The Jacksonville Jaguars Release David Garrard, but Not to Start Blaine Gabbert. Are the Seahawks the best fit?

The Jaguars, a team that has struggled at times during this economic downturn have released their starting quarterback David Garrard in a cost cutting move. Garrard was not going to be the future of the Jaguars once they chose Blaine Gabbert in this past draft, but he did give them a pretty good chance to win now. The Jaguars have a solid running game, and an average defense.

Garrard had a pretty successful stay with the Jaguars after taking over for Byron Leftwhich. The Jaguars, according to various reports, Luke McGown will get the start.

Profootballtalk’s take

This was an economic move above all else. Garrard was due around $8 million this season. It’s hard to believe the Jaguars think McCown (or Gabbert) gives the team a superior chance to win right now. But the gap between Garrard and a league average backup like McCown was growing smaller by the year and Garrard wasn’t worth the money.

Andrew Brandt reported (and by that I mean tweeted, like all reports are broken now), will have made 36 million of his 63 million dollars of his contract. Not chump change, but it’s obvious why the Jagaurs released Garrard.

Former Jaguars defensive back Gerald Alexander tweeted:

I will say this: From my time there last year. Had it been an even QB battle in camp. Luke wuda won the starting job going into last season

Maybe that’s true, but this just reminds us once again the uncompromising nature of the business. Garrard is a well respected person in the league and a good N.F.L. quarterback. While everyone is piling up on Garrard (sorry PFT I think you’re very wrong on this one), I’ll defend him. Last year having inferior receiving options (in my eyes), Garrard completed 64.5 percent of his passes for an average of 7.5 yards per pass while throwing 23 touchdowns and fifteen interceptions. He also had 279 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Garrard has a career 39-37 quarterback record . The Jaguars, in my, opinion should have released Garrad weeks ago if they knew he was going to be released. He’s given a lot to this team and releasing him two days before the first game of the season puts him in a terrible position to find another job.

The two questions that arise from this move are: when does Blaine Gabbert start? And what team is going to scoop up Garrard?

I’m not sure when Gabbert will start, but I imagine it’ll be when the Jaguars are officially out of the playoff face (and no, I don’t think McGown can get them to the playoffs). The Giants moved Eli Manning into the starting quarterback spot with 8 games remaining in his rookie year, even though they were in playoff contention, but I think that’s a peculiar move.

As for who will scoop up Garrard. That’s something that is also unknown, but I have a few good ideas.

The Bengals would be a prime landing spot for Garrard. Andy Dalton is not ready to win with the Bengals right now and it would be good for the Bengals to have a veteran quarterback out there who is a competitor to show A.J. Green and the rest of the young players the ropes. Garrard also does not seem to be the kind of quarterback who might stunt the growth of a young quarterback which will only help Andy Dalton.

I know the Panthers seem set on starting Cam Newton or Jimmy Clausen this year, but I think they could make some noise if they were to bring in Garrard and get him up to date on the offensive system quickly.

Two other teams that would be interesting are the Oakland Raiders and the Seahawks.

Both teams are in winnable divisions and don’t have great quarterback play.

I think the Seahawks are actually THE best fit for Garrard. The Seahawks are implementing a ground and pound style of football with all of the additions they made this off-season (read that as Massive offensive linemen) and have wide receivers a savvy quarterback like Garrad will be able to take advantage of in Mike Williams and Sydney Rice. Throw in Zach Miller as well and suddently the Seahawks offense goes from bad to a little above average. The Seahawks could parlay that into another playoff apperance, something I don’t think is likely with Tavaris Jackson under center.

I still think Garrard is ready to be a N.F.L. starter and I’m interested in where he might wind up. The problem above all else is of course that he will have no time to learn a new system for this year which makes it a difficult situation.

Where do you guys think would be a good fit for Garrard?

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