NEW YORK -- David Garrard is out of the New York Jets quarterback competition. A person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Garrard plans to retire because of lingering knee issues. The 35-year-old Garrard was signed in March to provide veteran competition for Mark Sanchez. But Garrard, who hadnt played in a regular-season game in the NFL since 2010 because of injuries, is planning to step away because of knee troubles. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because neither the team nor Garrard had officially announced the decision. NFL Network first reported that Garrard planned to retire. SiriusXM Radio host Adam Schein said that Garrard told him in a text that he had to "call it quits" because "my knee is not holding up. Continuing to swell after practices. Limiting what I can do." The former Jacksonville Jaguars star was cut by the Miami Dolphins last summer after he needed arthroscopic surgery on his ailing left knee. Garrard was expected to be in the mix to compete for the Jets starting job along with Sanchez and second-round pick Geno Smith. New York, which cut Tim Tebow two weeks ago, also has Greg McElroy and Matt Simms on the roster. In a conference call with season ticket holders earlier in the day, new offensive co-ordinator Marty Mornhinweg insisted that the Jets starting QB job is up for grabs -- and that included Garrard at the time. "This will be a bona fide quarterback competition. Period," Mornhinweg said. "Im hoping that somebody will rise to the top quicker rather than later." Garrard, it now appears, will not be a part of that. The Jets could look to add another veteran quarterback to the mix, but it appears to solidify Sanchezs spot on the roster. It was likely the teams 2009 first-round pick would remain on the Jets, mainly because he is owed $8.25 million in guaranteed money. But there was some speculation that New York could take the salary cap hit and eat the contract by releasing Sanchez -- or trade him -- and let Smith battle Garrard for the job. Smith, the former record-breaking West Virginia star, was expected to be a first-round pick, but stunningly slid into the second round of the draft last month. The Jets, needing to fill several needs, surprised many by taking Smith and adding yet another quarterback to a crowded competition. Smith said last weekend that he had spoken with the other Jets quarterbacks since being drafted, and was asked specifically about his conversations with Garrard. "He spoke to me about just how he looks forward to competing with me, teaching me and mentoring me," Smith said. "I told him, Im all ears, Im an open sponge here. Im just here to learn and Im learning from every one. Its kind of like learning on the job." When he signed with the Jets, Garrard passed his physical with the team and said he had his sights set on having a chance at the starting job. He said he felt healthy at the time, adding that "my knee is great now." Garrard had apparently been having issues with it, though. Another person familiar with the situation told the AP that the quarterback wanted to have his knee examined either Tuesday or Wednesday morning, so it had clearly been bothering him during off-season workouts. That person, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the decision hadnt been announced, was not aware that Garrard was contemplating retirement as recently as last night. Garrard was a fourth-round pick of Jacksonville in 2002, and became the teams full-time starter in 2007. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2009, but was released before the 2011 season. Garrard signed with Miami in March 2012 and appeared to be the front-runner to be the starter ahead of rookie Ryan Tannehill and veteran Matt Moore, but was released after missing the preseason with a knee issue. He has thrown for 16,003 yards in his career, with 89 touchdowns and 54 interceptions. Garrard, also known for his mobility during his prime, has 17 career rushing touchdowns. Cheap FC Borussia Dortmund Jerseys .C. United of Major League Soccer. United chose the defender in the second round of the 2013 MLS re-entry draft. Cheap Inter Milan FC Jerseys . Clarkson had been dealing with an elbow injury in early January and will be out of action for at least one week. He has three goals and five assists through 36 games with the Leafs this season. http://www.cheapsoccerjerseysoutlet.com/ .C. United of Major League Soccer. United chose the defender in the second round of the 2013 MLS re-entry draft. Cheap Japan Jerseys . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. Cheap Chile Jerseys . Rousey will put her perfect 8-0 record and hardware on the line against another undefeated fighter, 7-0 Sara McMann in the main event of UFC 170, which will be held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas Nevada on February 22nd. NEW YORK -- Now that theyre finally banging the ball around the yard, the New York Mets are thinking about that late-season charge that carried them all the way to the World Series last year.Yoenis Cespedes clocked a three-run homer, Kelly Johnson had a pinch-hit grand slam and Noah Syndergaard pitched two-hit ball over seven innings as the resurgent Mets routed the Philadelphia Phillies 12-1 on Saturday.Asdrubal Cabrera homered for the third time in two games, a two-run drive that put New York ahead against Jeremy Hellickson (10-8). Neil Walker added his 23rd of the season to match a career high, giving the Mets four homers for the second consecutive night in a blowout of Philadelphia.It looks like a completely different team, Mets manager Terry Collins said. The energy is just different in the room right now.Alejandro De Aza added a two-run double for the Mets, who won for the sixth time in seven games as they attempt to make a push in the bunched-up NL playoff chase. New York got some help Saturday with losses by Miami and St. Louis and moved within 2 1/2 games of the Cardinals for the leagues second wild card.Cespedes is reminded of last year, when his arrival after a July 31 trade helped the Mets turn a moribund offense into a pennant winner.I think the energy, he said through a translator, right now has taken us back to the last two months of last season.The desire, the motivation, he explained.Jose Reyes and Cabrera each had three hits, once again providing a spark from the top two spots in the lineup since both came off the disabled list. Mostly healthy at last after lagging through much of the summer as one of baseballs weakest offenses, the Mets have totaled 31 runs while winning their past three games. They have 76 runs (6.3 per game) and 22 homers in their last 12.New York also has posted at least nine runs in three straight games for the first time since June 2012 -- and scored nine or more in successive home games for the first time since September 2008.The team has 87 homers at Citi Field this season, surpassing its previous record of 85 set last year. The ballpark opened in 2009.Syndergaard (12-7) chipped in with a long double and is 3-0 with a 1.31 ERA in his last three starts.The only damage against him came on Freddy Galvis homer in the third, and the big right-hander improved to 4-0 with a 1.37 ERA in four career outings against the Phillies.Right now Im just better able to locate my sinker to both sides of the plate, Syndergaard said. And my sliiders been a lot more consistent.ddddddddddddThe Mets have taken 12 of their past 14 series with Philadelphia.Its like they know whats coming, Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. They just seem to feast on our pitching.Hellickson, who had won four consecutive decisions and six of his last seven, allowed a three-run shot to Cespedes that made it 5-1 with two outs in the fourth.Johnsons drive off Michael Mariot in a six-run seventh was his fourth pinch-hit homer this season. It gave the Mets grand slams in consecutive games for the first time since Carlos Beltran hit both in July 2006.Bad pitching, Mackanin said. Tonight was embarrassing.Philadelphia had won Hellicksons previous six starts.Just one of those nights. Didnt really have much, the right-hander said.ANOTHER CHANCECollins said RHP Rafael Montero will be recalled from Double-A Binghamton to start Monday night against Miami in place of struggling RHP Jacob deGrom, who is skipping a turn. Montero is 1-4 with a 4.45 ERA in 17 major league games, including nine starts.DANGEROUS HITTERA few pitches before his home run, Cespedes hit a foul line drive about head high that had Syndergaard darting and ducking out of the way as he took a short lead off third base. That was just all reflex. I dont think it was anywhere near me, Syndergaard said. The night before, Phillies pitcher Adam Morgan barely evaded serious injury when he ducked underneath Cespedes scorching liner up the middle.TRAINERS ROOMMets: Part-time CF Justin Ruggiano went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left shoulder, and INF T.J. Rivera was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas. Fortunately for Rivera, he never left town Friday when he was optioned to the minors to make room for Walker, who came off the paternity leave list. Rivera began getting work in the outfield before the game. ... Slumping RF Jay Bruce was given primarily a mental day off, according to Collins, though the manager said Bruces nagging right calf did act up Friday night as he struck out all four times and was booed by the home crowd.UP NEXTPhillies: RHP Vince Velasquez (8-6, 4.31 ERA) has lost three straight starts and is winless in seven outings since July 8.Mets: RHP Robert Gsellman makes his first major league start in the series finale Sunday. He won his debut Tuesday at St. Louis with 3 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of injured Jonathon Niese. Chiefs Jerseys China Cheap Nike Chargers Jerseys Cheap Nike Raiders Jerseys Wholesale Cowboys Jerseys China Cheap Nike Giants Jerseys Philadelphia Eagles Jerseys For Sale Wholesale Redskins Jerseys China Cheap Nike Lions Jerseys Packers Jerseys China Cheap Vikings Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Panthers Jerseys Hoodies Cheap Saints Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Nike Buccaneers Jerseys Cardinals Jerseys China Cheap Rams Jerseys Hoodies Cheap Nike 49ers Jerseys Seahawks Jerseys China Bears Jerseys China Cheap Nike Bills Jerseys Ravens Jerseys China Wholesale Falcons Jerseys China ' ' '