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Where Will Jeff Garcia Wind Up Next?
Published: September 30, 2009
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With the release of journeyman quarterback Jeff Garcia, the Eagles seem to be indicating that they are confident that the combination of Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick can manage the team until Donovan McNabb returns.
In particular, the play of Kolb made Garcia expendable.
Kolb is 62-of-96 for 741 yards in two-and-a-half games this season. He is completing 65 percent of his passes and has a quarterback rating of 89 on the year. Against Kansas City, Kolb was 24-of-34 (a 70 percent completion percentage) for 327 yards and two touchdowns to go along with no sacks, interceptions, or fumbles.
It is that type of production, coupled with Vick’s execution of the Wildcat, that made Garcia expendable.
The question is, where does Garcia go from here?
The market is not great for a 6’1″, 205-pound, 39-year-old quarterback who has played almost exclusively in the West Coast system. One would have to imagine that if Garcia were to sign with anyone, it would be a team with a coaching connection to the Bill Walsh coaching tree that runs the West Coast offense.
The problem is, there aren’t many of those coaches that are around and in need of a quarterback right now.
Of Bill Walsh’s six assistant coaches that became NFL head coaches (Mike Holmgren, Jim Fassel, Paul Hackett, Sam Wyche, George Seifert, and Dennis Green), none are currently coaching in the NFL, and two (Fassel and Green) are coaching in the upstart UFL (more on that later).
If you look at the extended branches on the Walsh tree, most of those coaches are either out of the NFL right now (Jon Gruden, Mike Sherman, Steve Mariucci, Mike Shanahan, Brian Billick) or are coaching teams that are set at quarterback.
For example:
Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles: Just cut Garcia, and he has McNabb, Kolb, and Vick.
Brad Childress, Minnesota Vikings: He has some guy named Favre, I think?
John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens: In Joe Flacco they trust, and Troy Smith is a decent backup.
Jeff Fisher, Tennessee Titans: Kerry Collins and Vince Young are locked in to their jobs…for now.
Jack Del Rio, Jacksonville Jaguars: Riding the David Garrard train for as long as they can.
Mike Smith, Atlanta Falcons: Some young kid named Matt Ryan? Garcia won’t be relocating to Buckhead any time soon.
Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers: Big Ben Roethlisberger is the man.
This really leaves only one of two options for Jeff Garcia. He could wind up playing in Carolina for John Fox, a distant Walsh disciple (Fox was an assistant to Fassel, who was an assistant to Walsh), who may need some new blood at QB if Jake Delhomme keeps throwing five INTs a game. That is the lone NFL option for Garcia, who may bring some poise to the Panthers’ team.
The other option is going to the UFL, where I’m sure Fassel or Denny Green would love to have an experienced QB running their West Coast offenses, and I’m sure the fledgling league would like another known commodity.
I think Garcia is bound for the Las Vegas Locos (Fassel’s team) or the California Redwoods (Green’s team) if he does not sign with the Panthers.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
New York Jets Primer For The Preseason
Published: August 27, 2009
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With the first half of the NFL preseason behind us and two games to go, the picture and prospects for the New York Jets 2009 season are starting to come into focus.
While the Jets have answered some questions regarding the upcoming season, there are still issues that have yet to be resolved. With two preseason games remaining (Giants and Eagles) the jets still have time to answer some questions before the regular season opener.
In my humble opinion, the following are the top 5 questions the Jets need to answer as the regular season approaches:
1) Is Sanchez the man?
I know Rex Ryan has named him the starting quarterback and I know the team paid him big money after moving up to draft him but when push comes to shove, is Sanchez ready to produce on the field?
Sanchez started 16 games in college against PAC-10 defenses so who knows how he will handle the pressure of NFL defenses. Watching Sanchez against the Ravens, he showed flashes of brilliance but also made rookie mistakes. I know his TD pass to Leon Washington was sweet but I’d like to see him make that throw with Ray Lewis and Ed Reed in the game. Sanchez is the most hyped QB the Jets have had since the days of Joe Willie. We can only hope that he plays like Joe Willie.
2) Will the Jets receivers be the Achilles heel of the offense?
Arguably the biggest question mark offensively is whether or not the Jets can replace Laveranues Coles and his play as the #1 WR. Coles’ departure means Jerricho Cotchery (71 receptions, 5 TD) moves into the role of #1 WR.
As good as Cotchery can be, he will certainly draw double-teams unless a solid #2 WR emerges. Right now, Chansi Stuckey (32 receptions, 3 TD) looks like the best option but don’t sleep on ex-Missouri QB Brad Smith (12 receptions, 113 rushing yards) or even David Clowney (1 reception) moving up and challenging for the #2 spot. No matter how you look at it though, Jets fans can’t feel too settled about the WR position.
3) Will the Jets unleash their version of the “Wildcat” offense?
It still surprises me that the NFL has gone totally gaga for an offensive style that was being used by programs like Army and Cornell in the early 20th century but the Wildcat is the craze right now and it seems every team is working on their own version of the ramped-up single wing package.
The Jets are no exception.
Dave Hutchinson of the Newark Star-Ledger reported that the Jets spent the majority of their practice on Monday, August 17 working on a wildcat package that featured Leon Washington taking snaps with the first team and ex-QB Brad Smith taking snaps with the second team. factor in the role that Thomas Jones can play in the package and you may have a chance to see one of the more dynamic versions of the Wildcat this season.
4) Will the real Vernon Gholston please stand up, please stand up?
Newly acquired Bart Scott and David Harris will do a fine job at inside linebacker but the big question for the jets will be at outside linebacker. Calvin Pace (80 tackles, 7 sacks) did a great job last season as an edge rusher, but he’ll spend the season’s first four games on the shelf after violating the NFL’s steroid policy.
That means Bryan Thomas (57 tackles, 5.5 sacks) will occupy one OLB spot and the other spot should be taken by, you guessed it, Vernon Gholston.
Gholston was more like “GHOSTon” during his regrettable and forgettable rookie season. Gholston did not start a game and finished the season with five tackles. He certainly did not live up to his draft position.
The NFL Draft has had many famous and infamous picks at #6. Richard Seymour was a #6 pick as was Pacman Jones. lets hope Gholston’s career trajectory begins to resemble the former rather than the latter. If Gholston can break out this season, it will be just like getting a second #1 pick this year.
5) Is Rex Ryan ready to be a Head Coach?
I know players win games but coaches matter. Ryan has spent many years in the game but you never know how career assistant coaches will turn out when they get their first head gig. All indications are that Ryan should be a good fit for the team and the city but only time will tell on this point.
