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Jeff Garcia Returns to the City of Brotherly Love
Published: September 14, 2009
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The Philadelphia Eagles have signed Jeff Garcia to a one-year deal, league sources say.
Garcia, played with the Eagles back in 2006, starting in six games after Donovan McNabb suffered a season ending injury. He went 5-1 down the stretch to will the Eagles into the postseason, where they eventually lost a nail-biter to New Orleans in the second round.
During his improbable run, Garcia quickly became a fan favorite in Philadelphia, as well as across the NFL.
He’s spent the last two seasons in Tampa Bay, where he put up average numbers; and spent his 2009 training camp in Oakland before being released.
Garcia is familiar with the West Coast offense, and should be able to play immediately if asked to; but will he be asked to?
The Eagles organization has continuously praised Kevin Kolb. Starting Jeff Garcia would only nullify the previous confidence that Reid has in the young QB.
Complicating the situation, the Eagles will have to cut a player to make room for Jeff Garcia. Reggie Brown is most likely to be the player cut, but the complications don’t end there.
Once Michael Vick is eligible to play in week three, the Eagles will have to cut another player, most likely either Garcia or Kolb. It’s hard to imagine the Eagles keeping four quarterbacks on the roster.
There is still a chance that Donovan McNabb plays on Sunday, with the Garcia signing just being a necessary precaution. If McNabb is feeling well enough to play, he will wear a protective jacket over his ribs.
With Vick, McNabb, and Vick all on the same team, if McNabb doesn’t return soon, a QB controversy is on the horizon.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
Philadelphia Eagles Needed a Big Hand, Sign Tight End Alex Smith To Help Out
Published: September 9, 2009
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In an interesting turn of events, the Philadelphia Eagles dropped tight end Tony Curtis and signed former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Alex Smith.
Tony Curtis had looked great in the preseason, but the Eagles seemed to think Smith was a better option.
Alex Smith was one of the tight ends that the Eagles were considering trading A.J. Feeley before he was released, but a deal never went through.
When the New England Patriots released Smith, the Eagles jumped on him.
With only days left until the season opens, Alex Smith will have to learn the offense rather quickly. Fortunately for him, the Eagles run a West Coast offense similar to the offense that Smith played in under Coach John Gruden in Tampa.
Alex Smith said his time in New England was brief because of a surgery that he underwent in April. While the surgery is a minor one, it took Smith longer than they thought to fully recover.
In an interview with Dave Spadaro, Smith admitted that he hadn’t really felt like himself until two weeks ago, but says that he feels great now.
Alex Smith will be backing up Brent Celek, who played great down the stretch last season to earn the Eagles No. 1 TE spot.
Smith’s strengths are mostly in his receiving game. He has averaged about 300 yards and about three touchdowns in his four seasons in the NFL.
While we know that he can catch and run, his blocking game still leaves something to be desired.
Alex Smith admitted that he wasn’t much a blocker coming into the NFL, but said that he has integrated it into his game, believing that the more versatile he can become, the better player he will be.
There is still a chance that a player is dropped from the Eagles roster and Tony Curtis is re-signed, to add extra support at the TE position.
It is also likely that someone is release to make room for Michael Vick, so that he can practice with the team until he is eligible to play in Week 3.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
