Practically by default, after a poor first preseason game, Gabbert is the favorite to be San Francisco’s starting quarterback.
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Defensive end Dwight Freeney, signed August 4 to a one-year contract, will make his Falcons debut against the Browns. The Niners desperately needed depth because of various injuries.
In another injury-related subplot, Colin Kaepernick remained idle Monday because of what was reported to be a “dead arm”. Gabbert has been given most of the snaps during training camp.
The quarterback situation in San Francisco remains a mess. Gabbert has odd lapses in concentration at times followed by some brilliant plays like his 9-yard strike to McDonald while getting hit. It’s time to talk about sixth-round pick Jeff Driskel. Management knew that he was a project that needed some seasoning. Well, in the end, the Cowboys took Prescott in the fourth round, and one preseason game in, they look pretty damn smart for doing so, as he went 10 of 12 for 139 yards and two touchdown passes against the Rams on Saturday night.
It’s looking more and more like Blaine Gabbert will be the starting quarterback of the 49ers by default. A call was made to Christian Ponder, and the two sides chose to work together. He is unlikely to win the starting job out of the gates as he will likely miss this week’s preseason matchup, meaning he won’t get the start in the week three tune-up. The 28-year-old started for the Florida State Seminoles from 2008 to 2010.
But Kelly has to pick somebody to play behind center for the 49ers on September 12 against Los Angeles, and every available sign points to Gabbert. While full details of the contract have not yet been released, there are those saying that it is simply a one-year deal.
Though Kaepernick was limited during team drills to a few handoffs, he was the star of the autograph line at the end of practice.
Interestingly enough, there is a connection between Christian Ponder and Blaine Gabbert. Gabbert was chosen with the tenth pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The former Florida State standout never lived up to his billing as the No. 12 overall selection in the 2011 National Football League draft, which led to Minnesota replacing him with Teddy Bridgewater. There was a point in time where people associated with the franchise were under the belief that the quarterback position was finally stabilized. In addition, the 49ers lost quarterback Thad Lewis to a torn ACL in his left knee in Sunday’s preseason game with Houston and placed the journeyman on injured reserve on Tuesday. Kaepernick is more physically gifted than Gabbert and he will be hard to keep off the field simply because his running ability makes him an offensive threat, something that Gabbert, while underrated athletically, does not bring to the table in the same capacity.
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As San Francisco 49ers fans and followers, we must realize there is progress in defeat. “It was just fun to get out there and let loose and wear the defense down”.
