The Jaguars are rumored to be considering selecting Florida quarterback Tim Tebow in the 2010 NFL draft because of the ability of the popular Tebow to sell tickets in Jacksonville. But the Jaguars' general manager is stating publicly that he likes the quarterback he has.
Jaguars General Manager Gene Smith says quarterback David Garrard is the right person to take the Jaguars where they want to go.
"I'm confident in his abilities," Smith said in comments published by the Jaguars' team web site. "I believe we can win with David. Football is a team sport, so you'll only be as good as the guys around you. To compete at the highest level, you need a good quarterback. I feel, as we grow as a team, David will continue to grow as a quarterback. He's got all the physical skills to make all the throws."
Smith said he thinks what the team really needs is to improve its pass rush in the off-season, saying he doesn't think the Jaguars will ever surpass the Colts in the AFC South unless they pressure Peyton Manning.
But Smith also said he doesn't want to think about next year just yet, because he still believes, at 7-7, that the Jaguars have a good chance of making the playoffs.
"I think if we win the next two," he said, "we should make it."
Jags' G.M. gives Garrard a vote of confidence
Posted by Michael David Smith on December 21, 2009 4:33 PM ET
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Thats not a vote-of-confidence. Thats simply a Good GM talking all the right things (to motivate) about the starting QB whose team has a chance to make it to the postseason. Also keeping David will create not create smokescreen on the Jags drafting QB. David is supposed to get $9 Million next year which I am sure a franchise like the Jags can't afford to spend on for a backup.
MDS - Your boss Mr. Florio, had proclaimed earlier that Garrard won't be the starting QB next season. I request you to stick with those words.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/10/02/del-rio-tells-garrard-not-to-do-a-radio-show/
I cried a little when I read this article...
Timmy
Even if they don't make the playoffs...home town hero Tebow won't save them and the stadium
This is a no brainer. Jags need to sell tickets. Tebow is a Florida favorite. If they did get him, he should ride the pine for a couple seasons, depending on Garrard's progression. It would be a disaster to draft him and throw him in the fire.
As a Raider fan, I can say that if David Garrard were the QB in Oakland, they would be fighting for a playoff spot right now. Hell, they have 5 wins with JaCarcus at QB most of the season. Imagine what they could do with a half decent QB?
Are you kidding me? He's sticking by a QB who fumbles left and right???? Come on. The problem with the Jaguars is they NEVER admit they made a mistake. He is not a high ranking QB. Time to give another QB a chance.
Thank you Gene Smith. Since Gene was director of college scouting when Coughlin drafted Garrard in the 4th round Gene has a stake on Garrard suceeding. He was probably Gene's prefference. I think Rohan Davey was drafted in the same round that year. He worked out well. If the Jags win their next two games then that will be two playoff seasons in three years awith Garrard starting. He is not Peyton, Brady or Brees. However, he is a very good football player and can start for another 5 years in the NFL. This is only his third year as a starter. Tebow is a second or third round talent at QB. If he is available in round 3 take him because Garrard is the QB in Jax for at least two more seasons. All this bitching about fumbling but no mention of just 7 INTs thrown this year. At least half of his fumbles have come from rookie tackles whiffing against a top flight pass rusher or fourth down plays where the Jags weren't picking up the first down anyway. All you Garrard haters that say you are Jag fans need to get the hell on. The Jags will end up as the 5 seed in the AFC this year whiny bitches. And ya'll want to dump Garrard because Reggie Nelson can't tackle anybody, Brad Meester and Vince Manuwai are FINISHED, and we have the fewest sacks in the league on D. Yeah, you guys are right, we just need to draft a QB in round one and playoffs here we come. Have any of ya'll played a football game without creating your roster on the internet first? If you want to know what the Jags need, just read my posts.
Thank you Seeryeer. Anyone with any football sense can see that David Garrard is not the problem here in Jacksonville, but he IS part of the solution. Everything you mentioned seeryeer is correct. And to add to that, the Jags are one of the youngest teams in the league. The arrow is pointing up with this team. I say draft the best available talent in the draft. What the team needs more of is play-makers. Jones-Drew has shown he can carry a load, but maybe not THE load. Bring in another back and we may see even more explosive plays out of him because he's fresh. Sort-of like 2007 when Fred and MoJo were arguably the best 1-2 punch. If C.J Spiller is available when they pick I'd love to see them take him. But again, it's playmakers this team needs, whether on offense or defense. We have a solid base, but not too much depth behind our starters.
Great comments guys! 15 year season ticket holder here and sick and tired of the media bullshit. Any other city stands behind there team, ours cannot wait till Monday to bash them.
I say we line them all up starting with the 400lb 1010 idiot.
OTR&TTW,
I agree. As for the draft, I like Mike Johnson, the Guard from Alabama in round 1. Somehow we have to get a second round pick and with that pick we need to take Toby Gerhart. 3rd round I would like to see one of the Pouncey brothers get picked up. Address the pass rush and the safety position in free agency. Don't break the bank but upgrade the positions. I think Gerald Alexander can start at SS and Considine at FS. Anthony Smith has been a good backup. We need to sign another starter at Safety because I want guys bringing it at that position which means there will be injuries so depth is needed.
Linsey,
We are heading into week 16 of the NFL regular season and the Jags could come out of it in perfect position for the 5th seed in the AFC. And all the media in this town want to do is throw the QB under the bus because they want Tebow. They are sick of the old story that is Garrard's Jags. They want the new story, Tebow's Jags. They also ran Tom Coughlin out of town after 7 years. In other words, they are, with few exceptions, clueless. Eagles beat the Broncos at home this SUN, Steelers beat the Ravens at home this SUN and the Jags win at NE and the Jags are heading to CLE in week 17 and the opportunity to clinch the 5 seed in the AFC with a win. That means they would then go back to NE or to CIN for a first round game. This weekend is huge and everybody is ready to throw in the playoff towel. The Patriots have been might sloppy the last few weeks and I think the Jags can erase the last two weeks bad finishes and reclaim the control of their playoff destiny. It is great to be a Jag fan right now.
It's nice to see there really are some knowledgable football fans in Jax. Unfortunately I think they are all posting comments on this website and not able to get on the radio or in the papers. Garrard is not the problem with the Jaguars. You guys have explained that above. Unfortunately, those who do not really follow this team only see that he was not able to make plays in the past two games when we really needed one. Is he on the same level as Manning or Brady? No. Would you rather have him than 15-20 of the other starting QB's in the league? Absolutely you would.
Anyone who follows this team the way I do and seems like some on here do know the caliber of QB we have. There's at least 20 teams who would slap their mama to have Garrard as their STARTING QB. Garrard has all the ingredients to be a top flight QB in the NFL. He makes smart decisions, he runs when need be, he progresses through his reads, he's great from the shotgun or the step drop passes. The only problem is protection. You give any QB protection they will pick you apart all day and Garrard can pick you apart if the time is there. Has he fumbled, of course. You would too if you had a 300 lb defender coming at you with everything he has b/c of a blown pick up by the young tackles.
And speaking of tackles, when Monroe and Britton get a little more experience, hopefully this year will give them that, our O-line is in place for 10-12 years. The main reason Garrard's number are average is the play calling, every knows that. You can't run 1st and 2nd down and pass on 3 rd down every drive. Too predictable and every team knows it. Like I keep saying, get an offense coordinator with some imagination and not afriad to have a pass and run balance, the sky is the limit for this offense.
Sims-Walker, Mike Thomas and I hear this Dillard and Underwood are suppose to be studs, I think we're there. And if there's a stud WR free agent then go after him. Regardless mix in MJD and we're top 10 offense in the league hands down. Now defense that's another story as we all know, but I have all the confidence that Gene Smith WILL address that this off season guaranteed. We're close, very close.
Jag4Life,
I wonder if the not so smart Jag fans love Pete Prisco? I am sure they do. He hates Garrard because Pete's boyfriend Byron L got beat out by him. It has nothing to do with David's skills and everything to do with Pete's jealousy and hatred. By the way, if you ever call in to Prisco ask him how long he and his long lost brother Al Del Greco have been seperated. And also ask him why he couldn't get credentials to get into the SEC championship game.
Seeryer:
We have a lot in common. I always see you in Jags blogs and it's nice to see you're as passionate as I. You seem to be a student of the sport like myself. As far Prisco, he's definetely not a fan of Garrard, but he did have this to say last week: "You can forget about Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, too. According to Jaguars sources, they are not high on him at all as a quarterback, even if he might sell some tickets."
So Jax, if we get Tebow then it is what it is. But if that's what you're going to base your ticket buying on then you're lost anyway. We have an exciting team in the making people. Forget ESPN, Florio, NFL Network, Chris Berman, forget everybody telling Jag fans that we're this and that. People like myself Seeyer, Gojags, 1jagfan and there's a few more I see on here often who are passionate fans. I know there's more out there so as fans let's do what we can and spread the word. Tell a friend, a neighbor, the mailman, anybody cause I DO NOT want to loose MY team. This offseason is the real game time to get people back into Jag football so one day we can have a true JAG NATION.
Jag4Life,
The nucleus is there. We need to upgrade inside on the OL, obviously generate some push up front defensively and get better in our defensive backfield. I wonder if Rashean can play FS? He is big enough but mentally he does not want to be a physical football player. I think Considine and Alexander ought to start at safety this week and put Brackenridge at nickel and see how it looks. Reggie Nelson is not one of our best 11 on defense. I don't care when he was drafted or what his nickname was in college. What everyone saw last THU night is what all Jags fans have seen for three years. Reggie Nelson is overmatched physically at this level and HE KNOWS IT. Him knowing it means he lost before he even takes the field.