Jeff Garcia Signs with the Oakland Raiders

Jeff Garcia has signed a one-year contract to join the Oakland Raiders and backup JaMarcus Russell. Garcia, a 39-year-old quarterback who has been named to the NFL Pro Bowl four times, returns to a familiar part of the country.

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Not only was Garcia born near by Oakland, he also had his best years of his career while with the San Francisco 49ers. According to reports, Garcia joined the Raiders in part to be close to his Bay Area roots.

Garcia spent 1999-2003 with the 49ers. His two best seasons came in 2000 and 2001. In 2000, he had 31 touchdowns and 4278 passing yards, while he threw for 32 touchdowns and 3,538 passing yards in 2001.

Since leaving San Francisco, Garcia has played for the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. For his career, he has thrown 161 touchdowns and 83 interceptions, while accumulating 25,537 passing yards with a 61.6% completion percentage.

With the Raiders, he has a chance of seeing action. Russell is still a prospect with potential but he has struggled in his early career. If he struggles again in 2009, the Raiders may turn to Garcia in hopes that he can lead the team to victories.