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Jets Officially Sign Veteran Quarterback David Garrard

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Let the quarterback competition begin.

To the surprise of no one, the Jets have officially signed quarterback David Garrard.

The Jets recently worked out the ex-Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback, and he said that he managed to turn some heads.

"It was a great workout," Garrard told the New York Post last week. "They had two receivers they brought in to take a look at, too, but also to catch balls from me. (In) every drill they had me do, I did great in."

The 35-year-old, who hasn't played in a regular-season game since 2010, has dealt with back and knee injuries.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported last week that Garrard and the Jets believed they would have a deal "once they can work through the cap issues."

In the days following his workout, Garrard told SiriusXM NFL Radio that if he's signed, he has a great chance of beating out incumbent starter Mark Sanchez for the starting job.

"I felt like if I am healthy and I am playing at my highest, then that's going to give me a great opportunity to be the starting quarterback," Garrard said. "Now, if Mark comes out and he is playing even better than that, then great for him, but I am going to give it my all. If I can be the starting quarterback, I know what I can do on the field and I know what I can bring to the table. Hopefully I can, and if that's the case I know we can have some good times."

Garrard will certainly have to earn it, as offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said on Monday that "Mark will probably have just a little bit of a leg up."

The Jets reportedly want to bring five quarterbacks to training camp. Sanchez, Greg McElroy, Matt Simms, Tim Tebow and now Garrard are under contract. Tebow, however, is expected to be released if New York can't pull off an offseason trade involving the backup QB.

Following the announcement of the signing, the newest member of Gang Green tweeted: "Just made it official!! I am a New York Jet!!!!!"

Garrard has a 39-37 record in 79 career starts, all with the Jaguars.

The 2009 Pro Bowler was released from Jacksonville after a poor preseason in 2011. He was expected to start the season for Miami in 2012, but arthroscopic knee surgery in August quickly ended his time with the Dolphins.

As expected. Your thoughts on the move, Jets fans? Sound off in the comments section below...

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