Rookie QBs vs the Steelers: Bad News for Blaine Gabbert

by TPFBryan on Oct 15, 2011 10:43 AM EDT

During their rookie season, quarterbacks are usually tighter than Kenny Chesney’s blue jeans. So I wrote this letter to Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert before Sunday’s game vs the Steelers…

Dear Mr. Gabbert,

I admire your howitzer of a right arm, talent, and most importantly, your bronze flowing locks. But, I have some bad news for you (in what may be Jack Del Rio’s swan song). If this game were an algebra equation it might read something like this Steelers D -> sacks + (INTs + fumbles lost) / intimidation – rookie QB / (passing yards + MJD rush yards) = your offensive output this Sunday, and that isn’t the "formula" for success as a rookie quarterback…

How have recent rookie QBs fared against the Steelers?

In 2003, Kyle Boller "led" the Ravens into Heinz Field for the season opener and finished 22 for 43 with 152 yards passing (1TD, 1 INT). First of all, Del Rio, do not, I repeat do not let Gabbert throw 43 times. That will only anger the Steelers D and conjure up the QB Nightmare otherwise known as "Luke McCown"…

Charlie Frye faced the future Super Bowl champs on Christmas Eve in 2005 and was sacked every 5 times he dropped back to pass. Maurice Jones-Drew may be more tired from pass blocking than rushing come this Sunday. Oh yeah, the final score was 41-0…

In 2006, it was Bruce Gradkowski’s turn as he and the Buccaneers traveled to Pittsburgh. He did complete 22 of 34 passes for 175 yards, but also threw 3 interceptions and was sacked 5 times. Gradkowski’s QB rating would have actually been higher if he threw every intended pass into the ground. A decent proposition for Gabbert considering the Steelers league leading pass defense…

In 2008, the Joe Flacco-led Ravens had a lead for 3 quarters, but a key sack/fumble TD by Lamarr Woodley forced the game into overtime, where the Steelers eventually pulled it out. The second game that year was much different for Flacco, he finished 11-28 for 120 yards, as he was sacked and intercepted twice. And to prove the third time isn’t exactly a charm, Flacco led the Ravens to the AFC Championship against the Steelers, but evaporated any chance the Ravens had with 3 interceptions. Last year, Colt McCoy threw for an impressive 524 yards in two losses against the Steelers, but only managed 2 TDs vs 5 INTs.

Final tally for rookie quarterbacks vs the Steelers D since 2003?

91-175 = 53% completion rate

817 yards – 163 yds/game; 4.66 yds/attempt

8 forced fumbles/2 lost

6 interceptions

22 sacks

Combined QB rating? Exactly 54.392857142857146

Why these comparisons aren’t exactly "apples to apples" today, it isn’t exactly rocket science either. Godspeed Blaine Gabbert and "May the force be with you"!

Bryan Nichols doesn’t always blog, but when he does …

Bryan is TPFBlog’s featured team blogger for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Follow me on Twitter. Email me at BNichols@ThePenaltyFlagBlog.com.

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Comments

someone on BTSC has an interesting signature

its a quote from John Elway when he faced Lambert for the first time. I dont remember ir from the top of my head. Watch for the hair

"Franco made that play because he never quit on the play. He kept running, he kept hustling. Good things happen to people who hustle."

by PCISteeler on Oct 15, 2011 10:56 AM EDT reply actions

i remember reading that too

something about how Lambert was the scariest dude of all time or something to that effect.

by steel.curtain.number2 on Oct 15, 2011 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions

he said something along the lines of

wanting to quit football right there and go back to baseball.

by FrankWyt on Oct 15, 2011 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions

oops not baseball, accounting. Here's the quote though

He had no teeth, and he was slobbering all over himself. I’m thinking, ‘You can have your money back, just get me out of here. Let me go be an accountant." I can’t tell you how badly I wanted out of there.

by FrankWyt on Oct 15, 2011 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Interesting

I was under the impression that QBs did better against LeBeau in their first game and then were figured out for all of the following matchups. Among non-elite quarterbacks, of course.

Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever
-Napoleon Bonaparte

There’s a lot of stuff we wouldn’t have to clean up if the city provided basic human rights, like a Port-A-Potty.
-OWS Protester

Cornell University Class of 2014

by LV Steelers Fan on Oct 15, 2011 1:29 PM EDT reply actions

If the defense isn't downright giddy about this opportunity

at fresh meat… nothing will tickle their fancy.

Sidenote: Look up the SoundFX from last season with the Browns visiting Pittsburgh. Colt McCoy on the sidelines is HYSTERICAL.

HERE WE GO STEELERS!
"Our Father, who art in Pittsburgh, Football be thy game. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, at Heinz Field as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, a stellar D and forgive us our bogus fines, as we (sorta) forgive Goodell who trespasses against us. And lead us not into defeat, but deliver us a Victory. For thine is The Steelers, the power and glory of climbing the STAIRWAY TO 7."

by 1BlkGldFan on Oct 15, 2011 4:07 PM EDT reply actions

Colt McCoy on the sidelines is HYSTERICAL.

That is hilarious. Thanks

"I should have chosen the blissful ignorance of the blue pill"

by TPFBryan on Oct 16, 2011 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions

1993

Ever since David Klingler’s debut (for the Bengals) in 1993, I love watching rookie quarterbacks start against the Steelers. Klingler was sacked TEN times in that game. I don’t think that was the main reason he never developed into a decent NFL quarterback, but it certainly contributed to it!

by Steeler Fan in Saudi on Oct 15, 2011 10:58 PM EDT reply actions

If you simplfy that formula you can get.

what Lebeau has forgotten about football > Rookie QB talent plus knowledge can comprehend.

If you buy a foreign made product you give money to a person who will not be buying an American made product that you get paid to make. Think about it next time you're at the store.

by SNW on Oct 16, 2011 11:22 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

what Lebeau has forgotten about football > Rookie QB talent plus knowledge can comprehend.

Preach it!

"I should have chosen the blissful ignorance of the blue pill"

by TPFBryan on Oct 16, 2011 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions

lawls wats with ur negativity brybry

by klompus on Oct 16, 2011 12:47 PM EDT reply actions

its ppl like you that put down tim tebow because his “numbers” or “throwing motion” aren’t what they should be. numbers arent everything and blaine gabbert has NICE LOCKS. goldenlocks has the slyness of a fox

by klompus on Oct 16, 2011 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions