Jeff Garcia waived; 49ers working out Brock Sheriff

[cthomer5000]

By John Clayton
ESPN.com

<!-- template inline -->The 49ers officially notified quarterback Jeff Garcia (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4924) on Monday night that he will be placed on waivers Tuesday.





<TABLE cellSpacing=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=2></TD><TD width=65>http://espn-att.starwave.com/i/nfl/profiles/players/statsid/s4924.jpg</TD></TR><TR><TD width=2></TD><TD width=65>Garcia</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>



The news comes as no surprise after Garcia rejected a cut in his base salary from $9 million to $5 million over the weekend. Garcia's cap number had grown past $12 million because of an escalator clause that transformed his base salary into the league's franchise number for quarterbacks.



That clause was put into his contract to give his agent and the 49ers a chance to determine where they stood in their relationship. Garcia, 34, has been to three Pro Bowls in his five seasons with the 49ers and has quarterbacked one of the league's most exciting offenses.



But the 49ers are undergoing change because of the salary cap. They released left tackle Derrick Deese (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=2371) last week and plan to cut guard Ron Stone (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=2607) later Tuesday. San Francisco also plans to go without free agents Tai Streets (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4821) and Terrell Owens (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3664) in its receiving corps, although Owens is technically still with the team because his agent failed to file a timely void in the final three years of his contract by the deadline.



Garcia offered to return if the 49ers made up the $4 million difference in incentives. Instead, they were willing to give back to him $1.5 million if he reached his incentives. He finally said no. His departure will save the 49ers roughly $2 million against the cap.



Meanwhile, Garcia's arraignment on drunken-driving charges was delayed until March 15. He faces two misdemeanor charges from his arrest on Jan. 14. According to San Jose police reports, Garcia's blood-alcohol level was .237 -- nearly three times the legal limit in California -- when he was pulled over.



Senior writer John Clayton covers the NFL for ESPN.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

[cthomer5000]

well, just kidding about the Brock Sheriff part. I wouldn't be entirely surprised to see a team grab him from waivers under his current contract - then work out a new deal.

[fantastic flying froggies]

Hmm, where's Darkiller when you need him ?

[cthomer5000]

Teams I think *should* be interested: Arizona, Dallas, San Diego, Oakland, Pittsburgh, Cleveland.

I think he would be a pretty significant upgrade for any of those teams.

[MikeVic]

Gooo Pittsburgh!!

[fantastic flying froggies]

Enlighten me Corey, who's slated to be QB right now in Oakland ?

[Celeval]

Teams I think *should* be interested: Cleveland.
Meh. I'd rather keep working with a 20-something Couch than a 34-year old hurting Garcia.

[Aylmar]

The Steelers already have a temporary solution at QB, thanks. I don't think that Garcia's broken down body and fading accuracy are a big step up over Maddox or Batch...

[cthomer5000]

Enlighten me Corey, who's slated to be QB right now in Oakland ?It's a pretty muddled situation. Gannon is coming off an injury, and he supposedly has the inside track to start. I've also heard they'll cut him if he isn't recovering well though.

Rumour also has it that Turner will be interested in bringing in Fiedler when cut by Miami. Presumably as a backup/potential starter.

Then there's Tuiasassopo (almost certainly spelled wrong). He's pretty much an unknown, since he had a season ending injury in his first start last year. The word on him all along has been that he's a Gruden pick, and Davis isn't particularly fond of him.

I've heard various reports saying the Oakland would be interested in Garcia, although I'll admit it doesn't make a ton of sense if the Raiders truly want to be a "vertical" passing team again. The major knock on Garcia is his arm strength and downfield accuracy.

Combine all that with the fact that they are in position to draft Roethlisberger or Manning if they want, and it's a pretty crazy QB situation. Any number of guys could be their starter on opening day.

[JAG]

If Garcia came to Dallas, it would be as no more than a backup. I would be surprised if it happened though, because the style of offense in Dallas is pretty different from the West Coast style he would be more apt to thrive in.

[miami_fan]

I am thinking Garcia should have taken the $5 million from the Niners. I think he has overvalued himself.

[fantastic flying froggies]

Thanks Corey.

(Now I know why I was confused...I guess I still am :) )

[sabotai]

The lesson here is, T.O. always gets want T.O. wants.

[cthomer5000]

I am thinking Garcia should have taken the $5 million from the Niners. I think he has overvalued himself.
That's probably a pretty honest assesment.

[MikeVic]

I want to see Garcia go somewhere and put up pro-bowl numbers. Am I the only one who thinks he's good? There's no chance they'll get him, but it would be nice to have him. Oakland, San Diego, or Arizona should definitely sign him.

[WSUCougar]

I think he's good but a classic "system QB." Maybe West Coast Offense teams might be interested in him, once it's clear he's not going to attract any $9 million a year offers.

If Testeverde retires, how about the Jets (as a back-up)?

[cthomer5000]

If Testeverde retires, how about the Jets (as a back-up)?
They've got Brooks Bollinger (who they apparently have faith in), and they just signed CFL QB Ricky Ray. And is it just me, or does "Ricky Ray" sound like either a cartoon character or a porn star?

[WSUCougar]

...or a salsa singer.

[MacroGuru]

Garcia will go to Arizona where they need a QB. I can see it. Poor sap.

[Darkiller]

Brock Sheriff is long retired my friends.
16 years of a Hall of Fame career full of SuperBowl titles and MVP awards.
No way he comesback to play for that team that bears no ressemblances at all to the ones he's quarterbacked in the past.

[fantastic flying froggies]

Hmm, where's Darkiller when you need him ?

Brock Sheriff is long retired my friends.
16 years of a Hall of Fame career full of SuperBowl titles and MVP awards.
No way he comesback to play for that team that bears no ressemblances at all to the ones he's quarterbacked in the past.
Took you long enough, didn't it ?

[MIJB#19]

Maybe Darkiller was working, huh?;)

[fantastic flying froggies]

Maybe Darkiller was working, huh?;)
That would be a first...

[Darkiller]

LOL

[AgPete]

I wonder if the Lions and his old coach could come calling? I don't know how that would work with a young Harrington looking over his shoulder, it might be a fiery issue.

[ShovelMonkey]

The Steelers already have a temporary solution at QB, thanks. I don't think that Garcia's broken down body and fading accuracy are a big step up over Maddox or Batch...

Amen.

[StormcloudCreations]

Yikes, sounds like they're releasing all their decent players. What will be left? They were a mediocre team WITH these players.

[Sun Tzu]

Yikes, sounds like they're releasing all their decent players. What will be left? They were a mediocre team WITH these players.

Are you talking about the 49ers? If so you obviously have no clue what you're talking about.

[cthomer5000]

Are you talking about the 49ers? If so you obviously have no clue what you're talking about.
I wouldn't say he has "no clue." Why should we expect the 49ers to be better next season?

[rkmsuf]

I wouldn't say he has "no clue." Why should we expect the 49ers to be better next season?

Obviously the overriding confidence in Dennis Erickson...

[StormcloudCreations]

Are you talking about the 49ers? If so you obviously have no clue what you're talking about.

I live in the Bay Area (or near it) and people are pretty bummed out about the direction they're taking. They're decimating their offensive line, their quarterback situation will be very unsettled, and their receiving corps will be greatly reduced. How will they be better?

[Sun Tzu]

The 49ers are hardly releasing "all their decent players". In fact the majority of their decent players are still under contract. They released all their <i>old</i> players, and have done a excellent job of freeing up cap space while making the team even younger. Rattay was playing as good as/better than Garcia, and anybody who has been following the Niners day in day out knows this was a long time coming. Rattay has looked impressive for a long time, and his success last year didn't come as much of a surprise to most 49er fans. Derrick Deese needed to be released. He was going into his 12th year and his production was declining. Ron Stone was a huge underacheiver even since signing with the 49ers. Tai Streets has looked like a mirror image of the long since departed J.J. Stokes. The 49ers haven't lost a single defensive starter, and that side of the team is only getting better. I am of the opinion that if Rattay had been starting since week 1, they would have had a much more successful season.

[Sun Tzu]

dola, If the 49ers do get a compensatory pick for Owens in the upcoming draft you can bet they will use one of those two for a Wideout. I look for Brandon Lloyd to have a breakout year next year.

[StormcloudCreations]

I don't know: I watched some of Rattay in games, and he doesn't strike me as "championship quarterback" material. His arm strength looked just ok. Maybe i'll be wrong (I hope; that Panthers QB Jake Delhomme didn't strike me as any type of guy that could make the Super Bowl either). :)

And you notice I didn't mention Tai Streets, who you're right, looked like a virtual clone of JJ Stokes in terms of consistency and living up to his ability.

I hope they do get a wideout with any draft picks; they need a down the field big play threat, which they'll be losing if Owens leaves.

[Sun Tzu]

He doesn't strike me as a "championship quarterback" either, but neither does Tom Brady. :) In fact the majority of the QB's who have taken home the trophy in the past 10 years haven't looked much like the championship QB's we had gotten so use to seeing up until the mid 90's. He only threw one pick all year last year though, and it was a tipped pass. He is extremely accurate downfield too which is something the 49ers haven't had since Young hit the deck in Arizona.

[JeeberD]

If Garcia came to Dallas, it would be as no more than a backup.

The Dallas media is now stating that any QB brought in will most likely be brought in as a backup. Both newspaper columnists and radio guys seem to thnk this is true...

[Darkiller]

all right, now it's indeed official : Jeff Garcia released.
(it's on the 49ers' website frontpage)

[cthomer5000]

according to KFFL.com:


teams that are now officially interested or have set up a visit with him:


Cleveland (visit scheduled for today)
Tampa Bay (visit scheduled)
Atlanta (interested)

And the Cardinals are reportedly NOT interested.

[rkmsuf]

Atlanta? Unless he signs for much less than I think he's looking for that seems like a waste for the Falcons seeing as their defense really needs players.

[cthomer5000]

Atlanta? Unless he signs for much less than I think he's looking for that seems like a waste for the Falcons seeing as their defense really needs players.
Well, Jim Mora Jr. would obviously be familiar with him. I guess they also want Garcia for his "mentor to: QBs" skill.

[rkmsuf]

I read Garcia was pining to play for Gruden....

[cthomer5000]

I read Garcia was pining to play for Gruden....
And for some reason Gruden seems to be dying to give Brad Johnson the boot. Wherever he goes, Garcia will probably be a complete stop-gap.

[MikeVic]

He doesn't strike me as a "championship quarterback" either, but neither does Tom Brady. :) In fact the majority of the QB's who have taken home the trophy in the past 10 years haven't looked much like the championship QB's we had gotten so use to seeing up until the mid 90's. He only threw one pick all year last year though, and it was a tipped pass. He is extremely accurate downfield too which is something the 49ers haven't had since Young hit the deck in Arizona.

I have to disagree with the Tom Brady doesn't equal championship QB... he seems consistent, calm under pressure, makes little mistakes.. I think those are important qualities for a championship QB.

Rattay might have looked good in short stints, but starting from day 1 is different. I'm not saying Rattay will struggle or anything, and he could very well perform even better when given the starting job from day 1... but there is a chance that a QB will perform poorly when given the starting spot from the beginning... we'll have to see next season how he performs.

And remember that he will have two new WR to work with, as well as a different O-line... I think those things can't be overlooked.

[Sun Tzu]

And remember that he will have two new WR to work with, as well as a different O-line... I think those things can't be overlooked.

The WR's that are left on the 49ers roster are the WR's that Rattay has been throwing to his entire career. Rattay was never throwing to Owens and Streets in practice, and half the time he wasn't throwing it to them in games either. Watch for Rattay and Brandon Lloyd to hook up many times this upcoming season, as Lloyd was his favorite target this last year when he was the starter.

[EagleFan]

The lesson here is, T.O. always gets want T.O. wants.


Anyone else here really want to see Baltimore sign Garcia? ;)

[ISiddiqui]

And the draft is stocked with WRs... the 9ers could pick up a pretty damned good one.

[Sun Tzu]

Anyone else here really want to see Baltimore sign Garcia? ;)


:rasies hand:

[Kodos]

Anyone else here really want to see Baltimore sign Garcia? ;)


That would be too sweet!

[ice4277]

Apparently the Lions would be interested in bringing Garcia to Detroit in a backup capacity if they end up trading McMahon to the Browns. Personally, I would not mind the move, as long as Garcia is clearly the backup to Harrington, and the Lions can sign him on the cheap. However, I doubt this will happen.

[Ksyrup]

By Don Banks, SI.com

In a move certain to spark a quarterback controversy in Tampa Bay, free agent Jeff Garcia (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/4924) is poised to choose the opportunity to play for Bucs head coach Jon Gruden over the chance to be Cleveland's clear-cut starter, league sources said Monday.

Although Bucs sources say no contract agreement has been finalized, there is optimism within Tampa Bay's front office that it is on the verge of signing Garcia to a multiyear contract. Meanwhile, officials in Cleveland have all but given up hopes of landing Garcia, the most highly regarded quarterback in this year's free-agent market. Garcia's agent, Steve Baker, has not been in contact with the Browns on Monday, a day that Cleveland hoped would produce a contract agreement with Garcia.

According to a published report on the Web site of the Gilroy (Calif.) Dispatch -- Garcia's hometown paper -- Bob Garcia, the quarterback's father, said late Sunday night that his son has agreed to join Tampa Bay.

"He's going to Florida,'' Bob Garcia told the Dispatch. "This is a fresh start. He's going in there with guns drawn, fully loaded. He's going to give it his best shot. He said, 'Dad, I'm totally committed now. This is a new step in my life.' ''

In choosing the Bucs, Garcia will turn down a two-year offer from Cleveland that would have paid him in the range of $4 million per season. The Browns are believed to be the only team that has offered Garcia a starter's salary. Tampa Bay has been interested in Garcia since he was released by the 49ers in a salary-cap move last Tuesday, but the Bucs can only offer Garcia a chance to compete with incumbent starter Brad Johnson (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/2160).

Johnson, however, could complicate the situation by either seeking a trade or asking for his release. More likely he'll merely accept the challenge to his starting status and begin the task of competing with Garcia.

In an interview last week with SI.com, Bob Garcia repeatedly called Tampa Bay his son's No. 1 choice and openly talked about how much Jeff Garcia wanted to play for Gruden.

"I love Gruden and Jeff loves Gruden,'' Bob Garcia said. "I would love for him to go to Tampa and just get an opportunity to compete against Brad Johnson. Jeff met Gruden back in 1999 when he worked out for the Raiders, and Gruden has told us many times that he made a mistake by not signing Jeff.

"I think Jeff is Gruden's kind of quarterback and it would be a great match. Jeff has always wanted to play for the guy and I think he'd take less money just to get that opportunity.''

Bob Garcia said last week that his son would not decide on a new team based on financial terms.

"[The 49ers] offered him pretty good money,'' Bob Garcia said. "But he told me, 'I don't care if I sign for a million somewhere. It's not the money.' He's made an awful lot of money in the past few years, and he didn't blow it. He put it away. He just really thought it was time to move on. He felt if he stayed with the 49ers next season he probably wouldn't make it through the season. He said, 'I want to go somewhere I'm happy and have the opportunity to play for a team that wants to win.' He told his agent, 'It's my happiness that matters. Not the money.' ''

Garcia visited Cleveland on Friday, Atlanta on Saturday and Tampa Bay on Sunday. Cleveland was counting on its advantage in the Garcia sweepstakes being its financial wherewithal to pay him as a starter. The Browns contract offer was thought to dwarf the salary figures that both Atlanta and Tampa Bay would be willing to pay Garcia. Atlanta was interested in Garcia as a backup for Michael Vick (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/5448), and the Bucs still have a large financial commitment to Johnson.

The Buccaneers had been in contact with Garcia since he was released, but until the weekend the Bucs were uncertain if they were willing to bring Garcia in for a visit because they did not want to risk alienating Johnson.

Garcia, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, turned down the 49ers' offer to restructure his contract last week, refusing to cut his 2004 salary to the $5 million level, with incentives.

The apparent loss of Garcia is a devastating blow to Cleveland's efforts to bring the Tim Couch (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/4649) era to a close. Couch, their incumbent quarterback, may now be in position to return for a sixth season. Couch has been in negotiations with Cleveland regarding the reduction of his scheduled $7.6 million salary in 2004, but no agreement appeared close and the Browns were waiting to see whether they could land Garcia before they made any final decision on Couch's fate.

Garcia's acquisition would have spelled the end of Couch's often rocky tenure in Cleveland. Garcia would have been backed up by veteran Kelly Holcomb (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/3873), with Couch being either traded or released.

[cthomer5000]

Certainly and odd move if he chooses Tampa, given the fact that Brad Johnson is already there, and Chris Simms is (presumably) the future.