PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Eagles announced they released
quarterback Jeff Garcia on Tuesday to make room on the 53-man
roster for 32-year-old linebacker Jeremiah Trotter.
Attempts to contact Garcia through his agent have been
unsuccessful since the news broke, but Garcia’s dad Bob Garcia said
Wednesday that Jeff was back in Cleveland with his family and is in
high spirits in lieu of his release.
PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Eagles announced they released quarterback Jeff Garcia on Tuesday to make room on the 53-man roster for 32-year-old linebacker Jeremiah Trotter.
Attempts to contact Garcia through his agent have been unsuccessful since the news broke, but Garcia’s dad Bob Garcia said Wednesday that Jeff was back in Cleveland with his family and is in high spirits in lieu of his release.
“He already knew that he was only signing for two weeks, even though people said it was for one year,” said the former Gavilan athletic director and head football coach. “He knew what was happening. He’s fine with it. He is back at home, working out and waiting for someone else to call.”
The 10-year NFL vet joined the Eagles two weeks ago after starting quarterback Donovan McNabb went down with a broken rib during the team’s Week 1 game.
The Oakland Raiders released Garcia before the season started, however, it was reported that Raiders’ head coach Tom Cable said Garcia requested out of Oakland.
Garcia, a Gilroy native who attended Gilroy High School and Gavilan College before heading to San Jose State, hasn’t been with a team for more than two seasons since his five-year stay in San Francisco from 1999 to the conclusion of the 2003-04 season during which he was a three-time Pro Bowl selection.
He has been somewhat of a journeyman in recent years, making stops in Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Oakland and Philadelphia, again.
The Eagles have a bye this week, and McNabb is expected to return to action following the week off. Couple that with the efficient play of backup Kevin Kolb filling in for McNabb the last two games and Michael Vick on the active roster, the 39-year-old Garcia became the odd man out as the Eagles attempted to shore up the linebacker position.
“He’s upbeat,” Bob Garcia said. “He’s at the point where he would like to keep playing. He still thinks he can play. But he says, ‘Dad, if it happens, it happens.'”
No teams have approached Jeff Garcia during the short time he’s been available.
Trotter, a four-time Pro Bowler, has not played since 2007. He is now in his third stint (1998-2001 and 2004-2005) with the Eagles.
