During the periodic moments when Jets coach Rex Ryan seems to be considering the possibility of benching rookie quarterback Geno Smith, the presumption is that Ryan would go with Matt Simms.
Simms, the son of former Giants quarterback Phil Simms, has made two relief appearances this season. The son of Simms remains poised to supplant Smith if/when Ryan believes he won’t save his own job until he takes Geno’s away.
But what about David Garrard? Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News provides a reminder that Garrard remains on the roster, even if he has become forgotten.
“I definitely can play,” Garrard told Mehta. “I wouldn’t be here if I couldn’t play. . . . I would have just come back as a coach.”
But Garrard isn’t officially lobbying to play -- even though he sort of is.
“I’m not trying to push that envelope until my number is called,” Garrard said. “So, for now, I’m being the best teammate that I can, the best guy to help Geno as much as I can, because everything’s new to him as far as what the other teams are doing and how to handle certain situations. I’m trying to give him that little bit of wisdom that I have to be able to help him not be hit by things off guard. Right now, that’s my role.”
Garrard seems to think his future role could be the starter for a different team. Seriously.
“I’ve told these guys that I’d love to stay here, love to keep going,” Garrard said. “I don’t know if it’s in the cards for someone else to bring me in as a starter. If that’s not the case, I’d love to be right here and keep working with these guys and working with this staff.”
Officially, he’s not lobbying to play. Even though he said he “would be pumped” if they “call my number.”
He’d definitely be pumped if his number is called against the Dolphins on Sunday. Last year, he had a spot at the top of the Miami depth chart before a knee forced him to retire.
And if Garrard’s number is called, it’ll be his first game action since December 26, 2010, Garrard’s final game in Jacksonvile.
Maybe that’s the primary reason Ryan isn’t willing to hinge his future career on a guy who hasn’t really had a career in nearly three years.