Garcia The Firestarter

The goals of Al Davis signing Jeff Garcia to a contract are two fold:

#1: Sign a veteran QB to act as a capable backup and insurance policy in case JaMarcus Russell gets injured.

#2: Allow Garcia's competitiveness to light a fire under Russell's ass and push him to greater heights.

The season hasn't started and in my humble opinion, both goals have been realized. For starters, Garcia is a much more accomplished and established backup than Andrew Walter or Tui could ever hope to be. But more importantly, the signing and presence of Garcia has been a huge boost and instigator to get Russell to take the next steps in his career progression. I hope Russell feels threatened by Garcia. I hope Russell senses Garica breathing down his neck.

There has clearly been an added dimension and focus to how Russell has reacted this offseason. Players on the offensive unit have remarked to the media about Russell's improved command of the huddle in OTAs. Russell took it upon himself to organize and pay for WRs to join him in Alabama to work on their timing and build a rapport. Russell has even been confident enough about his offseason conditioning that he has made a friendly wager with his head coach about coming into camp at a designated weight.

Although Russell is only 23 years old, he isn't naive. He is aware of the statements Garcia has made to the press about being the guy who gives the Raiders the best chance to win. I love it. Russell is a prideful, confident, talented QB. The signing of Garcia gave him that little extra juice to start doing all of the extra things required of a franchise QB.