Associated Press
Saturday, September 1, 2007
One of Coach Jack Del Rio's first decisions with the Jacksonville Jaguars was drafting Byron Leftwich.
One of his toughest was letting him go.
Del Rio and the Jaguars said yesterday they are parting ways with Leftwich (H.D. Woodson) after four frustrating, injury-filled seasons. They hope to trade him, but are resigned to releasing the former first-round draft pick.
"To make a decision this bold requires some strong conviction, and I have that," Del Rio said.
Del Rio also chose mobile backup David Garrard as his starter heading into next week's season opener against Tennessee, saying Garrard gives the team a better chance to win.
Garrard outplayed Leftwich in the preseason, completing 36 of 47 passes for 456 yards and a touchdown, but his numbers came primarily against second-team defenses.
Leftwich, who missed 10 games last season because of an ankle injury, was 19 of 38 for 226 yards and a touchdown in three preseason games but continued to show sloppy mechanics with his feet and throwing motion.
Leftwich hasn't played a full season since being the seventh overall selection in the 2003 draft out of Marshall.
"Over the last five years, Byron was given every opportunity to lead this football team," Del Rio said. "It became very apparent to me that David was the best choice for us, the best selection for us to lead this football team."
Leftwich is in the final year of his contract, so releasing him would not cost the team anything extra against the salary cap in 2007.
Getting rid of Leftwich will end a somewhat turbulent four-year relationship with Del Rio. Leftwich openly questioned Del Rio's decisions, and Del Rio felt the quarterback lied to him several times about his health.
Leftwich has completed nearly 59 percent of his passes for 9,042 yards, with 51 touchdowns and 36 interceptions.
? GIANTS: Seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan has decided to end his holdout and return for a 15th season.
Agent Tony Agnone said Strahan informed Giants GM Jerry Reese of his decision to play around 5 p.m. EDT. The decision came a day before the Giants had to cut their roster to the 53-man limit and a little more than a week before the season opener at Dallas.
"He knows he'll be ready to go," Agnone said of playing in the season opener. "He's been working out like crazy."
Strahan planned to be at Giants Stadium on Monday, and will have four practices before the game. The 35-year-old missed 36 days of training camp and amassed a $514,368 fine.
? RAIDERS: Coach Lane Kiffin is closer to picking his starting quarterback for the season opener against the Lions, but may wait until game time Sept. 9 to announce the decision.
Kiffin said he could tell Josh McCown and Daunte Culpepper who won the job as early as tomorrow, but wants to keep the decision under wraps to make the Lions prepare for different quarterbacks.
? EAGLES: Backup quarterback A.J. Feeley had surgery to repair a broken hand suffered in a 13-11 loss Thursday to the Jets.
Feeley had surgery on his left, non-throwing hand and his status for the team's regular season opener against the Packers on Sept. 9 has yet to be determined. . . .
Coach Andy Reid's son failed a drug test while awaiting sentencing on drug charges.
Garrett Reid, 24, tested positive for a small amount of morphine and will be allowed only limited leave from his family's home in Villanova, Pa., until his sentencing, a Montgomery County (Pa.) judge ruled.
? TEXANS: Houston released 20 players, including wide receiver Keenan McCardell and Chad Stanley, the only punter in franchise history. Stanley was beaten out by three-time Pro Bowler Matt Turk.
? RAMS: St. Louis cut 11 players, including sixth-round draft pick Ken Shackelford, a tackle, and must make 11 more cuts by today.
Bengals 14, Colts 6Peyton Manning and Carson Palmer were spectators for a preseason game that was tough to watch from the sideline -- or anywhere else.
Neither of the Pro Bowl passers got onto the field, leaving it to the reserves to generate some points and excitement. Neither came easily during Cincinnati's victory over visiting Indianapolis.
Both head coaches treated it more like a nuisance. There was only one noteworthy one.
Bengals place kicker Aaron Elling hurt his right knee trying to make a tackle on the second-half kickoff. Elling was taken off the field on a cart, leaving the Bengals without a kicker.
Elling was brought in Wednesday, two days after Shayne Graham bruised his right hip while trying to make a tackle against the Atlanta Falcons. The Bengals expect Graham back for the season opener Sept. 10 against Baltimore, but could sign another kicker as a precaution.
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