Jones-Drew defends Garrard, thinks QB deserves more time

The Jaguars used the 10th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft to select Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert, but Jacksonville's biggest star isn't convinced it was the right decision.

Maurice Jones-Drew, who has rushed for over 1,300 yards in back-to-back seasons, said Monday on "NFL Total Access" that the offense needed more time to develop, not a new face of the franchise.

"I just feel like what we needed as an offense wasn't a new quarterback, we just needed another year amongst each other because we had a lot of new players come in," Jones-Drew said. "You see a team like the Patriots or the Steelers or the Colts, those guys (have) been in the same system for the 10, 12 years together, and so that's what we're trying to grow right now."

Jones-Drew -- a fan of current Jaguars signal-caller David Garrard -- admitted he was "very shocked" that the Jags used their first pick on a QB. Jones-Drew said team officials explained to him that Garrard would benefit from competition in the same way he did back in 2007 when he unseated Byron Leftwich as starter.

Garrard has been unable to match the precision of his breakout 2007 season, but he remained a steady contributor for the Jags in 2010. In 14 games, Garrard threw for 2,734 yards and a career-high 23 touchdowns. His 90.8 quarterback rating was his best mark since 102.2 in '07.

"They're just trying to get that competitive thing going again and, I mean, it's going to be fun to watch," Jones-Drew said. "But I know David will win. He's a fighter, that's what he does."

Jones-Drew was asked if he thought the Jaguars should bring in one of the big-name wide receivers expected to hit the market. He said the team would benefit from a lower profile player with less baggage, pointing out Terrell Owens and Plaxico Burress as players who don't fit the culture of the team.

"Plaxico, because of his circumstances, what just happened, the zoo is going to come to Jacksonville, and we don't do that," Jones-Drew said. "We're kind of laid back, low key."

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Colts' Mathis fined for helmet-to-helmet hit on Jags' Garrard

Indianapolis Colts Pro Bowl defensive end Robert Mathis was fined an undisclosed amount by the NFL for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard in last Sunday's game.

Mathis tweeted about the fine Wednesday night.

"I didn't even think about it until (Wednesday) when my agent called me," Mathis said, according to The Indianapolis Star. "I was just trying to swat the ball away. He pumped it and I was trying to get the ball out."

Mathis said the fine won't change his playing style.

"If you change the way you've been taught to play football, you won't have a job," he said. "If you continue to play the way you've been taught to play, you're going to get fined. It's a double-edged sword."

Garrard was 24-of-38 passing for 294 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in the Jaguars' 34-24 loss. He become Jacksonville's single-season leader in touchdown passes with 22.

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Jags' Garrard confirms throwing hand, hamstring OK after loss

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Jaguars QB Garrard expects to be cleared to play at Dallas

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The "cloud coverage" has cleared, and quarterback David Garrard is ready to return for the Jaguars.

Almost.

Garrard still has to pass post-concussion tests Tuesday to be cleared to practice and play for the Jaguars (3-4).

"Once I pass those, then everything will be good," Garrard said.

Speaking for the first time since he sustained his concussion last Monday night against the Tennessee Titans, Garrard said he failed the NFL-mandated tests Friday.

"It was really just a cloud coverage thing," he said. "It wasn't partly cloudy. It wasn't semi-cloudy. It was a total cloud coverage. But now I feel great. I feel like my normal self. But we're going to be smart and make sure that it's not you just got over the clouds but they're still back there lingering or something."

Garrard sustained a concussion when Titans linebacker Will Witherspoon drove him to the ground during the second quarter of the 30-3 loss, the worst home defeat in Jaguars history.

The next day was "just awful," Garrard said. He was sensitive to light and noise, but he never vomited. His focus, demeanor and speech were "really slowed down."

Garrard started feeling better Saturday and even worked out Sunday and Monday.

"It was a terrible experience to go through," Garrard said. "It was a tough experience to go through, but hopefully it doesn't happen again."

Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio made it clear Monday that Garrard will start Sunday's game at Dallas if he passes his tests.

"As long as he remembers snap counts and how to play football," Del Rio said.

Backup Todd Bouman, signed early last week, completed 18 of 34 passes for 222 yards in Sunday's 42-20 loss at Kansas City. Bouman had two touchdown passes and two interceptions, but he received strong reviews from Del Rio and teammates. Even Garrard was impressed.

"I thought it was awesome the way he started out the game, the way he was energized," Garrard said. "He looked like a kid out there for a 38-year-old man. He had fun. Things just didn't work out for him there toward the end. Those are things that as an offensive group we're going to have to overcome. Teams are going to have turnovers, but you've got to be able to overcome them and go down and make a score, and we didn't do that."

Garrard has been inconsistent all season. He has eight TD passes and an interception in three wins, and one score and six turnovers in three losses. He has been sacked 12 times, with nine of them coming in the losses.

Still, Garrard insisted he won't change the way he plays following the first concussion of his NFL career.

"I'm still going to be David Garrard," he said. "I'm going to play the way that I play. I can't alter my game. I don't know how I would alter it. I'm going to be as physical as I still can, but also be smart, too, knowing that I can have a concussion, I can be susceptible to a concussion."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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