As far as free agent QBs are concerned, I was very surprised to see Jeff continue unemployed this far into the offseason. I mean, last season he had 2,712 yards passing, a 90.2 rating and 12 touchdowns to just six interceptions. Those are impressive numbers. But with no better offer on the table yet, this was a no-brainer for Jeff. And after what has been a very long and productive 15-year career (Calgary-CFL, 49ers, Browns, Lions, Eagles, Bucs), he returns home to most likely finish his NFL playing days (he’s a native of Gilroy, CA). Yes, you can call him an old journeyman, but in the right offense with a clean bill of health, he can still be a very effective quarterback.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Oakland Raiders Sign Jeff Garcia

It is with great sadness that the search and rescue mission for NFL players Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper, and former South Florida football player William Bleakley, has come to an end. The Coast Guard covered 24,000 square miles in three days and were unable to find these men. Coast Guard Captain Timothy Close said if there were any other survivors, they would have been found. Nick Schuyler was the only survivor on the boat and while he has been mostly unable to offer much information because of his condition in recovery, he did tell a friend that after putting life jackets on, Corey and Marquis got separated from the boat because of the intensity of the waves (reportedly around 15 feet on Sunday). Searchers came across a cooler and a life jacket 16 miles southeast of the boat, but saw no other signs of the men.

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Search For Missing NFL Players Ends

NFL players Corey Smith (Detroit Lions) and Marquis Cooper (Oakland Raiders), and former University of South Florida football player William Bleakley, are still missing after their boat was found capsized off the Florida Gulf Coast today. The Coast Guard found the boat and one of its passengers, Nick Schuyler, also a former University of South Florida football player. Nick is in serious but stable condition at Tampa General Hospital. After finding him, the Coast Guard has now been able to narrow their search, but these men have been officially missing for nearly 48 hours so please keep them in your prayers as rescue workers try to find and save them.

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

NFL Players Still Missing

Two NFL players — Detroit Lions defensive end Corey Smith and Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper — are reported missing off Florida’s Gulf Coast in a fishing boat. Corey and Marquis (and two other men) were on a 21-foot vessel that left Clearwater Pass for a fishing trip yesterday morning, but they didn’t return as expected according to the Coast Guard today. They’ve been missing for nearly a day in choppy seas. No distress signal was ever received from the missing craft. The search continues.

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Corey Smith, Marquis Cooper Missing

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Oakland Raiders interim head coach Tom Cable was named the team’s official head coach today (he’ll be introduced at a presser tomorrow). Coach Cable went 4-8 after replacing Lane Kiffin last season, including winning his last two games against Houston and Tampa Bay. Apparently that was all the proof owner Al Davis needed to make his decision even though it comes over a month after those final victories and subsequent interviews with Kevin Gilbride (N.Y. Giants) and Winston Moss (Green Bay Packers).

This is not a surprise. I think keeping coach Cable is the only sensible decision right now. The team needs some kind of stability because defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, special teams coordinator Brian Schneider, running backs coach Tom Rathman and linebackers coach Don Martindale are all history. Plus, coach Cable actually seems to get along with Mr. Davis and he wants the challenge this job presents — which is more than I can say for a lot of qualified coaches.

Source: Raiders.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Tom Cable Named Head Coach of Raiders

Apparently so desperate for a head coaching position is Jim Fassel, he resorted to sending a handwritten letter (nice touch) to Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis expressing his respect and admiration for Mr. Davis and his desire to obtain the worst job in the National Football League. Uggh. I can’t understand why anyone would want to put themselves through the torture of attempting to accomplish the seemingly impossible — which is making winners out of the modern day Oakland Raiders under 79-year-old owner Al Davis. If Coach Fassel is hired in 2009, he’ll be the 6th man to try in the past eight years.

Source: ESPN.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Jim Fassel Wants to Coach Raiders

The Oakland Raiders continue to be involved in the unfathomable. After giving cornerback DeAngelo Hall his walking papers and $8 million for eight games, the team will now be without receiver Javon Walker who will have season-ending surgery on his ankle after eight games. He walks limps away with $13 million even though he had a colossally disappointing 15 catches for 196 yards and one touchdown during that time. Unbelievable.

Source: SFGate.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Javon Walker Done for Season

As anticipated, Oakland Raiders cornerback DeAngelo Hall was released by the team today. NFL.com reported “DeAngelo was practical, saying he understood and was not angry.” Of course he understands. My guess is he’s elated to get out of the black hole:

“This is a blessing. I have learned it’s not all about the money. I’ve learned now it’s more about the team. Ain’t all money good money. I took the bait. I went for the money and I didn’t research the situation. But I don’t think I would trade this for the world. Just to meet (owner) Al Davis, to get to pick his brain, to know the kind of person he is and the impression he had on football is good for me to say that I know him.”

It’s pretty easy to say it isn’t about the money when you’ve got $8 million in your pocket. Just about any player in the National Football League would serve their time in Oakland for $1 million/game. At any rate, several teams have apparently already contacted DeAngelo and his agent about playing for them. Which comes as no surprise. DeAngelo still has the ability to be one of the best corners in the game. He’ll be in a new uniform soon.

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

DeAngelo Hall Isn’t Angry

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Nothing coming out of the Oakland Raiders organization really surprises me anymore. Therefore, while I was not anticipating the team releasing their biggest offseason acquisition, they are, in fact, ready to give cornerback DeAngelo Hall his walking papers. And I’m not shocked. The whole situation was supposed to hit the fan today, but the Raiders are apparently putting it off until tomorrow for some reason.

If DeAngelo is cut (and all signs are pointing to exactly that happening), he will have made $8 million for his eight games with the Raiders. Yeah, I know. As shocking as that is, by releasing him now, the Raiders will actually save themselves another $16 million in injury-guaranteed bonuses. Financially responsible the Raiders are not, but it might be a good move. This is the same team that paid defensive tackle Tommy Kelly an NFL-record $50.5 million over seven years and receiver Javon Walker $55 million for six years. You wonder what they’re thinking. Ironically, both of these players are rumored to be on their way out in an exodus of overpaid talent.

DeAngelo will go through the waiver process but it’s unfathomable that any other team is as irresponsible with money as the Raiders, so he would become a free agent and be available to sign with any team of his choosing. There will certainly be interest. DeAngelo hasn’t had a bad year. Despite being banged up and playing in such a dysfunctional environment, he has a respectable 48 tackles and three interceptions. Don’t be surprised if the Patriots, Cowboys, Giants or Redskins show a sincere interest.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Raiders Set to Release DeAngelo Hall

Their 2-6 record might not immediately announce themselves as the worst team in the National Football League. But the Oakland Raiders are the worst team in the National Football League. And they proved it yesterday in one of the most pathetic performances I have ever seen from an NFL team. Raiders safety Gibril Wilson had no answers afterward:

“During the week, we look like we’re a Super Bowl team, and we come out there and we’re damn near the laughingstock of the league, and it’s ridiculous. I’ve never been in a situation where it’s been like this, and I don’t know what it is ….. The people in this locker room have to look at themselves in the mirror and see exactly what they’re bringing to the table, and if they’re not bringing anything to the table, then get off the ship, period.”

If the Raiders are going to right the ship, they’ll need to clean up — everything. Yesterday’s Game Book is all the proof they need of that. They were shutout 24-0. Their time of possession was a putrid 14:45 and they only gained 77 total yards in the process. Plus they had two turnovers and seven penalties. All this while playing at home against the Atlanta Falcons — a pretty decent football team, but by no means the juggernaut they appeared to be this afternoon. I’m not sure the Raiders could’ve beaten air today.

It would appear the team has quit on interim head coach Tom Cable. And it’s surprising because it’s a squad filled with what I consider some darn good football players. It’s difficult to explain, but the Raiders have given new meaning to playing in the Black Hole.

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Oakland Raiders Hit Rock Bottom