Blaine Gabbert: “A Security Blanket”

In a recent interview with Ira Kaufman of JoeBucsFan.com, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles was asked about the backup quarterback situation in Tampa.

Bowles responded by saying “I’m comfortable with Blaine. We talk a lot. You know, we’ve gotten to know each other over the past couple of years. He knows this offense very well. He understands the offense very well. He knows where to go with the football because he’s been in it. You know, that gives him the edge over Trask. That’s not to say Trask cannot catch him, OK? He gets the nod because of experience.” Bowles’ answer makes sense, and I agree with it. I think it is the right move, and it is the wise move, at least for now. Blaine Gabbert was once a first-round pick, a top 10 pick, and as a former starting quarterback in the NFL, with 11 years of experience in the NFL versus Kyle Trask’s one year with no time as a starting QB, it’s the correct move that Gabbert gets to be Brady’s understudy again. Trask will undoubtedly continue to learn and get better. Who better to learn from than Tom Brady?

Bowles also told Kaufman, “Kyle’s going to get plenty of practice to get better. It’s how much better Kyle can get while Blaine is still the backup and how much can he close the gap if not take it over. But, I like Blaine. Tom’s our starter. Don’t get me wrong. Tom’s our starter. Blaine’s seen a lot, and he’s been in about 10 years. He’s seen a lot, and he should. He probably has been in some tough situations. You just never know until a guy is in there full-time. He knows what to do, and he’s not going to panic when he gets in a game. So he’s like a security blanket right now. But anybody that’s a backup will have competition and even certain starters.”

In today’s NFL, with how often players get hurt, it’s always good to have depth at the QB position and have someone who you trust to be able to go in there and get it done. It doesn’t get better than having Brady as your starting QB and then having two competent backups ready to get in there; and sling it, keeping the trust and confidence of the coaching staff and the team around him.