I’ll say this to be honest. When I heard the news we got rid of the aforementioned second-rate QB, and that Garrard was starting, I was happy because I figured that my man Gray would finally get his playing time. As a matter of fact, Jags02 and I both figured four weeks, and Garrard would be done. Man, were we wrong or what?

In the first week, against the Titans, he actually wowed me with his very controlling and calm demeanor. He wasn’t pushing for anything and taking what the defense gave him. He played an awesome game with a QB rating of 88.7. Take into account that in the eleven games he’s played, six resulted in ratings over 100, two in ratings over 90, and three in the 80s.

In the second week, he controlled the game once again, setting a pace for the season. He threw for a ton of yards, and made no mistakes. Was this the same guy who single-handedly lost three games the year before due to bad QB play?? How could it be?

Week three was the same. Against a dangerous Denver team, he was very calm, as the game seemed almost too easy for him. I listened on Sirius radio before watching the game (working on Sundays suck), and the commentators were just hanging onto Garrard at every instant they could.

Week five came following their bye week, and I saw something in Dave that made me realize he’s got it. He went into Kansas City, where he had bombed the year before, and played lights out. He threw for 218 yards and a 74% completion rating. That is phenomenal!!!

Week 6, he started hitting a stride. I figured, without injury, he would easily win a Pro Bowl nod, especially at this level of play. Unfortunately, on our single MNF game, Garrard got hurt. Gray (my man) came in, and totally handed the game over to the Colts. I think this was the point I said ok…..I was wrong.

Somehow, on the backs of Freddy T and Mojo, we won two of three games with Gray. He played ok, but we were lacking that pizzazz, that swagger in the offense.

Garrard came back just in time for a brutal game against the Chargers, which we won on the heels of an awesome game by Garrard. Stat wise it was not a big thing, but for Jacksonville it was huge.

Fast forward through some big games….he blew away Buffalo, posted a 112.2 rating at Indy, and handled Carolina’s number two defense. Last week we faced the Steelers number one defense, and Garrard makes them look silly, or else they made him look like an all-star QB. Either way, we beat a very good, playoff bound team, and now we have nut baggers hanging on the Jaguars…well, you get the idea.

An interesting stat is that David has not lost to an out-of-division opponent. The only loss we have outside of the division came with Gray at the helm, and as a matter of fact, Dave’s two losses equals amount of INTs he has on the year. That speaks volumes to his tenacity, his mental abilities, and his decision-making.

David Garrard is by far a top 5 QB; one that the Jags have been searching for since Brunell was the man. Now that we have a QB, our defense doesn’t have to be elite, just top 10.

My question would have been, “what made you change, Dave?” I believe his answer would be to the effect that he’s been through battles of life and death, that he’s seen famine, death, injury, pain and misery, that at the end of the day he’s loyal to his causes, and that he’s now the face of the Jaguars NFL franchise. Keep pimping the fedoras, Dave. I think I’m gonna start calling you Dashing Dave.

Written by December 21, 2007 by

Elliot James Mandeville