It was only three years ago that David Garrard won a playoff game in Pittsburgh, and then was rewarded with a contract that paid him as a true franchise quarterback.
Three years in the NFL can be a long time. Now 33 years old, Garrard watched the Jaguars pick their next franchise quarterback in Blaine Gabbert. He says he welcomes the competition.
“I think competition’s healthy. You never shy away from competition. That’s just sports,” Garrard told Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union.
We’d expect nothing less from Garrard, who is always professional. Garrard and Gabbert have been exchanging texts and Garrard says the rookie is a “great kid” that the Jacksoville community will one day rally behind. Garrard just intends to delay things for a while.
“My thing is the best man will play. The cream will rise to the top. . . . If it’s not me, then it’s just not me,” Garrard said. “If Blaine comes in and he is above and beyond just better than me then best of luck to him. Because the best person who is going to give this team a chance to win should be out there. I’ve always believed that. I’m going to work my tail off to make sure that it’s me.”
The lockout, not to mention Garrard’s salary, should keep Gabbert in a backup role heading into the season. It’s up to Garrard what happens from there.
