Leftwich could wind up on bench


November 24, 2003
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- After producing one touchdown in the last two games, Jaguars rookie quarterback Byron Leftwich could be heading to the bench.

Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio said he is considering starting David Garrard when the Jaguars play Tampa Bay next Sunday. Del Rio will make the decision later this week.

``We're not playing at a high level right now,'' Del Rio said. ``I think Byron's got a bright future. But I think David Garrard is a promising young quarterback and we'll decide whether to give him a look. We've got to score more than three or 10 points.''

The Jaguars (2-9) lost 13-10 to the Jets on Sunday, and 10-3 to the Titans the week before.

Neither Garrard nor Leftwich were available for comment Monday. Mark Brunell is still overcoming surgery on his throwing elbow and Del Rio conceded Brunellreally isn't an option right now.

This is such a freaking mess.

I've seen Byron play twice this year and he doesn't look comfortable out there (IMO).
I don't know if it's because his line gives him no time or if he is just pressing but he looks like he is forcing all of his passes.


Del Rio to stick with rookie Leftwich


November 25, 2003
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio will stick with Byron Leftwich as his starting quarterback.

Del Rio said Monday he was considering benching his first-round draft pick in favor of David Garrard. But after studying Jacksonville's 13-10 loss to the New York Jets on Tuesday, he chose not to make a change.

``I said I was going to contemplate it and consider it and I have,'' Del Rio said on his weekly radio show. ``And it doesn't make any sense to me to do that to Byron. If I thought for any reason that it would help us be a better football team now and in the future, I would do it. I just don't see it.''

Del Rio said he talked with his staff, quarterbacks coach Ken Anderson and Leftwich before announcing the decision.

Leftwich has struggled since taking over starting duties for the injured Mark Brunell two months ago. He has lead the Jaguars (2-9) to just two wins in his eight starts, throwing 12 interceptions and losing eight fumbles.

Del Rio said starting Garrard, the team's fourth-round draft pick last year, ``is not the best thing to do for this franchise.''

``So we're going to put No. 7 out there, and he's going to get hot and we're going to have a good ride the rest of the year,'' Del Rio said.

20-34 245 yrs 2 tds in win over tampa bay.


he looks comfy when he has time.

Doing that against Tampa's D is no small task!!

Nice win.

yeah i think that kept him off the bench.

Brunell is a good quarterback and he wasn't doing much either before his injury. Leftwich will be good when he has the support he needs from the other players or in other words, "the offense sucks".

2 wins in a row, but next week is the pats. :eek:

It doesn't cost anything to dream. I hope Jags win.

Heh MarshallWins...how do you place a photo in the text box?

upload picture to a site, I use http://www.imagestation.com
then go to umm my controls, and signature and paste properties to sig.
if you need help, ask more. Thats the cheap directions.