Football Potion No.9-My First Quarterback Love

For myself, it was sad news this week that David Garrard has said he will retire. It was even more sad the day, almost 3 yrs ago,  he was let go from the Jaguars (I happened to be at the stadium the following day. And through misty eyes I took the photo.) Why is it sad? Because he was the first NFL quarterback on MY team that I loved.

It feels as if not so long ago, that the media dubbed the Jaguars with a quarterback controversy/competition. I believe it was around 2005. That season, Byron Leftwich went out with a broken ankle. David Garrard led the Jaguars to the playoffs only to find out through the press that Byron Leftwich would start in the playoff game against the Patriots. The curious thing about that was the only footage available of Leftwich doing anything significant on the football field was him being carried by teammates at Marshall after breaking his leg. Seriously? That's the only footage they had? Nothing in the NFL? Anyway, the Jaguars lost to the Patriots and it wasn't even close. I was surprised the Jaguars did not let Garrard start. Why not let the man who led us to the playoffs continue? And there was born a controversy.

And then the rose colored glasses were off. That fateful season, my first as a Jaguar season ticket holder, I had seen 2 quarterbacks, and my choice was made: David Garrard. Why? Because he shined through adversity. He kept a straight face when passed over. He struggled through Crohn's Disease. And last but not least, he didn't "lumber" onto the field like he had been in battle for 30 days straight.

The next season, Leftwich would once again have problems with the ankle and Garrard to the rescue. Only solidifying my opinion of his play. Then the following summer just days before the regular season was the announcement I had been waiting for. David Garrard: starting Quarterback!! Leftwich was released. What a season it was! We made the playoffs, beating Pittsburgh in the final seconds and going on to play New England and lost. But what a wild ride!

The next 2 seasons did not fare as well. Mostly because he spent the majority of his time, in my opinion, laying on the ground looking up. You can't be in that position and win games. However, he did go to the Pro Bowl in February 2010. He also had one of the most exciting moments in my history of going to Jaguar games:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlvOUG8nuZ4

(Buys enough time to get his receivers down field)

Out of seemingly nowhere, the Jaguars drafted Blaine Gabbert 10th in the first round. Well, it was obvious Garrard's days were numbered. I still hoped that the inevitability would be at least 2 years down the road. Less than 1 week before the season opener, Garrard was cut in favor of Blaine Gabbert.

The way he was cut is worth mentioning. He was with the team at the Jacksonville Chamber Luncheon for the Jaguars. He was proclaimed the starter, rode back to the stadium on the bus, and was told he needed to meet with Jack Del Rio. And then, he was released. Needless to say, after that I never turned my football back on JDR. He couldn't be trusted. He let my favorite Quarterback go. He let go of the man that gave the fans a Hail Mary that we are likely never to forget. He let the Quarterback that molded me into the NFL fan that I am.

I would just like to say thank you to David Garrard for the memories. Thank you for being a great Quarterback during my fledgling years as a season ticket holder. In my mind, all will be compared to you.


MDK in the House

We Must Protect This House

Drinking the Kool-Aid Special Edition 3-21-12 and Other Tebow Related Topics

So by now all of Jacksonville is in a frenzy over this Tebow thing. Is he coming, is he not coming. If he does come I'm cancelling my tickets. If he doesn't come I'm not buying tickets. OH COME ON. Everyone get over yourselves and listen up.
I am a self described Tebow Hater. Not Tebow the man. Tebow the football player. If a player hasn't played on one of my 2 teams, Jacksonville Jaguars and Florida State Seminoles, then technically he's not "on my team". It's not complicated. It's not personal. Strictly football. There have only been 2 "exceptions" to this rule: Byron Leftwich and Matt Turk. Tebow has never been on either one of my teams. However, if he does come to the Jaguars I will have no choice but to cheer for him and every other player on the team.
This is not a very popular belief I carry. I really don't care. I'm mildly excited about the new energy in the city and fan base. I also believe this is a critical time in the football situation in Jacksonville. The Florida Gators haven't done much of late. Neither have the Seminoles. If the Jaguars were to become successful, that might turn the tide here. It might make the Jacksonville Jaguars relevant to a whole different segment of the population. Is this a stretch or a reach? Yeah. But what isn't?
One last tidbit. Mike Mularkey was one of the coaches during the Kordell Stewart era at the Pittsburgh Steelers. Stewart was known for versatility being a quarterback, wide receiver and punt returner. So, I'm hopeful he might know how to get a little more consistency from Tebow.
If by chance he goes to the Jets, life goes on. I will not burn my season tickets in the driveway with a TV camers filming. No drama. The Jaguars are my team,  right, wrong or otherwise. So, whatever happens, HAPPENS.
Yes, as you now have guessed I am sipping the Tebow flavored Kool-Aid. It's hard not to. I really want my team to be successful and I want and crave a new energy from the fans. If sipping the Kool-Aid is wrong, I don't want to be right.

MDK in the House

It's About Trust, Stupid

Before reading this blog, please read a previous blog of mine "The Fan". I will try not to use all caps. I can't promise.

     Just today I was thinking about all of the Jaguar Naysayers. I was thinking that once you commit to loving a team, it doesn't matter win or lose, you are still going to love them. That love was tested today.
     Jack Del Rio announced today that the Jacksonville Jaguars were releasing David Garrard. He announced that a Journeyman, twice blown out knee candidate of 30 yrs. old is to be our starter. Fantastic. Was Garrard THE ANSWER? No. Was he going to be here after this season? Probably not. WE ALL KNEW THAT. But when the Jaguars Organization came out several weeks ago and said David Garrard was to be the starter, you had to assume that was the end of the conversation.Then today.
      So, let me get this right. We are supposed to eat up everything the organization says and believe it. Only to have it reversed when they feel it's necessary 5 days before the season opener. Again.        
      Yeah. I said it. Again. This is Deja Vu all over again(thanks Yogi). The Almighty take-out droppin, injury hidin', trippin' over his own 2 left feet Leftwich (aka Slowich). He was fired in the same manner.
     I ask you: was Brett Favre treated like this? No a decision was made early on the Packers were going a different direction. Jack Del Rio you are a day late and a dollar short. You have left us with no options. You will not make the playoffs. And you will not be with us next season. It's just too bad Wayne Weaver won't fire your bee-hind shortly before the season opener against the Titans. You know and hire a real coach.
     So disappointed.
     Then there is my conspiracy theory. Yeah, I know. This is all a grand scheme. I can't believe I'm going to say the next thing. I really don't want it to happen. But I feel it likely will. This is all an attempt to.......
have enough salary cap to acquire..... Tim Tebow. He is third string with the Broncos and getting ready to use the "Wild Horse ala Wild Cat" in Denver. I'm sure Denver wouldn't mind letting the first rounder go to Jacksonville. If that were to happen I would truly be devastated. So devastated that I might become distraught and wear FSU apparel to every game.
      Anyway, Back at the ranch, it will be hard for me the next time Wayne Weaver has a press conference and says "the team will not go to L.A." to actually believe him. I am currently looking for ANYTHING to restore my trust in my much beloved Jaguars.

Super Bowl Leftovers

So, it's time to weigh in on the last game of football for awhile.
Ben Roethlisberger, let me introduce you to KARMA. You and Tiger Woods should be roommates. Oh, you might want to save those late night booze induced karaoke sessions to a minimum during Super Bowl week and save that for Disney World. Oh yeah. You aren't going to Disney World because you have no self control.
Lawrence Timmons, I'm really sorry I rooted against you in the Super Bowl.
Maurkice Pouncey, we all knew you weren't playing in the Super Bowl and we all knew the Steelers could not win without you.
Byron Leftwich, still just 1 Super Bowl ring. We saw you in the Locker Room with Ben trying to act like y'all are old buddies. Seriously.
Aaron Rodgers, I love you because your dad is a Chiropractor.
Clay Matthews, you still need to cut your hair.
Jordy Nelson, thanks for getting rid of the "dropsy's".

Saturday Morning, I went down to the local Barnes & Noble and met Ryan Sprague. He was on the FSU National Championship team in 1999. He wrote a book called "Grateful". He was nice and signed my book. He also noticed my 2003 Rivalry Week Florida vs. Florida State hat. It's my favorite hat. I really like the book so far. 

Already gearing up for the NFL combine!! (Go Ponder, GO!!!)