Pft: Garcia To Raiders?

[BACH]

GARCIA TO RAIDERS?

Although the teams most commonly linked to soon-to-be-free-agent quarterback Jeff Garcia are the Broncos and the Bucs, an industry source has suggested keeping a close eye on the Oakland Raiders.

Garcia grew up in the Bay Area, and played at San Jose State. He also had a tryout with the Raiders before he signed with the 49ers.

So if Garcia is signed by the Raiders, does that mean that the Raiders wouldn't draft LSU's JaMarcus Russell? Not necessarily. Garcia could hold the job for a season or two while Russell gets ready to play.

With all that said, we'd still draft Calvin Johnson.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Note to PFT: Gilroy is certainly not the bay area--it's more central coast (Santa Cruz, Monterey, Salinas)-- but I guess the 45-60 min. drive is close enough.

 

[Totally_Red]

Jeff Garcia does not have the arm for the down-the-field game that Al Davis wants. Yet another bogus PFT tidbit.

 

[Gambit]

Why, why on Earth would Garcia do this to himself? WHY?! He has rejuvenated his career, will get plenty of lucrative offers, and he'd go to the worst team by far and ruin his rekindled image?

 

[Toro]

Note to PFT: Gilroy is certainly not the bay area--it's more central coast (Santa Cruz, Monterey, Salinas)-- but I guess the 45-60 min. drive is close enough.

Gilroy is considered part of the bay area. It is now considered "just south of San Jose".

 

[BACH]

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/football/nfl/oakland_raiders/16807337.htm

Garcia interested in Raiders, agent says
QB COULD START, HELP TEAM TUTOR TOP DRAFT PICK
By Steve Corkran
MediaNews
The Raiders' muddled quarterback situation is the focal point of new coach Lane Kiffin's attention. One of the solutions, besides spending the No. 1 pick of the NFL draft on JaMarcus Russell or Brady Quinn, could come through free agency.

Former 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia, 37, will be one of the Raiders' top priorities once the free-agency period begins tonight at 9.

The former San Jose State star is regarded as the top quarterback available in free agency. His stock soared after he replaced injured regular Donovan McNabb midway through last season and guided the Philadelphia Eagles to an NFC playoff berth.

The Raiders, Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to show the most interest in Garcia. The Eagles declined to pursue Garcia now that McNabb is expected back at full strength.

``If the Raiders call once free agency begins, Oakland definitely will be one of the places he seriously considers,'' said Steve Baker, Garcia's agent.

Garcia's decision figures to rest upon how much money and playing time he is promised. The latter factor makes the Raiders a prohibitive favorite, given their uncertainty at quarterback.

The Raiders are in a position to offer Garcia a starting job, at least for next season. The team did not pick up the option on Aaron Brooks' contract last week. Andrew Walter, who struggled in eight starts last season, is anything but a cinch to replace Brooks.

``There's some talent here at quarterback right now,'' Kiffin, who came to the Raiders from USC, said at his introductory news conference. ``And being in college, knowing the guys that are coming out, there's some very good talent there, as well. And, obviously, there's going to be some good free-agent quarterbacks.''

Kiffin said that before Damon Huard re-signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and A.J. Feeley re-signed with the Eagles. Now, Garcia stands atop the list of unemployed quarterbacks.

Garcia is the kind of player Kiffin could entrust to guide his offense until a younger quarterback is ready to take over. The Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals and Broncos employed a similar strategy last season after selecting a quarterback in the first round.

All three quarterbacks -- Vince Young, Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler -- wound up starting before the end of the 2006 season.

Russell or Quinn no doubt would be handled in a similar fashion with the Raiders.

Team owner Al Davis bolstered the belief that the Raiders figure to draft Russell or Quinn when he said he considered selecting Leinart instead of strong safety Michael Huff with the No. 7 overall draft pick last year.

Turns out that PFT might have been on to something...

 

[Mr.Dibbs]

My question is why a 37 yr old QB would want to go to a team that is not a contender, or has the makings to be a contender in the next two years? I guess if he wants to start for a losing team, and get pulled or injuried half way through the seaoson, then so be it, but if I was him, I'd look at the Texans, or Dolphins. At least he'd have a better supporting cast. After sucha great career comeback with the Eagles, why struggle with the Raiders?

P.S.- As we all know, every agent will say their F.A. is interested, even if they aren't. It's just that time of year.

 

[BACH]

My question is why a 37 yr old QB would want to go to a team that is not a contender, or has the makings to be a contender in the next two years? I guess if he wants to start for a losing team, and get pulled or injuried half way through the seaoson, then so be it, but if I was him, I'd look at the Texans, or Dolphins. At least he'd have a better supporting cast. After sucha great career comeback with the Eagles, why struggle with the Raiders?

P.S.- As we all know, every agent will say their F.A. is interested, even if they aren't. It's just that time of year.

Simple.. $$$

If winning a titel was the issue Garcia would offer his services to the Patriots or Colts for minimum wage.