Gabbert: “I’m looking forward to playing for an extended period of time.”

SANTA CLARA — Here’s the transcript of Blaine Gabbert’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department.

 

In the game, what are you trying to glean while you learn this offense?

“Yeah, just that consistent improvement. This is really a big dress rehearsal leading into the regular season. And you approach any game as if it’s a regular season game, but this is usually the dry run for the regular season and we just want to keep improving on what we’ve done in the first two games and just get better from that.”

 

With that being said, would you expect to play a couple of quarters?

“Yeah, we haven’t really talked about reps or how many quarters we are going to play, but my mindset going into the game is you play in the game until they tell you to come out. You can’t go into any game thinking you’re only going to play a couple series or quarter because if you play longer you’re not going to be prepared. So, from that standpoint, any game I play in I play until I come out, thinking I’m playing the whole game.”

 

What kind of comfort level do you have playing here knowing that you had a couple last year and this is going to be your last warm up before the season opener?

“I feel really comfortable. It’s our home stadium. We want to play good and just like I said, keep building on the first two preseason games and put a good show out there for the fans on Friday.”

 

How do you feel this offense has progressed from the offseason to where you guys are now?

“It’s been a lot of fun to kind of see that progression coming from that first mini-camp when we first started installing, going through the installs again in OTAs. The mini-camp install there in June and then kind of going through everything again throughout training camp. It’s been a great learning experience and the more reps we get in games, the more comfortable we’re going to get and the more different looks we’ll see.”

 

How do you feel with your rapport with the receivers? I know with TE Vance McDonald its good, with Brent maybe it’s good.

“Garrett.”

 

Garrett, excuse me. I’m thinking Brent Celek.

“No, it’s been great. They’re a lot of fun to work with and the way they do practices, they’re on pitch counts, so they’re not out there for an extended period of time. So, you have the ability and opportunity to work with a bunch of different guys top down. Any time you can get more reps with guys, the chemistry is going to build and I think we’ve got some pretty good chemistry going throughout this camp.”

 

What’s it been like going back to splitting reps after having a week and a half there–?

“You’ve just got to make the most of your opportunity. Rather than getting eight reps a period, you get four with the ones, four with the twos. You still get the amount of reps in. Each rep is a piece of gold. Like I’ve said before, you’ve got to treat that and cherish it because you’ve got to make the most of that opportunity because that’s kind of what helps you leading into these games, getting reps in practice”

 

ME: How do you feel you’ve performed during the preseason so far and what do you think you still need to do to win the competition?

“There is definitely things that you can improve on. But, looking at the first two games, we scored touchdown drives. I think we ran like two or three drives a game and the more extended time you play in a game the more in rhythm you’re going to get as an offense and the more drives you’re going to have that score points. So, I’m looking forward to playing for an extended period of time here to get into the flow of the game and produce on the field.”

 

ME: What do you feel you need to do to win this competition?

“Just keep playing ball. Deliver the ball accurately and on time, leading the guys on offense and putting up points. Just playing the quarterback position the way the coaches want you to.”

 

For you, is it more mastering the plays that are out there or is there a situation you would like to see during the preseason?

“It’s really just mastering the plays, not making bad plays worse, executing the play that was called, knowing why coach [head coach Chip Kelly] Kelly wants to call the play and just kind of being that voice on the field. So, not trying to do too much, just let the system work for itself and distribute the ball to our guys.”

 

Once this game is over, will you start looking ahead to the Rams and doing some film review of them?

“Yeah, just kind of brushing up on their defense, but we’ve still got another preseason game playing the Chargers. So, you can’t really jump ahead of yourself because you don’t know if you’re going to play or not play. But yeah, you definitely want to start kind of getting a head start on the first game of the year.”

 

Have you watched them on Hard Knocks?

“I have not watched Hard Knocks yet.”

 

Players always talk about wanting to be put into positions to succeed by the coaching staff. Do you feel like with this offense, you guys as a whole are in a better position to succeed this year?

“Yeah, I think the players are really having fun with it. Coach Kelly puts a lot of trust in us to go out there and make the plays. And that’s what you want as a competitive player. You want to have the ball in your hands. You want to be kind of leaned on to make the plays, score the points for this team. And that’s what this offense does. It puts guys in position to have explosive plays, score a lot of points, throw for a lot of yards, have a lot of receiving yards and I think the guys are kind of feeding off that right now and knowing that they’re going to be out there making plays.”

 

I assume you before this, obviously you are in no-huddle situations, but what have you found as a quarterback when you are constantly in no huddle what it can do to a defense?

“It just wears them out because they’re not used to practicing against that tempo. And it’s very hard to simulate from a scout team being on the ball in 10-15 seconds to run a play where the offense knows where they’re going and the defense doesn’t. So, from that standpoint, you get a lot of stock looks and the fatigue factor definitely plays into it.”

 

On the right side, OL Trent Brown obviously because of his size is drawing a lot of attention, but just this training camp what are your impressions of him at that right tackle?

“He’s been doing a tremendous job. The way he’s approached the summer program, coming into training camp, the first two preseason games has been tremendous. He’s been playing his tail off and he’s such a young player, he’s only going to continue to get better. He’s been doing a heck-of-a job.”

 

With that size in the no-huddle offense, what are some of the strengths that you’ve seen that you’ve been out there with him–?

“Well his conditioning. For being that big and being able to run the way he can, it’s impressive. Being however much he weighs and being able to run like that for a consistent period of time, it’s fun to watch.”

 

After missing the first two games for QB Colin Kaepernick, what do you think his mindset is going into this game?

“I don’t know. I’m just worried about the things really that I can control, the things that I put on the field and the way I lead this guys and lead this football team.”

This article has 209 Comments

  1. Sounds to me like Gabbert is expecting to be getting first team reps this game, and playing an extended period of time.

    Will be very interesting to see how Chip handles the QB snaps. Will Kaep end up playing with the 2s mostly?

    My guess is Gabbert starts, plays through the first quarter and a bit, then Kaep comes in and plays with the 1s for a drive or maybe 2, then plays with the 2s in the 2nd half.

        1. Yep.

          If its a real competition, Kaep and Gabbert should alternate series in this upcoming game. But Gabbert sounds like he’s expecting to get the lions share of reps with the 1s.

          As you say, if Kaep then gets the lions share of snaps in game 4, he is the backup.

          1. “But Gabbert sounds like he’s expecting to get the lions share of reps with the 1s. ”

            I didn’t get that sense from what he said, Scooter. To me it’s a “stock” answer from Gabbert where he just has the confidence that he will be the one – which is what we want to see from a football player.

            Gabbert said:

            Yeah, we haven’t really talked about reps or how many quarters we are going to play, but my mindset going into the game is you play in the game until they tell you to come out. You can’t go into any game thinking you’re only going to play a couple series or quarter because if you play longer you’re not going to be prepared. So, from that standpoint, any game I play in I play until I come out, thinking I’m playing the whole game.”

              1. I think Herm Edwards summed it up nicely. “Gabbert right now—when a coach says they’re still competing, think about this, still competing, they’ve been practicing since OTAs. And it’s still an open competition. “Blaine Gabbert hasn’t won their heart. (Kaepernick) is still in the mix”.

              2. Razor would you say Kelly has shown more than 20% of what his offense is trying to do?
                I would say no. We haven’t seen anything but swing passes and a couple dinks and dunks. This is nothing of what a CHip Kelly is about so how can you evaluate any of it or anyone in it based on 2 preseason games?

              3. I guarantee you in practice they’ve installed 100% and the pre-season plays they run are identified by what they want to see in games for purposes of evaluation….

              4. All they’re going to show in pre-season is what they feel they need to further evaluate….

            1. Player and team don’t want anything to do with each other.

              …or maybe I misunderstood what you said.

              1. Whether they do or don’t what does it matter? Kelly doesn’t make personnel decisions. Even if Kelly did make the decisions ask yourself does Kelly like Inaccurate passers that have to wait for the receiver to be open before throwing the ball?

              2. Not for the first 10 yards he isn’t and that’s about as far as this offense is going to be throwing.

              3. Yes for the first 10 yards. Gabbert can’t consistently place any pass at any depth even when he has time in the pocket.

              4. Baalke makes the personnel decisions on this team. Kaepernick and Baalke have moved on from each other. If Kaepernick is the starter week 1 and it’s not because of injury to Gabbert I’ll change my name to Mister Pee Pee Pants for every week he’s the starter.

                I’m not worried.

              5. “I’ll change my name to Mister Pee Pee Pants”

                Dang! Now I’m going full on Seb and hoping like crazy for Kaepernick to start every game this season!

              6. Or just that he won’t be the starter?

                I want to know for sure what it’s going to take to get you known as Mr. Peepee pants.

              7. I expect him to be on the team. The name change is only good if Kaepernick is the starter week 1 and not because of injury to Blaine. If he’s the starter week 1 I’ll keep the name until he’s no longer the starter.

              8. Baalke is done micromanaging the team like he did last season, because we saw the results. He cannot run roughshod over Kelly like he did to Tomsula.

                Kelly has insisted on a fair competition, and the fact that they are splitting reps means that he is keeping his word. Whereas Baalke is dreaming of cutting him on the team bus.

              9. Jack Hammer August 24, 2016 at 6:09 pm
                “I’ll change my name to Mister Pee Pee Pants”

                Dang! Now I’m going full on Seb and hoping like crazy for Kaepernick to start every game this season!

                You’ve already been full on Seb in your Gabbert pimping it shouldn’t be that hard of a transition. ;)

              10. Razoreater August 24, 2016 at 6:08 pm
                I’ll just call you Grouchy Pants, for short….

                Crotchety F***ing Curmudgeon

  2. Maybe not on the playing field, but as far as interviews go I see why Grants dad likes BG better than Kaep.

  3. I have no idea who the QB is going to be. I do believe Gabbert has had the team at his disposal since April and has not done one thing to separate himself from Kaep. I came away with the first two pre season games thinking to myself Gabbert needs more reps. I would venture to say that at the moment they are neck and neck for the starting job and Kaep has yet played in the pre season. If its a true competition Kaep starts Friday night and play a quarter and a half. Gabbert comes in and plays the remaining second quarter with the ones and the third quarter with the twos. Driskel comes in and plays the fourth. Leaving Ponder to ponder his longevity with the team.

    1. Whooo boy. No matter who starts, this is a topic that guarantees controversy and agita week after week.

      “Gabbert only completed passes to his checkdowns and TEs, only one to his WR! Put Kaep in!” “Yeah, but we won 17-10”.

      Or

      “Kaep missed Torrey wide open in the endzone and ended up scrambling for a 1 yard gain on 3rd and goal! Put Gabbert in!” “Yeah, but he threw for 250 yards and ran for another 65.”

      This s* is going to go on ALL f-ing season long. Manna from heaven for Grant.

  4. All this talk about why Gabbert hasn’t separated himself in this competition.
    The dead arm runner hasn’t played at all. Why would Kelly name a starter if one of them isn’t competing in the pre season? How can Gabbert seperate himself from an 11 million dollar dead armed qb? I gotta think that if that price tag isn’t that big he probably wouldn’t even be here, and he wouldn’t be playing for a starting role. That money has a lot to do with this “competition!” IMO

    I just hope whoever wins it, they can make this an offense that can at least average 21-28 points a game.

    1. +1. That contract has controlled and dictated a lot in this competition.
      CK gets his chance to show case himself starting this Friday. Can’t wait!

    2. Chip Kelly doesn’t care about what the QB’s are making. He is trying to find a QB he can win with, and if Gabbert had played better the first two games, he probably wouldn’t be letting this thing drag on. How many QB battles have you seen where one guy hasn’t played in 9 months, missed substantial time in practice and preseason games, but is still in the mix to start? The only reason there is still a QB competition is because Kelly isn’t satisfied with what he’s seen so far. He’s giving Kap a chance because he knows what he has in Gabbert and is hoping for more.

      1. He’s keeping this competition open because the other guy has not been given a chance to compete.
        Rocket stop pretending you know what Chips thought process is. You don’t think prior to OTA’s or camp Chip said to both guys you will have ample opportunity to prove you deserve to start? That’s what a competition is. Each guys gets equal reps, equal game reps and then an evaluation is made. That’s a fair deal. Making a decision now makes Chip look like a deceitful coach. Why do they have to make a decision now publicly?

        1. This isn’t a pickup Basketball game at the Y. It’s not about giving each guy a turn. It’s about finding a QB you feel you can win with and Kelly hasn’t seen it in Gabbert. Nobody would have blamed Kelly for shelving the QB competition once Kap started missing time. The only reason there still is a competition is because Kelly is hoping Kap shows more than Gabbert has.

        2. He’s keeping the competition open because Gabbert is a terrible QB. He didn’t take the job to coach Gabbert. He may not have taken the job to coach Kaep, but he sure as hell didn’t take it to coach Gabbert. The unknown of Kaepernick is obviously more interesting to Kelly than the known of Gabbert.

          1. There is one more reason to keep the competition open. (Note I am not saying this is why.) One player has been injured and the other has been getting the majority of the reps.
            What does this mean… even if the front runner is the healthy player why tell your week 1 opponent who they should prepare for so early? In effect one has been practicing as the starter already regardless of if he will be.
            If its the opposite, and Kaep takes the lead I still wouldn’t state who the starter is to the outside world until the last minute.

            What is the benefit?
            The Rams would have to prepare very differently depending on who the qb is.

            1. Shoup,

              This is exactly what myself and a few others have been saying all week about this topic. Shoot, the coaches said the same thing.

              Problem is, it doesn’t generate buzz and for those that dread Gabbert starting it’s another way to knock him.

              1. Considering that I feel like a lone voice (other than Razor) in defending Kaep from his detractors, maybe you should temper you comments.

                I do not dread Gabbert starting, but just consider Kaep superior. I hope both can do well, and if Kaep proves to still be injured, I will root for Gabbert.

                Considering how much everyone else is hammering Kaep, I feel that I am not knocking Gabbert while defending Kaep. I do not call Gabbert a one read wonder who is wildly inaccurate and has lost the locker room while being ostracized and smeared with leaks. I do bring out Gabbert’s tendency to throw short of the sticks, but since he did that even last game, I feel perfectly fine pointing that out.

              2. ” those that dread Gabbert starting it’s another way to knock him.”

                The rub for us fans is that they’re both dreadful.

              3. The only thing I disagree with you on is the basis for the competition continuing. There is no such thing as fair in this league, and the idea that Kelly would still be keeping the spot open because he told Kap he could compete for it, makes no sense to me. Kap didn’t practice all offseason and has missed a lot of TC practice time and the first two preseason games. Normally that would be enough for the parties involved to realize that there isn’t enough time to continue a competition. The only reason you keep it open is because you want more than you’ve seen from the guys who have played.

              4. Right now we don’t have any idea what Kelly is truly thinking. He could already have his mind made up and is just keeping it open because there’s no reason to tell anyone. It serves no purpose other than to shut up the media and fans, both of whom I don’t think he really cares about.

                We will get a good clue on his thought process come Friday night, especially if Kaepernick doesn’t start the game.

              5. Nobody knows what Kelly is thinking. This we can agree on. I don’t expect Kap to start on Friday, do you?

              6. If Kaepernick doesn’t start on Friday this whole discussion is completely moot because we will know who the starting QB is.

              7. Not necessarily. I don’t think it matters who starts if both get time with the starters. I fully expect Gabbert to start and play a couple of series, with Kap coming in after. Gabbert has at least earned that due to taking the majority of the snaps over the offseason and TC. It will come down to how well Kap plays imo. If he does well, I think Kelly lets it go another week. If he doesn’t, Gabbert is named the starter before the last preseason game.

            2. Shoup,
              There is no benefit. The real problem isn’t deciding who the starter will be. The real problem is that they are headed into week three of the preseason and the guy who has had every advantage to seize the starting QB spot hasn’t been able to. If you have two QB’s competing this late during the season it means that you don’t have a good, established QB.

              1. With the 9ers, it’s not so important who starts the season, but rather who starts the last 3-4 games.

                Neither of these QB’s inspires a whole lot of confidence.

            3. Shoup,

              That’s a good point, but the Rams are preparing more for the system than the QB. No matter who starts, they will be running the Kelly offense. Knowing who the starter is helps, but it doesn’t make a huge difference in preparation.

              1. I understand that they will prepare for the system… But the routes a D will want to take away will be different depending on the Qb.
                Kaep is less risk averse and is more likely to challenge on the out patterns. Defenses would want to take away the middle and out patterns and force him to throw short or patterns running along the sidelines.
                With gabbert the defense is more concened about slants, seam routes, and short quick hitters they would most likely want to hug up a bit more… And I would venture they would install more blitz packages.

      2. You really believe his contract has zero to do with it?
        Normally by now a qb would be named the starter. So yeah ck hasn’t played and that has something to do with it, but it’s late in the pre season and he hasn’t played. Normally there wouldn’t be an issue with who’s the starter but that contract is to hefty not to try out, and I’m betting that’s coming from the top.
        If CK doesn’t start Friday. Is that a measurement on how his contract is part of the issue?

        1. md,

          Yes I believe contracts have nothing to do with who will play. I agree with you that a starter is normally named by now which is why this is more about Gabbert and his underwhelming play than it is about Kap. The only reason Kap is still in the mix is because of Gabbert’s inability to win the job convincingly. Gabbert is still likely to be the starter, but it will be on a short leash imo.

        2. NinerMD,
          In classic York fashion, the team is being held hostage by the contract they were bragging about last year. Now they are in a position where they want to get something for their money after Kaepernick threw a wrench in their offseason plans. In classic York fashion, getting something for their money will expose the team to further financial commitments to Kaep if he is injured again. They should have paid some of his salary and traded him to Denver.

          1. I agree, they should have. But the Yorks harbor a level of greed that prohibits them from being penny wise and pound foolish.

  5. Kelly said from the start that he wasn’t going to name a starter until after the pre season games. Why is everyone so puzzled that he hasn’t named a starter with two pre season games to go?
    There is no reason for the team to hurry the process, it draws a lot of media attention and fan interest to a club that generates little excitement in the off season. Plus they have to polish Kaepernick as much as they can in case of outside interest. I’m sure they would take pretty much any offer for him, but there would be little interest if he was shuffled to the sideline early in camp.

    1. Exactly. Kelly is doing exactly what he said he would do. Almost every position on the team was open to competition from the beginning and qb was no different. Neither player is special and that is why it’s open competition but to make this a hopeful coronation of Kap is saying a lot.

      He hasn’t done anything in years and the last time he was on the field he looked atrocious. If you blame the team for his poor play then you ought to extend the same courtesy to BG.

      I personally think both QBs stink and this will limit team production. On the one hand you have a QB who can’t/won’t throw downfield and on the other you have one who can only throw in the middle and locks onto his targets. Neither one is particularly accurate either and makes throws that are difficult for the receivers to catch. One, in particular is putrid in the Red Zone and has a hard time with a short field.

      All this hope that we will see the second coming on Friday is wishful thinking. They both stink.

      1. O ye of little faith, do not lose hope. I said that the problems with the offense will require just competent O line play, so the fix will be easy. So far, even with Beadles and Tiller in at guards, the first string did score. Now that Davis and Garnett have been promoted, I see the O line being even more effective.

        It would be nice to have some better WRs, but since they plan to run the ball, and put up big numbers the last 2 games, the running game will make the passing game more effective. Niners ran for 184 yards last game, so with Hyde healthy, the Niners are poised to return to relevance.

        I think Kaep will do just fine. Now that Pears and Martin are benched, and Devey is long gone, Keap will have more than a nanosecond of protection.

        Chip is the key, and so far, he has done almost everything right. You say the QBs stink, but if Chip can make Vick, Foles, and the Butt fumbler decent, he should perform miracles with both Kaep AND Gabbert. He sure did it with that house painter. With 3 days studying a new playbook and 2 practices, Ponder struck for 2 TDs.

        So East, please be patient, and keep your chin up. Niners are looking good, and I will stick with my 10-6 prediction.

        I saw where one reporter asked about how Chip is putting players in position to succeed. I wonder where he saw that before….

        Putrid?, Hmm I wonder where you saw that word before…;p

        1. Personally I think that division also played a huge part in making those qb’s decent. Oh to face New York and Dallas’s defense twice per year.

        2. Ah, Seb. I know you are a big worshipper at the CK altar. I like the kid but see many flaws which cannot be overlooked. A good offensive line won’t fix these, I’m afraid. As they won’t for BG.

          The word putrid has its origins in ancient Latin meaning rotten, decaying. There is a similar word in Spanish. The English word is derived from the French word of the same origin. You aren’t implying that somehow you’ve been around for over 2 millennia. That night give everyone here you might have a God complex?

          1. East, I monitor this blog site, and look for word usage.

            Being verbose, I will claim the word putrid because I have used that word many times, and did not see it printed before I had used it. Lately, I have used it many times to describe the last O line.

            Its alright, you can use it all you want, but I am the incipient source on this blog site. ;p

            1. Your word choices aside doesn’t give proprietary rights over said verbiage. I could have chosen that the offense begins to molder upon reaching the red zone or that it withers on the vine. Or I may have chosen that it reeks of 5 day old fish.

              Instead I thought in Spanish as I often do and thought pudrido-and its closest English understanding.

              If you want believe that you are wellspring of knowledge on this blog, reported questions or offensive/defensive strategy that is your right. I knew a guy in Chile who thought he was a bus too. Harmless and everyone left him alone but no one paid him for a ride.

              1. East, I did not say you cannot use that word. I just asked where you saw it before.

                That is pretty harmless, and not meant as a slight to you. If you consider that, I apologize. I was just trying to be funny, and put my ;p after it.

              2. No worries Seb.

                Gotta take things a bit lighter though-c’mon man, word choice is now a thing?

                I guess throwing under the bus is out too?

                I am a fairly literate (or take your pick) illiterate man in two languages. I can also read a couple of others quite well though I can’t speak them.

                I would expect everyone here has seen putrid here before you used it. They’ve probably seen every word you’ve used that while not common in the vernacular they are not uncommon. It’s not like you are using words that are very uncommon. That kind of fanfaronade can lead one to see the dactylion once too often. ;-)

              3. Seb,

                I want to get in front of this with you, so I’m coming clean about my repeated use of the word “the” (LOL, I used it in this sentence, for Pete’s sake!).

                I fully and willingly admit that I learned of the word “the” in your voluminous writings. Not only did I learn of the word (look at me, I just can’t stop using the word. There I go again!) from your work, I have just plain stolen it from you. For this I am sorry. I will try to stop using the word “the”, going forward (man, this is going to be hard…).

              4. Ex, you have my permission to use- Bombastic belligerent bellicose bloviating bludgeoned blowhard in front of Prime’s name any time you want.

              5. Hey Ex,

                Just replace that word with “da”. Sure we’ll sound like Bears fans but that’s alright. ; )

            2. Anyone who has followed the Niners these last 2 years has no doubt seen all of the following modifiers used in print: dreadful, awful, appalling, horrendous, atrocious, abominable, deplorable, egregious, abhorrent, frightful, shocking, hideous, ghastly, grim, dire, unspeakable, gruesome, monstrous, sickening, heinous…

              With any luck, we can upgrade to these this season: ordinary, average, middling, middle-of-the-road, uninspired, undistinguished, indifferent, unexceptional, unexciting, unremarkable, run-of-the-mill, pedestrian, prosaic, lackluster….

              Roget for QB!

              1. I prefer- elite, unstoppable, stout, efficient, effective, energetic, focused, smart, crisp, unpredictable, inspiring, deceptive, exceptional, ominous, dangerous, fearsome, dominant and Niner Football.

              2. This little thread has been highly entertaining! Thanks guys for making me laugh. Needed it.

              3. East, just wait til Friday night. Sorry again for being snarky, and kudos for using Dactylion in a sentence. I learn something every day, and look forward to your posts.

              1. EastCoast

                Listen to enough of TomD and Seb going at it, and you’ll WANT to pay a cover charge!

          2. EastCoast, you should be ashamed of plagiarizing Seb, using a single common word that he has also used.

            1. However I will rip the media guy who mentioned how Chip wants to put players in positions to succeed. He should not rely on blog posts and come up with original material like Grant does.

              1. The bong hit of Gorilla Glue had me coughing my brains out, whereupon the fumes of putrescence filled my office, forming a smoke cloud that mingled and hung in the air….

          1. And sometimes the flesh decays on it’s own. In that case, the word for it would be…. Seb, help us out here.

    2. raphael

      I really like your post…those who are puzzled by coach not naming a starter are the same ones who secretly (or not so secretly) fancy themselves as Oracles of sort. Your reasoning is accurate in respect to Kaepernick and the polishing job they’re attempting to do on him to keep the interest on him for his marketability..I’ll bet that there are at least three outside team’s representatives at Friday’s game. You nailed it !

  6. I hope they flip a coin, and the winner starts. Then the winner starts as long he scores. With a punt or turnover, the other QB gets to play.

    This would make it truly competitive and be a huge incentive to score.

  7. Spam. Spam, Spamiddtity-Spam, spam, Spam, spa-spam! Spam! Spam! ASpam! Spam!
    Sa-spam-spam, spam, Spam!, SPAM, spam!spam! SPAMIDY-SPAM!

  8. Gabbert likely will start, but I expect Kap to get a fair share of the snaps throughout the season.
    Gabbert is a better passer than CK, but he’s shown inconsistency as much as Kap has. Both Blaine and more importantly, Kelly knows this.

    Kap is the better runner, but his pocket liabilities have been his curse.

    These two QB’s are class B or 2nd tier (that’s generous) NFL quarterbacks at best. They would be backup QB’s on 80% of the teams in the league with a window of opportunity quickly closing on them.
    They are not the long term answer and are only here to hold the fort until Kelly has the autonomy next season to draft his future QB.

    If Gabbert can provide consistency along with the ability to use his athleticism to make the occasional run he will get the lions share of snaps. But if he falters CK will get his chance.
    I never liked the idea of having two QB’s share snaps in a season, but I don’t believe that either BG or CK will do anything to clearly separate themselves as the hands-on favorite.

    1. I agree. Unless Colin comes out and shreds it up, looks decisive and accurate I don’t think his legs will carry him to start.

    2. AES

      I keep hearing “Kap is the better runner…” I say ‘says who?’ Yes, Gabbert is the better more accurate passer, but all Kap has been running for seems to be the chow line for the last year and more. From what I’ve seen, both of them are equally good runners, and Blaine is two years younger.

      I agree that neither of them is likely to do anything to separate ….

      1. Says who? The record books. Kaep ran for 181 in the playoffs. Gabbert has never even sniffed the playoffs.

        I will declare that Kaep is the better runner. Kaep put his foot on the half yard line, then sprinted up field and out ran the DBs for a TD. Gabbert beat the safety for a 44 yard run, but did not beat the whole defense.

            1. Razor

              My statement was “a better runner” that’s for TODAY not history. Line ’em up and let them run….

        1. Speaking of record books. Kaepernick was drafted into a 13-3 team. Now tell the board the record of the team that drafted Gabbert? Maybe that explains who had a nose for the playoffs?

          1. Actually Kaepernick was drafted onto a 6-10 team. They didn’t go 13-3 until he was already on the roster.

            1. You are right, Jack. And Gabbert was drafted into a 8-8 team. Well, that settles it. Kaep all the way.

        2. Didn’t Gabbert have 4 of the top 5 field times for QBs last year in half season of play? Only Mariota cracked the shutout. Blaine’s YPC higher than Kap, Wilson, Newton, etc. last season. He just doesn’t run a lot because it’s not the best way to succeed at the position.

        3. And they both may be faster than Montana–which shows you how important straight-line speed is for a QB.

          I would take Bernie Kosar over both of these slugs, one of the most accurate, savvy QB’s of his time.

          1. The receivers have to beat the corners and the last game against Capers, he did stack the box. I remember Kaepernick hit a 47 yard strike to Smith, and then the next one in the end zone got batted down. The next play on 4th and 2, Neal came in unblocked and crushed his shoulder to end the series….

  9. Baalke gets ripped for not drafting a QB. In his first draft, 2010 he built up the oline with Iupati and Davis. In 2011 he drafted what was to be the QB of the future in Kaepernick.

    Kaepernick then led the team to a SB and NFCCG. They clearly thought 2014 was a blip on the radar and that he would turn it around in 2015, but that didn’t happen.

    Going into this draft the worst position group on the team was the offensive line and DLine wasn’t far behind.

    Without a good line an offense is nonfunctional. This the drafting of Garnett and getting Davis out of retirement was a bonus.

    In short, there were other positions to fill first. You don’t want a young QB getting killed. Depending on how the team performs this season I can easily see Baalke going QB in one of the first three rounds next season.

    1. Baalke gets ripped because he hasn’t invested in the position and now he has two average QB’s. He hasn’t shown the ability to identify offensive skill talent. Everybody knows that he can draft lineman. I’m pretty sure Derek Carr would have been a better pick than Jimmy Ward.

      1. They didn’t need a QB in the 2014 draft. They already had a guy who they’d just gone to a SB and NFCCG in back to back seasons.

        1. Yet he was already on the hot seat because Harbaugh was. Kaepernick was Harbaugh’s choice at QB. From the moment they fired Harbaugh they had one foot out of the door with him. Baalke is content with Gabbert because he doesn’t place the proper value on QB’s. Fans were having this conversation a couple of years ago and now the team has one of the worst QB situations in the NFL. I hope Baalke is fired before the time comes to use a high draft pick on a QB, and that time will come.

          1. “From the moment they fired Harbaugh they had one foot out of the door with him.”

            That’s a bunch of horse poop if I ever saw it.

              1. Jack,
                You have to read something to comprehend it, unless it’s a picture. You said, “That’s a bunch of horse poop if I ever saw it.” You said that after reading and comprehending my comment. Are you still running your blog? Were you able to monetize your expert analysis? I wish you well in your prospective career.

              2. No. I don’t have the time or energy to invest in it. Working through too many other things in life at this time. Thanks for asking though.

              3. Not that it matters much but the analogy still is valid and holds true. You don’t read horse poop to surmise it’s horse poop, you see/smell it. Jack used horse poop to describe the statement you made not what he saw (which in this case was said excrement of the equine). Carry on…

          2. In the 2017 NFL Draft, the 49ers GM should select Garrett (QB Killer)with their 1st round selection, and Falk (CB Killer) with their 2nd round selection….

            1. If Faulk plays as well as I think he will, he may not be there in round 2 Razor. May take a trade up into the bottom of the first again.

              1. I would advise doing what it takes to make that move, because he’s better than the first two quarterbacks selected in the 2016 NFL draft….

              2. It’s possible, but I’m wondering why you are high on Falk when you were so down on Goff? They are practically carbon copies of one another. Same size, Goff is actually heavier, similar offenses, similar teams and competition. What is it you like about Falk that you didn’t about Goff?

              3. Goff has accuracy consistency issues, I questioned his ability to throw under pressure, plus his losing record.(I think Goff has the dubious honor of having the worst college win/loss record of any quarterback taken number one) I didn’t have confidence in his sideline throws, quick seam passes, and some of his quick hitter type of passes due to his velocity. I have fewer questions regarding Falk, one being the way he lofts the ball a little too much on deep throws. Leach utilizes more intermediate routes than the other spread offenses. So WR screens, and read options are not stapes in his offense, which gives Falk the opportunity to throw over the middle, or along the sideline downfield more. I like his feet and his pocket awareness. When he scans the field in the pocket, his eyes and feet are connected, which should bode well in the NFL. His back shoulder throws are fantastic too. Falk in his freshman year, completed 64 percent of his throws for 1,859 yards, with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions. In 2015, he improved to 69 percent of his throws for 4,561 yards, with 38 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

              4. I appreciate the detail you went into but many of things you’ve said here aren’t really accurate. Accuracy, especially deep ball accuracy, was one of the best traits Goff had and why Cosell said he was a better passer than either of the QB’s taken last year.

                Leach’s offense actually features more short routes than Dyke’s does. That’s why Goff’s YPA was almost 2 yards more than Falk’s last season. Goff threw down the field a lot more than Falk did.

                As far as footwork and pocket awareness, again that was one of the things scouts liked best about Goff. His ability to slide in the pocket, keep his eyes down field and deliver an accurate throw, was one of the best attributes about him.

                I’m not pointing this stuff out to knock Falk. I like him as a prospect, but he’s very similar to Goff in almost ever facet, and actually weighs less than Goff which was something you really fixated on.

                Falk should improve this season, but he’s the same age as Goff and many of things you listed in this post, Goff at least last season, did better.

              5. Rocket, Cosell and all the rest have thus far been wrong about Goff. They all said he had all the tools to start day one. I was one of only a handful to warn against drafting him until the second round. Time will tell if I’m correct, but I think Falk is a much better prospect for the NFL, especially in the bottom of the first or second round….

              6. I don’t recall many saying he should start from day one Razor. Whether he could or not is one thing, but personally, I felt he needed to sit for at least half the season. In saying that, Goff hasn’t played badly the first two games. He has thrown a pick while being hit and fumbled after being hit, but other than that he’s thrown the ball pretty well and hasn’t looked overwhelmed out there. The main reason he won’t start is because Keenum has actually been playing really well.

                Time will tell if I’m correct, but I think Falk is a much better prospect for the NFL, especially in the bottom of the first or second round….

                Getting him in the bottom of the first or in the second is better value for sure, but I still don’t get how you come to the conclusion that Falk is a much better prospect, when they are so similar.

              7. Rocket, Goff is the third string quarterback, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/jared-goff-reportedly-isnt-even-the-no-2-quarterback-on-rams-depth-chart/

                I don’t recall one NFL analyst on the Goff bandwagon, and it was full to capacity, that boarded with idea of him starting the season as the 2nd string quarterback, let alone the 3rd string. Goff against the best college defenses struggled mightily, and now that he’s facing NFL defenses, it has only gotten worse. I don’t know how you and the experts failed to see that….

              8. I’m a big Falk fan, but I kind of agree with rocket here, razor. They both played in fairly similar offenses. And Falk’s high completion % is inflated by having a lot of easy short throws.

                Falk I believe will be great value in the 2nd round, but in line with rocket, I think he’ll move up following this coming season and be a first round pick.

                Rocket, if I was razor, the point I’d be making about why I like Falk over Goff comes down to Falk’s composure in big moments, and his ability to win big games. I don’t mean to suggest he’s as good or going to be as good, but he has a lot of traits that remind me of Brady.

              9. I haven’t read anywhere else that Goff is 3rd string, but it doesn’t really matter anyway. In this article you posted it clearly says the following:

                Two coaches admitted Goff’s talent is obvious and he will eventually be the starter.

                He’s learning how to call a play and take snaps from under center while also learning a new offense. Where he is on the depth chart while learning is irrelevant. He will be the starter before the year is out unless Keenum plays great and the Rams are winning.

                I don’t recall one NFL analyst on the Goff bandwagon, and it was full to capacity, that boarded with idea of him starting the season as the 2nd string quarterback, let alone the 3rd string. Goff against the best college defenses struggled mightily, and now that he’s facing NFL defenses, it has only gotten worse. I don’t know how you and the experts failed to see that….

                What is there to see? He’s played in two preseason games and has actually done ok. He struggled in two games last season. He was also on a team that was woefully outclassed most of the time in regards to overall talent. He hasn’t struggled much in the two preseason games. He’s 12-21 for 120 yards with 1TD and 1Int. If there’s one area you can point to as far as needing to improve, it’s recognizing the delayed blitz. It’s gotten him a couple of times, but overall he really hasn’t played that badly and should have a better completion percentage due to a few drops.

                I’m pretty sure I read a few scouting reports that suggested he should start on the bench, but either way, I personally felt that because of the fact he would have so much to learn besides a new offensive system. Luke Falk will face the exact same issues whenever he goes pro.

              10. “A few” Ha! Yea, there weren’t very many. How many number one overall picks have started on the bench? Just out of curiosity? I certainly would bet my bottom dollar, it wasn’t to the likes of Case Keenum….

              11. Scooter,

                Your point about composure is fair, but Falk hasn’t played in many big games never mind won them. The UCLA game last year was a good one though. He showed a lot of toughness in that one.

                My main point of contention with Razor was his inconsistency in regards to Falk vs. Goff. As mentioned they are similar players, with Goff grading out better in most physical aspects like arm strength and size. If you thought Goff was skinny, Falk is a piece of plywood. I like Falk a lot, but to praise him and knock Goff is really tough to comprehend.

              12. Razor,

                Most don’t start on the bench, although some should have. You are also missing the fact that Goff probably would be in line to start if Keenum wasn’t playing well. As I’ve already pointed out, Goff hasn’t played that bad in the preseason games.

              13. Scooter, when Goff is about to get hit, he flinches and throws off his back foot which causes his inaccuracy. Falk stands in and delivers the ball. I agree with you Scooter about composure in Falk, and I too am reminded of Montana, not Brady. To each his own, and I did not know you were a Falk fan, Scooter. I though you liked the dude from Miami. Glad we agree on that, at least….

              14. “He was also on a team that was woefully outclassed most of the time in regards to overall talent.”

                This comment gets bandied around a lot, but Goff had a lot of guys around him on offense that are right in the thick of competing for roster spots on NFL teams this preseason. If they were so bad a supporting cast, how is this the case?

              15. I think what’s tough to comprehend when all is said and done, is Goff will go down as the biggest bust since RG3….

              16. As for Keenum, he actually played pretty well once he took over last year. They won three of his 4 starts to end the season and were in position to win the 4th one against the Niners. So far in the preseason, he’s 10-12 with a TD. The guy has earned the shot to start.

              17. Yeah, I’ve been mentioning Falk for a long time.

                I prefer Kaaya, but I think Kaaya will be the #1 overall pick if he declares.

              18. Scooter,

                This comment gets bandied around a lot, but Goff had a lot of guys around him on offense that are right in the thick of competing for roster spots on NFL teams this preseason. If they were so bad a supporting cast, how is this the case?

                A top QB makes the receivers look good. There’s a lot of WR’s out there Scooter and Cal had some decent talent at the position, but overall there was no comparison to many of the teams they played. The Oline especially was terrible and the defense was poor too. Goff was the offense.

              19. I think what’s tough to comprehend when all is said and done, is Goff will go down as the biggest bust since RG3….

                Only time will tell but your way of reaching this conclusion is severely flawed.

              20. Goff was throwing to Lawler, Davis, Treggs and Anderson. Two of them were drafted, and the other two were priority UDFa pick-ups.

                How many other college teams boasted that much talent at the receiver position last season?

              21. when Goff is about to get hit, he flinches and throws off his back foot which causes his inaccuracy. Falk stands in and delivers the ball.

                Watch Matt Waldman’s breakdown of Goff if you get a chance. Goff is very good in the pocket under pressure and his accuracy down field is excellent. Have you really watched much of him Razor because some of the things you said above along with this comment really aren’t accurate. One video of him doing this doesn’t mean it’s a habit.

              22. I’m not sure Kaaya will have the type of season to make him number one, but we’ll see. I never in my wildest dreams would have thought Goff would go number one, let alone for the price. I would not draft Kaaya over Watson. What do you think of the Tennessee quarterback? Personally, I like him better than Kaaya….

              23. Goff was throwing to Lawler, Davis, Treggs and Anderson. Two of them were drafted, and the other two were priority UDFa pick-ups.
                How many other college teams boasted that much talent at the receiver position last season?

                I would say quite a few. Two 3rd day picks and a couple of UDFA’s isn’t exactly a bevy of NFL quality. We’ll see how they make out.

              24. Apparently I’ve watched enough film of Goff to know better than to draft him first overall, let alone for the price tag. That makes the way I got to my conclusion anything but flawed, and yourself, the experts, Waldman and Mr. Snead’s way of getting there erroneous….

              25. “I would say quite a few. Two 3rd day picks and a couple of UDFA’s isn’t exactly a bevy of NFL quality. We’ll see how they make out.”

                Really? You think quite a few teams have the luxury of having four receivers playing together at the same time that all go on to compete for roster spots on an NFL team? I imagine there are a few, but not many.

                There were 34 WRs drafted this year. Two from the Bears. How many college teams are there playing in the FBS?

                It doesn’t matter if these guys go on to be good pros or not. That they are being given a shot in the NFL speaks volumes about these guys being better than your average college player.

                Goff had talent around him on offense. Its a false narrative he didn’t.

              26. No apology necessary, my friend. The only thing that’s going to change my mind regarding Goff, is Goff. Let’s see if he can get on the field and prove me wrong. Until then, let’s raise are glasses high to the success of Colin Kaepernick against little Dommy Capers Packer defense!

              27. Really? You think quite a few teams have the luxury of having four receivers playing together at the same time that all go on to compete for roster spots on an NFL team? I imagine there are a few, but not many.

                When I have some time I’ll take a look.

                There were 34 WRs drafted this year. Two from the Bears. How many college teams are there playing in the FBS?

                It’s not just drafted players we are talking about here Scooter. Many teams have sophomores and Juniors who are better than the guys drafted. Bama had a Freshman last year in Ridley who was one of the best WR’s in the country.

                It doesn’t matter if these guys go on to be good pros or not. That they are being given a shot in the NFL speaks volumes about these guys being better than your average college player.

                A lot of players we have never heard of are getting a shot Scooter. It doesn’t mean they are NFL level players.

                Goff had talent around him on offense. Its a false narrative he didn’t.

                I said he had decent talent at WR. What he didn’t have was comparable overall talent around him compared to many of the teams he faced, which is a big factor when comes to winning and losing. He played behind a terrible offensive line, didn’t have a great running game to support him and a defense that gave up a ton of points. He helped rebuild the Cal program which was in the toilet when he arrived.

              28. Thanks Razor. I’m working on my diplomacy, but there will be setbacks now and then ;)

                I really hope Kap plays well tomorrow. Would be great to have an offense that can put teams on their heels.

        2. Jack Hammer August 25, 2016 at 9:36 am
          They didn’t need a QB in the 2014 draft.
          —————
          I’d agree if you said they didn’t need to use a first round pick on a QB in 2014. There was already much debate about Kaepernick regressing and questions about whether or not he could develop into a pocket QB. Using a high draft pick on a QB that season wouldn’t have been out of line and given where we’re at it wouldn’t have been a bad idea either.

          1. Coffee,

            Had the 49ers taken Carr instead of Ward they would have used a 1st round pick on a QB. So thanks for basically agreeing with me anyway. ; )

            1. Not sure how a presumptions if/then situation turns into me agreeing with you on this subject but go ahead and run with that if it works for you.

              1. “I’d agree if you said they didn’t need to use a first round pick on a QB in 2014.”

                My comment which you quoted was directly about another commenter suggesting the 49ers should have used their 1st round pick on a QB.

                And my point was that wasn’t necessary. I’ll try to be more succinct next time. ; )

              2. presumptions? presumptuous?

                Those words belong to Seb! Did you ask permission to use them?

          2. Yeah, I remember Scooter and I were on the draft Bridgewater with the late first bandwagon. The fact Carr dropped to the second round with the ridiculous numbers he put up is another head scratcher.

        3. Good, consistently successful teams draft QBs even if they have or think they have one. In recent years the Pats have drafted Garoppolo and Brissett in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, respectively. The Packers drafted Hundley high. People need to stop making excuses for Baalke being a bad GM. He’s had the most picks in the last 5 years and done basically squadoosh with them.

          1. Both teams you just mentioned have QB’s further along in their careers.

            And you named 2 out of 32 teams. It’s not a strategy employed by many.

            1. 1. Both those QBs will be starting for their respective teams well after the 49ers kick Kap to the curb.

              2. I’m not going through the whole yorking league, just to make a simple point, that someone with as much football acumen as yourself should easily understand.

              1. Perhaps. But the QB’s on both of those teams are getting a bit longer in da (ex, figured out how to circumvent that word) tooth which makes drafting someone to groom understandable. And if you can only get 2 teams off the top of your head it shows that the use of that strategy is not widely thought to be a best practice.

  10. Pocket passers are few and far between coming out of college anymore. The hiring of Kelly makes that less of an issue….

  11. I’m so bad at doing internet searches. Can someone please help me find the recent comments from Cosell regarding Prescott. I only caught the headline as I meant to go back later but now can’t find it. Anyway it sounded like he was throwing a little water on the Prescott fire pointing out how none of his passes have come from under center. Would like to hear/read the rest of it if someone can find it for me.

    TIA.

    1. Coffee,
      He’s on the Ross Tucker Football podcast once a week, usually on Wednesdays. He was on on the 19th and should be on again today or tomorrow if you’re interested. Cosell and Andrew Brandt are always a good listen.

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