JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars are parting ways with quarterback Byron Leftwich after four frustrating, injury-filled seasons.
Trying to move Leftwich
The Jaguars officially named David Garrard the starting quarterback on Friday, and will now turn their attention toward trying to trade Byron Leftwich prior to Saturday’s 6 p.m. ET deadline for reducing roster's to 53 players."We’ve gone through the offseason, training camp and the preseason with Byron as our starter, but after thorough ongoing evaluation of the entire body of work, we have made the decision that David gives us the best chance to win," head coach Jack Del Rio said. More: Jaguars.com
Coach Jack Del Rio said the team plans to trade or release the former first-round draft pick. Del Rio also named mobile backup David Garrard his starter heading into next week's season opener, believing Garrard gives the team a better chance to win.
"I had been contemplating this for awhile, and I just wanted to make sure I did the right thing," said Del Rio. "It came down to me believeing that David was the right person to lead this team."
Garrard outplayed Leftwich in the preseason, completing 36-of-47 passes for 456 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for a score. But his numbers came primarily against second-team defenses.
"It's bittersweet news," said Garrard, who has started 18 games in five years as a backup in Jacksonville. "I'm definitely shocked. I didn't see this happening. I'm beyond shocked. I really feel like this is a dream, but I know it's not and I know I'm ready."
Leftwich, who missed 10 games last season because of an ankle injury, was 19-of-38 passing for 226 yards and a touchdown in three preseason games. He misfired on several passes, badly overthrew Dennis Northcutt on two deep routes against Green Bay and continued to show messy mechanics with his feet and throwing motion.
Making the decision easier, Leftwich hasn't played a full season since being the seventh overall selection in the 2003 draft. But the former Marshall star felt he was in the best shape of his life following ankle surgery and a rigid offseason conditioning program.
» Picked 7th in 2003 draft.» Replaced Mark Brunell four games into rookie year.
» Missed 17 games in the last three years.
» Threw 37 touchdowns to only 20 interceptions past three years.
» Lost starting job each of the last two years after getting hurt.
» Named the starting quarterback in February of 2007.
» Outplayed in preseason by David Garrard and lost job again.
Del Rio seemed to agree, naming Leftwich his starter in February and backing him every day since -- until now.
Leftwich was in the final year of his contract, so releasing him would not cost the team anything extra against the salary cap in 2007.
But it would leave the Jags with little room for injury at that position. Third-string Quinn Gray, who played well in the preseason finale after missing most of camp because of a sprained ankle, will move into the No. 2 spot.
Leftwich has completed nearly 59 percent of his passes for 9,042 yards, with 51 touchdowns and 36 interceptions. He started 13 games as a rookie, then missed two games in 2004 with an injured left knee.
He missed five games the following year because of his oft-injured left ankle. He returned to the starting lineup in the playoffs, but played poorly in a loss.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
