If David Garrard has it his way, the former Pro Bowler will be competing with Mark Sanchez for the Jets’ starting quarterback job come the spring.
In an interview yesterday on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Garrard, who had a workout with the Jets last week, said he views the Jets as the perfect opportunity for him to compete with Sanchez for the starting job.
“I felt like if I am healthy and I am playing at my highest, then that’s going to give me a great opportunity to be the starting quarterback,” Garrard said in the interview. “Now, if Mark comes out and he is playing even better than that, then great for him, but I am going to give it my all. If I can be the starting quarterback, I know what I can do on the field and I know what I can bring to the table.”
The Jets are in the market for a new starting quarterback, or at least someone who can compete for the job with Sanchez, who had a dismal season, throwing 18 interceptions to go along with nine fumbles and a QB rating of 66.9. In 2010, Garrard threw 23 touchdowns and had a 91.0 quarterback rating to make the Pro Bowl in his last year in the league before injuries sidelined him the past two seasons. The Jaguars released him before the 2011 season and he then underwent surgery on a herniated disc. Last season, he was the favorite to be the Dolphins’ starter before a knee injury ended his season in training camp.
“I just think its a great opportunity. I’ve still got to go out there and win the job. I’ve still got to go out there and play if I am signed by the Jets,’’ Garrard said. “I definitely want to get out there and show I can still be the same quarterback I was in the past. The quarterback that’s been to Pro Bowls, been at the top in the league as far as quarterback rating. I want to go out and win ball games.”
Garrard is also more mobile than Sanchez, rushing for more than 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns over his career, compared to Sanchez, who had 28 rushing yards last season.
Garrard said the Jets were very impressed with his workout, but they couldn’t sign him due to salary cap problems.
“Went up there last Wednesday, worked out on Thursday. It was a great workout,” Garrard said.
“They loved what they saw. They have a lot of issues with the cap so they couldn’t really do anything at the time, that’s kind of unfortunate too. I don’t want to still be sitting out here without a job.”
He said being at home the past two years has made him realize he can still play and that he was better than some quarterbacks, although he refused to name names.
Garrard has been contacted by other teams — he refused to say who else was interested — but the Jets remain his No. 1 choice. No other team has offered him a tryout.