National Football League

Garrard must prove '08 problems are history

Published Aug. 22, 2009 5:41 p.m. ET

Alex Marvez

The NFL's best-dressed quarterback now looks even sharper off the field.

Jacksonville's David Garrard lost 20 pounds this offseason. At a svelte 235, Garrard needed all of his custom-made suits taken in by his tailor. That includes the snazzy light gray ensemble with the striped pink shirt and matching handkerchief he wore after last Monday night's 12-9 preseason loss to Miami.

"I felt like a little kid in my suits," a laughing Garrard said.

The Jaguars hope the alterations don't end there.

To rebound from a disastrous 5-11 campaign, Garrard must regain the form that earned him a $60 million contract during the 2008 offseason. A strong showing in Saturday night's preseason home game against Tampa Bay would be a good start. Garrard and the Jaguars' first-team offense floundered in three scoreless series against Miami in the team's preseason opener.

Garrard's regression was one of the biggest disappointments on a team that entered last season touted as a Super Bowl contender. Despite being paid $17 million guaranteed as part of a six-year extension, Garrard knows his future as Jacksonville's starter isn't secure if he stumbles again. There is the looming possibility that Jacksonville — a franchise struggling to sell tickets — will seek to find his heir apparent in the 2010 draft. There is a rich crop of incoming college quarterbacks that includes local high school legend and University of Florida star Tim Tebow.

"A little more urgency is definitely better for this team and for me," Garrard acknowledged.

Garrard, 31, was once considered Jacksonville's long-term answer at the position. He initially justified head coach Jack Del Rio's surprising decision to release incumbent starter Byron Leftwich during the 2007 preseason. Garrard was accurate (64.0 completion percentage) and did a remarkable job avoiding turnovers with only three interceptions in 325 passing attempts. The Jaguars finished 11-5 and reached the second round of the playoffs.

CAMP SIGHTS '09

Q&A with David Garrard:
Jaguars QB David Garrard sits down with Laura Okmin to dig inside what went wrong in last season's 5-11 finish, and how he and Torry Holt plan to turn things around. Watch video ...

Q&A with Maurice Jones-Drew:
The new face of the Jags just might be bowling ball Maurice Jones-Drew. Laura Okmin talks with MJD about whether he can handle being the main man in the backfield. Watch video ...

Entering his seventh NFL season in Jacksonville, Garrard should have hit his stride in 2008. He was instead marred by poor decision-making and an ongoing lack of productivity in the deep passing game. Garrard already had four interceptions in Jacksonville's first three games and finished the year with 13. Garrard completed only three passes of 30-plus yards to a wide receiver for the entire season. The longest gain was a mere 41 yards.

Jacksonville's other offensive failings compounded the problem, not to mention a defense that fell to its lowest NFL ranking (17th) since 2002. The 42 sacks that Jacksonville allowed doubled the total from the previous season. Both starting guards suffered season-ending injuries in Week 1. Production in the running game plummeted by almost 40 yards a game. And the players projected as the top wide receivers — Jerry Porter, Reggie Williams and Matt Jones — were such a mess that none are back this season. The Jaguars instead signed former St. Louis Rams star Torry Holt to become their No. 1 wideout at age 33.

"When (Garrard) had the really good year, we were running the ball well and he was making a lot of plays in and out of the pocket," Jaguars quarterbacks coach Mike Shula said. "Last year, we were struggling to run and I think he struggled a little bit, too. We've got to get back to that good mix. He feeds off the running game, but the running game will feed off him."

Garrard has taken it upon himself to make changes. Besides the weight loss — a decision inspired by his wife's success in a diet program — Garrard has assumed a more vocal leadership role. Such guidance on offense is necessary with a younger receiving corps and the offseason departure of 12-year running back Fred Taylor to New England.