The Jacksonville Jaguars were hoping to ease rookie quarterbackBlaine Gabbert into the starting lineup, but a lackluster defeatforced them to change their plans.In his first professional start Sunday against the CarolinaPanthers, Gabbert will try to Percy Harvin Jersey Purple match the spectacular performances offellow rookie Cam Newton and earn something that's so far eludedthe Heisman Trophy winner - an NFL victory.After Percy Harvin Jersey Black they traded up to take Gabbert with the 10th overall pick,the Jaguars (1-1) were expected to let the former Missouriquarterback get acclimated to the NFL and the team's offense whilestarter David Garrard played.That process accelerated, however, when the team cut Garrardfollowing a poor preseason, and again after Luke McCown threw fourinterceptions in a 32-3 loss to the New York Jets last Sunday.Under pressure after missing the playoffs in three consecutivecampaigns, Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio announced Wednesday thatGabbert would take over."He's got all the confidence in the world," guard Uche Nwanerisaid of Gabbert. "He's got a good swagger about him. He knows whatthe challenge is going to be. I think he'll thrive against thechallenge. He was drafted high and he's itching for an opportunityto get in and make an impact, and now he's getting an opportunityto do that."If Del Rio required Permier Percy Harvin Jersey any reassurance about his decision, he wouldneed to look no further than this week's opponent.Having gone 2-14 last year, the Panthers were in a seeminglymore desperate situation when they selected Newton with the No. 1pick. With little competition, the former Auburn star took over asthe team's starter and has thrown for 854 yards in his first twogames -second-most in the NFL behind Tom Brady's 940.He's also accounted for five touchdowns, including the team'sonly two rushing scores.Last Sunday, Newton set a single-game franchise record with 432passing yards, but his three interceptions helped Green Bay rallyfrom an early 13-point deficit for a 30-23 win.Newton injured his right ankle in the loss, but he's expected topractice and play this week."We've just got to get it right. We're going to get it right,"he said. "But I'm not the person to just sit up here and say,'Well, we have next time.' I'm not that type of person. I want itright now and I want to get it right now."The Panthers (0-2) are hoping to get their first win with alittle more balance. They've totaled 145 yards on the ground in twogames after averaging more than 100 per game in each of the lastsix seasons.DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, who became the first duoto top 1,110 yards each in 2009, have a combined 74 yards on 30carries.Carolina has passed 83 times and rushed on 48 plays so far thisyear. During their six trips into the red zone last week, thePanthers threw 14 times and ran the ball eight times while comingaway with two touchdowns."We get down inside the 15 and we throw it every time,"offensive tackle Jordan Gross said. "You know I'd like to have 50percent of those be runs. And I don't think (offensive coordinatorRob Official Percy Harvin Jersey Chudzinski) is trusting us to get it done right now."I don't think anybody in this organization wants us to rush forunder 100 and throw for over 400 every week, especially withoutpoints to back it up. We've got to do better on the ground."First-year coach Ron Rivera isn't worried, Authentic Percy Harvin Jersey Purple but this weekendhe'll face a team that's allowing 3.2 yards per carry - thesixth-lowest average in the league."I'd be concerned if we weren't throwing for about 400 yards agame," Rivera said. "Since Authentic Donovan McNabb Jersey we're converting and making playsdownfield and throwing the ball it's Authentic Adrian Peterson Jersey just a matter of time. It'sgoing to happen and Percy Harvin Jersey White when it does it should pop. When it does therun game will be solid."The Jaguars will try to use that run-stopping ability to theiradvantage to record their fourth win in five all-time meetings withthe Panthers, who also joined the NFL before the 1995 season.Jacksonville routed Carolina 37-6 in the most recent matchup in2007, but the Panthers prevailed 24-23 during the previous meetingin Charlotte in 2003 on a touchdown pass with 16 seconds left.Carolina will try to win without linebacker Thomas Davis, whotore the ACL in his right knee for the third time in less than twoyears last Sunday. The Panthers had already lost one of their otherdefensive captains, Jon Beason, for the year because of a tornAchilles' tendon.Jacksonville defensive end Aaron Kampman, who is recovering fromknee surgery, is expected to sit out.
