Why the Jacksonville Jaguars Don't Need a Rookie Quarterback

There seems to be the general idea that the Jaguars need to draft a rookie QB with the 8^th overall pick. Many mock drafts have the Jaguars drafting Mark Sanchez and even Todd Mcshay mentioned that the Jaguars could be in the market for a QB. I find this alarming for many reasons, but mainly because it implies that David Garrard is not a long term solution. I’ll use this article to explain why I think that the Jaguars do not need a rookie QB.

Rewind to 2007. Jack Del Rio makes the controversial decision to fire franchise QB Byron Leftwich in favor of David Garrard. Garrard went on to lead the Jaguars deep into the playoffs, his 4^th quarter scramble put the Jags in field goal range to beat the Steelers on the Wild Card game. He also only threw an amazingly low three picks. The next season the Jaguars had a lackluster season and people already want Jacksonville to consider other options at QB…WHY!???! Garrard was hardly the problem. The Jaguars offensive line suffered numerous injuries and the backups let Garrard get knocked around like a piñata. Garrard was sacked twice as much in 2008 as he was in 2007. The two wide receivers, Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson, added in the off season combined for 211 yards and 2 touchdowns. Maybe the Jacksonville front office should admit that trading Marcus Stroud was probably a bad decision! 2008 is in no way singularly David Garrard’s fault and he should not be made its scapegoat.

Taking a look at 2009 Jerry porter is gone, Matt Jones got fired, and Fred Taylor has moved on. Garrard now has even less weapons than he had last year. There are rumors that Torry Holt will be visiting Jacksonville, which would go a long way towards helping Garrard. Only one QB plays so why draft another QB when you could grab a WR or OT with that premier pick that would support your QB. Remember when Garrard was receiving nothing but praises a year ago. People seem to have too short a memory…why try and ruin a perfectly good QB by demonstrating a lack of faith in him?

If Jacksonville is desperate for a controversial QB choice I have two suggestions both equally controversial. The first is more feasible; why not bring back Byron Leftwich? He knows the system and has evidenced his starter caliber in his year with the Steelers. Leftwich may not want to rejoin the team that so abruptly fired him, but it would be a solid solution that might just put Garrard back into the 2007 frame of mind. My other suggestion is Michael Vick. If Vick is allowed back into the NFL the Jags could use him to replace the production of Fred Taylor and give the Jags offense a boost. It would also provide an interesting QB competition that would force Garrard to demonstrate the value of his passing attack over the obvious value of Vick’s scrambling game. Either way, Leftwich or Vick, Garrard would be forced to step up his game.

The Jaguars have a solid QB in David Garrard. The Jaguars pick should be used to help elevate Garrard’s play, not potentially run it into the ground. Garrard needs to return to his 2007 form, and drafting Mark Sanchez or Matt Stafford will not accomplish that. If anything it will demonstrate the Jacksonville front office has little faith in him and Garrard’s play could decline. Maybe a veteran QB added to the mix might do elevate his play, but Garrard should be Jacksonville’s long term solution. For the reasons I have stated, I believe the Jacksonville Jaguars do not need a rookie QB.

Madden 09: A Few Things to Change

Players are traded and added to rosters at the tail end of the off-season, but Madden is finalized before these moves occur. Thus, there are always minor adjustments to be made on Madden rosters to make the gae true to life, that is unless you didn't agree to that move. I've decided to address some of the moves that Madden will not have made adjustments for. These are not going to be all of them, but these will be the most prominent and significant moves to be made.

Jason Taylor
Madden location: ROLB Miami Dolphins
Actual location: DE Washington Redskins

If Madden has not brought back position changing a lot of Redskins fans will be upset. However, if he can be changed Redskins fans will definitely make the roster change as soon as the game is out of the box. Jason Taylor will provide the Skins with a phenom pass rusher. I have friends that played with the Skins and one of the comforts I had was that as long as I avoided Andre Carter I'd have al day to throw. Now the Skins will be pass rushing from both sides and I already feel Roethlisberger's pain...

Jeremy Shockey
Madden Location: TE New York Giants
Actual Location: TE New Orleans Saints

Giants fans may not be quick to make a roster update, but Saints fans will definitely welcome this change. Saints fans will now have a big target over the middle of the offense that will demand attention. The attention he will command will open up lanes for Reggie Bush and Deuce helping Saints fans establish a much smoother running game.

Kevin Jones
Madden Location: Free Agency
Actual Location: RB Chicago Bears

Given that his signing was a month ago there is a high probability that he will actually be on the Bears roster on Madden 09. Jones will provide the Bears with a decent caliber running back. However, as far as Madden goes, it will be a matter of preference as to whether Jones is properly utilized. If users pass to HB's a lot, Jones will be valuable, but otherwise they have a power back in Forte and a speed back in Wolfe. Jones will provide depth, but nothing game altering.

Brett Favre
Madden Location: NFL Greats List
Actual Location: New York Jets

Favre will be a topic of hot contention for online franchise modes. Die hard Packer fans will not want to let him go and Jets fans will insist on having him. How Favre is dealt out is not a concern of mine. However, or those of you curious on how to activate Favre I can tell you how. EA states that Favre is on their NFL Greats List. All that is required is that you activate Favre and he becomes available in the free agent pool. Once their assign him to the team you and yours have decided upon.

Chad Pennington
Madden location: New York Jets
Actual Location: Miami Dolphins

Pennington will be welcome to Dolphins fans. The other options at QB for iamiwere not nearely as promising. Pennington will provide stability until the user can pump up one of the younger QBs or Pennington can be trading bait used to get a better QB. Either way, Pennington has considerable value in Miami.

Daunte Culpepper & Byron Leftwich
Madden Location: Free Agency
Actual Location: Pittsbrugh Steelers
Many Steelers owners will not want these two with a healthy Charlie Batch on roster, but the shrewd owners will take on the two veterans and trade two of the four Steeler quarterbacks for picks and/or offensive lineman. Pending the ratings of all the QBs I plan on keeping Culpepper in reserve. Culpepper's strong arm and mobility will mean in the event Roethlisberger gets hurt, I won't have to change my offense very much. Culpepper can be a reliable backup to Reothlisberger and a welcome addition to the Pittsburgh Steelers.