Garcia reunites with Mariucci in Detroit

**Lando** · 03-12-2005, 07:58 PM

Associated Press

3/12/2005

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) - The Detroit Lions and quarterback Jeff Garcia have agreed to terms on a one year contract, team officials said Saturday.

The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Garcia was released by the Cleveland Browns on Feb. 22. He completed 144 of 253 passes for 1,731 yards with 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 10 starts last season.

The former Calgary Stampeders star earned his second straight Pro Bowl selection in 2001 with San Francisco under then-49ers coach - and current Lions coach - Steve Mariucci.

The quarterback completed 62.7 per cent of his passes and accumulated 3,538 yards and 32 touchdowns that year.

His addition should provide immediate competition for starter Joey Harrington. The former first-round pick was booed often at home and challenged regularly by Mariucci in 2004 and has been inconsistent throughout his career.

The Lions made it an off-season priority to find a veteran backup. They also lost reserve QB Mike McMahon, who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday.

**ultravikingfan** · 03-12-2005, 08:10 PM

Good, I hope that he can start the games we play them. Garcia is horrible! It will be "pick city" for the Purple Triangle!

**scott72** · 03-12-2005, 08:53 PM

"ultravikingfan" wrote:

Good, I hope that he can start the games we play them. Garcia is horrible! It will be "pick city" for the Purple Triangle!

You may regret saying that. I think he's better than Harrington. If Garcia starts that might just be what the Lions needed to push them over the top in the North. Watch out for them next year.

**DemonicViking** · 03-12-2005, 08:59 PM

Garcia is better than Harrington, don't be surprised if he gets the starting job in big D. You can mesh the top QB in the leauge with Clevland's supporting cast and they'd struggle more often than not.

**ultravikingfan** · 03-12-2005, 10:31 PM

"scott72" wrote:

"ultravikingfan" wrote:

Good, I hope that he can start the games we play them. Garcia is horrible! It will be "pick city" for the Purple Triangle!

You may regret saying that. I think he's better than Harrington. If Garcia starts that might just be what the Lions needed to push them over the top in the North. Watch out for them next year.

I watched him almost every game here. He is terrible.

TO made Garcia! :salute:

**ItalianStallion** · 03-12-2005, 10:37 PM

WRONG, Garcia is a good QB, but he needs help. Harrington is a bad QB, even with help. The Lions are a better team now.

Besides Garcia won a grey Cup here in Calgary.

**ultravikingfan** · 03-12-2005, 10:42 PM

"ItalianStallion" wrote:

WRONG, Garcia is a good QB, but he needs help. Harrington is a bad QB, even with help. The Lions are a better team now.

Besides Garcia won a grey Cup here in Calgary.

WRONG! I was stating my opinion after watching him this year.

I guess I should've added "IMO" to my post.

Del Rio · 03-14-2005, 07:45 AM

Garcia sucks in teh NFL he makes bad decisions and gets flustered really easily. I'm with ultra on this one.

BUT in detroit he will be passing to one of the biggest playmaking WR's in the league. I have a feeling that new flashy D of ours will be tested to the max against the Lions this year. I expect them to finish 2nd in the division.

**ADubya26** · 03-14-2005, 08:28 AM

Garcia is not great, but he is decent, and better than Harrington I think. I agree that the Lions will be a good team this year.

**jdvike** · 03-14-2005, 09:24 AM

I agree garcia is an improvement on harrington,and if rogers cans stay healthy,and kevin jones keeps it up....I fear this team more than the pack IMHO :shock: