Ouster of Leftwich By Jaguars Surprising Only Because of the Timing

The Jacksonville Jaguars apparently have decided to make David Garrard their starting quarterback and trade or release former starter Byron Leftwich.

The only real surprise about the move is the timing. Leftwich and Coach Jack Del Rio butted heads publicly last season over Leftwich's ailing ankle. Leftwich wanted to keep playing. Del Rio wouldn't allow it, and Leftwich's season eventually was ended early.

But rather than releasing the former first-round draft choice in the offseason, the Jaguars kept him and Del Rio announced that Leftwich would be the team's starter. Now he's going back to Garrard, who filled in for Leftwich as the starter last season.

The first place that comes to mind as a possible landing spot for Leftwich is Atlanta. The Falcons, with Michael Vick suspended indefinitely and D.J. Shockley injured, have Joey Harrington as their starter and Chris Redman as his primary backup. There's probably not another team in the league with which Leftwich could become the starter soon and remain the starter going forward without a younger quarterback waiting in the wings.

By Mark Maske |  August 31, 2007; 7:30 PM ET  | Category:  Jaguars
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Posted by: SPENCER | September 1, 2007 11:46 AM

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