Trent Edwards Likely to Continue Mediocrity with Jacksonville Jaguars

A day after being released by the Buffalo Bills, maligned quarterback Trent Edwards has been signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars. It's assumed that Edwards, who has 25 career touchdowns and 27 career interceptions in 34 games, will be the backup to David Garrard, who has five interceptions over his last two starts after looking terrific in Week 1. Don't be surprised to see coach Jack Del Rio bench Garrard at the first sign of trouble in Week 4 and roll the dice with Edwards.

Jacksonville desperately needed a backup quarterback after Luke McCown suffered a serious injury in a Week 2 loss to the San Diego Chargers. Edwards' job became expendable in Buffalo after Ryan Fitzpatrick led the Bills to 30 points against the Patriots. It was the second time in as many seasons that Edwards' job was taken by Fitzpatrick. Edwards was benched in the 2009 season after suffering a concussion early in the season and playing poorly after returning from the injury.

Edwards, however, doesn't possess any of the skills necessary to distinguish himself from Garrard. Even with Garrard's struggles this season, his career numbers are much better than Edwards' numbers. Neither quarterback has the accuracy or decision-making ability to be anything more than a serviceable quarterback in the National Football League. Although it's unlikely that Edwards will be able to turn the Jags' season around, it shows that Jacksonville's front office understands that the team is in bad shape and needs something to give the players a shot in the arm. It's more likely that Garrard will turn his season around now that the Jags have a legitimate backup quarterback than it is that Edwards makes any major positive contributions this season.

The signing of Edwards does not address Jacksonville's main weakness: their defense. The Jaguars, who are lucky to have a 1-2 record, have allowed 83 points in their first three games this season, and will have to play the high-octane Indianapolis Colts in Week 4.

Buffalo, which is 0-3 for the first time since 2007, has a home game against the New York Jets in Week 4. The Bills' offense has looked awful so far this season, sporting a league-worst 726 yards of total offense through three games.

An interesting subplot to this signing, the Jaguars will travel to Buffalo to play the Bills in Week 5. If Garrard struggles against the Colts and is benched, we could see Edwards starting against the Bills just two weeks after they benched and released him. It will be interesting to see how the Bills' fanbase treats Edwards upon his return after giving the team three mediocre seasons from 2007-2009.

For a look at some of the other quarterback controversies around the league (including the one that led to the Bills releasing Edwards), click here.

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Jacksonville Jaguars get QB Trent Edwards

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