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Jaguars backup quarterback Lemon cut, open competition for vacant spot
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The news of Cleo Lemon's release shouldn't be a surprise to Jags fans. The Jaguars will be signing their draft picks to contracts in the ensuing months and needed to clear some room. So Lemon, along with three other players, were released today. Lemon's tenure on the Jags lasted only a year after being signed as a free agent from the Miami Dolphins in 2008. Lemon was expected to provide depth for starter David Garrard, but after too many errant passes thrown in mini-camp, Lemon proved that he was expendable. His contract also showed that he was unnecessary to keep, as he made nearly $3 million to ride the pine last year, something many backup QB's can only dream about.
Shortly after Lemon's release, the Jaguars added rookie free agent QB Todd Boeckman to the roster. Boeckman was signed by Cincinatti shortly after the draft ended, but didn't last long. In college, he had the bad luck of playing behind Troy Smith and Terrell Pryor while at Ohio State, and only had one full year of starting experience by the time he declared for the draft. In that full year though, he was impressive, showing a big arm and good mobility for a quarterback of his size (6'5, 243lbs). The knock on him is that he lacks awareness in the pocket and his mechanics leave much to be desired. Because of this, Boeckman is a developmental quarterback at best, so he is more of a candidate for the practice squad than for a spot on the active roster.
So who will back up Garrard now? Todd Bouman was signed earlier this off-season to compete with Lemon for the spot. He's been on a lot of teams, but hasn't seen the field much. Then there is Paul Smith, who spent last year on the practice squad, and it's possible that he could give Bouman a run for his money in training camp. Either way, the quarterback position lacks depth. If Garrard goes down, the team is in trouble.
There are some notable free-agent quarterbacks still out there looking to sign on with a team. Michael Vick was released by the Falcons recently, but with his reputation, he will not garner any interest from the Jaguars, who are cleaning up their image. Former Bills first round pick J.P. Losman is available, but likely not content to sit on the bench, but he may change his mind if no teams are calling come pre-season. During the pre-season, a veteran quarterback may be released to make room as teams trim their rosters to 53 players, so the Jags could wait and see who becomes available during that time. The Buccaneers for instance have a competition between Luke McCown, Brian Griese, Byron Leftwich, and rookie Josh Freeman. With the exception of Freeman, any of those quarterbacks could be available. Leftwich would almost certainly turn down an offer to play under Jack Del Rio again, as the two failed to get along, resulting in Leftwich being released days before the regular season. However, if the team signed Griese or McCown it'd be a step up from Lemon.
Fortunately for the Jaguars, if there is not a quarterback available who can prove that he's worth the spot, it's just a number two quarterback. Most backups in the league fail to see the field at all during the regular season. Besides, the Jaguars are a long shot to make the playoffs due to much more pressing concerns at defensive line and in the defensive backfield. If the team is 2-6 and Garrard gets injured, it wouldn't hurt to throw in one of the unproven quarterbacks on the roster and see what he's got.
Regardless of who wins the backup spot in this year's training camp, they shouldn't get used to it. The team needs an heir to Garrard (who turned 31 this offseason) and hopes to find it in next year's draft. He would then vacate the number two spot and learn from Garrard until his time came. Until then, it looks like the team will resort to crossing their fingers to keep Garrard healthy. If not, at least the Jags will get another draft pick in the top ten.
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