Tweet
Browns Release Three-Time Pro Bowl QB Jeff Garcia
Quarterback Jeff Garcia was released Monday by the Cleveland Browns, who cut ties with the three-time Pro Bowler after one bad season.
Garcia signed a four-year, $25 million free agent contract with the Browns last March after spending five seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. But almost from the time Garcia arrived in Cleveland, there were problems.
In 10 starts for Cleveland, Garcia completed 144 of 253 passes for 1,731 yards with 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Even in the preseason, he criticized former coach Butch Davis' offense and never really fit into Davis' system.
Garcia's release - league rules prevent it from becoming official until Feb. 22 - continues a house cleaning in the aftermath of a 4-12 season by the Browns, who last week hired Romeo Crennel, New England's former defensive coordinator, as their coach.
On Sunday, Crennel named Maurice Carthon his offensive coordinator and the two didn't waste any time coming to an agreement on their first personnel move, deciding that Garcia didn't fit into their plans.
Garcia is likely to be one of a number of veteran quarterbacks on the market this spring.
Two-time MVP Kurt Warner, who signed with the New York Giants last spring to help break in Eli Manning, has asked to be released after losing his job to Manning after nine games.
Buffalo also could release Drew Bledsoe, a longtime starter with the Bills and Patriots.
Davis, who resigned on Nov. 30 with five games left in the season, brought in Garcia thinking he was the answer to their problems at quarterback. But Garcia never seemed to click with teammates and admitted to having a hard time adjusting to Cleveland's lifestyle after spending his entire life in Northern California.
During the exhibition season, the 34-year-old complained that he wasn't getting enough playing time and that he was having trouble adjusting to new teammates and a new offense. Garcia made things worse by openly criticizing Davis and offensive coordinator Terry Robiskie, complaining that they weren't using him properly.
At one point, Davis called Garcia "skittish" in the pocket, a comment that angered the quarterback and expanded the rift between them.
After rallying the Browns to beat Baltimore in Week 1, Garcia threw three interceptions the next week in a loss at Dallas and recorded a 0.0 quarterback rating - only the fifth NFL quarterback since 1970 to do so.
Garcia's season was also hampered by injuries. He strained his shoulder on a sack against the New York Jets on Nov. 21 and tore a knee ligament on Dec. 12 in Buffalo.
Off-season distractions further strained Garcia's relationship with the Browns and Cleveland fans. Garcia had to testify in a trial for his girlfriend, a Playboy Playmate, who was accused of karate-kicking one of Garcia's ex-girlfriends during a fight at a downtown nightclub.
With Garcia gone, the Browns will likely try to re-sign free agent Kelly Holcomb or trade for a veteran quarterback. The team also has the No. 3 pick in April's NFL draft, although it is unlikely they would want to start over with a rookie QB.
Meanwhile, Robiskie, who went 1-4 as Cleveland's interim coach after Davis quit, will stay with the Browns as wide receivers coach. That was his position for three seasons before being named offensive coordinator last year.
Crennel also added named Jeff Davidson his offensive line coach will retain Jerry Rosburg as Cleveland's special teams coach. Davidson has spent the past eight seasons with New England. Rosburg has been with the Browns since 2001.
Source: AP
Garcia signed a four-year, $25 million free agent contract with the Browns last March after spending five seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. But almost from the time Garcia arrived in Cleveland, there were problems.
In 10 starts for Cleveland, Garcia completed 144 of 253 passes for 1,731 yards with 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Even in the preseason, he criticized former coach Butch Davis' offense and never really fit into Davis' system.
Garcia's release - league rules prevent it from becoming official until Feb. 22 - continues a house cleaning in the aftermath of a 4-12 season by the Browns, who last week hired Romeo Crennel, New England's former defensive coordinator, as their coach.
On Sunday, Crennel named Maurice Carthon his offensive coordinator and the two didn't waste any time coming to an agreement on their first personnel move, deciding that Garcia didn't fit into their plans.
Garcia is likely to be one of a number of veteran quarterbacks on the market this spring.
Two-time MVP Kurt Warner, who signed with the New York Giants last spring to help break in Eli Manning, has asked to be released after losing his job to Manning after nine games.
Buffalo also could release Drew Bledsoe, a longtime starter with the Bills and Patriots.
Davis, who resigned on Nov. 30 with five games left in the season, brought in Garcia thinking he was the answer to their problems at quarterback. But Garcia never seemed to click with teammates and admitted to having a hard time adjusting to Cleveland's lifestyle after spending his entire life in Northern California.
During the exhibition season, the 34-year-old complained that he wasn't getting enough playing time and that he was having trouble adjusting to new teammates and a new offense. Garcia made things worse by openly criticizing Davis and offensive coordinator Terry Robiskie, complaining that they weren't using him properly.
At one point, Davis called Garcia "skittish" in the pocket, a comment that angered the quarterback and expanded the rift between them.
After rallying the Browns to beat Baltimore in Week 1, Garcia threw three interceptions the next week in a loss at Dallas and recorded a 0.0 quarterback rating - only the fifth NFL quarterback since 1970 to do so.
Garcia's season was also hampered by injuries. He strained his shoulder on a sack against the New York Jets on Nov. 21 and tore a knee ligament on Dec. 12 in Buffalo.
Off-season distractions further strained Garcia's relationship with the Browns and Cleveland fans. Garcia had to testify in a trial for his girlfriend, a Playboy Playmate, who was accused of karate-kicking one of Garcia's ex-girlfriends during a fight at a downtown nightclub.
With Garcia gone, the Browns will likely try to re-sign free agent Kelly Holcomb or trade for a veteran quarterback. The team also has the No. 3 pick in April's NFL draft, although it is unlikely they would want to start over with a rookie QB.
Meanwhile, Robiskie, who went 1-4 as Cleveland's interim coach after Davis quit, will stay with the Browns as wide receivers coach. That was his position for three seasons before being named offensive coordinator last year.
Crennel also added named Jeff Davidson his offensive line coach will retain Jerry Rosburg as Cleveland's special teams coach. Davidson has spent the past eight seasons with New England. Rosburg has been with the Browns since 2001.
Source: AP