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49ers QB
Jeff Garcia
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SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Jeff Garcia’s arm strength is mediocre. His speed,
average. His body, skinny and short. His mechanics, horrendous, with his legs often
getting so entangled that he has to jump when throwing to avoid falling on his face.
But there’s Garcia, near the top of the list in passer rating. At his current
pace, he is a threat to set team records for TD passes in a season and completions. This
on a team with a QB history that includes John Brodie, Joe Montana and Steve Young.
Just how Garcia has accomplished these feats is sometimes mystifying considering his
unorthodox style and physical limitations. But, as Garcia constantly reminds us, he has
been successful at every level.
Despite a terrific college career at San Jose State, capped with a tremendous
performance in the East-West Shrine game, Garcia received nary a nibble from NFL teams.
He was banished to Canada for five seasons. In those years, he became a local hero in
Calgary, especially after leading the Stampeders to a 1998 Grey Cup victory in the final
seconds. After taking MVP honors in that game, Garcia once again tried the NFL.
Garcia has 49ers general manager Bill Walsh to thank for his NFL opportunity. After
working out for the Raiders, Garcia received an invitation to work out for Walsh and the
49ers’ coaches.
The Raiders opted to sign Andre Ware, and, at the behest of Walsh, Garcia was signed as
a 49er. He won the backup job during training camp in ’99 and soon became the starter
after Steve Young incurred a career-ending concussion in the third game of the season.
Under-practiced and new to the faster-paced NFL, Garcia struggled after a quick start.
His worst performance came in a steady rain at home vs. the Steelers — when he threw
for 39 yards and was eventually pulled in the 27-6 loss.
The darkest moment of that game occurred when Garcia spotted a wide open Terrell Owens
for a swing pass. Owens stood there waiting for the ball and looked into the panicked blue
eyes of Garcia. The quarterback double-clutched and finally unleashed a pass that soared
10 feet over Owens’ head.
After three games on the bench, Garcia came back and threw eight TD passes and only
three interceptions in the 49ers’ last six games of the season.
That impressive stretch fueled Garcia’s confidence and made coaches believe that
this skinny redhead could make it as a starting quarterback. During the offseason, Garcia
bulked up and spent long days with QB coach Greg Knapp, learning the 49ers’ offense
and practicing plays and passes.
After a slow start, Garcia has been one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the
league.
"He’s the most improved player in the NFL," Packers head coach Mike
Sherman said.
"I think some people are really surprised at Jeff's play," OG Ray Brown said.
"He’s certainly making great decisions right now," 49ers head coach
Steve Mariucci said. "He’s not forcing the ball into coverage. He’s
escaping when he should. Terrific."
Mariucci has been converted to a Garcia supporter. He was initially resistant after
Walsh signed Garcia and then traded prized backup Ty Detmer to Cleveland. But Garcia won
Mariucci over with his hard work and toughness.
Mariucci remembers one time in the preseason when Garcia was belted in the pocket and
came to the sideline bleeding from the mouth. Mariucci said his quarterback never
complained and just wanted to know the next play call.
Mariucci also was impressed with Garcia’s hard work over the offseason.
That’s why the coach stuck with Garcia despite mounting pressure to start Rick Mirer
when the offense sputtered in the first two games of the season.
Mariucci’s patience has paid dividends, as Garcia threw at least one TD pass in
eight straight games until that streak ended last week (although he did run for two
touchdowns in that game). He also had a streak of 150 consecutive passes without an
interception earlier this year.
Garcia says knowing the system makes a huge difference for him.
"When Steve Young first came to the 49ers, I don’t think he was thrown into
the fire as quickly as I was," Garcia said. "It was a learning stage I had to go
through."
Garcia maintains he’s still learning and that he could even be a better
quarterback. Even though his statistics have sparkled this year, Garcia has been unable to
transfer his fine play into wins. In his 21 NFL starts, Garcia has won only five games.
But his unconquerable spirit will not allow him to get down.
"I think (my play) is just continuing to build my confidence," he said.
"I know there was a time it was obviously a struggle. I see us moving closer to
(getting) those big wins and winning those tight games."
Knowing Garcia’s history and his climb from obscurity, who would doubt him?
Kevin Lynch covers the 49ers for the San Francisco Examiner
Garcia
benefits from the system |
| The numbers stay the same. Only the names seem to change. Ever since
Bill Walsh ushered in the West Coast offense, quarterbacks from Joe Montana to Jeff Garcia
have thrived in the 49ers’ system.
"It’s a good system, and it’s quarterback friendly," head coach
Steve Mariucci said.
The foundations of the West Coast’s multi-option passing game are still intact,
but coaches have modified and modernized it over the years.
Mariucci, for example, revived an offense that slipped out of the top 10 briefly by
installing three- and four-WR sets. The offense also has been tailored for the different
quarterbacks who’ve run it. Jeff Garcia prefers the shotgun formation, which Montana
and Steve Young never liked.
Garcia’s also comfortable throwing on the run, so coaches have emphasized rollouts
and bootleg passes much more.
"You always try to find ways to make your quarterback comfortable," Mariucci
said.
Once the offense is learned, it’s designed to do just that.
"(As a quarterback) you’re not taking a lot of (deep) drops and taking a lot
of chances," Mariucci said. "There are not a lot of high-percentage
throws."
But Mariucci maintains the offense takes time to learn, and that may be the chief
reason for Garcia’s remarkable improvement over last year.
"It doesn’t happen overnight," Mariucci said. "That’s why next
year may even be better."
— Kevin Lynch |
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