Week 1 JAX @ IND - Musing on Garrad / LB's

Watching this game I cannot help but realize that David Garrard has solidified my opinion of a major flaw in his game. Though his decision making has never really been in question, his ability to throw the deep ball absolutely has to be looked at.

As he has shown in the past, Garrard is capable of throwing deep and has a good arm with decent downfield accuracy. The main problem I see is year after year his inability to look off safeties. Constantly staring down his primary read wich never moves the safeties off the deeper routes than rather than going through progression he stares down the primary target until the last second and checks down to the RB or TE. This is fine and the safe thing to do most of the time but when your eyes are locked onto the same WR from start to finish of a play, the likelihood of the defenders knowing where you are going is quite high.

As a side effect of this stare down problem, in my oppinion this causes the WR's to have an even harder time in creating seperation, especially that primary read. Without seperation no reciever is getting open deep down the field.

Those times we do have receivers open downfield Garrard rarely looks there way and if he does, seems so hesitant to pull the trigger. In life if you hesitate you die. In football hesitation is the difference between a 70 yard TD bomb and an INT or a check down.

It would be nice to say the coaching staff has concerns for Garrard throwing deep so therefore gameplan for him to not go downfield much. It is hard to agree with that though as watching his play, when his primary read creates the seperation needed on the deep route, Garrard seems almost scared. Like he does not know if WR stays open or where to chuck the ball to, or is just not confident in himself and his abilities.

Whatever the case is, the staring down of recievers and the inability or unwillingness to throw the deep ball consitantly is leading to mediocre Quarterback play, at best. David needs to adress these issues most rickety tick. At the same time given his age it is apparent we need an influx of youth at the QB position. In all likelyhood the Jaguars will select a QB in the first round. There are plenty to choose from an all have gobs of talent and upside.

Needless to say Garrard needs to have a stellar, not OK, year or he will be staring down a Jevan Snead or a Tim Teebow waiting to take his starting gig. It's time to put up DG. Show the fans and the organization you were worth the 60mil contract you got after one good year.

On a brighter note the Jaguars seem to have one of the best LB corps in the entire NFL. Brent Hawkins and Clint Ingram have been playing very well through preseason all the way leading up to the Colts game. Led by future pro-bowlers, Daryl Smith and Justin Durant, the Jaguars Linebackers stifled the Colts running game. The speed at which they all play is incredible. The tackling is sure and the hits are vicous. Durant and Smith each tallied 12 solo tackles! Phenominal effort fellas.

Derrick Cox.... Wow I like what I see Gene. I really do. Other than the long TD to Reggie Wayne (welcome to the NFL ROOK!) he had an outstanding game with 1 PFL an INT and a Fumble Recovery. Tackled well and showed off the speed, hip movement and instincts Jaguar fans hoped we would show come game time. Derrick has a bright future ahead of him and is on his way to possibly being the first ever Jacksonville Jaguar to be voted Rookie of the Year. If he plays all year like he did this Sunday, he and Rashean will be a force to reckon with.

That's all for now. Will have more after we host the Cardinals next Sunday.

Michael B. Williams