As an update to the story below... the NFL Network is reporting that special teams MVP Quintin Mikell has signed a new 4 year deal to remain with the Eagles. Thanks to reader Andrew for the links.
Eagles Website
Eagles sign Mikell to four-year deal(Inky)
As for Jeff Garcia... well, as we all learned yesterday he won't be back. The problem is, he can't figure out why!
Garcia said he had been wondering when the Birds would sit down with Baker and talk money. The news that they weren't going to do so "hit me like a ton of bricks," Garcia told the Daily News, the quarterback speaking the day after the team announced a 3-year contract extension with Feeley that precludes bringing back Garcia.
He also said "I thought we at least would have an opportunity to sit down and talk numbers." Well Jeff, you do know that your agent asked for a 5 day grace period after free agency started to look for another team? Garcia and Baker also admitted that the Eagles asked them to present a contract they felt was fair, but the two didn't think it was a good idea.
Pro Football Talk had an interesting take on the situation.
The Eagles understand this. Every franchise does. So if Baker had another team ready to pay X to Garcia, then Baker could have used that wink-nod offer as the basis for requesting Y from the Eagles. Baker never would have said that another team had put X on the table, but a team like the Eagles -- which has as much business savvy as any in the NFL -- would know that Baker's number is based on Baker's homework as to what a hypothetical quarterback of Garcia's age, abilities, and experience might be able to get from one or more hypothetical teams.
The reality? Either Baker bungled the pre-free agency process, or no one is interested in Garcia.
They also have Garcia quoted on the 5 day grace period as "something I personally didn't ask for."