04/25/24
February 14, 2005
Browns release Jeff Garcia: One year into a four-year contract, Garcia gets a pink slip. His girlfriend's karate-kick trial, discussed here, may have influenced the move.
Is it just me, or does this guy - who by all indications is a good guy and a good teammate - suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune to an undeserved level. He losses family members, overcomes being 'too small' by playing like he isn't, has to earn his stripes in Canada, comes back to emerge as a pro-bowler depsite both his tiny status and asshole wide reciever who when not catching his passes, calls him gay, to finally heading to Cleveland where he has a sub-par year - though not entirely his fault, and then being released, not to metion having the hottest, scariest girlfriend around- all for a guy who has done nothing but smile, say thank you and play his guts out every Sunday. Prior to this year, Garica had thrown for the third most touchdowns in the last 5 years, and rushed for the third most (for quarterbacks) as well - while mostly being consistently underrated. Now this. Man, this guy needs a hug.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 09:03 PM on February 14, 2005
I feel that way too, but watching him play against NE this year, he didn't seem too impressive. It made me wonder how much was Garcia and how much was T.O. Guess Romeo Crennell wondered too.
posted by yerfatma at 09:22 PM on February 14, 2005
Garcia back to 49ers? By JIM JENKINS February 13, 2005 Jeff Garcia back with the San Francisco 49ers? It sounds improbable, yet it's part of the rumor mill coming out of Cleveland, where the former 49er is now the odd man out on the Browns' quarterback depth chart after just one season. Garcia was released by the Browns on Monday with three years left on his contract. His shaky status coincided with the arrival of Cleveland's new coach, Romeo Crennel. The former New England Patriots defensive coordinator is said to not be a fan of the West Coast-style offense the Browns adopted after signing Garcia to a four-year, $25 million contract and receiving little in return. Garcia will turn 35 later this month. Speculation by the Cleveland media is that the three-time Pro Bowler will attract interest from at least three teams - the 49ers, Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals. Detroit, of course, is where Steve Mariucci, Garcia's former 49ers coach, now works. The 49ers have a new coach in Mike Nolan, but their quarterback situation lacks experienced depth. And Arizona is coached by former 49ers assistant Dennis Green, a disciple of Bill Walsh who brought Garcia to San Francisco. Injury-prone toward the end of his tenure with the 49ers, Garcia continued the trend with the Browns. He was 3-7 as a starter before suffering a knee injury. The Browns, once 3-3, didn't win another game until the final week amid locker-room discord and the in-season resignation of coach Butch Davis. Garcia, who grew unpopular with teammates by frequently going public with criticism of the Browns' offense and the team's play in general, was due a $500,000 roster bonus March 1, the day eligible players can become free agents. The move would appear to signal that the Browns, who draft second overall behind the 49ers, will be shopping for a quarterback, either in the free-agent market or the draft. Kelly Holcomb, who shared starting duties with since-departed Tim Couch before Garcia came on the scene, is also eligible for free agency, but it's unclear whether the Browns want to retain him. Luke McCown, a 2004 rookie, looked anything but prepared when forced into the lineup because of injuries. Couch, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1999 draft, was cut loose to make room for Garcia.
posted by dusted at 09:24 PM on February 14, 2005
Is it just me, or does this guy - who by all indications is a good guy and a good teammate - suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune to an undeserved level. Wrong play, Weedy -- this was just a Valentine's Day present from a guy named Romeo. (could have resisted, didn't want to)
posted by lil_brown_bat at 06:51 AM on February 15, 2005
Baker is confident that Garcia will find a new team. Could I get a couple reasons why? I'm trying to think of a team that would be better served by having Garcia under center than either the guy they have now or someone else already in the fold with them. Can anyone answer that?
posted by wfrazerjr at 08:32 AM on February 15, 2005
As mentioned, the Cardinals, the Niners, & the Lions could be possibilities. Chicago has a slew of young guys, but I don't know if any are the answer they've been looking for. And Garcia is better than all of the Dolphins QBs combined into one. Those are his best bets if he wants to start... At least that's how I see it. As for taking a secondary role on a new club... The Giants might want a veteran back-up. If Bledsoe moves on, Buffalo would want the same. Dallas is a thought, though I don't see it happening (Tuna sticks with guys he knows). Jacksonville has three signal-callers on their club, none with more than three years of pro experience. And Denver's back-up is Danny Kanell... Garcia would be a step-up there, I would think. If Jeff George can find a spot in the league, I'm pretty confident Garcia will find a new team as well.
posted by 86 at 08:53 AM on February 15, 2005
I'm trying to think of a team that would be better served by having Garcia under center than either the guy they have now or someone else already in the fold with them. Can anyone answer that? The Baltimore Ravens come to mind.
posted by scully at 09:33 AM on February 15, 2005
He's already talking with Gruden about their starting job if the Griese talks don't result in an agreement by next Wednesday. I think he can be a quality starter, if he stays healthy, for 2-3 more years in the right system.
posted by billsaysthis at 02:04 PM on February 15, 2005
"But Garcia never seemed to click with teammates and admitted to having a hard time adjusting to Cleveland's lifestyle after spending his entire life in Northern California." His whole life in Northern California save for, you know, five seasons in the CFL. C, as in Canada.