NFL: Why David Garrard Is a Perfect Fit for the New York Jets

The Jacksonville Jaguars shocked the NFL world today, releasing starting quarterback David Garrard just days before the start of the regular season.

Garrard has spent all nine years of his career with the Jaguars, racking up over 16,000 yards with a 39-37 record. He passed for 2734 yards in 2010 with a career-high 23 touchdown passes, but also a career-worst 15 interceptions.

Many NFL insiders, like Adam Schefter and John Clayton, expect Garrard to draw interest from a number of teams, and ESPN is reporting that the Kansas City Chiefs may be the best fit for the nine-year pro.

But another interesting fit for Garrard would be the New York Jets. I recently wrote an article asking the question of what would happen if Jets starting quarterback Mark Sanchez went down with an injury. Both Mark Brunell and Greg McElroy have missed time with injury, and the Jets had to go out and sign former backup Kevin O'Connell to be the team's third string/emergency quarterback.

McElroy is out for the season after having surgery on his dislocated thumb, and Mark Brunell is listed as questionable for the opener with a leg injury. With no set backup behind Sanchez for the start of the season, signing Garrard would be a smart move for many reasons.

Garrard has a career 61.6 percent completion percentage. To put this into perspective, the league high last season was 68.1 percent and Sanchez finished with a 54.8 percent. Garrard would be the accurate quarterback that the Jets could rely on to manage the game if Sanchez had to miss any time. Brunell owns a 59.5 percent career completion percentage, so adding Garrard would be an upgrade.

The Jets also play the Jaguars in the second week of the regular season, which could give the team a huge advantage by adding Garrard. Being cut just a week before the season means he would know a majority of the offense, something that Rex Ryan and his talented defense would eat up. Not only would signing Garrard give them reliability at the backup quarterback position, but also a better chance to beat the Jaguars.

Interestingly enough, Brunell was a mentor for Garrard back in 2002 and 2003 when both played for the Jaguars. The veteran could talk Garrard back into his regular form, something that has been lacking in this preseason. Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio told the media that "he just didn't have it" this preseason and they were forced to make a move.

It would also help the Jets to keep Garrard away from other teams in the AFC East. The Dolphins and Bills have always had a shaky quarterback situations in the past, and the Patriots always look to add veteran backups to their roster. In one career game against the Jets, Garrard went 16-26 with 221 yards and a touchdown in a win.

The Jets have been known to make late splashes in the past, so don't be surprised if something comes out of Garrard's release.