Blaine Gabbert

The Jacksonville Jaguars turn to rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert.

Coach Jack Del Rio called on Wednesday from Gabbert, change ringing, three days after Luke McCown threw four interceptions against the Jets in New York.

Del Rio met with Gabbert and McCown Wednesday morning, and then told the other players on the transition to a team meeting. Gabbert will start Sunday at Carolina.

The move was inevitable, because Gabbert Jaguars selected with the 10th overall pick in April. Del Rio had hoped to take it slow with the exceptional in Missouri, even planning to give him a year to observe and learn behind David Garrard. But Garrard had his worst pre-season as a starter and was dominated by McCown, a backup career.

Del Rio named McCown the five days before the start of the season opening. But his early career ninth failure. He was released four times and could take a little more, and was sacked for a safety - in just three quarters.

Gabbert replaced McCown to start the fourth, and completed 5 of 6 go for 52 yards in relief.

Gabbert threw 40 touchdown passes and 18 interceptions came in two years in Missouri. Due to the blockage in the NFL, missed minicamp activities organized by the team and dozens of meetings with offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter. However, impressed coaches and teammates with his arm strength, pocket presence, situational awareness and speed.

But Gabbert struggled at times in the preseason, especially in Del Rio confirmed that he needed more time to learn the offense and to read NFL defenses.

The Jaguars wanted to give him time, but McCown's performance against the Jets changed all that. McCown completed 6 of 19 to 59 meters will. Jacksonville ran the ball well and kept McCown being hit a lot, so there was some excuse for wiretapping.

The Jets won 32-3, the second worst defeat of Del Rio within nine years. And since he is widely regarded as the framework for the future - team owner Wayne Weaver said the Jaguars need to make the playoffs from Del Rio to stay one more year - was reasonable if you put your fate in the hands of a rookie quarterback .

Del Rio took several days to assess the situation before turning things around Gabbert.