Blaine Gabbert is quickly realizing that the job of an NFL starting quarterback is a lonely one -- especially in San Francisco. For instance, on Wednesday Gabbert went to his press conference. But when got there, no reporters were gathered. It was just him and empty seats.
Nobody showed up to the 49ers' starting quarterback's press conference.
What did #49ers Blaine Gabbert do when he showed up for his press conference and no one was there?
— Mindi Bach (@MBachCSN) November 25, 2015
#49ers Gabbert took a seat in the front row and got ready to ask some ?'s! He was a great sport about it. pic.twitter.com/31o0NFrRuC
— Mindi Bach (@MBachCSN) November 25, 2015
Of course, there's an explanation.
As far as Gabbert, he showed up on time. The #49ers did not list him on today's schedule so the media didn't know.
— Mindi Bach (@MBachCSN) November 25, 2015
Luckily, Gabbert's day wasn't all bad. Cardinals defensive back Tyrann Mathieu, who will take the field against Gabbert on Sunday, was more than complimentary of the quarterback on his conference call that reporters actually attended. According to Mathieu, Gabbert isn't just a "better option" than Colin Kaepernick, he's also "a hell of a passer."
Wait, what?
"That's not to take anything away from Kaepernick, but it seems like Gabbert has a little bit better grip on what's going on," Mathieu said, per CSN Bay Area. "If he gets in a situation, he knows where the ball needs to go. He's a hell of a passer. I think he's underrated when you talk about how well he can throw the football.
"I think he gives them a better option going forward. It seems like the wide receivers are more involved. So it looks like they're doing all right."
When Mathieu faced Kaepernick earlier this season, he recorded two interceptions. As a whole, the Cardinals defense picked off Kaepernick four times in a 47-7 drubbing.
"We just knew Kaepernick's tendencies," Mathieu said. "We knew what he liked to do. We knew which way he wanted to roll out. We knew what side of the field he liked to read to.
"You don't pick up those same things with Gabbert. He's better in the pocket. He has a better feel for coverages. It seems like he can get to the line and see a coverage and then go to a different play. Or, see a coverage and not throw the ball. You can see Gabbert's maturity and the different things he does well that Kaepernick doesn't do well."
Since taking over for Kaepernick, Gabbert has gone 37 of 59 for 449 yards with three touchdowns and two picks. The 49ers are 1-1 with Gabbert as the starter. I won't go as far as Mathieu and call Gabbert "a hell of a passer," but he's clearly exceeded expectations.
Still, if the 49ers part ways with Kaepernick before next season, they'll be wise to snag a new quarterback, such as Jared Goff -- a lifelong 49ers fan who currently plays at Cal.
