After asking to be cut from the Oakland Raiders this summer, quarterback Jeff Garcia has now issued his explanation for the reasons behind that decision.
And he was far from complimentary of the Raiders or downtrodden quarterback JaMarcus Russell, the worst starter in the league from a statistical standpoint.
After being cut by the Philadelphia Eagles, Garcia broke his silence about his Raiders stint during a candid interview.
"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," Garcia said Friday during an interview with FOX Sports Radio. "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 said that he doesn't believe that Russell is ready for the responsibility of being a starter.
"When you put him on the field in a one-on-one workout session, he'll make every throw for you," Garcia said. "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."
Garcia, who's apparently not interested in rejoining the Raiders and unlikely to be on owner Al Davis' Christmas card list after this biting interview, accused his former teammates of lacking a commitment to the game.
"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," Garcia said. "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."
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Sounds like NosferatAl needs to go out and find a Josh McDaniels type who will come in and just clean house. After all, McDaniels cut, I believe 31 players from last years Broncos, of which only 6 or 7 are to be found on any other roster this season.
Al you better get it together soon if you are to see at least one winning season before you're gone.
And lets take a look who this is coming from. Garcia who talks a good game of leadership and such but noone showed up to collect a check like he did at Raiders camp. All he did was try to talk down Russell from day one and during Garcia's time playing in pre-season games he was bad.
In camp Garcia could not out play Russell and Russell out played Garcia during the pre-season. Last time the two meet against eachother it was Russell leading the Raiders to a win that really did not mean a thing for them. While Garcia folded and could not beat Russell when his Tampa team only had to win to reach the playoffs.
Nobody wants Garcia anymore and Tampa was always looking for a QB when they had him. He fakes injuries so he does not have to work out with his team mates and he is not very good anymore, not that he ever was.
Sounds like old Garcia has been riding on his Uncle's train a time to many, how did that old tune go?, "Riding That Train High On Cocaine. Al Davis never wanted to sign the punk from the start and gave into what his coach wanted. As for Russell he will be just fine and will end up not just a good NFL QB but a great NFL QB.
It amazes me that Al Davis still has defenders. His team has been very bad for several years in a row, the quarterback that he picked at the top of the draft (now in his third year) is historically bad. That Al Davis was once very good at running a football team is beyond doubt. To claim that he is now contradicts all of the available evidence. To say that Russell will ever be so good as a competent QB also contradicts all of the available evidence.
Garcia was a good QB whose accomplishments went well beyond his physical abilities. His best days are clearly behind him, and it is very possible that he may no longer be even a back-up callibre QB. However, the basic truth of what he said is clear to anyone who has watched the Raiders play.
Wow Diana please don't put your input envolving football please!!! Russell is horrible he is not fine. Raiders are horrible and I don't see them getting better any time soon. Let's leave football talk up to the guys thanx.. ;-)
Maybe we could possibly swap qb's with Dallas...after watching that game this afternoon I figure it wouldn't hurt...
I mean you want to have faith in the guy and that eventually things will click for him but sheesh he sure does make it difficult... I give credit to Tom Cable for sticking with him and believing in him but if this continues for the entire season, at what point do you say enough is enough. J. Flacco, M. Ryan, M Sanchez have been playing decent football since coming into the league. You wonder what is it with Russell. Work ethic? Is he being developed properly by the coaching staff? Does he not understand the game at this level? I don't know...hopefully he'll get it together, and we play the Giants this Sunday lol...
And where was the secondary at today???
Well at least the bolts are getting spanked tonight to.
Every decent player who has come to the Raiders and then left says the same thing. The Raiders are a train wreck. Sapp, Moss and now Garcia. I am sure there are others. You can shoot the messenger but the "truth" is in the play on the field and the W-L record. Check it out since 2003.
I have been a Raider fan since 1960 (long enough for all of you?).
This is the worst Raider team "by far". Whatever it is that Al Davis is trying to do doesn't work anymore. Right now they are unwatchable.
How long will the Redskins sit...
Running back coming off broken...
WR is vastly underpaid and has...
Taking a look at which position...
Steelers QB said he has heard...
Oct 03, 2009
09:23 PM
lt was a great interview by FOX Sports radio host Chris "the hair" Myers and Steve "Hater" Hartman.