Free Agent Quarterback Garcia Takes Oakland Raiders To Task
Veteran quarterback Jeff Garcia was released earlier this week by the Philadelphia Eagles, a victim of too many quarterbacks on the roster. Now that hes no longer under contract to a NFL team, hes letting his feelings be known about another one of his recent employers--the Oakland Raiders. There may be no team in the NFL more desperate for a quarterback than the Raiders, but Garcia quickly let it be known that he has no interest in returning to Oakland in an interview in which he slammed the teams management and suggested that current quarterback Jamarcus Russell was in over his head.
Garcia started his comments with an observation that the team is putting too much pressure on their young quarterback. He suggested that the team is putting their hopes on Russell's shoulders, and that hes simply not ready for that pressure mentally or emotionally:
"I have no problem going into a situation and helping a young guy out and really trying to help the team out overall more so than anything. I just feel like it's an unfortunate situation when the entire work ethic and the entire goal of the team is really put upon one guy's shoulder."
Garcia continued to stress that Russell's skill level wasn't the issue:
"When you put him on the field in a one-on-one workout session he'll make every throw for you. But when it comes down to making things happen in the heat of the battle and rallying the troops around you and making a case for the team, that's where maybe things aren't where they need to be."
Russell is currently suffering with a 39.8 pass rating--the worst in the NFL--and hasn't shown much progress from game to game. Garcia went on to assert that the Raiders problems go much deeper than the inexperience of their quarterback:
"It was to a point where I felt like guys who walked through those doors that just were there to collect a check and not really interested in putting everything that they had within themselves on to the football field. And that was the frustrating thing for me to see.
"There were a lot of good young guys in that locker room who really want to do whatever it takes to win, but unfortunately it's not everybody. In order to compete at this level in this game, everybody needs to be on board."
"Maybe it's because how things have been for a number of years now out there and they just don't see the hope"
After Garcia's release from the Raiders, coach Tom Cable insinuated that he had an issue with playing backup to Russell:
"There was some talk about how he would fit but the best way for me to approach it is the other two played so well and we are committed to JaMarcus as our starter. Whether or not Garcia was comfortable in a role as a backup, it is what it is."
Ultimately, Garcia suggested that despite his best effort it got to the point where he simply wanted out:
"To see the reality of the situation and realize what I may be up against staying here for the entire year, it hurt me, it broke my heart to do that to step up. But I just felt like it was something I really didn't want to put myself through anymore."
The 39 year old Garcia has started 110 games in the NFL in ten seasons after a standout career in the Canadian Football League. There's a good chance you'll see him back in action before the end of the year--though the Raiders are clearly not a team that he'd be interested in. - 2361
Garcia started his comments with an observation that the team is putting too much pressure on their young quarterback. He suggested that the team is putting their hopes on Russell's shoulders, and that hes simply not ready for that pressure mentally or emotionally:
"I have no problem going into a situation and helping a young guy out and really trying to help the team out overall more so than anything. I just feel like it's an unfortunate situation when the entire work ethic and the entire goal of the team is really put upon one guy's shoulder."
Garcia continued to stress that Russell's skill level wasn't the issue:
"When you put him on the field in a one-on-one workout session he'll make every throw for you. But when it comes down to making things happen in the heat of the battle and rallying the troops around you and making a case for the team, that's where maybe things aren't where they need to be."
Russell is currently suffering with a 39.8 pass rating--the worst in the NFL--and hasn't shown much progress from game to game. Garcia went on to assert that the Raiders problems go much deeper than the inexperience of their quarterback:
"It was to a point where I felt like guys who walked through those doors that just were there to collect a check and not really interested in putting everything that they had within themselves on to the football field. And that was the frustrating thing for me to see.
"There were a lot of good young guys in that locker room who really want to do whatever it takes to win, but unfortunately it's not everybody. In order to compete at this level in this game, everybody needs to be on board."
"Maybe it's because how things have been for a number of years now out there and they just don't see the hope"
After Garcia's release from the Raiders, coach Tom Cable insinuated that he had an issue with playing backup to Russell:
"There was some talk about how he would fit but the best way for me to approach it is the other two played so well and we are committed to JaMarcus as our starter. Whether or not Garcia was comfortable in a role as a backup, it is what it is."
Ultimately, Garcia suggested that despite his best effort it got to the point where he simply wanted out:
"To see the reality of the situation and realize what I may be up against staying here for the entire year, it hurt me, it broke my heart to do that to step up. But I just felt like it was something I really didn't want to put myself through anymore."
The 39 year old Garcia has started 110 games in the NFL in ten seasons after a standout career in the Canadian Football League. There's a good chance you'll see him back in action before the end of the year--though the Raiders are clearly not a team that he'd be interested in. - 2361
About the Author:
Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and noted authority on baseball betting. His writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sportsbooks and sportsbook directory sites. He lives in Las Vegas with three Jack Russell Terriers and an emu. He is currently working on an autobiography of former energy secretary Donald Hodell.
posted by Marcondes Allen at 12:33 AM
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