Posted By: Yancy (13/09/2008 9:17:26 PM)
Comment: Bring back Garcia! JTO stinks just like every other QB since Garcia! A Pro Bowler or JTO? No comparison!

Posted By: NinerD (06/08/2008 11:14:13 PM)
Comment: Well this point is mute, Favre just got traded to the Jets! Matt, no talk of Chad Pennington becoming a Niner.

Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (06/08/2008 10:24:02 PM)
Comment: Garcia plays QB like a squirrel crossing the freeway. He always looked like he was carrying a bomb in his shorts ready to explode on every play. I for one don't miss the frantic run around mayhem he created in the backfield and his happy feet jump pass style. We need a polished trigger man now who can read and deliver on time. Jeff's days are behind him now.

Posted By: StonerLab (06/08/2008 9:55:19 PM)
Comment: Matt, It must be a slow day for you to come up with the Garcia scenario. Like most of the 49er Empire I have to agree that picking up Garcia would be a horrible idea. Besides if you're the GM what kind of message would you be sending your QB's other than being desperate I guess if you made a move for Garcia?

Posted By: KezarMike (06/08/2008 5:37:55 PM)
Comment: Can't help myself today. Speaking of QBs - did y'all see how good Colt Brennen looked the other day? I know it was just an exhibition game, but....geez - NFL people are stupid when it comes to QBs. This guy was a 6th round pick? Too short? He already looks better than Alex Smith (not to mention washouts like David Carr, another fist pick in the draft). Well, Tom Brady went in the 6th round....

Posted By: KezarMike (06/08/2008 5:30:34 PM)
Comment: By the way, my guess is that if Favre is traded to the Bucs, then the Packers will receive Garcia and something like a 3rd round pick (maybe 2nd - but Favre is 2 years older than Montana was when the 49ers got a #1 for him).

Posted By: KezarMike (06/08/2008 5:26:23 PM)
Comment: C'mon everyone. Jeff Garcia has been a fine QB in college, the Canadian League and the NFL. But the 49ers are NOT a contender really and need to develop a fine young QB who can lead them over the next few years. Garcia would be a wonderful upgrade for the Vikings, Bears or as a dependable backup for teams like the Eagles or Dallas (just to name a couple). Hell, he'd be great insurance for the Packers.

Posted By: Ryan (06/08/2008 4:06:19 PM)
Comment: I'm thinking Garcia makes the most sense in Minnesota. West Coast offense, Childress is there etc. etc. But the Garcia idea definitely crossed my mind this morning when Mike and Mike were talking about Garcia being available. I think we all just want to win again, no matter who the QB is.

Posted By: steveh (06/08/2008 3:23:05 PM)
Comment: you've gone crazy, i hate these titles that mean nothing. The niners and nolan will not go after garica, no chance. Did you notice there are 31 other teams? All three QB's on the niners just got more money. Damn, just report the news dont guess on this crap. I hope you will perform better this year at the press conferences on tuesdays.

Posted By: sean (06/08/2008 3:12:28 PM)
Comment: did you really just mention the bears as a championship contender? forte as starting rb? #1 is going to be hester? not to mention garcia doesnt have the arm strength for that city. ya the D is good but i think the 9ers are a more rounded team than the bears by a long one

Posted By: moneyg (06/08/2008 1:50:48 PM)
Comment: Has anyone been able to verify anything about Plummer being signed? Or is this just a rumor? I can't find anything about it anywhere.

Posted By: Rob in Sac (06/08/2008 1:39:04 PM)
Comment: Steve.....go away. No one here is concerned about journalistic integrity. We want Niner news. Go back to Community College.

Posted By: AxlRose4QB (06/08/2008 1:34:40 PM)
Comment: What an unfortunately rude and ignorant comment, Steve. This is the off season, don't know what you exactly expect. M.M. just had that excellent interview with J.J., and Mike Nolan has even cut back on the press coverage at T.C.

Posted By: Steve (06/08/2008 1:20:18 PM)
Comment: What happen to the reporting you use to do? You use to provide honest insightful info, now it seems you're the e-channel of the 49ers. Sad, but true. Like so many "journalists" you've forgone your very respectable position in society and instead succumb to "NY Post" reporting.

Posted By: jimmiddlebrook (06/08/2008 1:08:00 PM)
Comment: Yeah it's nice to see Plummer sign but still.. he's coming out of retirement and has to get back in playing shape. I just hope the first DE to get around Jennings doesnt pound Plummer back into retirement.

Posted By: VuduBox (06/08/2008 1:05:55 PM)
Comment: SWEEEEEEEEEEEET PLUMMER JUST SIGNED!!! FINALLY A RESPECTABLE QB.. FINALLY!!!!!!!

Posted By: littleken (06/08/2008 11:21:11 AM)
Comment: This is one of the few things I really disagree with Matt. Garcia has been running a west coast offense ever since he has been in the NFL (okay, I have no idea what kind of offense he ran in Canada and in college). How can anyone believe Garcia can learn a new complex offensive system quickly at this moment (missing 2 weeks of training camp) at the age of 38. How many years does he have left? Which QB is the Niners going to give up if we get Garcia. Nolan wouldn't give up Hill, and it makes no sense to give up on the Sullivan, who knows the system the best at the moment.

Posted By: RealFan49 (06/08/2008 11:00:14 AM)
Comment: Best comment was first one. Worth discussing tho. I'm betting McNolan will.

Posted By: LambdaChi49 (06/08/2008 10:57:50 AM)
Comment: I really hope not. I love Garcia but this would have made more sense in 2005 or 2006 when Smith needed a real mentor. We need to just concentrate on a guy we have now and develop him and give him all the reps. Garcia is a short term solution to a very long term issue/problem. Pointless. Is this is even real? Is this from a "49er insider" or just an "idea?"

Posted By: dcsham (06/08/2008 10:40:05 AM)
Comment: Any sourcing on this or just speculation?

Posted By: zack (06/08/2008 9:57:19 AM)
Comment: Dennis, were you talking about Jeff or Brett when you said he liked to make it up as he goes. That is exactly how everyone describes Brett Favre. He is also the most over-rated QB of all time. He should retire again and leave the game the way he has played it his entire career, taking chances and hoping he gets lucky(he didn't get lucky costing his team a shot at the Superbowl).

Posted By: antoiniovargas (06/08/2008 9:46:14 AM)
Comment: Sporting News is reporting that Jake Plummer is returning and signing with the 49ers with a chance to compete for the top spot.

Posted By: Jed (06/08/2008 9:40:36 AM)
Comment: How many Jeff fans also booed him off the field in a pitiful 13-12 home loss (yes, no TDs for SF) to the lowly Browns in 2003. Loved him with TO in 2000-02. With Bruce in 2008? Looks like McNair and Mason: 5-11 last year. "The story is ludicrous." Let's calm our QB anxiety until we see a couple of preseaons games.

Posted By: Holland (06/08/2008 9:40:13 AM)
Comment: I would rather pass on Garcia since he would not be the future of the franchise and just be a pointless stopgap for a year or two. Personally I want to see Smith get the ball and if he does great than great and if he sucks than next year's draft we go after a QB or see if we can pluck one off a team that's loaded (i.e. San Diego when they had Rivers and Brees). We're are not one player away from a Super Bowl ring so added guys with 2 years left in the tank is pointless.

Posted By: Dennis (06/08/2008 9:34:41 AM)
Comment: Favre a much better fit than Garcia. Smith could really use a whole year studying under one of the best ever. Favre would thrive in Martz's system and probably take it to new heights with his arm. Our offensive line is designed to protect a pocket passer rather than a scrambler. It would cost us the bank but a year of Favre would get a real fire lighted under the 49ers again. I don't see it happening but I would be very happy if it did.

Posted By: Dennis (06/08/2008 9:25:14 AM)
Comment: No way Jose! Not a chance Garcia comes here. Nolan's legacy in SF is going to be made with the guys he has here now. Not only would Garcia have to try and do a quick study on Martz's system but our offensive line would have to learn how to protect a guy that is too short to be a pocket passer. Plus, Martz doesn't want a guy that makes it up as he goes, his plays are designed on timing and execution. With Garcia half your passes are scrambles with receivers looking for open spots. This has no chance of happening at this late date.

Posted By: http:// (06/08/2008 9:24:41 AM)
Comment: jimpooba- last I heard the Packers would be looking for a first round draft choice and then some as compensation, not sure Favre is worth that much at his age.

Posted By: jimpooba (06/08/2008 9:15:32 AM)
Comment: Matt please ask McNolan if there is any interest in Favre, and if the answer is no - why not?

Posted By: Ahab (06/08/2008 9:09:01 AM)
Comment: Matt, the fish are all swimming around at the top of the tank, waiting to be fed.....

Posted By: ninermaniac (06/08/2008 9:08:41 AM)
Comment: If Garcia get traded or cut i dont think hes going to a team as a backup, so he probably will go to the Vikings or the Bears.

Posted By: 70249erFAN (06/08/2008 9:05:18 AM)
Comment: Bring back GARLIC BOY! he's been well proven.

Posted By: Jake (06/08/2008 9:04:56 AM)
Comment: BRING JEFF BACK! Thanks for making the point that I wrote in your blog a few days ago Matt. Garcia would be PERFECT for this team. Forget Favre, the guy is a TURNOVER MACHINE. Garcia could take this team to the playoffs and win the WEST easily, if they signed him, the 49ers would instantly be the favorite to win the west.

Posted By: StevenG in Tampa (06/08/2008 9:01:52 AM)
Comment: The 49ers/Raiders game will be on the NFL Network 3 times: Sun, Aug 10: 1am EST Tues, Aug 12: 12am EST Thurs, Aug 14: 1pm EST Matt, with all the talk of Martz's system needing 7 or 8 days to get a grasp on, what do you think the chances of trading for a new starter really are? I could see maybe landing Griese or Simms as a backup to Smith/Hill...

Posted By: Anthony (06/08/2008 8:59:23 AM)
Comment: Think about it the last time the Niners were in the playoffs was with Garcia. Do what you got to do and do it with passion. If you have to bring back a OLD SCHOOL MAN so be it. GO NINERS!

Posted By: Canadian Niner (06/08/2008 8:53:09 AM)
Comment: Hey Matt the 49ers / Raiders game can also be seen on NFL network. I believe they will broadcast it twice. Once at 1am EST on Sunday (late Saturday) and once at 12am EST on Monday (late Sunday night) Keep up the excellent work!!

Posted By: TD-X (06/08/2008 8:48:42 AM)
Comment: Whoa there "whocares'. Desperation never facilitates clear thing. Favre would have to learn Martz' offense. Not an insurmountable task but chances are good that he would drive Martz crazy with his lack of discipline and record setting INT stats. I doubt Favre wants to learn a new offense in the twilight of his career. Moreover, he's not what he once was so let's all just back away.

Posted By: samr (06/08/2008 8:46:11 AM)
Comment: No, Garcia won't be coming to SF. He's going to GB to back up Rodgers. You heard it first here.

Posted By: TD-X (06/08/2008 8:36:20 AM)
Comment: Holy F-bomb Raider Hater, it's kind of embarrassing that you are a 9erfan.

Posted By: whocares (06/08/2008 8:36:15 AM)
Comment: For McNolan not to make a play for Favre just shows you how arrogant and incompetent this regime is. Our 3 options for starting QB may be the worst in the league. I think if Martz got on the phone and called Favre, Brett would pop some wood thinking about chucking it around in Mikey's offense. But what does this all matter, we will go 6-10 this year and thankfully this Nolan era will be over.

Posted By: Giovanni Carmazzi (06/08/2008 8:35:48 AM)
Comment: They should tighten whatever is loose.

Posted By: Eric from Folsom (06/08/2008 8:35:03 AM)
Comment: Matt, the TV schedule doesn't make sense. Since the Niners are the "road" team, should CBS-5 show it live while the Raiders telecast is on tape delay. If the Niners played at Arizona and the cards couldn't sellout the place, why would viewers in NorCal get screwed from watching the game on Sunday Afternoon. I thought that's how the NFL TV Blackout rule worked!?!?!?

Posted By: DaveInDavis (06/08/2008 8:34:20 AM)
Comment: Matt, you make the argument here http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=2233179 that Farve wouldn't be a good fit for the Niners because in part he was brought up under the WCO system. But you think Garcia, another WCO QB, would fit? I don't see it happening under the McNolan regime.

Posted By: eg9r (06/08/2008 8:31:04 AM)
Comment: Houston9er and mikenolan, I think thats funny and since they are not not going to win a super bowl anytime soon we might as well lighten up and make the best of it.

Posted By: Berger (06/08/2008 8:21:01 AM)
Comment: I agree with Nevyn and will give another reason Garcia can't run the Martz system. Martz wants his QBs to anticipate a spot and time where a receiver will be. Garcia's biggest problem was holding the ball too long, waiting for receivers to come open. But he got away with it because with his athleticism, he could run around and, buy time, and create plays. That just won't work in Martz's system. Alex does the same thing but he is only 23, and 23 year old QBs do that, so he can probably learn to anticipate much better in a short time. Garcia is 38 and is only 6' tall. That makes it hard to see over his linemen in the first place. I loved having Garcia on our team and thought he was released too soon, but it would be a huge mistake to bring him back now. I'm thinking Matt had a wild idea and just wanted throw it on the blog to see what responses would ensue. He's probably entertaining himself by reading our answers. I can't imagine Matt, or the 49ers, would think this is a good idea.

Posted By: Giovanni Carmazzi (06/08/2008 8:18:34 AM)
Comment: The 49ers basically have three quarterbacks who wouldn't start for any other team in the division.

Posted By: oneniner (06/08/2008 8:12:30 AM)
Comment: Houston 9er - dont quit your day job, stay far far away from comedy...not just 4 yu.....

Posted By: Darth (06/08/2008 8:10:37 AM)
Comment: Matt I love this blog but was special team practice that boring. LOL

Posted By: Andrew (06/08/2008 8:09:24 AM)
Comment: Lodi - the blessing about "not so good players" is that they can surprise you. Take for example Jake Delhomme, Kurt Warner, Tony Romo and yes, even Tom Brady. Do you think anyone expected anything from an ex-arena league bag boy? Or an NFL Europe QB? Or a small school QB? Or even a 6th round QB that had to take over for an injured starter? Injuries took away any hope for the QB spot last year. Now we have two QBs who, when they were healthy last year, managed a 4-1 record. We also have an untested, but versed in the Martz offense QB, who brings a fire to the offense. I don't particularly see us as "stuck" with these guys. They are who we have at QB. Let 'em play, and we'll see what we have.

Posted By: john (06/08/2008 8:04:41 AM)
Comment: Alright, what did you do with the real Matt M!!???!!

Posted By: LodiGrapePicker (06/08/2008 7:56:49 AM)
Comment: Garcia will never return as a Niner while Nolan is around. We are stuck with a choice among 3 not so good players.

Posted By: Houston 9er (06/08/2008 7:55:21 AM)
Comment: Very nice Nolan impression. The only thing that would have made it better would be to start a sentence, never finish it, and move on to a new thought. Something like.. "From the standpoint of free agents, youll have to ask Scot. From our standpoint as a football team..... I think that movie really helped us come together as a team...."

Posted By: Nevyn (06/08/2008 7:52:50 AM)
Comment: Matt, it seems like a cute idea, but i really don't know how viable it would be. As you yourself pointed out, Jeff Garcia has never played this system. It also doesn't seem like the demands of this system suit Garcia's strengths particularly well. What's more, even if we got him and started him and he saved Nolan's job, what then? We'd have a 38 year old starter, we'd be dumping Alex, and we'd probably have to draft a new guy to learn behind Garcia, and the whole cycle would start over? From an owner's/Gms perspective its better to let Nolan sink or swim with the chuckleheads he brought to camp for his make or break year, as if they succeed we have a longer term answer, and if they fail, then the next coach can pick a QB to fit his system.

Posted By: kendall (06/08/2008 7:52:27 AM)
Comment: Wait. Haven't you been writing about how hard it is to learn the Martz system? It takes Smith and Hill all offseason but Garcia can pick it up in a couple of weeks?

Posted By: Mike Nolan (06/08/2008 7:49:22 AM)
Comment: Jeff Garcia is a great player. He's a gamer. From that standpoint he's great. From the standpoint of free agent acquisitions you'll have to ask Scot. From our standpoint as a football team, I'm confident we have three guys we can win with. All three are capable of winning football games in that aspect. From the standpoint of that aspect, that's great.

Posted By: matt (06/08/2008 7:46:45 AM)
Comment: So far Alex hasnt been booed at practice(that I've heard or seen) but Aaron has, so mark one for Alex!

Posted By: Andrew (06/08/2008 7:36:04 AM)
Comment: We all know that the Alex Smith/Aaron Rodgers comparisons are going to go on all season. If Alex is our starter, then it will be a week-by-week comparison of who is doing what. If Alex isn't our QB, then it will be how he was the #1 pick/bust and Aaron is the better QB - unless, of course, if Aaron fails miserably.

Posted By: matt (06/08/2008 7:13:59 AM)
Comment: Carmazzi--i guess your football knowledge was as good as your playing ability. Who says that JT is "winning" the competition? He may give the niners, right now on August 6th, the best chance to win, but that does not mean that he's winning the competition nor does it mean that he will give them the best chance to win on September 7th. The only reason he looks the best, right now, is because he has a full season in this system whereas Smith and Hill are very new to it. Give them time and they will eclipse JT. Smith is the best qb for this team, even more so than Garcia, and he will show it. Come late August things will look a lot differently.

Posted By: Kelseyville9er (06/08/2008 7:12:30 AM)
Comment: Please bring back Garcia...never should have let him go. That #1 pick in '05 could have then been a number of different things (Smith, Edwards, late rd. QB). Garcia always conducted himself nicely. I'd take him for 2 years and groom an understudy (Smith could become trade-bait). Package Smith for, I don't know, a stud OL, maybe a DE + a project QB. Now...if we would drafted (say Brennan) a late round QB, he'd have about 2 years to learn the Martz system and watch Garcia. Hopefully they lure Garcia back....

Posted By: Houston 9er (06/08/2008 7:08:29 AM)
Comment: I feel bad for even acknowledging your existence Oneniner. I was being sarcastic. Read the words - since we're making wild conjectures, along with the idea of throwing in a glass of water with the trade. I get the feeling you don't have a strong grasp of the English language.

Posted By: Giovanni Carmazzi (06/08/2008 7:01:44 AM)
Comment: The fact that JT is winning the competition is just embarrassing for both Hill and Smith.

Posted By: oneniner (06/08/2008 6:50:23 AM)
Comment: Houston 9er - Dude you have posted some really dumb comments before (am sure you think i hav also)...but i have to say you have won the award for the dumbest post of the year. Cmon dude, is it the cigs or the coffee you are missing this morning?....you can't really have that thought in your brain....REALLY!!!

Posted By: Andrew (06/08/2008 6:43:05 AM)
Comment: The Vikings make sense for Garcia. The Vikes have a strong Oline, excellent running game, and a stout defense. It all wouldn't be on Garcia's shoulders. Even the Bears make sense for the same reasons (with an unknown, but potentially good running game). But the 49ers don't make any sense to me as a landing place for Garcia. He is not a Martz type QB and, therefore, not the answer to what the 49ers need to win. Play the guys we've got on the roster now.

Posted By: playoffdrought (06/08/2008 6:36:54 AM)
Comment: If Nolan is interested in Garcia, he would be a fool not to be interested in Favre first.

Posted By: BIg M (06/08/2008 6:26:12 AM)
Comment: Well, Matt, like everyone else, I'd say this is a huge stretch. However, I hadn't thought about the subject before, and if Garcia does get released, it would be very interesting to see if the Vikes go after him. Sure, everyone is putting MIN in the SB if Favre goes there, but maybe they have jusut as good of a chance with Garcia.

Posted By: King Arthur (06/08/2008 6:22:04 AM)
Comment: Nay, Lord Matthew. Forsooth methinks thou hast lost thy wits!

Posted By: Houston 9er (06/08/2008 6:13:31 AM)
Comment: I have to agree with all the posters here. Garcia is a HUGE stretch. Garcia is strictly a WCO guy. He wouldn't fit in Martz's system. Since we're making wild conjectures why don't we trade Isaac Butthead Bruce, Alex Slow Release Smith, and a glass of water to Arizona for Kurt Warner. He's another over the hill qb but at least he's knows the Martz offense.

Posted By: oneniner (06/08/2008 5:54:10 AM)
Comment: i think John Mccain has a better shot at our QB position.....I just don't see them bringing him in....maybe if we go 0-5...nah, he just not does not fit...I can't see it happening.

Posted By: TarHeelNiner (06/08/2008 4:31:36 AM)
Comment: Absolutely love this blog but this is the biggest stretch I have ever seen. Come on Matt, really! In what Bizarro Universe does this remotely make sense?

Posted By: Dean (06/08/2008 4:07:56 AM)
Comment: Matt, if you are going to go out on a limb, why not just write that Nolan, in a last ditch effort to win would be interested in bringing Favre to SF?

Posted By: crapfactory (06/08/2008 12:48:52 AM)
Comment: That is a horrifying idea. I hate the Favre story already, and I didn't think it could affect the niners who are already fragile, but now it has. I think it's late in the year and training camp to pick up Garcia, he doesn't have the long ball that you need with martz, It would set the niners back years with finding consistent play from the QB b/c Garcia won't play till he's 41 and I don't want him at 38. Alex Smith would be a milder version of Aaron Rodgers situation in Green Bay, the odd man out. No thanks, keine dank, no gracias, no Garcia!

Posted By: Dan (06/08/2008 12:31:23 AM)
Comment: I guess they could be interested if an injury occurs or if there is a major falling out, but barring those two circumstances, I don't see it happening. While there aren't as many differences between the WC and Coryell digit system as there used to be, the verbage and size of Martz's playbook still make some big hurdles for a life-long WC QB to overcome. Especially for one who hasn't been around during an off-season or training camp. It's an interesting thought, however unlikely.

Posted By: blackout (06/08/2008 12:06:02 AM)
Comment: Man who cares about garcia,aint gonna happen, i care more about the dang blackout!

Posted By: Neener (05/08/2008 11:53:25 PM)
Comment: Are you serious??? Garcia? I am going to have to mull that one over. His natural instincts as a QB are exceptional, but I distictly remember him hopping up and down to see downfield. (season tix in end zone) here's to happy feet... (almost FIRST, and not bad for a chick)

Posted By: Hamburg Niner (05/08/2008 11:46:05 PM)
Comment: Would it be for Garcia more difficult to learn the Martz-System? He played years in a WC-offense and now to go vertical? To go to Garcia would be a blow to the head to Smith and Hill. So, if Garcia would come. Smith has to be waived, and the next draft would give as a new QB. A new rebuilding time will begin. (Sorry for any bad english.)

Posted By: mrbig4949 (05/08/2008 11:43:14 PM)
Comment: FIRST of all, I don't think Garcia would be a great fit in this system. We need to move on with the players that we have. If we still happen to suck, than we need to cut our losses (mainly SMITH) and look to draft a QB next year.