Is The Answer To Bucs’ QB Question Right Under Their Noses?
February 7th, 2023
Tom Brady successor?
Joe will raise a hand and admit guilt.
With the announced retirement (?) of Tom Brady, Joe has been glum looking at the veteran quarterback options whether by a trade or free agency.
Then Joe started scanning quarterbacks in the draft. Joe was on the Anthony Richardson AR15 hype train before the season but afterward, um, no.
Joe applauded the drafting of Kyle Trask in 2021 but after watching his second training camp with the Bucs last summer, well, um, #CollapseForCaleb.
But maybe the answer to the quarterback question is right in front of everyone’s face.
Blaine Gabbert!
Last year at the combine in Indianapolis, then-Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians talked long and loud to anyone who would listen he’s going to war with Gabbert. That never happened because, as we all know, Brady unretired.
Then Joe remembered how Bucs coach Todd Bowles slobbered over Gabbert in his season-ending news conference.
“Blaine is a heady player,” Bowles said. “He’s extremely smart. I think he helps out a great deal on both sides of the ball.
“He understands what the game is about. [He’s a] competitor. I love what he does for us in practice – getting us looks. I love how he helps Tom [Brady] out.
“[He’s a] tough guy. He’s one of my favorite players.”
Gabbert sure would come cheap. Where else is he going to get a chance to start? Besides, Joe knows Gabbert absolutely loves living in the Tampa Bay area (Joe and Gabbert had a long conversation about this last year.) Joe is certain if the Bucs made a fair offer to Gabbert, who is scheduled to be a free agent next month, he’d jump at the chance.
So maybe the answer at quarterback for Bowles is the answer that Arians had nearly 12 months ago.
Gabbert!
February 7th, 2023 at 4:18 am
Blaine Gabbert would be an excellent start IMO, but there’s no way we should just hand the starting gig to him or anyone else not named Tom Brady. COMPETITION is a good thing, as long as it’s a fair competition.
We used a 2nd Rnd pick on Kyle Trask & he’s sat behind Brady AND Gabbert now for 2 years. He deserves a fair chance to earn the starting QB position. Thus far he really hasn’t gotten that IMO.
Bucs should also sign a 3rd QB who’s capable of competing for the starting role, not just a perennial backup. Currently there are 31 free agent QBs, all but a handful of whom have a Market Value of under $6 mil. None of that group strike me as being a franchise QB for obvious reasons ($6 mil value?), but they could help us weather the coming storm (while we ‘get right’?).
February 7th, 2023 at 4:47 am
Why don’t BA move back to OC?
February 7th, 2023 at 5:15 am
Defense Rules Says:
February 7th, 2023 at 4:18 am
We used a 2nd Rnd pick on Kyle Trask & he’s sat behind Brady AND Gabbert now for 2 years. He deserves a fair chance to earn the starting QB position. Thus far he really hasn’t gotten that IMO.
^^^^^^^^^
Defense Rules: I respect you, but I don’t see what Kyle Trask has done to “deserve” anything, including a roster spot…Maybe that’ll change, sometimes these guys get better.
February 7th, 2023 at 5:23 am
Don’t remember a season where all 4 South teams have poor QB situations, it’s going to come down to who has the better coaching staffs, not too confident we’re on the top of the list
February 7th, 2023 at 5:48 am
Shut up, Gabbert sucks. Only these clowns can’t see that. We will be battling for the 1st pick if we play him. It would be better to put me to play QB for 1/10 of his salary.
February 7th, 2023 at 6:17 am
ViSyl exactly the only reason he loved Tampa we are the only team that gave him a job.
February 7th, 2023 at 6:18 am
this would be a great move.lets sign hin on the cheap
February 7th, 2023 at 6:28 am
I’m good with it,at least we’ll pick in top 5 in 2024 with Bowles gabbert/trask combo
February 7th, 2023 at 6:29 am
I don’t understand the negativity towards Trask. There are a lot of people on the Herndon Hooker hype train. Actually almost any qb but Trask.
Both played in the SEC so the competition was the same but Trask put up better numbers ( Heisman consideration numbers) while playing on a lousy team. Also, he was told up front that he would not be allowed to compete with Gabbert. His job was to sit for a few years and learn. His time has come to get a legitimate chance.
By the way, I like Hooker but don’t think we can afford a draft pick above the 4th round. Too many needs.
February 7th, 2023 at 6:29 am
If the Bucs are rebuilding and are using 2023 to equalize Brady’s CAP hit, then why not us Gabbert for the next two years?
February 7th, 2023 at 6:45 am
Roll with Gabbert and Trask. We’re going to suck regardless if we have them or some tired retread veteran so what’s the difference?
February 7th, 2023 at 6:49 am
Gabbert? Yeah. Sure. Better than chasing an overpriced failure from somewhere else. He’s cap friendly. He know the players.
He’s a rebound.
Next season, Bowles last, is going to suck. Don’t spend money sucking.
February 7th, 2023 at 6:51 am
To be perfectly honest I know nothing about BG other than his name.
However the little I have seen of him as a Buc still leaves me knowing nothing about him.
If he could he would
There are probably good reasons he is a clip board holder
February 7th, 2023 at 7:01 am
A thought occurred to me. Maybe Brady “retired” now, so the Bucs could pursue an offensive coordinator without Brady being the center of attention, and to spare the new OC the embarrassment should Brady decide to retire at a later date?
In other words, Brady was/is unsure, but retired now knowing he can come back if (among other things), he likes the new OC, and can stay retired if he doesn’t? And his decision won’t bring embarrassment to anyone except himself should he retire again.
February 7th, 2023 at 7:10 am
If Gabbert were worth a starting QB job in the NFL for the last few years he would have had one-he did not. Trask will win a fair and open competition.
February 7th, 2023 at 7:11 am
Gabbert’s claim to fame was getting to run out of the tunnel with Brady.
February 7th, 2023 at 7:18 am
Watch daddy sling it
February 7th, 2023 at 7:28 am
Trask needs to compete for the starting job…..Gabbert is as good a competition as any….if he can’t beat Gabbert out, then he doesn’t deserve it.
I’m against spending big money for a QB or wasting a draft pick on a crap shoot…..
This works for me.
February 7th, 2023 at 7:30 am
I laugh at some of the comments about Trask…let me be clear I hate everything pertaining to the Gainesville Goobers…having said that Trask was drafted while the team was slobbering over Brady so he was never going to start or beat out Brady. Trask has never played with the starting offense so he few snaps in Atlanta was a joke and the Bucs staff should be ashamed for even allowing this to happen. Ryan Griffin has been kept on this team for years and never had a chance…Bucs drafted Winston then along came Brady…Gabbert probably is an excellent choice as a starter but let’s see what Trask has with starters and not scrubs…Why go out and mortgage the future for some scrub QB like Brissett or Bridgewater or lord knows who.
February 7th, 2023 at 7:37 am
Woooo! Watch daddy sling it!
February 7th, 2023 at 7:39 am
I’ll take a shot with Gabby over any other FA’s this year. If you’re looking for a bridge QB he’s as good as any. Besides, you never know when a helicopter my crash again in the Bay!
February 7th, 2023 at 7:42 am
Gabbert has a cannon for an arm, but I’ve never seen him throw any kind of touch pass; the kind where you float it over the LBs and in front of the safeties. His deep balls are too flat; if it’s not spot-on accurate, the receiver has no chance to adjust.
Whenever I’ve watched Gabbert and Trask both play in the same game, Trask has always looked better. Except the Atlanta game where they both looked like crapola.
But sure, I’m okay with letting them battle it out for the starting position. We’re in cap hell so signing any of the big money free agents makes little sense.
February 7th, 2023 at 7:55 am
Well, Arians also said that BL and TB would be great coaches! How’d that work out!?
February 7th, 2023 at 8:01 am
One of the issues with Trask or Gabbert they are not mobile quarterbacks. I know I going to here dropback QBs when superbowls but in the future the only dropback QBs will be like Joe Burrow a dropback QB that still ran for over 200 yards. The defensive players are getting bigger and faster and offensive lines can only do so much I don’t care who you have blocking. Look at Brady 2.4 second release time and it still not fast enough. I know hes the goat but his immobility hurt at times you don’t need a running QB but someone who can run if he needs to.
February 7th, 2023 at 8:08 am
I agree with @ Defense Rules. Trask needs to get the chance to see what he can do.
If it were me, I would get rid of Gabbert.
Yes, Gabbert knows the Arians offense, but we are not going to be running that offense anymore.
February 7th, 2023 at 8:10 am
Cheap and perfect for the coming Coach Bozo season of the ditch.
February 7th, 2023 at 8:20 am
If Gabbert is the main option, then Trask deserves at least one early preseason game start to see what he can do with the full complement of number 1 players.
Mostly, the Joes are right on players (like all of us).
But they are as much wrong on players as anyone else.
Most dudes shine in practice and games. Who knows Trask may be one of those guys that shines in quite a few games once he gets in a rhythm and confidence with the 1st stringers.
February 7th, 2023 at 8:27 am
There’s a reason Gabbert would be cheap- sacks and interceptions.
February 7th, 2023 at 8:28 am
Even if the Bucs hire Tampa Catholic’s OC it would be a major upgrade over what we all just witnessed. Regardless, this team will be awful in 2023 with Bowles as its head coach.
February 7th, 2023 at 8:28 am
ModHairKen Says:
February 7th, 2023 at 6:49 am
“Don’t spend money sucking.”
Exactly! But are the Bucs that smart?
February 7th, 2023 at 8:35 am
Let’s not forget one of the main attractions of Gabbert was he knew the offense he won’t anymore
February 7th, 2023 at 8:41 am
@ DR
I agree.
– Trask ($1.5M)
– Gabbert ($2.5M)
– Baker-Mayfield ($6M)
Let all three compete. Given the cap mess we are in we must be frugal this off season and all three QBs could be had for under $10M total…
February 7th, 2023 at 8:55 am
Trask sat for three years with the Gators waiting for his opportunity and preparing. When the time came, he excelled and proved he had worked hard and knew the offense and how to read defenses. The guy has just apprenticed under the GOAT. If he has worked as hard as Arians and Bowles has said then I say put him in with the starters and let’s see how ready he is now.
February 7th, 2023 at 9:23 am
As long as we can call him Blaine Daddy Gabbert
February 7th, 2023 at 9:24 am
Hard to believe Trask is ready for prime time. Gabbert would be a solid option to hold the fort while developing Trask or another young qb. Blaine can sling it, no doubt. That being said, maybe Trask is ready now and if he fails, we get rid of Bowles and draft Caleb….. Win-win!
February 7th, 2023 at 9:28 am
Why are my posts not showing up?
February 7th, 2023 at 9:32 am
Are you using naughty words?
February 7th, 2023 at 9:43 am
Look, both Gabbert and Trask need to REALLY BE evaluated with first stringers.
It’s no secret that Brady was FRAGILE when it came to competition and there for neither Gabbert nor Trask EVER got a legitimate shot at the crown. And honestly I preferred Tom Brady over either of them just as long as he still had the “IT FACTOR”.
~ Now however ~
Gabbert seems to be the narrative that the Joe’s continue to put out there about guys that need AT LEAST 3 years to develop. DID GABBERT GET 3 YEARS BEFORE HE WAS PLACED IN THE THROW AWAY BIN? The reason I ask is because I’m genuinely not sure. He was a Very high First Round draft pick after all. Some guys simply take time for the light to come on. And after sitting behind Brady for 3 years and so many more QBs and coaches, if Gabbert is EVER going to be anything at all in NFL, “NOW” would be that time to shine. If it’s not now it’s NEVER. And Gabbert has a huge advantage over Trask in that he has been around for so much longer.
Trask, was in competition for the Heisman for a reason. He DID amazing things with a average team. In a Brady esqe (sp) way he carried the Gators much, much further than they deserved otherwise. That’s the word anyways and THAT’S sure how it looked.
He has something that Gabbert may not have and that’s ~touch~ he has an amazing touch on his throws. Trask proved he deserves to have his shot WITH THE FIRST STRING! I don’t know about everybody else BUT if Trask doesn’t get a legit shot with the 1st team then I’m going to be pissed! The draft capital used on him DEMANDS IT! And I certainly mean more than some “Very Limited” token time in a long lost game with “below average” 3rd and 4th stringers! Of course he was going to look bad going up against NFL professional 1st stringers! Duh…
Gabbert at least got the second stringers to work with and Gabbert did LESS WITH MORE than Trask.
It could be that, that’s the game plan after all. We are looking high and low for a QB coach for the OC position. Some one mentioned that we maybe waiting for the Eagles QB coach because he was Trask’s QB coach in Gainesville where the bench warmer Trask Surprised ALL! Broke records, came close to winning the Heisman, and put them in position to possibly get to the Big Show! In the end, just like Brady this year, it turns out that INDEED it is actually a “team sport” after all and the Gators didn’t have the horses to pull it off. “THEY HAD THE QB” but they just didn’t have the rest or “enough” horses to make a true run at it…..
Bring in competition to keep it honest and LET THE BEST MAN WIN 🏆
February 7th, 2023 at 10:07 am
I wouldn’t be upset at that all. If it doesn’t work then it doesn’t work and we don’t lose assets before the 24 draft.
February 7th, 2023 at 10:50 am
I have no problem going into the season with Gabbert and Trask vying for the starting role, but would also like to see a 3rd option brought in, like Cooper Rush, Tyler Huntley or Jacoby Brissett. All are capable and wouldn’t break the bank, and would allow us to pay off the Brady years debt and create a plan for the future.
February 7th, 2023 at 11:13 am
Maybe bowels cut out a cancer this off-season, I’m willing to stomach another season start with that dude, win-win either we good or we fire bowels midseason and pretty much lock up a top 10 pick with a new coach sheesh we could be set for a decade.
February 7th, 2023 at 11:13 am
This team is doomed. I like Licht but man some of his decisions are atrocious. Bowles sucks, the thought of having Gabbert lead the team is dumb 🤦🏽♂️. This team needs a complete overhaul starting with the HC.
February 7th, 2023 at 11:14 am
Fine with Gabbert and Trask and hope Trask wins the job . But if will levis falls beyond 10ith inthe draft the bucs should try to move up. If not, play your hand, draft well, get the cap in order and maybe draft a QB next year. The biggest risk is 8-9 teams for the next few years cause of QB play and you can’t get high enough to draft a QB.
February 7th, 2023 at 11:31 am
Finally!!! You guys write this article, no one for whatever reason is talking about Blaine Gabbert being a viable option. He looked really good in the last game against the Falcons when he was in there. Look at Geno with Seattle, some guys just take longer to develop but the NFL really doesn’t do well at developing players as a whole, there just isn’t much time to do that so typically the guys that take longer to develop are either out of the league or they rarely get another chance.
I do not know why everyone on these boards are so pessimistic, quit bemoaning and let’s see the plan play out and give it all a chance.
February 7th, 2023 at 11:58 am
Joe Says:
Decidedly not.
February 7th, 2023 at 12:02 pm
I can tell you right now…the Bucs will not take a quarterback in the first round this draft.
Maybe second, but more likely later.
February 7th, 2023 at 12:15 pm
IF Lefty stayed and Gabbert got to start using the same plays he has had YEARS to learn, I could see him having a level of success… But a new OC changing things is a reset and everyone learning from the jump…
Agree a competition between Gabbert and Trask is a MUST!
Gabbert is not going to win you a SB (likely not many playoff games) BUT he would help win a weak division!
February 7th, 2023 at 1:46 pm
Considering the Bowels of Toad is headless coich, might as well do what others are saying.
Re-sign Goobert, sign some scrubby veteran like Brissett or Bridgewater or Carr,, and let the two of them and Trashk, and maybe some free agent rookie, battle it out for starter in a training camp cripple fight.
I’m not sure I can handle a whole season of “Watching Daddy sling it.”
February 7th, 2023 at 2:31 pm
Frankly this whole situation sucks ! Bowles will have built in excuses,,new OC , not good enuff QB play. The worst thing that can happen is the bucs being competitive and winning 6-9 games cause they played hard. We are caught in a mire with keeping Bowles. If anything, keeping leftwich would have made firing the whole staff clearer next season . Now there is more alibis. BA and Bowles need to go. Partially cutting branches off a dying tree is a waste of time and that is what is happening now.
February 7th, 2023 at 2:37 pm
I’m prepared for a rebuild so I really don’t care if Gabbert is the starter. Or Trask for that matter.
You won’t recognize this team in September.
And quite frankly after last seasons results I have no problem with that either. I have no expectations next season. To think otherwise is going to effect your mental health.
February 7th, 2023 at 2:47 pm
Gabbert’s value in Tampa was tied to his familiarity with the No-Risk-It / No Biscuit offense employed by BA & Lefty… The offense that Bowles flushed after the season.
Gabbert may be cheap…But that’s for a reason. He had chances & never succeeding in capitalizing on them. At this point, he may be better than Trask…But is that saying anything??? Mr. Healthy Scratch seems like the next Ryan Griffin. (Collects check but that’s about it!)
Geno Smith went from washed/never was to Pro-Bowl level…Maybe Gabby has that in him, but hard to tell.
The next OC needs to be in place, so FO can see what kind of QB will fit that scheme…No square peg for round hole situations, please…Let the next OC / system dictate the QB1 plan for 2023 & beyond. Once that’s known…Go find the guy that fits!
From the draft class… Not sure ANY are more well prepared than Trask to run a pro scheme.. (Levis might be = has UK ran the Shanahan/McVay system for his 2 yrs in Lexington…None of the other top QB options have ran pro systems. Not that they can’t, they just haven’t been asked to do so.)
February 7th, 2023 at 3:37 pm
Derek Carr???????¿??
February 7th, 2023 at 4:28 pm
Nooooooooo!
February 7th, 2023 at 4:38 pm
You can Daniel Jones for $35M. Oh man the Bucs are screwed
February 7th, 2023 at 4:50 pm
As long as we can continue our streak against cocky cam Jordan and the slimy saints idc who is the QB. Freaking hate that jackwagon. Trask deserves a shot with the #1’s considering he’s all we have at this point and he cost us a round 2 pick. Bringing in competition is a must but it also must be cheap. I also don’t think we should spend a round 1-4 pick on a QB.
February 7th, 2023 at 4:53 pm
Give the dude a shot
February 7th, 2023 at 5:26 pm
He’s better than Josh McCown
February 7th, 2023 at 6:06 pm
considering what is out there on the free agent market and where we are over the cap, seems like rolling the dice with Gabbert and Trask or Trask and Gabbert is what is going to happen. I am ok with going there.
February 7th, 2023 at 7:08 pm
NEfakefan. How the Patriots are looking??
February 7th, 2023 at 7:18 pm
Gabbert is a bum Why go with him we know who he is
February 7th, 2023 at 9:32 pm
Gabbert as the starter is…a non-starter.
Everyone take a look at the extensive film of Gabbert starting with both the 49ers and the Jaguars. That is who is still is. Inconsistent, erratic. For every play he makes, he boneheads another. Good game, then disastrous game. Rinse and repeat.
No.
February 7th, 2023 at 10:14 pm
Gabbert is basically our price range – LOL
Resign him – draft the Hooker kid from Tenn in the 3rd round and let “Daddy”, Trask and the rookie fight it out in camp and preseason….
Bringing in an expensive FA QB is NOT the answer.
We ran up the bills big time while Brady was here and rightfully so. But its time to pay back as much of that debt as we can in 2023. No more kicking the salary cap “wizardry” can down the road. That needs to end NOW!
February 8th, 2023 at 9:20 am
@Anonymous….”DID GABBERT GET 3 YEARS BEFORE HE WAS PLACED IN THE THROW AWAY BIN?”
The answer IMHO is sorta! First the Jags traded up SIX spots to draft at #10.
That’s a huge investment so that player will always get some shots at success.
Read Fameis Jameis who btw is available for a return.
Like most highly drafted QB’s Gabbert ended up on a sucko team with a sorry franchise in the Jags. Jim Harbaugh saw enough in him to bring him to SF but then he left for Michigan.
If you view the 2015 season…hit wikipedia for yourself..you’ll see Gabbert had some outstanding games replacing Colin Kaepernik. But his record is %wise the exact same as the horrid Tomsula coached team.
Again IMHO Gabbert plays to the level of his team. He’s not a savior but he’s not a loser either. He obviously plays a different style but in terms of value he could represent what another former SF QB was for the Bucs Jeff Garcia.
With a great defense and a solid OL and targets Gabbert could do for the Bucs what Trent Dilfer did for the Ravens. The big question is will #45 D White continue to develop because right now as much as I like DW I wouldn’t wish to type his name in the same sentence as Ray Lewis.
Gabbert COULD win…but like D.R. and others I’m far more concerned with our D than our QB!