Chip Kelly and the San Francisco 49ers have many unanswered questions going into the 2016 season. One decision, likely the most important, is who will start at quarterback. Kelly and his staff are presented with three comparable options. It certainly seems that Kelly has a specific prototype he prefers. Similar to Marcus Mariota, Kelly is partial to tall and mobile quarterbacks that can run a quick paced offence, and contribute in the run game as well as passing. It seems most likely that Colin Kaepernick will be with the 49ers at the start of the season. Blaine Gabbert and newly drafted Jeff Driskel will be the other options Kelly and his staff have to work with come the start of training camp.
Chip Kelly’s Options at Quarterback
Colin Kaepernick
The controversy surrounding Colin Kaepernick and his disposition with the 49ers is well known at this point. The 49ers looked to have a bright future ahead with Kaepernick at the helm. After taking over for an injured Alex Smith in 2012, Kaepernick lead the team all the way to Super Bowl 47 in 2013. Though the 49ers did not win the game, Kaepernick did finish 16 of 28 passing, for 302 yards and two touchdowns(*). After returning to the NFC championship game in 2014 and losing to the Seattle Seahawks, Kaepernick’s play has steadily declined since. Kaepernick is reaching the end of his 6 year, 114,000,000 dollar deal, and trade talks took place before the draft with the Denver Broncos, but no deal ever came to fruition.
The 6’4, 230lbs. quarterback has the desired build and athleticism most coaches are looking for in an NFL quarterback. From 2011 to 2015, Kaepernick threw for 10,030 yards, 56 tds. and 26 int. Kaepernick has also rushed for 1,832 yards in his career, and his legs are probably his best asset. As a quarterback though, your best asset should be your arm, and Kaepernick has never had a completion percentage over 62.4% (*). Kaepernick has a long release, and often misses with his short, quick throws. He has a strong arm, but because of that he has trouble putting any touch on the ball. Kaepernick also has trouble going through his progressions, reads, and using check downs. Possibly Chip Kelly can restore the confidence Kaepernick once had in himself, and incorporate Kaepernick’s running ability into the offense. Chip Kelly is not known for being the quarterback whisperer that Jim Harbaugh is though. Hopefully, for Kelly’s sake, much of Kaepernick success is not due to Harbaugh’s presence, and he can resurrect Kaepernick’s career.
Chip Kelly’s Options at Quarterback
Blaine Gabbert
Blaine Gabbert was a 10th overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2011 NFL draft. Gabbert played for the Jaguars from 2011 to 2013. He was the youngest quarterback in NFL history to start at least 13 games in a season. He earned a starting spot his rookie year over a struggling Luke McCown and David Garrard. On March 10, 2015, Gabbert signed a two year, 2,000,000 dollar deal with San Francisco. Kaepernick was benched last season in favor of Gabbert half way through the season. Though Gabbert finished a disappointing 3-5, he did rack up 2,031 yards with 10 tds., and 7 int., earning him a passer rating of 86.2(*).
At 6’4 and 235lbs. Gabbert is equal to Kaepernick in size, and does possess some mobility. Gabbert does not often miss his short to intermediate throws, and possesses a quick release. Like Kaepernick, Gabbert has a strong arm. The problem is that Gabbert trust his strong arm to much, and will at times make risky throws. He can put to much velocity behind the ball on short routes over the middle of the field. Another concern with Gabbert is his durability. Since 2011, Gabbert’s injuries have ranged from issues with a toe in his planter foot, to a torn labrum on his non-throwing shoulder, and a right fore arm injury which put him on injured reserve at the end of 2012. In 2013 Gabbert suffered a broken thumb, lacerated right hand, and a hamstring injury. Gabbert needs to gain some toughness if he hopes to last in Chip Kelly’s fast paced Offense. Jim Harbaugh, when he was coaching the 49ers, did say of Gabbert, “I think he’s a very talented player and his career so far hasn’t gone on to be what he expected, and maybe others expected it to be. But I believe it can be a really powerful opportunity, powerful motivator for a player to say, ‘It wasn’t me, it was my situation.’ And now he has that opportunity.”(*) Maybe Gabbert has found the right situation with Chip Kelly.
Jeff Driskel
Looking at Jeff Driskel’s stats and stature, it really is not surprising that Kelly and the 49ers staff chose Driskel in the sixth round of this year’s draft. At 6’4 and 234lbs, Driskel fits the profile. Driskel won ten games for the Florida Gators in college before getting a medical redshirt in 2013, after suffering a broken leg. After losing his starting job at Florida, Driskel transferred to Louisiana Tech, where he racked up 4,033 yards and 28 touchdowns, with only seven picks in his final year of collegiate ball.
At the combine, Driskel was the fastest of all quarterbacks, running the 40 yard dash in 4.56 sec. Driskel has a quick release, and quick feet. He is a threat outside the pocket with his arm and legs. He is an accurate short passer who will not take unnecessary risks with the ball. Driskel does need to work on leading his receivers. At times in college Driskel would throw behind his receivers, limiting their yards after catch. This may be attributable to the fact that Driskel can get anxious inside the pocket, and has a hard time settling his feet to throw. Jeff Driskel is a raw talent with natural athletic ability. Maybe with the proper coaching and support, he can evolve in a few seasons to be a more efficient deep ball thrower, and relax under duress in the pocket. Ideally Driskel would be able to sit and learn for a few seasons as a back up. But, given the situation with Kaepernick, and the fact that Gabbert is unproven, that scenario may not be possible.
