Garcia Says Russell Isn't Ready To Carry The Raiders

SportingNews Oct 3, 12:16 pm EDT

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Count free agent QB Jeff Garcia(notes) among those who think JaMarcus Russell(notes) isn't fully equipped to single-armedly turn the Raiders' fortunes around.

Garcia told Fox Sports Radio that Russell "really isn't maybe ready for that situation or ready to take on that sort of responsibility."

The 39-year-old Garcia was cut by the Eagles after spending a short stint with the Raiders. He had signed a one-year contract with the Raiders in April.

"I have no problem going into a situation and helping a young guy out and really trying to help the team out overall more so than anything," Garcia said of working with Russell. "I just feel like it's an unfortunate situation when the entire work ethic and the entire goal of the team is really put upon one guy's shoulder."

He went on to say, "When you put him on the field in a one-on-one workout session he'll make every throw for you," Garcia said during the radio show. "But when it comes down to making things happen in the heat of the battle and rallying the troops around you and making a case for the team, that's where maybe things aren't where they need to be."

Garcia said the Raiders' team culture is as much of a problem as its quarterback, though.

"It was to a point where I felt like guys who walked through those doors that just were there to collect a check and not really interested in putting everything that they had within themselves on to the football field," he said. "And that was the frustrating thing for me to see.

"There were a lot of good young guys in that locker room who really want to do whatever it takes to win, but unfortunately it's not everybody. In order to compete at this level in this game, everybody needs to be on board."

In 11 years in the NFL, Garcia has played for the 49ers, Browns, Lions, Eagles and Buccaneers.




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Updated Oct 3, 12:16 pm EDT
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18 Comments

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  1. Obama
    18. Posted by Obama Sun Oct 18 8:03pm EDT

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    Jeff Garcia is a good QB and he was right about the Raiders, Russell SUCKS!!!!!
  2. Larry M
    17. Posted by Larry M Sun Oct 4 12:18pm EDT

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    he is carrying them tight now, straight to the bottom
  3. G-Man
    16. Posted by G-Man Sun Oct 4 11:40am EDT

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    Same stuff we hear from a lot of players who play for the Raiders... nothing new here.
  4. phil l
    15. Posted by phil l Sun Oct 4 2:31am EDT

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    Al Davis makes Mike Brown look like a GREAT owner. Hard to believe i just said great owner and Mike brown in the same sentance..... I think i puked a little
  5. EndangeredFeces
    14. Posted by EndangeredFeces Sun Oct 4 1:05am EDT

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    Lets see... my 1st job back in 1984 paid me $2.35 an hour. I remember that by working hard I was rewarded by recieving a raise.

    Where is the insentive to go out & bust his ass when these owners throw 60+ million dollars in Jamarcus Russell's face without playing a single game. Lame. These players know it's a pay day & don't give a rats ass after they get paid... I say play Gradkowski or Frye who make far less & have a lot more to prove.

    Jamarcus Russell threw for 61 yards & 2 INTs last week... that's a disgrace to any QB in the NFL! I could suit up & throw for more than 61 yards just on fear alone, and I'd throw it to a WR unlike JR Nothingstuff.
  6. The Franchise
    13. Posted by The Franchise Sat Oct 3 10:44pm EDT

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    Garcia always had heart and gave it his all. He's dead on with his take on the Raiders. If they had a real QB they might make some noise. But not likely...
  7. Big Gulp
    12. Posted by Big Gulp Sat Oct 3 9:04pm EDT

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    ------------------
    "I am not a Raiders fan in any way shape or form, but I wish people would worry about their own teams instead of piling on them. OK, Al Davis will die someday, we get it. Leave him alone. If you don't like his team, don't watch it."
    ------------------

    People already don't like his team, and they are already not watching. This attitude unintentionally screws the few fans who DO want to watch, because now the game isn't even on TV. Many people watch no matter who is playing.

    I am a Denver fan, and thus invariably view SD and Oakland with contempt, but I still anxiously tuned in to watch the action unfold when they played. I was even cheering audibly for JaMarcus Russell... Imagine that.

    I think having an interest in all teams is good for the market of the sport. Just my opinion.
  8. <i>rockfan_31</i>
    11. Posted by rockfan_31 Sat Oct 3 7:46pm EDT

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    This story is the No. 1 reason why Garcia won't be re-signed by the Raiders, no matter how much Peter King and all his buddies lobby for it. When has Jeff Garcia been in the heat of battle with Russell? In an exhibition game? So how does he know about Russell rallying the troops, etc. Garcia needs to shut his piehole and wonder why he's been on so many teams, and why there are 31 teams other than the Raiders who are not calling him right now. Hello, Miami ... Pennington out, does Parcells call Garcia. No he trades for Tyler Thigpen. Jeff Garcia is almost as pertinent right now as Jeff George.

    I am not a Raiders fan in any way shape or form, but I wish people would worry about their own teams instead of piling on them. OK, Al Davis will die someday, we get it. Leave him alone. If you don't like his team, don't watch it.
  9. chaparro
    10. Posted by chaparro Sat Oct 3 6:44pm EDT

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    Jamarcus and da raiders are a joke ... Their da dumbest team in America
    GO NINERS !!!!
  10. Irene
    9. Posted by Irene Sat Oct 3 6:14pm EDT

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    Almost all teams Garcia leaves crumble shortly after. When will they realize russel is a backup qb at best. But nah, even back up qbs are doing better than Russel.
  11. Joseph A
    8. Posted by Joseph A Sat Oct 3 5:03pm EDT

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    It's REAL simple. Al Davis runs the team...and he's going to run it into the ground every year until he dies.
    I'm not being a prick. That's just the facts.
    The old man has lost it and will NEVER get over his embarrassing loss to Gruden in the Super Bowl.
    Players that go to Oakland typically realize this, so that's why they just go and collect a paycheck.
    Why work hard scrubbing the deck clean on a sinking ship?

    Btw, if Cable could bench JeMarcus...he would.
    But he can't...because Al Davis want him to play to PROVE that he was right in saying, "JeMarcus is a GREAT quarterback".
    Remember that ridiculous overhead projector press conference???!!!
  12. Noiz
    7. Posted by Noiz Sat Oct 3 4:46pm EDT

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    werent the bucs 9-3 at one point with garcia. Ive always thought he was good especially when he brought the eagles to the playoffs when they tanked the first half of the season with mcnabb. if you dont like garcia its hard to imagine that you like football. The bucs, raiders, browns, rams, chiefs, titans, and dolphins could all use him at back up or starter.
  13. nunyagoddambizness
    6. Posted by nunyagoddambizness Sat Oct 3 4:25pm EDT

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    now..who's surprised here?...the media?..the coaches who keep morons like this on their team?..regular fans know bad football when they see it..NFL play is horrible,led by the likes of Russell...
  14. Master P
    5. Posted by Master P Sat Oct 3 4:06pm EDT

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    This post is in responce to #2.
    Yeah Garcia isn't the best QB out there, but look what he has done for the teams that he has played for. 2nd to McNabb, come on who could have done better as a back up? Then you have the bucs, who were they until he was there. All this man did was win. No he didn't do great, but he has a hell of a lot more wins than loses. I think for the raider he could have done well with those young WR's, but it is Russell's and Al's team to destroy. I think he needs to sell the team. He would if he's smart, but we all know that he's not smart by any means!!!!!!!!!
  15. BAD MOTHERFUCKER
    4. Posted by BAD MOTHERFUCKER Sat Oct 3 3:57pm EDT

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    Garcia was the Raiders only chance of going 8-8 this season but they neglected to see it, more bad decisions from the worst run organization in football.
  16. Matt
    3. Posted by Matt Sat Oct 3 3:30pm EDT

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    You know who was dead on the money?

    Jeff Garcia.

    About the Raiders and their paycheck players and Russell.
  17. E.D.
    2. Posted by E.D. Sat Oct 3 3:12pm EDT

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    You know who elese wasn't ready to carry the Raiders?

    Jeff Garcia.

    Or the Bucs, or the Eagles...
  18. goretro666
    1. Posted by goretro666 Sat Oct 3 2:58pm EDT

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    I wish garcia was still playing for the bucs
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