Fantasy alert: Driver hurt
GREEN BAY, Wis. — David Garrard had all the right answers.
Byron Leftwich kept having to answer the same old questions.
And the Jaguars' quarterback situation? It's seemingly as murky as ever.
Garrard shined and Leftwich stumbled Thursday night in Jacksonville's come-from-behind 21-13 victory over the Green Bay Packers.
Garrard, who started 10 games last season, again upstaged the once-heralded franchise quarterback to leave Jaguars fans wondering if coach Jack Del Rio made the right decision when he named Leftwich the starter in February.
"It's a little frustrating not being able to go into the season as the starter," Garrard said after finishing 6-of-7 for 97 yards, a TD, and the highest possible QB rating for a game at 158.3. "As long as I can do my job and when my number's called, perform at the same level. That's what I'm here for."
But Garrard couldn't contain a wry smile when asked if the consistency issues that dogged him last year may be gone for good and complimented new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter for his improvement.
"I've grown from early years to where I wasn't familiar with the system or I'd have a great day and have a bad day," Garrard said. "They didn't change things much when Dirk got here, so it's allowed me to just play fast and play comfortable. And I think that's where consistency comes in."
But Del Rio wasted little time naming a healthy Leftwich the starter early in the offseason to avoid the continued controversy.
Brett Favre, ensconced as the ironman of the position after starting 237 consecutive regular season games, went 14-of-20 for 130 yards, but may have lost his favorite target in Pro Bowl receiver Donald Driver.
Driver was injured late in the first half, the series after Favre was pulled, when safety Sammy Knight rolled over his right leg. Driver's injury was initially thought to be in the ankle, but Packers coach Mike McCarthy said he actually hurt his foot. McCarthy said they'd know more about the injury on Friday, but his veteran receiver was in good spirits.
"That's part of the game," McCarthy said. "It's unfortunate. Hopefully, it's not serious."
Saints 30, Chiefs 7
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — So what if it's August and he's missing his two top receivers and his starting left tackle? Drew Brees is already showing off his Pro Bowl form for the New Orleans Saints.
The same cannot be said of the Kansas City Chiefs, whose murky quarterback picture was only muddied further Thursday night as Brodie Croyle struggled and a nearly perfect Brees led the Saints to a dominating 30-7 victory.
Playing in all but one series in the first half, Brees hit 17 of 19 passes against the first-team defense for 182 yards and one touchdown. One of his passes was a beauty of a downfield dart that David Patten dropped. His quarterback rating when he retired for the night was 124.1 — a sharp contrast to the 15.1 of Croyle.
"I felt we really executed well on offense," said Brees. "Obviously, you'd like to get some more touchdowns instead of field goals, but sometimes that is just the way it goes."
Brees, a flawless 6-for-6 for 55 yards in his only offensive drive in last week's 27-19 victory over Cincinnati, hit his first five on this hot, sticky night. In both of their first two possessions the Saints drove nearly to the goal line, but were stopped.
