Garcia Gets His Chance to Shine

Four years ago, Donovan McNabb went down with a broken
ankle.
A.J. Feeley filled in and the Philadelphia Eagles didn’t miss a
beat, going 4-1.
Four years ago, Donovan McNabb went down with a broken ankle.

A.J. Feeley filled in and the Philadelphia Eagles didn’t miss a beat, going 4-1.

Last Sunday, McNabb tore a ligament in his right knee and his season ended. With Feeley once again available, the Eagles turned to Gilroy native Jeff Garcia.

Of course, there are differences this season. For one thing, Garcia is familiar with the West Coast offense and he has been with Philadelphia since the beginning of the season. Also, he spent two seasons in San Francisco with Eagles’ offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. Even Feeley acknowledged he was brought in as the No. 3 quarterback and that it was Garcia’s turn.

And yet, it could very well be that Garcia has been set up for failure. Remember, the Eagles didn’t exactly tear up the NFL even with McNabb. Despite ranking as the NFL’s second leading passer, McNabb was making errors at inopportune times, such as last week when he threw an interception at the goal line in the Eagles’ embarrassing defeat at home to Tennessee.

So this isn’t the same Eagles team as four years ago. And with the first game at Indianapolis, coming off its first loss to Dallas, this is not the best situation for Garcia. With Feeley waiting in the wings and already having proven himself as a successful backup for Philadelphia, Garcia’s situation appears precarious indeed.

Garcia knew the score when he signed with the Eagles. There was no chance he would start unless McNabb got injured. He was the consummate professional as he played the good soldier waiting in the wings. Given that McNabb has been injured in three of the last five seasons, Garcia’s decision looks good at this point.

Nevertheless, there is grumbling in Philadelphia that the team has become too predictable. In fact, in an earlier game this season with the Eagles facing a second-and-goal inside the 5, the opposing defense was yelling “screen” when McNabb came to the line of scrimmage. A screen it was and Philly ended up losing yardage on the play.

The grumbling will continue because the Eagles have been under-achievers all season. This is what confronts Garcia this week and beyond if coach Andy Reid opts to stick with the former GHS, Gavilan and San Jose State QB, not a given in any sense.

So Garcia faces a cup that is half-full or half-empty, depending on how you look at the situation. Several veterans, notably Don’te Stallworth, have spoken in favor of Garcia. Let’s see what everyone says after the next two weeks. A Monday night game with Carolina follows the contest with the Colts. Both are games that would have been challenging for the Eagles even with McNabb. 

It’s not the best situation, no matter how you look at it. But it’s what confronts Garcia, like it or not.