Jan. 9, 2008

David Garrard’s 32-yard scamper to set up Josh Scobee’s game-winning field goal in the Jaguars’ victory over the Steelers last week confirmed what Patriots defenders already knew: Garrard runs well. Just how well is something the Pats will make a concerted effort to avoid finding out. As they’ve done in the past against mobile quarterbacks, we hear the Patriots are likely to employ a “spy” technique — having a defender shadow Garrard whenever he has the ball. While instinctive S Rodney Harrison seems to be a natural candidate for the role given the likelihood that New England’s cornerbacks can handle Jacksonville’s receivers one-on-one, look instead for ILB Tedy Bruschi to assume spy duties. For starters, Bruschi has historically been tabbed for the position. Secondly, CB Ellis Hobbs insinuated on Monday that the defensive backs won’t be responsible for containing Garrard when he escapes the pocket. “Obviously, you try to contain (him) and try to immobilize him, making him one-dimensional,” Hobbs said. “The main focus (of the secondary) is not worry about that. That’s not our job. The up-front guys, they’ll take care of that.” Of note is that the Patriots haven’t faced a legitimate running quarterback this season. The last time they did face one, in Week 17 last season, they gave up 29 yards — including a 28-yard TD jaunt — on two carries to the Titans’ Vince Young. They previous week, they held Garrard to 11 yards on two carries.