Quarterback Jeff Garcia left Oakland on Sept. 5 without explaining his decision to ask for his release and on Friday, he opened up with both barrels, saying he asked out because of a lack of commitment from some players and him being powerless to effect change as a backup. "It was to a point where I felt like guys who walked through those doors were just there to collect a check and not really interested in putting everything they had within themselves onto the football field," the unemployed Garcia said in an interview on Fox Sports Radio. "And that was frustrating for me to see." Garcia said he didn't mind helping starting quarterback JaMarcus Russell develop into a better player but, he felt as if too much was being asked of Russell and that, perhaps, Russell isn't ready for a starring role. "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 who really isn't maybe ready for that situation or ready to take on that sort of responsibility," Garcia said. "And I'm not saying JaMarcus can never be that guy. It's just, right now he's still young, he has a lot of growth that needs to take place within himself from a mental standpoint and a physical standpoint." Source: Contra Costa Times
This is what happens when you pay these hecken guys so much money!! What is the incentive? They get their money whether they win or lose
I disagree with you for the most part. The majority of players in the NFL got there because of sheer determination to excel. Once you get to the highest level, the men are separated from the boys. The biggest winners in the sport are paid tons of millions but continue to compete because it's their nature. It's not just a money factor to shut it down.
While I would never question anyones determination to get to the NFL because they all had it, but once they aren't playing for the love of the game or a national championship and begin playin for that huge paycheck it seems they lose some of that fire and spark that got them there to begin with. Yes, there is a difference in the speed of the game and the size of the players from college to pro, but college you see alot more excitement and guys playin cause they want that championship, because they love playin, or to become a higher draft pick. It just seems to me once the mighty dollars start rolling in the majority of the players could care less if they win or loose. Look at the difference between Superbowl losers and National Championship losers.
Garcia is str8 money here. No doubt. **********Automerged Doublepost********** I wouldn't say the majority of players don't care about winning or losing. Not even close IMO. I think with the poorly run organizations you see this behavior more. I think it comes down to whether or not the players have faith in the coaching staff/management or not. If they feel like they are being given the best possible chance to win, I think they respond to that. And if they see the organization is a Mickey Mouse disaster like the Raiders, yeah they just take the money and roll with it. I'm not sure they are happy about it, probably just reserved to reality.
Wait Jeff Garcia is talking about other people dogging it ? Jeff Garcia can't have it both ways | ProFootballTalk.com I agree with what most of what he said, but when the guy knew he wasnt getting the starting job he got "hurt" then he took time off for personal reasons.
What he said about players in the organization bout not caring, i can believe that. But he never took a shot at Jamarcus, He's just saying he's got too much on his shoulder, they're throwing him to the dogs, and not wanting to give him any kind've help is what he was saying.
