Free agent QB David Garrard is expected to be 100 percent healthy by end of March.

Take one name out of search for QB, David Garrard just called me and told me he needs immediate surgery on herniated disc in his back.

This updates a previous item we had about the Raiders reaching out to Garrard. And, it perhaps further explains why Garrard has not landed a job... Looks like the Raiders will have to turn elsewhere if they want to upgrade from Kyle Boller...

Raiders have reached out to David Garrard. It doesn't mean they will sign him, but it does confirm there is some level of interest.

Garrard has been waiting for a chance to go to a team and start and he could very well get that chance with the Raiders. The team is also said to be interested in Carson Palmer, but it's highly unlikely the Bengals will move Palmer, esp. to the Raiders who are without several of their 2012 draft picks. Garrard could be worth a pickup if you're hurting at the position but it's best to wait for something official.

The Miami Dolphins were in discussions with quarterbacks David Garrard and Jake Delhomme this week, league sources said Tuesday, but sides couldn't agree on a deal, and the prospects of a contract now aren't great.

Miami had significant interest in signing one of the veterans, with the team struggling at 0-4 and quarterback Chad Henne dealing with a shoulder injury that might threaten his season.

The Dolphins are continuing efforts to sign a veteran Tuesday afternoon, sources said, including attempts to rekindle discussions with Garrard.

However, the team has been unwilling to guarantee any of the base salary in its offers, sources said, and with the situation there so dire and the status of coach Tony Sparano an ongoing issue, veterans have looked for some sort of gesture that they would be around for more than just a week or two.

Garrard, a longtime starter in Jacksonville who was slated to make upwards of $9 million in 2011 before being released just before the start of the regular season, could end up signed for $1.5 million to $2 million and has been looking for at least a portion of that to be guaranteed.

Coach Jack Del Rio named Blaine Gabbert the starter Wednesday, switching quarterbacks three days after Luke McCown threw four interceptions against the New York Jets.

Del Rio met with Gabbert and McCown Wednesday morning, then told other players about the switch at a team meeting. Gabbert will start Sunday at Carolina.

The move makes sense since McCown is not a wily vet who can "manage" the team into the playoffs (a la David Garrard). This is probably good news for Mike Thomas and Marcedes Lewis.

David Garrard said he needs to think about whether he still wants to play.

When Garrard was asked what was next for him, he answered, "If it's football or if it's not. If it's just family life. I'm a big family guy. But I want that time to be there when it's supposed to be. It's always going to be there for me but football isn't. I want to make sure I weigh all my options right and do the right thing.""

Agent Al Irby said three teams have already contacted him about David Garrard and declined to say which ones. When asked if any of those teams were in the division, Irby repeated that he told the teams he spoke with he would keep quiet about their interest.

But his landing spot might not come for a few days. Irby said Garrard is in no hurry.

"The system's going to do what it's going to do," Irby said. "He has gotten some calls, they know there's some interest. David can still play it's obvious. He knows he's gonna have options and he's gonna just sit back and let the offers come in and make a decision."

The Jacksonville Jaguars have informed starting quarterback David Garrard they are releasing him, Jay Glazer of NFL Network and Fox Sports reported Tuesday. The surprising move means Luke McCown will start Sunday's season opener against Tennessee.

McCown, 30, hasn't started a game since 2007 while with the Bucs, and his career high is four starts as a rookie in Cleveland. McCown has a career record of 1-6 and has thrown just nine touchdown passes with 10 interceptions.

Expect Blaine Gabbert to be under center for the Jaguars sooner rather than later. While we like what we've seen from Gabbert, we're not wild about a rookie under center for the other offensive players on his team -- Maurice Jones-Drew, Mike Thomas, Jason Hill. Marcedes Lewis may get more looks, but don't expect a lot of points out of an offense led by Luke McCown or Blaine Gabbert.

Saturday night's clash between the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars looked like it was going to be decided early after Buffalo's offense, led by quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, finally showed spark and a quick-strike dimension in building a 17-0 lead.

In completing his first 11 attempts, Fitzpatrick threw touchdowns passes on consecutive plays - an 11-yarder to Marcus Easley and a 52-yarder to Stevie Johnson - 65 seconds apart in the second quarter. He finished going 11 of 12 for 165 yards passing in four series through the first half.

Jacksonville rallied, and Buffalo ended up winning in overtime 35-32.

Jaguars quarterback David Garrard overcame a slow start by producing 17 points on his final three series, playing mostly against the second-string Buffalo defense.

Rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert had an inconsistent outing for Jacksonville. He went 6 of 13 for 52 yards with an 11-yard touchdown pass to running back DuJuan Harris and an interception.

Bills running back Fred Jackson backed up his off-the-field comments with a strong showing.

He finished with 33 yards rushing and a 30-yard catch to cap a week that began with Jackson questioning whether the Bills disrespected him by starting C.J. Spiller in a 24-10 loss at Denver last weekend.

They looked like the Bills fantasy owners are hoping to see. Fred Jackson once again showed why he will be hard to get off the field, even if the Bills want to see more from Spiller. Fitzpatrick remains a semi-interesting QB2. As for Jacksonville, it will be awhile before Gabbert takes over from Garrard.

Quarterback David Garrard did little to solidify his starting spot and rookie Blaine Gabbert was equally unimpressive Friday night for the Jacksonville Jaguars as Jacksonville narrowly the Atlanta Falcons 15-13.

Garrard completed 7 of 12 passes for 99 yards, with an interception in three series. Gabbert, the 10th pick in the April draft, completed 11 of 23 passes for 96 yards in seven series. Gabbert was plagued by several drops, including three on one second-half series that forced the Jaguars to settle for a 54-yard field goal.

Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan’s receiving corps had similar issues, but Harry Douglas turned a short crossing route into a 76-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Ryan finished 7 of 15 for 116 yards.

Ryan, who led the Falcons to a field goal on the team’s opening drive, played the entire first half as Atlanta built a 10-3 lead. Michael Turner ran seven times for 14 yards, and Roddy White had a 13-yard reception. Douglas caught two passes for 87 yards.

The touchdown catch by Douglas is another reminder that Atlanta's offense will be more open than it's been in previous seasons, making Matt Ryan one of the more desirable quarterbacks to get after all of the studs are off the board. It would probably be better for Jacksonville's offense if Garrard starts on opening day.