jjakq27 Posted February 15, 2005 Report Share Posted February 15, 2005 http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/3396468Browns boot Garcia after just one year Associated Press CLEVELAND (AP) - From the start, it was apparent that Jeff Garcia was a bad fit for the Cleveland Browns. He didn't like the offense. He didn't get agree with coaches. He didn't jell with teammates. On Monday, the quarterback was told one season in Cleveland was enough - for everyone. Garcia will be released on Feb. 22, set free two days before his 35th birthday and less than a year since the Browns outbid Tampa Bay to sign him to a four-year, $25 million contract. The Browns, rebuilding under new coach Romeo Crennel, put a little more distance between themselves and an awful 4-12 season by cutting ties with Garcia. In 10 starts for Cleveland, Garcia completed 144 of 253 passes for 1,731 yards with 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions. But beginning with his criticism of former coach Butch Davis' offense in August, it was a disastrous season. "It's unfortunate that neither the Browns nor Jeff had the kind of year they were hoping for," said his agent, Steve Baker. "It was frustrating." Garcia had a brilliant debut in Cleveland, rallying the Browns to beat Baltimore. But as the losses piled up, Garcia's frustration made it impossible for him to keep quiet. He publicly criticized his teammates and began to openly question why Davis signed him. Offseason distractions further strained Garcia's relationship with the Browns and Cleveland fans. Garcia, who ended the season on the injured list, testified in a trial for his girlfriend, a Playboy Playmate, who was accused of karate-kicking one of Garcia's former girlfriends during a fight. Garcia's release - league rules prevent it from becoming official for another week - is the first move of many expected in a house cleaning by Crennel, the former New England defensive coordinator. On Sunday, Crennel hired Maurice Carthon as his offensive coordinator and the two didn't waste any time coming to an agreement on their first personnel move, deciding that Garcia was not worth keeping. While Garcia's release will create about $2 million under the salary cap, it leaves Kelly Holcomb as the only veteran quarterback on Cleveland's roster. Complicating matters, Holcomb can become a free agent in March. General manager Phil Savage said the club would like to keep the 31-year-old Holcomb, whose four seasons in Cleveland have been characterized by amazing performances and agonizing injuries. "I think Kelly would like to come back," Savage said, "and I think the feeling is mutual." Holcomb, who passed for 429 yards against Pittsburgh in the Browns' lone playoff game since 199p, won Cleveland's starting job before the 2003 season, beating out Tim Couch. He went 2-6 as a starter in '03 but had his season shortened by a broken leg. Last season, Holcomb took over for an injured Garcia and passed for 413 yards and five TDs on Nov. 28 against Cincinnati. But broken ribs forced the Browns to start rookie Luke McCown long before he was ready. Garcia, who was due a $500,000 roster bonus next month, is likely to be one of a number of veteran quarterbacks on the market this spring. Two-time league MVP Kurt Warner, who signed with the New York Giants last spring to help break in rookie 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. Vinny Testaverde and Matt Hasselbeck could also be available. If the Browns can't re-sign Holcomb, they may pursue a free agent quarterback. The club has the No. 3 overall selection in April's draft, but it's unlikely Crennel would want to begin his tenure with a rookie QB. Meanwhile, Terry 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 Jeff Davidson as offensive line coach and retained Jerry Rosburg as special teams coach. Davidson spent the past eight seasons with New England. Rosburg has been with the Browns since 2001. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richmond_mat Posted February 15, 2005 Report Share Posted February 15, 2005 What's the Brownies cap hit on this? I couldn't figure it out from the article. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jditty47 Posted February 15, 2005 Report Share Posted February 15, 2005 he has 3 years left on his contract so im guessing its pretty significant. garcia sucks though so not a bad move...he wasnt gonna take them to the promised land thats for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalNation1281 Posted February 16, 2005 Report Share Posted February 16, 2005 God himself couldn't take the Browns to the Promised Land if he suited up at QB for them. That is just an awful, awful team. I'm thinking that 4-12 will be a good year for them in 2005.Meanwhile, across the state of Ohio...PLAYOFFS! :player: BN1281 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalszoneBilly Posted February 16, 2005 Report Share Posted February 16, 2005 CLEVELAND (AP) - From the start, it was apparent that Jeff Garcia was a bad fit for the Cleveland Browns. He didn't like the offense. He didn't get agree with coaches. He didn't jell with teammates. One thing that wasn't really reported in the media was that at the time when Jeff signed to play with the Browns, he was unaware that Cleveland really wasn't in the same "league" as San Francisco when you considered the availability of "male only bath houses!" The reality of this culminated into him having to resort to socializing with high priced female fashion models, but we all saw how that plan went bad by the resulting court case! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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