Sports Radio Interviews

David Garrard: I’ll Run Till My Legs Fall Off

David Garrard is one of those guys who’s impossible to dislike.  He seems like a dude you’d let date your sister, ya know?  I’m sure his teammates respect him and his game, but at the same time, getting some additional leadership in the huddle with Torry Holt will definitely help out.  I know people question what Torry has left, but the guy can corral balls, and if you need a reception under 10 yards, he’ll get open and snag it.  This team is one of those dangerous squads that can sneak up and win every week, but they’re under the radar after such a disappointing season in 2008.  Will Torry help Garrard gain more confidence and grow to a point where he can lead them in to the postseason?  What the Jags gain in terms of veteran focus with Holt, they’re losing in Fred Taylor’s jumping ship.  Taylor has moved on to fit in perfectly with the Pats.  Garrard joined WRAL in Raleigh to discuss what Taylor meant to him, how he never wants to be like Byron Leftwich, what Holt brings, and how playing quarterback is easier than playing tight end.

On the addition of Torry Holt:

“I’m so fired up about Torry being on the team: he’s a great guy, great player, and he definitely is a good guy to have in the locker room.  He bring a positive attitude that we need, and we needed it there for a little while now.  I and the other couple guys can only do so much; we need to have some guys that have been doing it for a number of years, been all-time pro bowlers and that kind of stuff.  So, we need him there, and I’m very excited to have him and very excited to throw to him.”

On his massive size at the quarterback position:

“I just kinda made my way over from the tight end group to the quarterback group and somehow just settled up with it.  All I had to do is take a couple steps, drop back, and throw the ball.  Man, it was so easy.  Why don’t I just do that?”

Are you planning to stop running the ball?  Sort of like former Jaguar Byron Leftwich?

“Oh, Lord.  Absolutely not.  I’m still gonna use my legs, I’m gonna use my legs till they throw me out the league or carry me out the league.  That’s just how I play; I started out as a fullback and actually played a little tight end going in to middle school, so I ran with the ball a lot, and I’m gonna continue to do that.  I am gonna continue to try and pull back from the running a little bit and get the ball in to the hands of the guys that can actually run fast, instead of trying to plod around.  When I get around the end zone, that’s when I like to keep the ball in my hands some.”

On Fred Taylor leaving the Jags for the Pats:

“When he made that move, he called me and said, ‘I hope when the schedule comes out, we get you guys the last game of the season, up here, freezing cold.’  And, he was close, it’s the second to last game up here, so he’s getting his wish.  I was very sad, very upset when he left the team.  He’s a great guy, he’s a guy that’s kinda been an inspiration to me as I’ve tried to get my career going in the league, and a guy who’s helped me out along the way.”

Listen to David Garrard on WRAL in Raleigh

Tags: David Garrard, Football, Fred Taylor, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, NFL, Torry Holt