Jeff Garcia isn't an upgrade over Mike McMahon? Right

[stevemc]

Be truthful. our OL did a great job in pass pro last night, and our receivers did a fine job of bailing Garcia out. Donte especially.

I'm not sure what line of sarcasm and truth you have drawn here FRESH. Bailing out Garcia? I know he had some errant throws but the pass to Stallworth (a fantastic grab) was perfectly placed. The ball to Westbrook was also perfectly placed. The deep TD to Reggie Brown was a terrific throw. The roll out TD to Stallworth was on the money. He doesn't have great arm strength but as a back-up - he really showed me something last night.

[FRESH]

Westy and Donte made some great catches for him last night, but besides that, Donte worked constantly to provide a target, and broke up at least one sure, game-costing pick in the end zone. No sarcasm intended here.

[sonnyj]

The stoppage in the bashing will only last till the first errant pass next week. Hell, just read the game thread. You might have thought that we had Ken Ryan out there last night.

In the end, I was wrong. However, my comments during the 2nd quarter were based on the following:

-AJ has had moderate success in this offense in the past.

-Garcia looked poor in the preseason, while AJ looked great.

-The offense did nothing for most of the first half. Garcia's YPC were very small in the previous games despite the higher completion %.

-Before last night, Garcia had not even attempted a pass over 20 yards. Because of this, the defense was ignoring the deep ball and pressing (which eventually backfired on them).

-Last nights game was pretty much our last chance. If one guy is struggling in a last chance game, and you have options, you probably need make the switch.

I won't be calling for Garcia to be replaced in the next game. He has shown me something now. But, up until his 2nd half performance last night, I saw a situation that called for a QB switch. It's not that I thought AJ would set the world on fire. But, he could have added some spark when we needed it.

There will be games that Garcia will really struggle. We will still see at least one or two passes a game batted down at the LOS. At least he has shown to be a capable backup, and has earned the right to continue as the starting QB for at least the next few games.

I was thinking that Feeley would enter the game in the second half after the first quarter and a half... until Stallworth made that one armed catch. I'm sure it was on Reid's mind as well with all the three and outs'...but Garcia got his rhythm and finished quite well.

[stevemc]

Westy and Donte made some great catches for him last night, but besides that, Donte worked constantly to provide a target, and broke up at least one sure, game-costing pick in the end zone. No sarcasm intended here.

How many times in his last few games did McNabb throw balls right into the opposing defense's chest? (I think immediately of Tennessee before he got hurt). That stuff happens. Yes, Westbrook and Stallworth made great catches because Garcia put the ball where only they could get it and both were covered very well. There is no doubt that Garcia started off looking putrid (2 for his first 6 and then 10 of 23 in the first half) but he gained momentum. McNabb has been known to do this as well. Hey - we can all cry in our Wheaties that we have a back-up QB and not any real chance of a championship in '07 but to belittle a 312 yard, 3 TD, 0 INT performance is weak.

[FRESH]

No need to preach to me. I know that McNabb isn't much better. I just felt like the receivers were working for Jeffy last night. That deserves some mention as well.

[stevemc]

No need to preach to me. I know that McNabb isn't much better. I just felt like the receivers were working for Jeffy last night. That deserves some mention as well.

McNabb isn't much better? What did you do with the real FRESH?! You've obviously stolen his identity and password.

[FRESH]

LMAO!!!!!!!

Just having some fun, stevie.

[saratoga]

Props to Garcia. He is a fine backup, and if he plays well the next 4 games, this team could go 8-8 or 9-7. The games against the Giants and Falcons will be huge.

We really need to see continued improvement from the D and ST though.

[MDFAN]

No need to preach to me. I know that McNabb isn't much better. I just felt like the receivers were working for Jeffy last night. That deserves some mention as well.

McNabb isn't much better? What did you do with the real FRESH?! You've obviously stolen his identity and password.

This is the knew Fresh... he tries to cover both positive and negaitve sides. He seems to think it's some sort of cosmic thing.

I think he is just pulling his own J. R. Reed thing, getting caught on the fence trying to hop back over from the last few weeks.

[AToney]

I think he is just pulling his own J. R. Reed thing, getting caught on the fence trying to hop back over from the last few weeks.

Cold, MD, cold. But funny.

[Foles4SB]

Let's not go crazy on Garcia after 1 or 2 games. He's older and may wear out, and next week he plays his first meaningful game on the road. (by meaningful, I mean, game that we are actually expected to compete in). However, I will admit I was wrong that he is not Mike McMahon, however, I also think AJ Feeley might ultimately prove better. So far though, props to Jeff, he is proving many wrong.

[FRESH]

I'm not hopping over the fence. I'm sitting on it.

(ouch)

[MDFAN]

"I also think AJ Feeley might ultimately prove better"

Despite your backhanded attempt at a Garcia compliment, I'm confused as to what the factual basis is for saying AJ will be better?

I think many here have myth-a-sized AJ's performance in 2002.

[balto-eaglefan]

If we're lucky, maybe there'll be a silver lining to Donovan's injury. The young guys know that Five won't bail them out with heroics, so they all know, clearer than ever before, that they need to bust a gut to win games now. Good sign on Monday.

I heard that they were happy with Gaither in training camp, especially his fire, but that he was so aggressive that he'd tend to overrun plays. As problems go, for this group, that's a fucking good problem to have.