by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
There were plenty of smiles at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium Monday afternoon as the Jacksonville Jaguars announced quarterback David Garrard had signed a six-year, $60 million extension. The contract that includes an $18 million signing bonus will keep Garrard with the team through the 20-14 season.
No wonder Garrard seemed to grin from ear-to-ear during the entire 20-minute press conference. Team owner Wayne Weaver was also all smiles as Garrard become the highest paid player in the team’s 13-year history.
Weaver said the Garrard deal is “by far and away the largest contract” in team history, but also one Garrard deserves. Weaver also talked about Garrard’s unselfish commitment to area kids and charities.
The good feelings spread across the room. Weaver’s wife Delores and Garrard’s wife Mary also enjoyed the moment. Off to the side, even Paul Vance — the team’s senior vice president of football operations and general counsel — seemed pleased. Vance, the primary negotiator with Garrard’s agent Al Irby, said the contract negotiations began in earnest the Tuesday after the Super Bowl, took about 60 days and several meetings (three with Irby face-to-face) and were amicable the entire time.
“His agent is a very nice gentleman. There were very good, substantive discussion,” said Vance. “Both sides agreed this was not something we were going to bang heads about. We knew it would take time and it was relatively complicated. But, there was no reason to bang heads.”
With contract issues aside, Garrard said it’s time to focus on football.
“The goal now is to win a championship,” he said. “It’s the No. 1 thing and it’s all I want to do.”
Garrard said the negotiations were becoming stressful. Five weeks ago, he said his wife told him it was time to get things settled. Garrard said he had seen affects long term, and bitter, negotiations can have on a player, a team and a city too many times. That scenario, he said, was something he wanted no part of.
“It was time to make everybody happy,” said Garrard.
While the deal is the biggest ever, Vance said the team is still in good financial shape.
“Our cap remains healthy,” said Vance. “I put a lot of focus on managing that. I also have to manage the cash flow and both things are in good shape.”
Vance declined to comment on who the team is looking at now to secure long term or whose contract may be up for renegotiation any time soon. Running backs Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew are under contract for four and two years, respectively. With the draft coming up later this month, the team is also in good shape financially to sign its picks.
Weaver said he could not think of a more important signing in team history.
“Today is his (Garrard’s) turn,” said Weaver.
Photo by Mike Sharkey