This preseason seems unusually short of quarterback controversies. There are a handful of veteran passers – most of them journeymen – whose perfect dose of dependability and mediocrity always create some sort of quarterback controversy for whatever team they’re on (this handful unofficially includes Kerry Collins, Kyle Orton, Chad Pennington, Gus Frerotte, and the two controversy-inducing kings, Jeff Garcia and the great Brian Griese).
But this season, all these players – and other veterans of similar ilk – are either out of the league or have clearly defined roles on their respective teams. Thus, controversy is scarce.
That’s why we’ll put additional heat on Jacksonville. The Jaguars seem bent on keeping David Garrard as their starter. Even after Luke McCown’s impressive performance in the preseason opener against the Eagles, Jags head coach Jack Del Rio has refused to address the idea of a competition under center.
"I wouldn't even care to get into that kind of discussion," Del Rio said, according to the Florida Times Union. "I would think even getting into questions like that would show a lack of perspective. We've got a lot of things to do better and we'll just keep our head down and keep working at it and [he's] certainly not going to get caught up in that kind of discussion after a couple of series in our first preseason game."
Notice Del Rio didn’t say “Garrard is our quarterback”. Since becoming the highest-paid player in franchise history, Garrard has been a portrait of patchiness, throwing 30 touchdowns and 23 interceptions in that two-year span. The Jaguars front office has subtly questioned the 32-year-old’s intensity at times.
Most concerning about Garrard is that he thrives in ball control scenarios but flounders whenever he’s asked to make a play. He’s mastered the basics, but that’s it. For a man with his scrambling ability, he doesn’t improvise well. In today’s pass-driven NFL, you can’t win this way. It puts too much limit on offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter.
The reason Jacksonville is intent to sink or swim with Garrard is because, well, they have no other option. McCown is younger and has a similar skill set as Garrard, but he’s never truly claimed a starting job in his seven-year career. He’s been more of a preseason warrior, if you will.
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