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Jags confident in Leftwich decision
By MARK LONG
AP Sports
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio acknowledges that starting quarterback Byron Leftwich against the New England Patriots after a six-week layoff is a gamble.
He also likes the odds.
Del Rio said he has no second thoughts about returning Leftwich to the lineup Saturday night against the two-time defending Super Bowl champions. Leftwich hasn't played since breaking his left ankle Nov. 27 at Arizona .
"We want to focus on the matchups and where we can get favorable matchups, where we could maybe reduce the risk of unfavorable matchups, and then go in and compete," Del Rio said Tuesday. "My job is to prepare the group of men and come up with the best combination of players that I think give us a chance to win on any given day."
That means starting Leftwich over backup David Garrard .
The Jaguars went 5-1 with Garrard under center, but Del Rio didn't hesitate to name Leftwich the starter for Jacksonville 's first playoff game since 2000.
Some believed Del Rio should have stuck with Garrard , who has completed 58 percent of his passes for 1,117 yards, with four touchdowns and one interception. He also has 31 carries for 172 yards and three scores.
Others thought Del Rio should have played Leftwich last week against Tennessee , a meaningless game that could have helped Leftwich shake off some rust before the postseason.
"It is what it is," Del Rio said, sidestepping questions about his decision. "He's preparing to play, and as long as I feel he can protect himself and give us the best chance to win, then he'll play."
Leftwich returned to practice last week and wanted to play against the Titans . But Del Rio held him out as a precaution.
Leftwich said Tuesday he was still dealing with some pain - most of it from a high ankle sprain that accompanied the broken bone. But he also said the layoff was beneficial.
"I feel great. That's the thing," said Leftwich , who has 15 touchdown passes and five interceptions. "I haven't felt this good since May or June. I have no wear and tear on my body. I feel fine. I didn't hurt my arm. I still know how to throw that ball. I still know how to go to the right place with the football. I think I can do that."
He added that he was getting better with every practice.
"I'm not looking rusty in practice," he said. "I did the first day, but I'm not looking rusty in practice. I'm hitting everything and I'm feeling good. My goal this week is to make it through with no setbacks."
The Patriots , meanwhile, are preparing for the strong-armed Leftwich and the fleet-footed Garrard .
"You have to be ready for anything," linebacker Willie McGinest said. "It's the playoffs, and they may change up a lot of different things. You have to prepare for all stops. You have to do whatever it takes to win. So you don't ever know what's happening or what's coming. You have to be ready for pretty much anything."
New England has struggled all year in pass defense, which could have factored into Del Rio's decision to go with Leftwich over Garrard . The Patriots ranked last in the AFC and 31st in the league in pass defense.
"It's not about any one stat or any one unit, although they are all important," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "It ultimately comes down to how your team is able to perform on a collective basis for 60 minutes. That's what the score reflects; that's what the game reflects."
By MARK LONG
AP Sports
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio acknowledges that starting quarterback Byron Leftwich against the New England Patriots after a six-week layoff is a gamble.
He also likes the odds.
Del Rio said he has no second thoughts about returning Leftwich to the lineup Saturday night against the two-time defending Super Bowl champions. Leftwich hasn't played since breaking his left ankle Nov. 27 at Arizona .
"We want to focus on the matchups and where we can get favorable matchups, where we could maybe reduce the risk of unfavorable matchups, and then go in and compete," Del Rio said Tuesday. "My job is to prepare the group of men and come up with the best combination of players that I think give us a chance to win on any given day."
That means starting Leftwich over backup David Garrard .
The Jaguars went 5-1 with Garrard under center, but Del Rio didn't hesitate to name Leftwich the starter for Jacksonville 's first playoff game since 2000.
Some believed Del Rio should have stuck with Garrard , who has completed 58 percent of his passes for 1,117 yards, with four touchdowns and one interception. He also has 31 carries for 172 yards and three scores.
Others thought Del Rio should have played Leftwich last week against Tennessee , a meaningless game that could have helped Leftwich shake off some rust before the postseason.
"It is what it is," Del Rio said, sidestepping questions about his decision. "He's preparing to play, and as long as I feel he can protect himself and give us the best chance to win, then he'll play."
Leftwich returned to practice last week and wanted to play against the Titans . But Del Rio held him out as a precaution.
Leftwich said Tuesday he was still dealing with some pain - most of it from a high ankle sprain that accompanied the broken bone. But he also said the layoff was beneficial.
"I feel great. That's the thing," said Leftwich , who has 15 touchdown passes and five interceptions. "I haven't felt this good since May or June. I have no wear and tear on my body. I feel fine. I didn't hurt my arm. I still know how to throw that ball. I still know how to go to the right place with the football. I think I can do that."
He added that he was getting better with every practice.
"I'm not looking rusty in practice," he said. "I did the first day, but I'm not looking rusty in practice. I'm hitting everything and I'm feeling good. My goal this week is to make it through with no setbacks."
The Patriots , meanwhile, are preparing for the strong-armed Leftwich and the fleet-footed Garrard .
"You have to be ready for anything," linebacker Willie McGinest said. "It's the playoffs, and they may change up a lot of different things. You have to prepare for all stops. You have to do whatever it takes to win. So you don't ever know what's happening or what's coming. You have to be ready for pretty much anything."
New England has struggled all year in pass defense, which could have factored into Del Rio's decision to go with Leftwich over Garrard . The Patriots ranked last in the AFC and 31st in the league in pass defense.
"It's not about any one stat or any one unit, although they are all important," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "It ultimately comes down to how your team is able to perform on a collective basis for 60 minutes. That's what the score reflects; that's what the game reflects."
