"Of all the veteran NFL quarterbacks who recently watched their teams invest a high first-round draft pick on someone at their position, none is more entrenched as a starter right now than the Jaguars' David Garrard.

If any of the rookie quarterbacks for the Carolina Panthers (Cam Newton), Tennessee Titans (Jake Locker) and Minnesota Vikings (Christian Ponder) were No. 1 on the depth chart to begin the season, regardless of how long the lockout lasts, it wouldn't be viewed as an upset.

The Jaguars are the team with the most intriguing quarterback dilemma because Garrard is a solid, decent starter, and first-round draft pick Blaine Gabbert represents the not-too-distant-future franchise guy.

To Garrard's credit, he's not acting like someone just stole his lunch money.

A lot of quarterbacks in his situation behave with a sense of entitlement, treating any real threat to their job security with disdain.

Garrard didn't go there this past weekend when asked about competition from Gabbert. True to his disposition, Garrard remained cool, like a quarterback in the pocket should. The 10-year veteran acknowledged that if Gabbert beats him out, "then best of luck to him," but also added, "I'm going to work my tail off to make sure that it's me [who starts]." Garrard conceded nothing and acknowledged that a prolonged NFL lockout would make it harder for Gabbert to ascend to a starting role.

Nothing remotely controversial there, which has been Garrard's style his entire career. He handles the NFL's business aspect as well as anyone because few quarterbacks have lived it from more angles."