JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- As he gathered his things and headed to the interview room Sunday afternoon, the heckles came in rapid fire at Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard, his teammates giving him an endless stream of grief for his burgundy-colored velvet sport coat.
"Looking like a starting quarterback," one of them yelled.
More than you know.
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| David Garrard throws two TDs in a game for the second time this season. (US Presswire) |
When the Jaguars released Byron Leftwich nine days before the regular season, it was a move questioned by many, including this writer. The feeling was Garrard was nothing more than a game manager, a backup masquerading as a starter at times.
The reality is he might be more than that, which might make me do something I don't do that often, which is to admit I was wrong.
Playing for the first time in a month after missing time with a high-ankle sprain, Garrard didn't exactly light up the stat sheet in helping the Jaguars beat the San Diego Chargers 24-17 at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. But it was a third-quarter touchdown drive that exemplifies how far he's come as a passer and more importantly how far this team might be able to go.
Their lead cut to 17-10, Garrard was backed up deep in his own end at the 13. A run by Fred Taylor put the team in a second-and-8 and momentum was clearly moving to the Chargers' side.
Garrard completed passes on four consecutive plays to put the Jaguars in the end zone, the last a 1-yard toss to tight end Marcedes Lewis for the score. First, Garrard hit receiver Dennis Northcutt for 22 yards, then hit tight end George Wrighster for 36 yards and receiver Reggie Williams for 26 yards to the 1.
"We showed how explosive this offense can be," Garrard said.
Explosive? Jaguars? Offense? Is that possible? After all, the conventional thinking around the league is that this is a talented team that will be undone by its passing game, or lack of one.
Garrard finished 15-of-24 for 189 yards and two touchdowns and no interceptions for a passer rating of 114.8. He is the only starting quarterback in the league who has not thrown an interception this year.
Some of that is because the Jaguars play a safe run-first style of offense, but it's becoming apparent that they're more willing to take chances with Garrard. His third-quarter drive was a thing of beauty.
