Blaine Gabbert didn’t have the ideal NFL debut that his Sunday opposition had two weeks ago. While Cam Newton threw for over 400 yards in his first game in the league, Gabbert couldn’t reach 140. Gabbert himself has a long way to go before becoming a starting-caliber quarterback, but his struggles in Week 3 weren’t entirely his fault.
Besides Maurice Jones-Drew, Marcedes Lewis is the biggest weapon on the Jaguars' offense. So far this year, Lewis has just four catches for 43 yards in the two games he’s played in. Lewis has never had a single season in which he had over 518 yards and two touchdowns in his career before 2010, so there’s good chance that he’s a one-year wonder.
After Mike Sims-Walker’s departure in free agency, Mike Thomas is the only respectable Jacksonville receiver remaining. Thomas isn’t talented enough to be a No. 1 wide receiver. At 5’8”, he’s also limited by his height, but he’s talented enough to start alongside a big receiver.
Jags fans already have their eyes on Justin Blackmon and Alshon Jeffery. Out of Oklahoma State, the 6’1”, 215-pound Blackmon is a reception machine. He recorded 111 catches for 1,782 yards and 20 touchdowns last season and has the potential to be a Terrell Owens-like playmaker.
When talking of potential, South Carolina's Jeffrey is the definition. At 6’4”, 229 pounds, no cornerback is going to be able to match up with the massive wide out one-on-one. He or Blackmon would be an ideal complement to the speedy Thomas.
Going wide receiver in Rounds 1 and 2 definitely isn’t out of the question, either. Jacksonville has been known to select the same position in back-to-back rounds as they did in 2008 with defensive ends, 2009 with offensive tackles and 2010 with defensive tackles. Jason Hill is starting right now—Jason who?
There are plenty of second-round caliber wide outs that could get playing time as the Jags’ No. 3 in a year. Ryan Broyles, Jeff Fuller and Greg Childs are all realistic options. A year of experience under Gabbert’s belt, Rashad Jennings returning to backup MJD and the selection of two explosive wide outs would take Jacksonville’s offense to another level in 2012.
Jack Del Rio, or whoever ends up being the team’s head coach next season, must learn a lesson from the mistakes of their division rival Tennessee Titans. Vince Young had all the physical talent in the world, but as a developing passer, it’s difficult to throw to talent such as Drew Bennett, Justin McCareins, Roydell Williams, Brandon Jones, Justin Gage and Ben Troupe while at the same time trying to learn a brand new offense. He was set up to fail from the get go.
Gabbert went 12-of-21 for 139 yards through the air, along with a touchdown, interception and three fumbles. It may be unfair to judge him after his first game, but Gabbert looks like he’ll need time to adjust to the pro game. Giving him scrubs to throw the football to definitely won’t ease his transition; loading the offense with weapons, though, will help fulfill his potential.
David Daniels is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow him on Twitter.
Kevin Russo Curtis Granderson Nick Johnson Javier Lopez Alex Hinshaw Ramon Ramirez
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