 Leftwich released by Jags
It was expected, but still a shocker: Byron Leftwich was cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday.
The seventh overall pick in the 2003 draft and the Jags' starting quarterback for nearly every game since then when he was healthy, Leftwich was released after losing the starting job to David Garrard.
Oddsmakers have listed the Jags as 6-1/2-point favorites for their opener against the Tennessee Titans.
Coach Jack Del Rio had said Friday, when he made the decision, that Leftwich would either be traded or released but that announcement in itself made it difficult to make a deal for him.
Leftwich, often troubled by injuries and lacking mobility, missed 10 games last season because of an ankle injury. He was 19-of-38 passing for 226 yards and a touchdown in three preseason games.
But he played with the starters while Garrard completed 36 of 47 passes for 456 yards and a touchdown mostly against backups. Garrard has started 18 regular-season games in his career and had a passer rating of 80.5 in 10 starts last season with 10 touchdown passes and nine interceptions.
''It's bittersweet news,'' Garrard said Friday when he heard that Leftwich would go. ''I'm definitely shocked. I didn't see this happening. I'm beyond shocked. I really feel like this is a dream, but I know it's not and I know I'm ready.''
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