What makes Blaine Gabbert different from Tony Pike?

[Carl Spackler]

Honest question. Aside from Pike's inability to learn cadences and the playbook better than a dad off the street, what qualities as a QB and skill set does Gabbert have that makes him so much better than Pike that he could go top-5 or #1?

[Evil Hurney]

Won't blow away in a light breeze.

[nosuchthingasapanther]

i had never heard of gabbert until i logged onto the huddle this morning.

[rayzor]

Honest question. Aside from Pike's inability to learn cadences and the playbook better than a dad off the street, what qualities as a QB and skill set does Gabbert have that makes him so much better than Pike that he could go top-5 or #1?

i think thats a pretty valid comparison.

[holycrikey]

No one would have heard of Gabbert if it weren't for the weirdass hype train out there. No one would have heard of Gabbert if Luck would have declared for 2011.

Basically, the only reason his stock has risen is due to the general mediocrity of the QB class of 2011.

[Sloth]

Arm strength is a biggie. Mobility. Gabbert has a NFL build, Pike has the musculature of a hat stand.

I have a friend from Missouri and watched several Mizzou games this year and Gabbert really didn't jump out. I had no idea he was rated higher than late first/early second until the last couple of days. The idea of him going #1 overall is a bad joke.

[rayzor]

Arm strength is a biggie. Mobility. Gabbert has a NFL build, Pike has the musculature of a hat stand.

I have a friend from Missouri and watched several Mizzou games this year and Gabbert really didn't jump out. I had no idea he was rated higher than late first/early second until the last couple of days. The idea of him going #1 overall is a bad joke.

arm strength and size as the main appeal. sounds like most of the busts.

[BrownWing]

Tony Pike is not a small guy, 6' 6" 230 lbs.

[TylerVagyler]

Gabbart didn't even put up that good of numbers against the Big 12 North. Why are people hyping this guy up so much?

[mav1234]

Pike's arm is much, much weaker than Gabbert. Gabbert has the physical tools, but there are question marks right now. He is under a microscope though, and we'll know more as time progresses.

In considering his numbers one must also consider who he had to throw to. He has been rated among the top QBs all season, and he moved into #2 towards the end of the season. With Luck gone he's now the #1. Also, he put up good numbers the last two years, but his TDs weren't very high (20 total this year I think? maybe 21, with 16 through the air). There are obvious concerns about him.

I have no doubt our scouting department will look into him thoroughly.

I don't really know if there is a #1 prospect this year, to be frank. Gabbert is the #1 QB and with Luck in the draft, some had him going top 10 or top 5. I suppose we'll see how Cam Newton does, perhaps he can put his doubters to rest.

[rayzor]

i keep seeing this but i can't for the life of me figure out why.

Gabbert is the #1 QB and with Luck in the draft, some had him going top 10 or top 5. I suppose we'll see how Cam Newton does, perhaps he can put his doubters to rest.

[Cat'sGrowl]

They're pretty different Quarterbacks to be honest..

Very different in terms of strengths/weaknesses, play-style...

[mav1234]

i keep seeing this but i can't for the life of me figure out why.

I'm not saying he is necessarily worth #1, but here is what I've read about him:

Gabbert is billed as having enormous on the field skills with no off the field issues. He's got a great arm and intangibles according to Todd McShay. He supposedly makes good reads, anticipates passing lanes and can fit the ball into tight windows. His biggest problem is that at times he's overconfident and throws the ball into coverage. He has a very quick, strong release. Good command of the huddle, good leadership abilities, but he is prone to cold streaks.

I have no idea what others are saying about him.

Ultimately there just isn't a clear favorite now for #1. If there had been, the Luck Mania wouldn't have been as huge as it was.

[Stroupe-a-loop]

I don't know? Pike was more productive? I don't see why Gabbert suddenly made this leap, but I do not want him in the first round. Seriously, what did he have this year? 16 touchdowns and 12 picks? Not seeing it. Seen a couple Missouri games and can honestly say I never noticed him.