Did Del Rio bench Leftwich for more than the ankle

[BattleRedToro]

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Jags' Leftwich disputes Del Rio on ankle
I guess this might add to the Texans-Jaguars Rivalry. First 2 years ago the Texans eliminate the Jaguars from making the playoffs, and now they may be responsible for their QB being benched. What is next?

[edo783]

Del Rio knows that Lefty isn't mobile enough and that makes him an anchor for the team. The benching could be called a "Benching of opportunity". Use the ankle to get done what was needed.

[V Man]

Maybe because Del Rio doesn't want history to repeat itself. Last year Garrard was something like 4 and 1 or 5 and 1 at the end of the season. The Jags where one of the hottest teams going into the playoffs. He puts Leftwich as the starter for the playoff game, and they get beat badly.

I always thought it was only a matter of time til Garrard replaced him anyway. Garrard isn't as accurate as Leftwich, but his mobility makes their offense more dangerous. (Very similiar to Bledsole and Romo with the Cowboys this year.) Defenses just can't gear up and attack the non-moving target in the backfield anymore, they have to respect the threat of the QB Running.

[kastofsna]

all i know is that one of these guys will playing on another team next year. garrard will be easier to move.

[edo783]

Originally Posted by kastofsna

all i know is that one of these guys will playing on another team next year. garrard will be easier to move.

True, but he is also more worth keeping and I think is at least currently cheaper.

[bah007]

Originally Posted by kastofsna

all i know is that one of these guys will playing on another team next year. garrard will be easier to move.

ESPN seems to think that Garrard will stay & Leftwich will be a Raider next year.

It sounds possible but why would an immobile QB wanna play in Oakland?

[Texans_Chick]

I just did a radio interview for the Jacksonville pregame show.

The radio guy says that this Leftwich/Garrard story is huge in JAX right now.

Leftwich is right--all QB's have bad games, and he didn't throw a bunch of TDs.

Del Rio is right for wanting Garrard to start--it is easier for a youngish Texans defense to just worry about a pocket passer than it is for being disciplined against a running QB.

[thunderkyss]

Many people consider Leftwich to be overrated. Looking at his stats, and actually watching him play the game, it could be easy to understand.

He's a gamer, and a gambler. Much like BretFarve, without the mobility. He takes shots he shouldn't, but because they usually work out for him, he puts his team in a position to win.

That hasn't been happening for him consistently enough this year, and something is just not right with him. I'm thinking it is an attitude problem that this "benching" is supposed to cure.

I thought it was stupid to pull Garrard, when he basically got the team to the playoffs last year. That might have been the spark that set Leftwich on a downward spiral.

There are two ways a guy can take that situation.
1) Lefty could be ashamed of his poor performance, and work all offseason to get better, and perform better this season. He could have made a personal vow to take his team back to the playoffs, and work his butt off to get them there.

or

2)It could be set in his head, that this is his team, he can do no wrong, and that the coaching staff is lucky to have him here, and slack off all summer, and the beginning of the year.

I think he chose #2.

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

I thought it was stupid to pull Garrard, when he basically got the team to the playoffs last year.

Garrard started 5 games going 4-1 with the wins coming against teams with a collective 16 and 48 record. In that process he had a total of 4 TD's. The Jags D and running game won those games rather than any stellar performance in comparison to Leftwich who had wins last year against Pittsburgh, Seattle and Cincinnati.