Byron Leftwich's patience for criticism of his pass-release has worn out. He announced that fact at a press conference today at Alltel Stadium.
"I'm tired of it. It's not going to change. You have to go through something," he said of fan criticism that his pass delivery is too long and slow.
Leftwich met with reporters in a media interview session to kickoff the start of this weekend's mini-camp. The first question concerned what Leftwich has to do to become better and the second question cut to the chase: What about your throwing motion?
"My throwing motion is going to be my motion," Leftwich said forcefully. "That's the way it is. My throwing motion won't change."
Clearly, at the start of his fourth pro season, Leftwich has taken his game to a new level. He's not going to baby questions about his pass technique any longer. Wanna ask him about his lack of mobility?
"My release ain't changing," he said a few minutes later to a delayed query. "The way I throw the ball is the way I throw the ball. I can make better decisions but that's the same with all quarterbacks.
"All the great ones had different releases. No one had the same release," Leftwich added.
The question was also approached from the standpoint of ESPN analyst and former Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski's criticism of Leftwich's release.
"He had a different release, plus, he was scared of L.T. (Lawrence Taylor). I do respect his opinion," Leftwich said.
With the issue of his pass technique put to rest, at least for the moment, Leftwich addressed questions on a multitude of fronts. He said he was "close" to 100 percent for last season's playoff game in New England, when Leftwich was making his first start in six games after having broken his ankle in Arizona, and that he had no regret to playing in that game.
"As a whole, I have to get better as a quarterback," he said. Leftwich finished last season as the league's ninth-ranked passer, 89.3, with 15 touchdown passes, five interceptions and 2,123 yards passing.
"This (offensive) system fits better with our personnel. I don't think coach Musgrave's system was bad. I just don't think we were a good football team with it. It's going to cater to the players, to allow us to make more plays," Leftwich said of the offensive system coordinator Carl Smith brought to the Jaguars last year.
Leftwich was asked how he wishes to be judged, by style and stats or wins and postseason performance?
"I'd rather be judged by wins and postseason performance. That's what really matters. We all want to go to the Super Bowl. Some people like stats. I like wins," Leftwich said.
He agreed with his head coach, Jack Del Rio, who said in late March that the next step forward for the Jaguars is to win in the postseason.
"That's part of our goal, but once you get in the playoffs, you have to be thinking we can win the Super Bowl. Once you're in the tournament, everybody has a chance to win the Super Bowl," Leftwich said.
