QB Jeff Garcia signs with Omaha

[Fran]

Good signing for Omaha, he can definitely help the team.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/t...spx?id=4335375

Former NFL quarterback Jeff Garcia has signed with the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League.

The UFL is in its second season and the Omaha franchise is in its first year.

Garcia was a four-time Pro Bowl selection during his NFL career with San Francisco, Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia and Tampa Bay.

[Sam Hill]

And he's 40.

[Rooster]

Quarterbacks age like fine wine. That is why I can never understand teams drafting a QB in the first round and expecting them to compete from the start. There is a learning curve and it takes years if not a decade for the light to go for some of these guys. Johnny Unitas got cut by the Steelers before his time with the Colts. Bart Starr was like a 12th round pick and yet both ended up becoming Hall of Famers.

When did Brad Johnson win a Superbowl? Rich Gannon's best years? He was well over 35. Some guy by the name of Brett Farve is coming back to play with Minnesota this season and will be 41.

Smart move for Garcia. Some NFL team making a playoff run late in the year will sign him after the UFL season is over by Thanksgiving. He is a difference maker and has been under valued since his time in the CFL.

[Sam Hill]

Originally Posted by Rooster

Quarterbacks age like fine wine. That is why I can never understand teams drafting a QB in the first round and expecting them to compete from the start.

Yeah! Like Mark Sanchez, Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco! You can't expect those guys to compete from the start! I'll never understand it!

Johnny Unitas got cut by the Steelers before his time with the Colts.

So a personnel mistake made 55 years ago means what, exactly?

Bart Starr was like a 12th round pick and yet both ended up becoming Hall of Famers.

17th round. Starr had a pretty good coach, IIRC.

When did Brad Johnson win a Superbowl?

When he had the best defense in the league. What's he done since? Wine gets better with age. Brad Johnson should be amazing by now.

Rich Gannon's best years? He was well over 35.

All Pro 2000 (age 35), 2002 (age 37). Pro Bowl 1999 (age 34), 2000 (age 35), 2001 (age 36), 2002 (age 37). 37 is "well over 35?"

Jeff George should be awesome, then. Plus, he hasn't taken hits in years, he'll be fresh.

Some guy by the name of Brett Farve is coming back to play with Minnesota this season and will be 41.

And he won't be signing with the Omaha Freaking Nighthawks, I can assure you.

Smart move for Garcia. Some NFL team desperate for a backup late in the year will sign him after the UFL season is over by Thanksgiving.

Fixed.

[Rooster]

Art Schlichter, QB, Ohio State (4th overall, Colts, 1982)
Heath Shuler, QB, Tennessee (3rd overall, Redskins, 1994)
Kelly Stouffer, QB, Colorado State (6th overall, Cardinals, 1987)
Andre Ware, QB, Houston (7th overall, Lions, 1990)
Rich Campbell, QB, California (6th overall, Packers, 1981)
Jim Druckenmiller, QB, Virginia Tech (26th overall, 49ers, 1997)
David Klingler, QB, Houston (6th overall, Bengals, 1992)
Ryan Leaf, QB, Washington State (2nd overall, Chargers, 199
Todd Marinovich, QB, USC (24th overall, Raiders, 1991)
Dan McGwire, QB, San Diego State (16th overall, Seahawks, 1991)
Rick Mirer, QB, Notre Dame (2nd overall, Seahawks, 1993)
Jamarcus Russell (1st overall, Raiders 2007)

I could go on and on. Cade McNown, Tim Couch, Akili Smith. Even Todd Blackledge from the famed 1983 draft class never panned out professionally.

[jwalters]

Rooster you are correct. Players like that are also the reason why there is a need for the UFL. Some players are just not cut to the NFL mold. Dan Mcgwire for instance was great at San Diego State but anyone who saw him play could easily see that he was not an NFL type player. He took too many risk in college. But the UFL, much like the CFL, can be a hotbed for risks takers. I read through Athlon the other day and there are 53 current college qb's that are starters and have received some sort of award be it all conference, freshman of the year, team mvp, etc.. at the college level that will get no shot at the NFL because of a multitude of things such as playing style, size, or offensive sytem. There is a place for these players. Remember that was just Division 1 FBS players that does not include the other levels. I also counted a total of 16 that could have a reasonable shot at being brought into an NFL camp.