So I have decided to post one on the Jacksonville Jaguars which discussed the relevance of the re-signing of quarterback David Garrard and head coach Jack Del Rio to new contracts. As you read, you will see that I was quasi-on point with some observations and woefully off target with others...but hey, it's the NFL and anything can happen, right? I still believe the Jags are on track for winning in the long term and will recover from a disappointing 2008 regular season. The moves made by the organization in the wake of a bad season include: firing the GM who signed Porter and Williamson(which gives Del Rio more say in personnel matters), letting Taylor go via free agency, re-signing Jones-Drew and making him the 3rd highest paid running back in the game while also getting rid of two other first-round bust receivers in Matt Jones and Reggie Williams (the dead wood).
BTW, notice my first question? With Matt Cassell cashing in for last season's performance for the New England Patriots, yes, all it takes is one year of efficient ball to demand big dollars as a starting quarterback in the NFL. I have posted numerous blogs on myspace dealing with football (which is rarely used these days). I am under the name Phil-Matic if you choose to read others. Enjoy.
The David Garrard Contract...Good or Bad?
Tuesday, April 08, 2008, 9:00pm
Who knew that it only takes one efficient season as the starting QB of an NFL franchise in order to cash in to the tune of a reported $60 million over seven years? David Garrard (pictured) passed for 3,543 yards o
ver five seasons previous to his statistically monstrous season of 2007. During those previous five seasons his total for touchdowns was 18 and his interception total was 13. By looking at the simple statistics and comparing them to the 2007 season (2,509 yds,18 tds, 3 ints), I can see why Wayne Weaver and Jacksonville Jaguars brain-trust would invest in this player. Garrard has shown that he can be a capable long term investment at the most critical position on the football field because he is efficient (career 59.8 completion percentage), can create throwing space with his legs in the face of a rush and more importantly, he does not turn the ball over. If you combine his numbers over the six seasons he’s been in the NFL, 36 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions would compare favorably to the best QB’s in the league. The front office had to be salivating as Garrard did this with two first round busts as starting wide receivers and an underachieving TE that also was picked rather high in an NFL Draft.
When I saw Garrard escape from the Pittsburgh Steelers rush during the AFC Divisional Playoff game, darting and dashing down the field in order to position the Jaguars to win, I knew Garrard could be special. It is what a QB does during the most pressing times that define their true value to a team; the Jags blew a lead on the road to a tough team, the momentum was on the other side of the field and losing was a real possibility…to everyone else except Garrard and the Jags. The Jags went on to lose the following week in New England, but if it weren’t for a dropped pass by Dennis Northcutt (a perfect pass, mind you), the outcome may have been different. Garrard paid his dues behind a highly touted QB of the future in Byron Leftwich and when given the opportunity, he shined. He shined so much the organizational philosophy may have been influenced.
In my previous article, I mentioned that NFL franchises are moving away from the hire coach fire coach, hire GM fire GM approach to building teams. They are now moving towards the college type of system programs are built. Owners want continuity and stability as this can be cost effective in the long run; the hire/fire approach leads to paying more to hire new coaching staffs, sacrificing sound cap management by paying more for the appropriate players to fit the revolving d
oor of systems, releasing good players who may not fit in the new coach’s plans (then deal with the cap hit), and finally endure with the on-field struggles of players constantly having to adapt to different ways of playing the game philosophically. In this atmosphere, fans become disconnected from the on the field product which affects revenue streams at the gate and in merchandising. Basically, what I am getting at is the Jags signed head coach Jack Del Rio (pictured) to a five year contract extension and followed up by ponying up big bucks to his QB. This is a clear example of program building and the fact that Del Rio made Garrard his choice in leading the team, he probably will have earned more say in personnel matters. Garrard was also given two new receivers, one of which is proven (Jerry Porter) and the other in the mold of the dead wood they already have on the roster (Troy Williamson). Although it is up for debate how these two players will do, it is clear that the organization is committed to giving Garrard the tools in order to be successful.
There is definite hope in Jacksonville and as long as the QB-coach tandem is in place, I see the team being c
ompetitive. The contract Garrard signed is more than likely designed to enable financially flexibility for the first three seasons, which should be enough time to see Maurice Jones-Drew (pictured) grow into a force, Fred Taylor continue to amaze us with his durability in the final years of his career and for smash-mouth football fans to witness a tough defensive match-up week in and week out. The Jags made two huge team building maneuvers over the past couple of days; they made a decision on who will lead this team how it will be done in the foreseeable future, which is a place many other teams wish they could be right now. Although many people my give this move a thumbs down, I believe this is a sound investment that will improve this organization on the field and off it.
ver five seasons previous to his statistically monstrous season of 2007. During those previous five seasons his total for touchdowns was 18 and his interception total was 13. By looking at the simple statistics and comparing them to the 2007 season (2,509 yds,18 tds, 3 ints), I can see why Wayne Weaver and Jacksonville Jaguars brain-trust would invest in this player. Garrard has shown that he can be a capable long term investment at the most critical position on the football field because he is efficient (career 59.8 completion percentage), can create throwing space with his legs in the face of a rush and more importantly, he does not turn the ball over. If you combine his numbers over the six seasons he’s been in the NFL, 36 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions would compare favorably to the best QB’s in the league. The front office had to be salivating as Garrard did this with two first round busts as starting wide receivers and an underachieving TE that also was picked rather high in an NFL Draft.When I saw Garrard escape from the Pittsburgh Steelers rush during the AFC Divisional Playoff game, darting and dashing down the field in order to position the Jaguars to win, I knew Garrard could be special. It is what a QB does during the most pressing times that define their true value to a team; the Jags blew a lead on the road to a tough team, the momentum was on the other side of the field and losing was a real possibility…to everyone else except Garrard and the Jags. The Jags went on to lose the following week in New England, but if it weren’t for a dropped pass by Dennis Northcutt (a perfect pass, mind you), the outcome may have been different. Garrard paid his dues behind a highly touted QB of the future in Byron Leftwich and when given the opportunity, he shined. He shined so much the organizational philosophy may have been influenced.
In my previous article, I mentioned that NFL franchises are moving away from the hire coach fire coach, hire GM fire GM approach to building teams. They are now moving towards the college type of system programs are built. Owners want continuity and stability as this can be cost effective in the long run; the hire/fire approach leads to paying more to hire new coaching staffs, sacrificing sound cap management by paying more for the appropriate players to fit the revolving d
oor of systems, releasing good players who may not fit in the new coach’s plans (then deal with the cap hit), and finally endure with the on-field struggles of players constantly having to adapt to different ways of playing the game philosophically. In this atmosphere, fans become disconnected from the on the field product which affects revenue streams at the gate and in merchandising. Basically, what I am getting at is the Jags signed head coach Jack Del Rio (pictured) to a five year contract extension and followed up by ponying up big bucks to his QB. This is a clear example of program building and the fact that Del Rio made Garrard his choice in leading the team, he probably will have earned more say in personnel matters. Garrard was also given two new receivers, one of which is proven (Jerry Porter) and the other in the mold of the dead wood they already have on the roster (Troy Williamson). Although it is up for debate how these two players will do, it is clear that the organization is committed to giving Garrard the tools in order to be successful.There is definite hope in Jacksonville and as long as the QB-coach tandem is in place, I see the team being c
ompetitive. The contract Garrard signed is more than likely designed to enable financially flexibility for the first three seasons, which should be enough time to see Maurice Jones-Drew (pictured) grow into a force, Fred Taylor continue to amaze us with his durability in the final years of his career and for smash-mouth football fans to witness a tough defensive match-up week in and week out. The Jags made two huge team building maneuvers over the past couple of days; they made a decision on who will lead this team how it will be done in the foreseeable future, which is a place many other teams wish they could be right now. Although many people my give this move a thumbs down, I believe this is a sound investment that will improve this organization on the field and off it. 
