Here he goes again: 49ers’ Gabbert learning latest new offense
In his first six seasons in the NFL, 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert has played for six offensive coordinators and morphed from a potential franchise quarterback to a disappointment.
The parallel to the once-maligned ex-49ers quarterback was hard to miss Tuesday when Gabbert was asked about his latest new offense.
Is Chip Kelly’s fast-paced attack similar to the system he ran at the University of Missouri?
Gabbert, who has also played for six head coaches in the NFL, paused and smiled before answering: Uh, shoot, that was a long time ago.
The 49ers’ head coach, of course, is another respected offensive mind less than three years removed from coaxing a 27-touchdown, two-interception season from current Rams backup Nick Foles in Philadelphia.
[...] it was easy to forget Gabbert was on the roster the past few months given the attention to the 49ers possibly trading Kaepernick and selecting a quarterback with an early round draft pick.
“To be honest, I really didn’t listen at all,” Gabbert said, addressing reporters for the first time this offseason.
Gabbert is a more vocal leader than Kaepernick, whose reserved style became the subject of unflattering national reports before he was demoted after eight starts last year.
On Tuesday, Kaepernick was on the field and he stood behind the offense, mimicking the throws and handoffs made by Gabbert, Thad Lewis and rookie Jeff Driskel, a sixth-round pick.
Kelly said that Kaepernick has resumed throwing with trainers, but that he didn’t know whether he’ll be cleared for practices before training camp.
During the offseason, Kaepernick has requested a trade and met twice with Broncos general manager John Elway before a trade with Denver fell through.