Professor

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slu...v=st&type=lgns

Eagles sign QB Garcia, WR Gaffney to one-year contracts

March 16, 2006
PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) - With Terrell Owens out of the picture for good, the Philadelphia Eagles signed quarterback Jeff Garcia and wide receiver Jabar Gaffney to one-year contracts on Thursday.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Garcia, 36, will join his fourth team in as many seasons and serve as a backup to Donovan McNabb.

Gaffney, 25, will likely serve as the team's third receiver behind starters Todd Pinkston and Reggie Brown.

Garcia would not have come to Philadelphia if Owens was still around. As expected, the talented but troublesome wide receiver was released by the Eagles on Tuesday before a $5 million roster bonus was due.

Owens was banished by Eagles coach Andy Reid last season for conduct detrimental to the team. Among his transgressions was incessant criticism of Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.

Garcia didn't escape the wrath of Owens when the two played for the San Francisco 49ers. Garcia was named to the Pro Bowl three times in his tenure with the Niners (1999-2003), but was often criticized by Owens for not having a strong arm.

Garcia played for the Detroit Lions last season and struggled after suffering a broken leg in the preseason. He started five of six games and completed 59 percent of his passes for 937 yards and three touchdowns with six interceptions for a career-low quarterback rating of 65.1

The previous year with the Cleveland Browns, Garcia played in 11 games and completed 144-of-252 passes for 1,731 yards and 10 touchdowns with nine interceptions for a rating of 76.7.

At his best directing the West Coast offense, Garcia passed for 84 touchdowns with just 32 interceptions from 2000-02 with the Niners.

"Garcia is a guy who's had a lot of success in the National Football League," Reid said. "He knows how to win football games and he's been to the Pro Bowl multiple times. He's a very smart player and is very familiar with our offensive system. He'll be a great backup to Donovan."

In 2000, Garcia set a club record with 4,278 passing yards. The following season, his first of three straight Pro Bowl campaigns, he threw for 3,538 yards and 32 touchdowns for the Niners.

Gaffney will try to offset the loss of Owens, who caught 47 passes for 763 yards and six touchdowns in seven games last season before being suspended.

A second-round pick in 2002, Gaffney spent his first four seasons with the Houston Texans and recorded 171 receptions for 2,009 yards and seven touchdowns.

"Jabar has good hands and is a precise route runner," Reid said. "He has the ability to line up in the slot. We're excited to add him to the mix at the wide receiver position."

A cousin of Eagles cornerback Lito Sheppard, Gaffney caught a carer-high 55 passes last season, but accounted for only 492 yards.





Updated on Thursday, Mar 16, 2006 1:30 pm EST

MickeyG

Gaffney never really had the chance to develop in Houston, so he could do very well playing with a much better team and i already said Garcia is probably the best backup in the league right now.

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Professor

I didn't know that gaffney was sheppard's cousin. I think that he is a good wr that could thrive in a good offense, he definitely has the talent, he is a good route runner and has great hands. I like the signing, but now we need a moulds.

bigboy

I like the signing too, I think he can be alright, hell the upgrade from Carr to McNabb has to make him happy, we'll see.

HolyDiver

Garcia is a good QB. I wish Denver had him.

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Professor

it's all good diver, but he was talking about gaffney

bigboy

Garcia was a nice move too though, he can be right in this role. He knows the offense and isn't relied on to carry us and is a nice back up QB IMO. I would feel comfortable with him for 2-3 games if need be.

Professor

yeah, me too, I just don't want him in there for a whole year

EagleFanMan

I think that Gaffney will be a good fit with the Eagles. Questions remain with Pinkston, Reggie Brown will be a good player in this league. They say that Pinkston is coming along well, and should be ready for training camp, but time will only tell. Lewis should be the 3rd receiver, and McMullen, well who knows with him, although he did finally get his feet wet, late in the year, maybe he will come to camp hungry to play this year. Gaffney, just might be the 2nd starting receiver for the Eagles.

PoppaPoe33

The good thing about Garcia, is that he and McNabb can play similar offenses which makes things easier on the rest of the guys because the adjustment between the two QB's won't be so different.

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