Thursday, May 2, 2013

Garrard not in New York just to 'collect paychecks'

BY NICK ST. DENIS

With the New York Jets' drafting Geno Smith and their apparent unconditional love for incumbent Mark Sanchez, David Garrard certainly isn't the frontrunner for Gang Green's Week 1 starting quarterback gig.

But the veteran signal-caller isn't in Florham Park just to sit around and pad his bank account. (photo: Paul Robinson, Flickr)

"I'm healthy now and I'm going to be going after it. I'm not here collecting paychecks," Garrard told ESPN New York Thursday. "That's not what I'm about. I'm definitely healthy and I definitely want to get out there.

"I want to be the guy but I can't talk about it. I gotta get on the field and do it."

Garrard hasn't played in a game since the 2010 season. He missed all of 2011 to back problems but was the preseason favorite in the Miami Dolphins' 2012 quarterback competition. Garrard, however, suffered another setback, this time via a knee ailment, before the season. He was let go, opening the door for then first-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill to take over.

The 35-year-old Garrard played in 86 games with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has an 89-54 career TD-to-INT ratio while boasting a 61.6 percent completion rate.

Temporary 2012 starter Greg McElroy will also be on the camp roster to battle for a spot on the team's depth chart.

"I'm going to give it my all and if I still have a locker at the end of the day then that's great. I know that as long as I leave everything on field, that should be enough," Garrard said. "Not saying that should be enough for me to be the starter but it should be enough internally to move on with this team going forward."

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