understand, Gabe is the one who told you to compare Blaine to Ben Roethlisberger. And Gabe came up with the nickname Big Blaine.”

Gabe doesn’t have the necessary experience. Grooming Blaine for NFL stardom is a man’s job.

“Oh, you did a fantastic job with Jeff George. Do us a favor and stay away from Blaine Gabbert. Go groom Colt McCoy or Tim Tebow.”

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

HOLY SHIT! That was awesome. AWESOME I SAY!

[Hammock Parties]

I love a good BA Homer article. I wonder what Dr. Homer would have to say about my strong man love for LJ?

[salame]

poor juice

[POND_OF_RED]

Originally Posted by ArrowheadHawk

Wow the greatest ever after one game.

He has played one game and has already recorded a higher passer rating than Reesing ever has. He's not the best ever but I'd say he has proven he has the most talent of all the QB's in the north.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

I love having all eyes away from this team. Don't focus on us, follow your prescribed media darlings. Play your goofy Todd Reesing commercials on 810; we don't exist. We're a shadow. A myth. A rumor.
And you don't know what's coming your way until it's right in your face. And then it's too late.
Let's do this.

[lostcause]

Originally Posted by Jerm

Hearing Whitlock talking about laying eyes on an 11 yr old Jeff George is creepy enough...
Posted via Mobile Device

My first thought as well.