After all that, Garcia moves on:sadwave:
By Rick Stroud
rstroud@tampabay.com
Quarterback Jeff Garcia wanted to finish his career in Tampa Bay. Having played for five teams in six years, his legs were tired of scrambling from one NFL city to another.
That?s why the failed attempt to have his contract extended a year ago was so bother*some to the vagabond veteran.
?The team has gone through so many chances at the quarterback position the last 10 or 12 years, if not the history of the orga*nization,? Garcia said. ?I thought it would be nice to have some consistency and a face you put with the position. Yes, I?m older in age, but I feel I can still compete and produce at a high level.?
He won?t be doing it in a Bucs? uniform.
Garcia, who turns 39 three days before the start of free agency Feb. 27, said that Bucs gen*eral manager Mark Dominik has informed his agent, Steve Baker, that the team did not want him to return for a third season.
?My time in Tampa has come to an end,? Garcia said.
The wall-writing was there to read last week after the Bucs signed quarterback Luke McCown to a two-year, $7.5 million contract, preventing him from becoming a free agent. The Bucs also have quarterbacks Brian Griese and Josh Johnson under contract.
?I?m not under contract and I?m about to hit free agency and that means it?s time again for me to just move on,? Garcia said. ?It is dis*appointing because I enjoyed the atmosphere and the team environment.? Garcia went 14-10 in 24 starts during the regular season with the Bucs the past two sea*sons, leading Tampa Bay to a playoff appear*ance in 2007 and earning his fourth trip to the Pro Bowl while throwing 13 touchdowns and four interceptions.
But in 2008, after a 9-3 start, Tampa Bay lost its final four games in December ? one that Garcia missed at Atlanta because of a leg injury. Coach Jon Gruden and general man*ager Bruce Allen were fired Jan. 17.
Garcia says he wants to continue his career and believes he will get another opportunity. The Vikings, 49ers and Bears are in the mar*ket for a veteran quarterback.
?I do feel like I have football life in me,? Garcia said. ?? I think what started in Philly and continued in Tampa was the rejuvena*tion of me and the fire coming back and the excitement of the game and the thrill of play*ing the game again. I had a great time play*ing in front of those fans in Tampa. We? ll miss Tampa.?
By Rick Stroud
rstroud@tampabay.com
Quarterback Jeff Garcia wanted to finish his career in Tampa Bay. Having played for five teams in six years, his legs were tired of scrambling from one NFL city to another.
That?s why the failed attempt to have his contract extended a year ago was so bother*some to the vagabond veteran.
?The team has gone through so many chances at the quarterback position the last 10 or 12 years, if not the history of the orga*nization,? Garcia said. ?I thought it would be nice to have some consistency and a face you put with the position. Yes, I?m older in age, but I feel I can still compete and produce at a high level.?
He won?t be doing it in a Bucs? uniform.
Garcia, who turns 39 three days before the start of free agency Feb. 27, said that Bucs gen*eral manager Mark Dominik has informed his agent, Steve Baker, that the team did not want him to return for a third season.
?My time in Tampa has come to an end,? Garcia said.
The wall-writing was there to read last week after the Bucs signed quarterback Luke McCown to a two-year, $7.5 million contract, preventing him from becoming a free agent. The Bucs also have quarterbacks Brian Griese and Josh Johnson under contract.
?I?m not under contract and I?m about to hit free agency and that means it?s time again for me to just move on,? Garcia said. ?It is dis*appointing because I enjoyed the atmosphere and the team environment.? Garcia went 14-10 in 24 starts during the regular season with the Bucs the past two sea*sons, leading Tampa Bay to a playoff appear*ance in 2007 and earning his fourth trip to the Pro Bowl while throwing 13 touchdowns and four interceptions.
But in 2008, after a 9-3 start, Tampa Bay lost its final four games in December ? one that Garcia missed at Atlanta because of a leg injury. Coach Jon Gruden and general man*ager Bruce Allen were fired Jan. 17.
Garcia says he wants to continue his career and believes he will get another opportunity. The Vikings, 49ers and Bears are in the mar*ket for a veteran quarterback.
?I do feel like I have football life in me,? Garcia said. ?? I think what started in Philly and continued in Tampa was the rejuvena*tion of me and the fire coming back and the excitement of the game and the thrill of play*ing the game again. I had a great time play*ing in front of those fans in Tampa. We? ll miss Tampa.?
