Garcia likely out with Eagles as Feeley gets new deal

INDIANAPOLIS -- In a move that almost certainly will preclude the return of quarterback Jeff Garcia to Philadelphia in 2007, and figures to send the eight-year veteran scrambling to find a new team in free agency, the Eagles on Sunday reached agreement with A.J. Feeley on a three-year contract extension.

Jeff GarciaQuarterback
Philadelphia Eagles

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Financial details of the extension, which was confirmed by sources here for the annual NFL scouting combine, were not yet available.

There were rumblings the past few days that Philadelphia officials, apparently convinced they could not strike a deal with Garcia before the start of the free agency period on March 2, had turned their attentions to Feeley, a six-year veteran.

Steve Baker, the agent for Garcia, said here Sunday afternoon that the Eagles preferred to have a deal in place with his client before free agency started. Apparently, Garcia asked for a five-day grace period at the outset of unrestricted free agency, one that would permit him to test the market and gauge his value, before determining whether to re-sign with the Eagles.

"Once we would not agree with their ultimatum," Baker said, "they apparently moved on to [Feeley] to get a deal there. But Jeff will be fine."
While the move is somewhat surprising, given that Garcia posted a 5-1 record and led the Eagles to a playoff berth after replacing the injured Donovan McNabb, it is not altogether shocking. At age 29, Feeley is nearly eight full years younger than Garcia, and the staff in Philadelphia, including head coach Andy Reid, holds him in high regard.

A.J. FeeleyQuarterback
Philadelphia Eagles

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Under the right circumstances, Philadelphia probably would have welcomed Garcia back for another season, but only on its conditions and on its timetable. His reluctance solidified the desires of some within the organization to pursue Feeley instead, and to essentially make him the No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart.

Feeley began his career with the Eagles in 2001 but, after three seasons, was traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2004. He subsequently played in San Diego, and then returned to the Eagles last year after the Chargers released him. In two games in 2006, he completed 26 of 38 passes for 342 yards, with three touchdown passes and no interceptions.

For his career, Feeley has completed 313 of 562 passes for 3,389 yards, with 22 touchdown passes and 25 interceptions.

A three-time Pro Bowl performer, but a quarterback nomad since 2003, Garcia now will be on the move again. He faces the prospect now of playing for a fourth different franchise in four seasons and, while Garcia has value and will attract attention in free agency, the future is somewhat clouded.

At least two teams perceived as having a need for a veteran quarterback, Minnesota and Chicago, said in recent weeks they are not interested in adding Garcia. Baker said Sunday he is "very confident" he will have a competitive market for his client.

In 99 games, including 92 starts, Garcia has completed 1,811 of 2,972 passes for 20,385 yards, with 136 touchdown passes and 73 interceptions, for an efficiency rating of 86.4. He has thrown for more than 2,500 yards five times in his career.

Senior writer Len Pasquarelli covers the NFL for ESPN.com.

 

If Feely got minimum with little bonus, I don't think it means anything of the kind. They like him as a nice #3.

 

they would be wise to keep garcia. he knows the system, and has proven his worth with his amazing late season leadership on a team that was left for dead at the midway mark of the season. plus, there is no guarantee that mcnabb will be ready for the start of the season anyway....hell, he has a track record of missing major portions of seasons in his tenure in the nfl. garcia could step right in again and they wouldnt miss a beat. but the eagles front office has a history of low-balling (most) free agents. if i were a betting man i'd say garcia is a goner. some team is gonna get a pretty decent qb. let the bidding commence as soon as he hits the market.