Mr.Bottomtooth
03-01-2007, 02:24 PM
Former 49ers QB Garcia is on the Raiders' radar
By Steve Corkran
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
Will they or won't they? If so, is it JaMarcus Russell or Brady Quinn? And just where does Andrew Walter fit into the long-term plans?
Not surprisingly, the Raiders' muddled quarterback situation is the focal point of new coach Lane Kiffin's attention as he attempts to transform a team fresh from the worst showing in managing general partner Al Davis' 44-year tenure.
It seems like a foregone conclusion that the Raiders will select a quarterback with the top pick in the NFL draft in April. Their decision to part ways with 2006 starter Aaron Brooks has fueled the speculation.
Further proof comes in the Raiders' pursuit of former 49ers starting quarterback Jeff Garcia as one of their top priorities once the free-agency period begins tonight at 9.
Garcia, 37, is regarded as the top quarterback available in free agency. His stock soared after he replaced injured Donovan McNabb midway through last season and guided the Philadelphia Eagles to an NFC playoff berth.
The Raiders, Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the teams expected to show the most interest in Garcia. The Eagles declined to pursue Garcia now that McNabb is expected back at full strength.
"If the Raiders call once free agency beings, Oakland definitely will be one of the places he seriously considers," said Steve Baker, Garcia's agent.
Garcia's decision on where to continue his NFL career figures to rest upon how much money and playing time he is promised. The latter factor makes the Raiders a prohibitive favorite, given their uncertainty at quarterback.
The Raiders are in a position to offer Garcia a starting job, at least for next season. Walter struggled in his eight starts last season, and he is anything but a cinch to replace Brooks.
"There's some talent here at quarterback right now," Kiffin said at his introductory news conference. "And being in college, knowing the guys that are coming out, there's some very good talent there, as well. And, obviously, there's going to be some good free-agent quarterbacks."
Kiffin made that statement before Damon Huard re-signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and A.J. Feeley re-signed with the Eagles. Now, Garcia stands atop the list of unemployed signal-callers with an impressive resume.
Garcia is the kind of player Kiffin can entrust to guide his offense until whoever the Raiders draft is ready to take over. The Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals and Broncos employed a similar strategy last season on the heels of selecting a quarterback in the first round.
All three quarterbacks -- Vince Young, Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler -- wound up starting and enter this season as their team's unquestioned starter. Russell or Quinn no doubt would be handled in a similar fashion with the Raiders.
Davis bolstered the belief that the Raiders figure to draft Russell or Quinn by admitting he considered selecting Leinart instead of strong safety Michael Huff at No. 7 last season.
Beyond that, the Raiders don't stand to lose any valuable free agents. They re-signed defensive tackle Terdell Sands and linebacker Robert Thomas two weeks ago. They're working on re-signing several of their restricted free agents, including defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, reserve defensive end Kevin Huntley and special teams player Isaiah Ekejiuba.
Only a few teams are in worse shape than the Raiders in terms of salary-cap room. They were approximately $6 million under the projected cap figure of $109 million as of Wednesday night, which leaves them with little money to pursue notable free agents beyond Garcia and 49ers center Jeremy Newberry unless they rework more contracts or trade unhappy wide receiver Randy Moss.
Most, if not all, of the players the Raiders add between the start of free agency and training camp figure to be on offense. Every starter from last year's defense, as well as many of the key backups, are under contract for at least the 2007 season.
Contact Steve Corkran at [email protected].
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/sports/football/nfl/oakland_raiders/16809041.htm
By Steve Corkran
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
Will they or won't they? If so, is it JaMarcus Russell or Brady Quinn? And just where does Andrew Walter fit into the long-term plans?
Not surprisingly, the Raiders' muddled quarterback situation is the focal point of new coach Lane Kiffin's attention as he attempts to transform a team fresh from the worst showing in managing general partner Al Davis' 44-year tenure.
It seems like a foregone conclusion that the Raiders will select a quarterback with the top pick in the NFL draft in April. Their decision to part ways with 2006 starter Aaron Brooks has fueled the speculation.
Further proof comes in the Raiders' pursuit of former 49ers starting quarterback Jeff Garcia as one of their top priorities once the free-agency period begins tonight at 9.
Garcia, 37, is regarded as the top quarterback available in free agency. His stock soared after he replaced injured Donovan McNabb midway through last season and guided the Philadelphia Eagles to an NFC playoff berth.
The Raiders, Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the teams expected to show the most interest in Garcia. The Eagles declined to pursue Garcia now that McNabb is expected back at full strength.
"If the Raiders call once free agency beings, Oakland definitely will be one of the places he seriously considers," said Steve Baker, Garcia's agent.
Garcia's decision on where to continue his NFL career figures to rest upon how much money and playing time he is promised. The latter factor makes the Raiders a prohibitive favorite, given their uncertainty at quarterback.
The Raiders are in a position to offer Garcia a starting job, at least for next season. Walter struggled in his eight starts last season, and he is anything but a cinch to replace Brooks.
"There's some talent here at quarterback right now," Kiffin said at his introductory news conference. "And being in college, knowing the guys that are coming out, there's some very good talent there, as well. And, obviously, there's going to be some good free-agent quarterbacks."
Kiffin made that statement before Damon Huard re-signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and A.J. Feeley re-signed with the Eagles. Now, Garcia stands atop the list of unemployed signal-callers with an impressive resume.
Garcia is the kind of player Kiffin can entrust to guide his offense until whoever the Raiders draft is ready to take over. The Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals and Broncos employed a similar strategy last season on the heels of selecting a quarterback in the first round.
All three quarterbacks -- Vince Young, Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler -- wound up starting and enter this season as their team's unquestioned starter. Russell or Quinn no doubt would be handled in a similar fashion with the Raiders.
Davis bolstered the belief that the Raiders figure to draft Russell or Quinn by admitting he considered selecting Leinart instead of strong safety Michael Huff at No. 7 last season.
Beyond that, the Raiders don't stand to lose any valuable free agents. They re-signed defensive tackle Terdell Sands and linebacker Robert Thomas two weeks ago. They're working on re-signing several of their restricted free agents, including defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, reserve defensive end Kevin Huntley and special teams player Isaiah Ekejiuba.
Only a few teams are in worse shape than the Raiders in terms of salary-cap room. They were approximately $6 million under the projected cap figure of $109 million as of Wednesday night, which leaves them with little money to pursue notable free agents beyond Garcia and 49ers center Jeremy Newberry unless they rework more contracts or trade unhappy wide receiver Randy Moss.
Most, if not all, of the players the Raiders add between the start of free agency and training camp figure to be on offense. Every starter from last year's defense, as well as many of the key backups, are under contract for at least the 2007 season.
Contact Steve Corkran at [email protected].
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/sports/football/nfl/oakland_raiders/16809041.htm