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Beyond the Numbers: Why 49ers Signal-Caller Blaine Gabbert Is Failing at Quarterback

By Peter Panacy

Sep 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) talks with a teammate during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated San Francisco, 37-18. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) talks with a teammate during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated San Francisco, 37-18. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) walks off the field after the game. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 46-27 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) walks off the field after the game. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 46-27 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Statistics and Numbers

Blaine Gabbert is the third-worst quarterback in the NFL right now. At least according to Pro Football Focus, which has assigned Gabbert a paltry 45.4 mark on the year.

So far, he’s accumulated a 68.6 passer rating, which places him 30th in the league just above the Los Angeles Rams’ Case Keenum and Ryan Fitzpatrick of the New York Jets.

Gabbert is 53-of-96, which leads to a 55.2 percent completion percentage. And he has three passing touchdowns against as many interceptions.

OK. So those are the basic stats — the ones we all too often judge quarterbacks on.

But take a look at some of the other stats, especially if you like charts, and notably first-down completion percentage:

Each mark represents the three games the 49ers have played in 2016. Completion percentage isn’t particularly great, but the failed efforts to get first downs are problematic.

Football Outsiders has an intriguing stat on something like this. It’s called failed completions, and FO has also set aside one for a combination of third- and fourth-down plays.

Not shockingly, Gabbert was dead last out of qualifiers a year ago in total failed-completion percentage, and he also ranked at the very bottom on successful completions on third and fourth downs.

Guessing those throws short of the first-down marker didn’t help much.

So this leads us to the next area of concern — mechanics.