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SURVEYING THE LANDSCAPE
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Pirate Notebook No. 262
Friday, January 20, 2006
By Denny O'Brien |
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Garrard now a proven
commodity
©2006 Bonesville.net
In the market for a quarterback who can
lead your team into the playoffs? The solution could be a phone call and a
few draft picks away.
Standing apart from the growing ranks of
mediocre field generals, a proven one awaits in Jacksonville for his turn to
man someone’s huddle. And he’s done his waiting patiently, despite clamoring
from many fans that his performance down the stretch this season warranted
the anointment as the Jags’ No. 1 signal caller for the playoffs.
His name is David Garrard, and he quietly
emerged as one of the league’s most steady quarterbacks over the last third
of the season.
In the bottom line business of professional
football, Garrard delivered a 4-1 record as a starter. Make that 5-1 if you
count his appearance in long relief against Arizona (which I do), a 24-17
Jacksonville victory in which he received the bullpen call midway through
the first quarter.
His numbers — 1117 yards passing and 172
yards rushing — weren’t too shabby, either. While he may not have rivaled
Peyton Manning or Tom Brady — then again, who does? — Garrard did display a
unique combination of skills that few NFL quarterbacks possess.
His comfort both in the pocket and the open
field make him the type of hybrid QB that seems like the perfect compromise
between Byron Leftwich and Michael Vick. He’s more mobile than Leftwich, and
far more accurate than Vick.
And though he’s started only a handful of
games at this level, it doesn’t take an orthopedic surgeon to detect that
Garrard is more durable than both.
But perhaps the most intriguing aspect
about Garrard’s game is his character and demeanor in the locker room.
Though he entered the league pronouncing his readiness to contend with a
proven veteran, he has been seasoned to the point where he not only accepts
his role within the team, but also relishes the importance of putting its
best interests well above his own.
Garrard’s statements prior to
Jacksonville’s loss to New England in the first round of the playoffs prove
that much. When asked whether or not he was upset about not getting the
start, Garrard said his primary concern was being ready in case his number
was called.
That’s the type of attitude NFL GM's need
running their huddle. It’s also what makes him a fan favorite who is
marketable within the community.
Of course, none of that has ever been a
question mark with the former East Carolina standout. Whether or not he
could win big at the professional level has — until now.
Garrard’s performance during Jacksonville’s
dash to the playoffs has erased any doubt of that.
Celebration penalties excessive
The East Carolina coaching staff didn’t
take too kindly to Aundrae Allison’s touchdown flip in last season’s spring
game. Most fans gave it a standing ovation.
Both were justified in their actions.
Had it been a regular season game, the
Pirates would have been flagged for excessive celebration, a bittersweet
flavor of the 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. But the touch of
acrobatic flair also would have added a welcome element of entertainment to
the college game.
If the NCAA was interested in improving the
fan experience, it would cease from strong-arming players from having fun on
Saturday. As long as players aren’t taunting opponents, what’s the big deal
if a receiver puts his best foot forward in a brief rendition of Riverdance?
College football needs more snow angels.
Trips down the fire pole and a quick ride on Trigger never hurt anyone.
Neither has a quick game of putt-putt with the pylon.
Instead, NCAA officials are more inclined
to penalize an uncontested end zone plunge or a simple salute to teammates.
That mentality may have cost Vanderbilt a victory in the Swamp.
Uniform replay an upgrade
Instant replay
will receive a needed facelift in college
football.
Instead of rivaling Baskin Robbins with its
number of flavors, the NCAA will serve one scoop in the college game. That’s
a good thing considering how replay was fumbled throughout the postseason.
With one set of rules and the governing of
them at a higher level, replay will be installed more fairly nationwide. Not
only will that benefit the postseason, but also regular season games among
non-conference opponents.
Now if the NCAA will do something about
that silly rule which stops the clock after every first down, we might be in
business.
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02/23/2007 02:02:47 AM |
