Upgrade At Backup QB Is Not “Necessary”
April 11th, 2021
Bucs QB Blaine Gabbert.
This just stuck in Joe’s craw — not “craw” — CRAW!
Joe was reading a piece typed by Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report breaking down areas in dire need of an upgrade for each NFL team.
Knox types, each NFL team “has at least one weakness that could quickly derail a playoff run in 2021.”
With the Bucs, you really have to search for a weakness, since the Super Bowl champions return 22 starters. Knox thinks he found one: backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who remains an unsigned free agent as Joe is typing this here post.
Knox writes of the Bucs:
Adding a backup quarterback will be necessary, and Tampa will ideally find one with a higher upside than Gabbert or Griffin. Targeting one in the draft could be part of the game plan.
So let Joe get this straight: If the Bucs don’t upgrade from Gabbert, it will doom the team in 2021? You fool, the Bucs just won a Super Bowl not quite three months ago with that same quarterback as the primary backup. What the hell were you watching that night, “Guy’s Grocery Games?”
The notion that a team will fully crumble without a decent backup quarterback is laughable to Joe. This turns into a total knee-slapper when the team Knox claims can’t go forward in the playoffs with Gabbert as a backup signal-caller just won the friggin’ Super Bowl with him as the second-string quarterback!
Wake the hell up!
Reading that passage from Knox, Joe immediately thought of the famous swearing-in scene in “Disorder in the Court,” when Curly Howard asked the bailiff, “Are you trying to give me the double-talk?”
April 11th, 2021 at 12:45 am
not in the first 3 rounds…
April 11th, 2021 at 12:59 am
Goobert and Griff will not get opportunities to start elsewhere. One or both will be back. Right now they are probably only being offered vet minimum and want a little more.
April 11th, 2021 at 1:18 am
Well written Joe.
April 11th, 2021 at 1:27 am
Not really confident in Gabbert if Brady goes down for any amount of time.
April 11th, 2021 at 1:35 am
When Gabbert came in because we were up by a wide margin vs Atl, he looked just fine throwing a TD. You all act like he is worse than a rookie who does not even know the offense. Laughable. Just saying.
April 11th, 2021 at 1:36 am
bojim Says:
April 11th, 2021 at 1:27 am
Not really confident in Gabbert if Brady goes down for any amount of time.
I feel exactly the same way
this team needs better but not in the 1st round of the draft
April 11th, 2021 at 1:43 am
But, but, but…Just a few days ago DoooshLaRue said “ Gabbert sucks… I mean totally sucks.”, and Oneilbuc said “ Blain Gabbert is trash I rather a rookie because all of them are better than him LOL 😆 😂!!”. Who am I supposed to believe, Bruce Arians (a Super Bowl winning coach) and Jason Licht (a Super Bowl winning GM), or DooshLaRue and Oneilbuc? 🤔
April 11th, 2021 at 2:10 am
The biggest risk the Bucs have is injury–Tom especially; if Bridgewater is cut…
April 11th, 2021 at 2:11 am
If Gabbert was the QB for the Bucs, they’d go 4-13 next year.
QB is the most important position in all of sports, having a garbage backup means your starter better stay healthy or your season is over.
But hey, lose Brady for the year, the season is over. But lose Brady for 6 weeks, you need someone who isn’t going to go 1-5 in that span, and Gabbert is a 1-5 type of guy.
With a tight cap your options are limited, but upgrading the backup, if at all possible, should be on the board.
April 11th, 2021 at 2:44 am
I think it was Detroit Blaine came in against (not to split hairs) point still valid.
I’d like to see us draft a developmental QB in the 3rd or 4th to sit and learn behind Tom btw. We can go BPA (Best Player Available) rounds 1-3
Go Bucs!!!
April 11th, 2021 at 2:53 am
Ideal Draft: [If board fell Bucs Way and we made no trades]
1- Edge/DL (DT/DE)
2- DB (S/CB)
3- OL (T/C)
4- QB [Brady Apprentice]
5- LB [Depth and Special teams ace]
6- RB/KR
7- WR/KR
————
In THIS order… I’d like to hear you’re feedback AND you guys’ order different
GO BUCS!!!
April 11th, 2021 at 4:16 am
Love the Get Smart reference with the Craw. Was just watching a clip from the show yesterday. Don Adams was so good. And Barbara Feldon…ah…
April 11th, 2021 at 6:01 am
Many things can be said about Gabbert, but giving the Bucs fans confidence that the Bucs could realistically compete is not one of them. So if they can somehow upgrade so be it. “Just Win Baby”
GO BUCS!!!!
April 11th, 2021 at 6:05 am
This argument eludes me.
Joe calls Knox a fool for suggesting the Bucs need a better backup because the Bucs won the Super Bowl with Gabbert as the primary backup.
Huh? What role did Gabbert play in the victory?
Unless I’m mistaken, a backup who never plays is the same as if anyone who posts on this site were the Bucs backup—a non-entity!
When the defense is on the field and Brady seeks an opinion as he scrolls through his iPad, I think any of us could sit there and say, “Sounds good to me, Tom.”
“What the hell were you watching that night, “Guy’s Grocery Games?”’
No Joe. We were watching the same game as you. The Bucs winning the Super Bowl with no visible input from any backup quarterback.
Of course I’ll take all this back and apologize if Joe thinks Gabbert is the best possible backup option to Brady and the Bucs would be fools to seek a better second team quarterback in the event Brady goes down.
April 11th, 2021 at 6:08 am
Rod … “If Gabbert was the QB for the Bucs, they’d go 4-13 next year.”
Kinda drastic there Rod. No question in my mind that QB is the most important position on the team, and that we’re blessed to have Tom Brady in that position right now, BUT … don’t forget the superb TEAM that he has around him. Great teams have a tendency to rally ’round & pull together very tightly when they lose someone like that during the season IMO, and this Bucs’ TEAM has too many high quality players on it to just roll over, play dead and go 4-13.
Besides, I seem to remember the 2000 Ravens winning the Super Bowl with 2 QBs named Tony Banks (5-3) and Trent Dilfer (7-1). Obviously having the #1 defense didn’t hurt, but those 2 QBs together managed to lead that Ravens’ offense to a #14 ranking. Banks completed only 54.7% of his passes (8 TDs vs 8 INTs in 8 games) while Dilfer only completed 59.3% of his passes (12 TDs vs 11 INTs in his 8 games).
Other teams throughout NFL history have had comparable seasons. You never know until the fat lady sings. Blaine Gabbert BTW sports a 56.2% completion rate in 48 games started. Pretty much in the ballpark of Banks & Dilfer except that during his career, Gabbert hasn’t had the high quality TEAM surrounding him in his starts that those two did in 2000.
April 11th, 2021 at 6:24 am
BucAllNight … Like the way you started off, but picks 4-7 were pretty much throw-aways IMO. I think the Bucs need to go heavier on defense because we’ll have the heaviest losses on that side of the ball over the next couple of years.
1 – DLine (DE/DT/OLB)
2 – DB (CB/S)
3 – LB (inside)
4 – DLine (DT/DE/OLB)
5 – OL (C/T)
6 – KR (RB-WR
7 – TE (emphasis on blocking skills)
First 4 rounds are usually where you find the ‘keepers’ IMO BucAllNight (look at our Bucs). The 5-7 picks rarely seem to make it past the first 4 years & tend to be more ‘one-trick-ponies’ I think, although a few do seem to develop into quality backups over time & a few even become quality starters. But the odds certainly aren’t in their favor.
April 11th, 2021 at 6:37 am
gabbert is the guy…go figure, but he is…
he treads water as a .500 qb if brady goes down for a bit…
it is what it is…
with brady we are like 13-4 or 14-3…(full season projection)
with gabbert we are 9-8 or 8-9…(full season projection)
so do the math…
if brady is injured for a few games, we prolly survive with gabbert and get in the playoffs…
if brady goes down for extended time the season is in the toilet bowl…
double flush style and lysol down the room
April 11th, 2021 at 6:38 am
you saw what he gave you in detroit last season………detroit
April 11th, 2021 at 6:42 am
maybe if brady decided to play until he’s like 50 you switch things up with a bridgewater type guy…
have tom play like a dozen games, stay as fresh as can be…
and let a bridgewater type be the team point guard for around 5-6 games of the reg season…
then with full understanding, he must sit on the bench come playoff time – with brady back as the full time starter for the playoff run…
sounds as odd and unconventional as a huge briefcase at denny to pay for a situation like this…
#GrandSlamsForAyeLifetime
some mofos will do anything for a denny’s grand slam breakfast 🙂
April 11th, 2021 at 7:07 am
Not to get too far off subject but when was the last time a developmental QB did anything in this league. Jimmy G ? Maybe if u want to count that but it was for another team. Those days are gone IMO. Brady likes the QB room the way it is. Don’t screw it up. Gabbert plays an important part. I know u guys have to see Brady talking to him during games about plays and what they are seeing out there.
April 11th, 2021 at 7:08 am
Knox is trying to think but nothing’s happening!
April 11th, 2021 at 7:19 am
@ Joe – classic “Get Smart” clip! Well done.
April 11th, 2021 at 7:20 am
A strong backup QB is a smart luxury moves that a team like us can afford. If Brady gets hurt I have zero confidence in anyone of the guys we had last year. I think it would be beneficial to take a rookie and maybe a decent vet outside of Gabbert or Griffin
April 11th, 2021 at 7:32 am
If Bridgewater gets cut, he pockets his $10M guarantee and won’t need money–like Lenny last year…
April 11th, 2021 at 7:43 am
the perfect guy woulda, coulda been fitzie…
oh well
April 11th, 2021 at 7:48 am
thanks to my wife, we went to the SB this year. While watching Brady and Gabbert warm up, it was clearly evident to me that Gabbert has a freaking rifle for an arm. Not that that alone makes him a capable replacement for TB, but it was really impressive – it jumped out at me. Like a freaking bullet.
April 11th, 2021 at 8:02 am
Joe, please find a better picture of our QB2…drop the zombie shot, OK?
April 11th, 2021 at 8:02 am
1) Anyone who has heard what Licht and Arians has had to say about Gabbert believes we’re going after a back-up QB.
2) Gabbert isn’t choosing to go anywhere. He’s not gonna get a chance to start and he’s sitting behind one of the oldest non-scrambling QBs in the league.
April 11th, 2021 at 8:13 am
I keep hearing, what if Brady gets hurt. Same as every other team in the NFL . I don’t wanna hear but he’s 43 going on 44. People have been saying that for 10 years. Fact is a QB can go down at any time. Whether they be young (Burrow) or old (Alex Smith) .Fortunately Brady is the most durable QB in the game. The team obviously has great chemistry and camaraderie. That includes the QB room. Call me superstitious. I’m not changing anything unless they have to.
April 11th, 2021 at 8:15 am
The true idiots are the ones that think re-signGabbert isn’t a big priority. He is far from great but he is very good for a backup AND he knows the offense better than any QB in the NFL. We have no backup QB. It’s kind of hard to repeat as champs when OTAs start the week after the draft and we have no healthy QBs on the roster to run the offense.
WHAT IF Brady were to go down with an injury for four games? A competent backup could easily guide the team to 3-1 or 2-2 during that stretch. A crappy QB might go 1-3 or 0-4. You don’t think these results have an impact on postseason seedings? It could be the difference between a first round bye and missing the playoffs.
April 11th, 2021 at 8:17 am
@Kentucky Buc, while I agree with your point, which I interpreted to be the chances of us drafting a backup QB who might make an impact if needed, would be slim to none. I will point out the both Russel Wilson and Dak Prescott were picked in the later rounds, so it can happen. But the odds of finding one? I cannot imagine.
In support of your point, since other NFL teams give up the farm to move up to the top 3 or 4 draft spots to improve the chances of getting a franchise QB and it is STILL 50-50 that high in the draft, then the Bucs chances of finding a “gem” QB at #32 are ridiculously low. So finding one in the 3rd RD (like Wilson) – where the Bucs drafted Godwin, Alex Cappa, Mike Edwards and Jamal Dean or the 4th RD (Prescott) – where the Bucs drafted Whitehead and Gholston is a waste of a draft choice that can provide potential talent and depth
April 11th, 2021 at 8:20 am
It simply stands to reason that if any starting QB goes down the better the backup is, the better the chance of winning.
April 11th, 2021 at 8:29 am
Any QB who knows the playbook could have some degree of success behind this OL and with these weapons. No doubt there is a plan in place to bring at least one of our backups back this season.
April 11th, 2021 at 8:50 am
Tannelhill was a consensus crappy qb until he played for a good team. Has Gabbert ever been on a good team?
April 11th, 2021 at 8:50 am
A young QB has a rare chance now to train behind Brady that in it’s self is invaluable. To find one later in the draft or on someone’s practice squad is just being smart. There is a lot of talent the key is to look for the talent that can develop into something special and not limit yourself to always trying to find something fresh in the draft but maybe one that is overlooked or not being utilized by his team. This is our advantage to prepare for the future by having players who can become something special while developing in a winning environment.
April 11th, 2021 at 8:51 am
@Senor Harry. I agree with both your points. One of the main reasons the QB slot is a crapshoot in the NFL is the difference in defense. Guys aren’t running wide open by 3-5 yards in the NFL. Some adjust to it, most don’t . You also don’t get 5 seconds to throw the ball.
April 11th, 2021 at 9:01 am
I will ask again. Name a developmental QB who did anything in the league lately. Brady doesn’t have time to take a guy under his wing. You can learn some by watching up to a point. This sit behind Brady for 2 years and learn narrative is out dated. It doesn’t happen any more. It was common place at one time. That time is past. I like the vet back up like the Chiefs, Bucs, have.
April 11th, 2021 at 9:03 am
^^^@Ron, I get your point in theory, but the problem with it is, if the player drafted doesn’t end up having the necessary skill set (both mental and physical), than even though he learned all the leadership and mental things from Brady, it still does not work.
As far as drafting the right guy, see my earlier comment above. It is a huge crap shoot.
April 11th, 2021 at 9:07 am
LOL! A lot of folks didn’t think much of Fitzy either. I’d rather have an experienced back-up than a rookie, ALL day long.
Can the position be improved?! EVERY position can be improved.
Gabbert would be just fine as a back-up.
April 11th, 2021 at 9:26 am
Kentucky Buc Says:
April 11th, 2021 at 8:13 am
I keep hearing, what if Brady gets hurt. Same as every other team in the NFL . I don’t wanna hear but he’s 43 going on 44. People have been saying that for 10 years.
____________
Boy, those people are really bad at math then.
I blame the Michigan school system……. or the water.
April 11th, 2021 at 9:28 am
Blind Spot? If Brady goes down it could seriously damage the Bucs chances to repeat last years results. The Bucs do need a quality backup. Gabbert did not last long in his previous back up performance. He looks scrawny to me. Loose Brady for very long and the Bucs would be in a world of hurt.
April 11th, 2021 at 9:33 am
Your a goof doosh. People have been saying what if Brady gets hurt for 10 years or better
April 11th, 2021 at 9:35 am
No one has a QB to replace a top 10 QB. What if Mahomes, Rogers, Etc go down. The only chance of winning is defense.
April 11th, 2021 at 9:37 am
OH NO! Not this Bridgewater crap again. First off the Bucs couldn’t afford him & secondly he’s not worth what he would be asking for. Not a starter. Just a gorified backup not that Gabbert or Griff are any better but a lot cheaper. I myself would take Griff over Gabbert but thats not going to happen with Gabbert being for some unknown reason BA’s fair haired boy.
April 11th, 2021 at 10:24 am
@Senor when you are investing it is the possible return for the investment as I said you look at other teams for wat they have on their roster as there is a lot of talent that is not being utilized. So if our investment is very small and the return is possibly great then it is well worth it. We still should draft to make sure we have are deep in all areas of the team and focus on areas that my become thin next year due to FA, but if you pick up a QB in the late rounds who maybe was from a small school like Marpet and Cappa were or from another teams roster and are able to make him into a viable starter then the value is there. Not every great QB has been drafted to play right away Brady, Mahomes, Rodger, and Brees started by backing up even though they other than Brady were considered potential starters.
April 11th, 2021 at 10:33 am
Settle down Beavis
April 11th, 2021 at 10:35 am
Not if Brady goes down.
April 11th, 2021 at 10:43 am
Terrible examples @Ron. Mahomes was a known commodity. The rest were 20 years ago. Your talking about drafting unknown commodities. Brady , once in a lifetime.
April 11th, 2021 at 10:51 am
Brady would be the one training him and most known commodities struggle or fail at QB it is a position that requires grooming and time. My other examples Bree and Rodger were both behind very good QB and had easy transition as also Mahomes who was behind Alex smith.
April 11th, 2021 at 11:13 am
I get what your saying Joe, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
But Brady didn’t have knee surgery last offseason, that we know of at least. His joints are another year older no matter kind of food he eats or any of that TB method stuff he does. So upgrading back up QB wouldn’t be the dumbest idea.
If he performs well, like last year, then who cares, but teams evolve and improve rosters and gameplans every season. We will have every defensive coordinator gunning for us and pouring over our offense.
April 11th, 2021 at 11:30 am
The way it’s looking Josh Rosen could get pushed out of San Francisco and be back on the roster later this year.
April 11th, 2021 at 12:35 pm
rosen will not be back… he had his shot to stick…didn’t happen…something is wrong with the kid…he is not even gonna be a league journeyman at this point…he’s pacing to be out of the nfl in 2 years
grif is gone too…because he is not “arian’s guy”…BA showed him mad respect and kept him around for 2 whole years…but now that type of money can be spent elsewhere…
Gabbert is his guy…and will be back…as well as some new blood rookie type…or then again, just maybe, grif sneaks onto the roster for like one last year at league minimum…he’s gonna have to cut his salary in half tho
April 11th, 2021 at 12:39 pm
A wise team would get us a better backup at QB. Brady is pushing the limits and God help us if he goes down for an extended time. I still remember Gabbert throwin them picks in J-ville repeatedly. Something to think about.
April 11th, 2021 at 1:43 pm
I keep hearing that Brady will train a young back up. Not going to happen. Never has . Never will. None of the greats took time away from their own work to train someone. It’s not Wal Mart. They leaves you with training thru osmosis. Lol
April 11th, 2021 at 1:46 pm
If a quarterback who the Bucs believe to have upside is available at their pick, they should seize the opportunity. Like most new hires there is a 50-50 chance that person proves to be a good addition. Getting one now gives Bucs a second opportunity the following year (Brady’s last under contract) if needed. Plan your work, work your plan.
April 11th, 2021 at 2:13 pm
Brady is quite good at helping players and mentoring and at this stage in his career he has no pressure of losing his job it is his and he knows it only an injury may sidetrack him. If he is winning he will continue to play until it is obvious to him that it is over as our team will trust him, but he also knows if he is out we will need to be able to hold on with Gabbert or who ever the third QB will be and it is vital to getting to the playoffs that they play well in his stead. Finding hidden gems is what the game is about like Dak Prescott or Russell Wilson but having someone like Brady to help someone transition to the NFl is invaluable. If we don’t we will be in a few years watching Brady and Gabbert retiring and the team trying to draft a QB like Winston and believing he is the answer. This team has a chance to be good for a while but it requires finding gems and developing them.
April 11th, 2021 at 3:10 pm
Mike Johnson: Gabbert threw the most interceptions of his career as a rookie in Jacksonville. Further proof of why a rookie who is just learning the offense wouldn’t be as good of a backup QB as a veteran who knows the offense.
April 11th, 2021 at 3:36 pm
G-FUNK: Yes, if there’s a QB out there the Bucs like, draft him. He’d probably be the 3rd string QB in 2021, IMHO.
April 11th, 2021 at 3:42 pm
Gabbert who knows the playbook vs a rookie who doesn’t I dont see why this is an argument gabbert gives us the best chance if tom is out for a couple games if tom is out for longer than that the season is over we are trying the repeat not try to develop a terrible rookie qb who will give us a worse chance in staying in the hunt if tom is down for a couple games
April 11th, 2021 at 3:56 pm
Trade down get an extra third rounder and maybe if Trask falls to late third round them get him as Bradys apprentice. If hes gone forget it theres nobody worth wasted a pick on after him. All the good QBs will be gone by mid 1st round.
April 11th, 2021 at 5:09 pm
Blaine Gabbert threw for nearly 7000 yards, 40 TDs, and 16 INTs. If he was in the draft, he’d be the 2nd or 3rd QB off the board.
April 11th, 2021 at 5:16 pm
If any team loses their starting quarterback for any length of time they can kiss their Super Bowl chances goodbye.
April 11th, 2021 at 6:57 pm
Wow just wow
April 11th, 2021 at 7:34 pm
AGAIN…Gabbert suffers from “first impression syndrome” as well as hail to the new savior syndrome.
When you get drafted in the first round at the tenth spot…3rd QB taken..a LOT is expected of you. When you have Gabbert’s arm and size..a LOT is expected of you.
Gabbert went to a JAX team that had lost 2 of the 3 preceding seasons with an 8-8 record being the only relief.
When Gabbert went to the bench and got traded Jax went 4 seasons before another winning record. Could it be that the problem wasn’t really Gabbert?
The only QB in that first round who has outshone Gabbert was Cam Newton the #1 overall pick. The steal came in the second round with Andy Dalton and Colin Kapernik.
IE his situation made him look worse than he really is.
Sometimes the hyperbole here is just risible.
Someone actually said if Gabbert started the Bucs would go 4-13. Fake news?
Is that a fake take? Gabbert’s last chance at starting came with the Titans.
He went 2-1 on a decent 9-7 team…IE he won 66% of his games on a 56% team…In SF replacing Kaepernik on a horrid Jim Tomsula coached team that went 5-11 Gabbert went 3-5…37% on a 31% team.
Bottom line. Gabbert did not carry poor teams…he played OK on an OK Titans team but his win % exceeded that of his team overall except his time in AZ with BA.
IE…For Gabbert to break a multi year trend where he outperforms the team he plays on and goes 4-11 the Bucs…NOT Gabbert would have to suck.
Do some of you guys just spout off to read your posts with ZERO points to make other than YOUR poor opinion of Gabbert?
April 11th, 2021 at 9:36 pm
Well yeah Joe, I’d say Brady getting injured and having Gabbert as the backup could derail a Super Bowl run real quick.
Not that crazy
April 11th, 2021 at 9:48 pm
SPBF: Good points. I’m not saying Gabbert is great, I’m saying he’s a serviceable backup. There’s more to a debate than just saying “He sucks. Any rookie would be better than him”. Gabbert knows the offense. If Gabbert had played horribly against Detroit (his only game action that he passed in, that I can remember) his haters might have an argument. Sure, draft a QB to be the 3rd string guy.
April 11th, 2021 at 10:56 pm
if brady goes down we can most likely tread water with gabbert…
if brady goes down day one and the whole season has gabbert under center, even with this group of talent, we go about 9-8…maybe 8-9…
pencil brady in for 5 more wins at 14-3…maybe 13-4…
BA is confident gabbert can hold down the fort for a bit if necessary
April 11th, 2021 at 10:57 pm
grif will likely be replaced by young talent and a lower salery…
save a mil
April 12th, 2021 at 4:32 am
I wouldn’t be opposed to bringing in veteran Alex Smith. That would make for a great QB room with him Brady and newly drafted rookie.
April 12th, 2021 at 4:33 am
Plus, it gives Alex Smith a chance at a ring.
April 12th, 2021 at 1:36 pm
I am more interested in drafting/picking up/trading for our QB after Brady hangs em up!