The Minnesota Vikings Are Not Trading for Jeff Garcia, So Everybody Just Stop It Already

by Gonzo on Sep 15, 2008 5:59 PM CDT in Vikings Comment 39 comments

Today on ProFootballTalk.com, the folks over there floated the suggestion that the Minnesota Vikings should make an effort to acquire QB Jeff Garcia from Tampa Bay in an effort to shore up their quarterback situation.

Please.

It's not that I don't think that Jeff Garcia is a good football player. He clearly showed last season that he still has some juice left in the tank. It's the fact that pretty much all mid-season trade rumors in the NFL strike me as a bit absurd, particularly those that involve players at the quarterback position. After all, this isn't like baseball where things don't particularly change a great deal from one location to the next. An illustration:

A Major League Baseball player that's been traded meets his new manager for the first time.

Baseball player: Hey, skip, I'm happy to be here and I'm willing to do whatever you ask to help this team win!

Manager: Well. . .what we want you to do is take one of those bats over there. . .go and stand in that batter's box. . .and hit the ball.

Baseball player: Pretty much like I did for my old team?

Manager: Yep, you've got it! Go get 'em, slugger!

Now. . .to contrast. . .

An NFL quarterback acquired by his new team prior to Week 3 goes to meet his coach for the first time.

Quarterback: Hey, coach, I'm happy to be here and I'm willing to do whatever you ask to help this team win!

Coach: Good!

Coach proceeds to produce an 800-page playbook and tosses it on to his desk.

Coach: Learn this. Be ready by Sunday.

Quarterback proceeds to soil himself.

Coach: And get yourself a fresh change of underwear. Why are you still sitting here, anyway? Shouldn't you be learning the playbook?

Yes, I realize that Brad Childress' playbook probably isn't 800 pages long and, in fact, could probably be contained within a Trapper Keeper. I was talking about normal NFL teams there.

But if the Vikings were to acquire Jeff Garcia, by the time he'd really, REALLY be ready to make a significant contribution to the team, it might already be too late. He'd have to learn the playbook, learn the terminology, develop timing with his receivers, and all of that stuff. That's why teams have training camp. . .they work out all of that sort of stuff there before the season rather than trying to do it during the course of the year.

The other reason that it would be absurd for the Vikings to try to acquire Jeff Garcia is. . .and bear with me here. . .that with the way the offense is currently being called and run, it doesn't make a damn bit of difference WHO is taking the snaps. It could be Jeff Garcia, it could be Tarvaris Jackson or Gus Frerotte or anybody else. . .as long as the offensive philosophy and the way the plays are called aren't changed, nothing is going to change with the offense, either.

I'm not sure why PFT is starting the "Jeff Garcia to Minnesota" rumors, but as of right now, I think they have all the validity and legitimacy of a tampering charge filed by Ted Thompson. . .and we KNOW how truthful and honest those are.

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I don't understand the rumors either

But regarding the second illustration:

Childress’ playbook in a Trapper Keeper? Come on, don’t blow thing out of proportion. I’m sure it could fit on a little metal ring of 3×5 index cards.

Twins Fix
http://www.twinsfix.com

by Andersklasen on Sep 15, 2008 6:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Remember the Cracker Jack prizes?

….the ones with the little book in them? LOL I guess we now know what was in them, hey Childress?

by stilpony on Sep 15, 2008 7:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Introduction

I am a Panther fan and would just like to introduce myself. I will be causing havoc here for the next week leading up to Sunday’s game… j/k. But seriously, I would like to know how you all feel about going up against the Panthers this week? A team that is 2-0, by beating 2 of the NFLs best defenses, without its best player… who is well rested and now returning. We feel real confident here in Carolina… which, to be honest, could work in your favor. The Panthers are great choke artists when they are favored. And I am sure the Vikings will be fired up for a win… I am a little worried.

Jack Sutherland
SouthTunnel Web Development
http://www.southtunnel.com

by southtunnel on Sep 15, 2008 8:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Plain and simple...

We’ll lose but the good news is chilly talked about evaluating the QB position!!! YA! lol lets bring garcia in! lol what do we got to lose? another game =P

by Macdaddy4508 on Sep 16, 2008 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

tj

y’all got a good team, you just got to figure out how to use TJack. Vick wasn’t a great passer, yet gave us fits over the years.

Jack Sutherland
SouthTunnel Web Development
http://www.southtunnel.com

by southtunnel on Sep 16, 2008 9:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

plays for the Play Book

a few suggestions
1. put chester taylor and AP on the field at the same time.
A. Fake hand-off to AP, delay, then hand off to Taylor
B. play with 2 TE for pass protection, have both running backs move out as short range reciever targets. somebody’s going to be open
2. Play Action pass every time we don’t run the ball!!!!
3. T-Jack must option at least 5 times per game!
4. run AP wide right and wide left

there I just doubled the Vikings offensive play book

Will the Real Thor Please Stand Up ... ?

by the Real Thor on Sep 15, 2008 8:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I like it

But you see, Clueless knows. He knows that’s what the other team is looking for. So he’s going to do just the opposite. AP up the middle and Berrian deep with no play action. HAHAHA! Fooled them…

In AP I trust

by FarvaForTheVikings on Sep 16, 2008 10:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bootleg

How about let T-jack run it on a bootleg? He has wheels. If he gets hurt, we put in Frerotte

by keomr on Sep 15, 2008 8:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

100% and 50/50

We all think the coach sucks.

Half think TJ sucks, the other half thinks anyone who’s supposed to catch the ball sucks.

The Vikes offense will wake-up this week, and the defense will finally be able to make plays when they count.

But I’m a Homer until the end. . . .

by JasonAve6413 on Sep 15, 2008 11:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

So What You're Saying...

Is that Carolina fans can relate to the Vikings fans, who seem to have a history of winning big games, and then faltering against an inferior opponent?

That’s not the case this year. The Vikings will lose to superior and inferior teams all season with their offensive philosophy. By offensive I mean, “OFFENSIVE!” as in it stinks to high heaven.

The Minnesota Vikings - Undefeated in the Playoffs at Lambeau Field!

by BaldViking on Sep 16, 2008 6:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree but ...

While our offence is (at the moment) inept, we will win some games against upper tier opponents, and some against (if not all) against sub par opponents. we win win these games because our defence is taht good. thats right, our D will keep us in games giving our O every opportunity to win it (sooner or later, if we get enough chances, we will put the ball in the End Zone). and some times just lake the last 2 yrs, it will down right win games for us.

That doesn’t mean I am letting the Chiller off teh hook. we need to open up the play book (and stop calling only those plays we can remember off the top of his head) and get creative. if we can pass the ball then there is no reason AP can’t avg 200 per game!

Will the Real Thor Please Stand Up ... ?

by the Real Thor on Sep 16, 2008 7:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not that difficult

how bout that Eagles offense?….

rookie and backups at WR, but somehow, they can still move the ball against a good Dallas defense…..I watch every other team in the league, with the exception of KC, and they all can move the ball…..friggin San Francisco can even move the ball….

I like another posters idea…..open the playbook up for Jackson, and let him play…give him the chance to fail or succeed, but stop playing safe to win…

I’d rather see a 25 yard INT than a 3 and out and punt

by Hilton Head viking on Sep 16, 2008 8:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If we are not getting Jeff Garcia, how about Jeff George???

LMAO, I know at least ONE person out there is thinking it!!

VikeGuru is a doofus!!

by Unclebillybonz on Sep 16, 2008 8:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Trade

OK,
I understand trading for Garcia won’t help. How about this………….trade for Jack Del Rio?

by StAlphonzo on Sep 16, 2008 11:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

hell

trading for jack in the box would be an upgrade

by vikeincheeseland on Sep 16, 2008 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Trade for Shanahan!!!

Because he’s the man.

And yes, I’m basing that off of one game.

But then again, anybody’s better than Clueless, so maybe it’s not too bad of a proposal. I mean, the man won a Super Bowl.

In AP I trust

by FarvaForTheVikings on Sep 16, 2008 10:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe southtunnel could slip a note to Steve Smith that Chili said he is an over rated thug and a punk and then Smith would take him out for us? Oh wait…..that won’t work, he only beats up members of HIS team. :)

The only thing I can give and still keep is my word.

by Rooster7 on Sep 16, 2008 12:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Smitty

Steve Smith was immortalized around here. He cleaned up his act after slugging a teammate in ’02, has been doing charity work, taking under privileged kids to theme parks… not to mention carrying the Panthers on his shoulders. Everyone loved him. He was the example of a changed man. And then he goes a sucker punches Lucas???? What?!! Are you kidding me?

We are lucky the team has taken pretty well.

Jack Sutherland
SouthTunnel Web Development
http://www.southtunnel.com

by southtunnel on Sep 16, 2008 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

im a vikings and a panthers fan

i love steve smith, but sometimes he is crazy but its ok as long as he scores some TDs

"It felt good to be out there, I wasn't nervous anymore, and I felt like I belonged out there." -David Price after his ML debut.

by RaysOfHope on Sep 16, 2008 9:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

so who are you pulling for on Sun?

We are excited to get him back, he is all over the field, giving 110% on every play.

Jack Sutherland
SouthTunnel Web Development
http://www.southtunnel.com

by southtunnel on Sep 16, 2008 9:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yo Gonzo Come On Back

You think Tjack knows the playbook? Ur kidding me if u do. He knows three plays hand of to 28 – roll right a chuck and duck and rol right and run till they hurt U (which he doesn’t run enough!)

Brad is Bad

by Village Viking on Sep 16, 2008 2:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

TJack only know three plays

Because in Clueless’ playbook there are only three plays.

In AP I trust

by FarvaForTheVikings on Sep 16, 2008 10:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

10 in the box

Panthers held LT under 100 yards, and are looking tough against the run. Since Jackson is having trouble passing, you might see the Panthers stack 8, 9, maybe 10 in the box. Their secondary has played great, so they will probably be blitzing safeties too. Think Peterson can run on that? How does Jackson handle QB pressure??

Jack Sutherland
SouthTunnel Web Development
http://www.southtunnel.com

by southtunnel on Sep 16, 2008 2:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

yea thats LT!

He had 26 against the broncos! AP is gonna dominate like usual cuz he’s not LT hes AP!!! and pray he doesn’t take em to the house cuz thats how we’ll win…

by Macdaddy4508 on Sep 16, 2008 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Chris Harris Factor

You know we got the NFLs leader in forced fumbles right? He led last year, and already is leading this year. He knocked Steven Jackson silly last year in game 1, and he hasn’t been the same since. He stripped Antonio Gates a week ago, who previously had 0 fumbles since his rookie year. If he gets a lickin on AP, he might be missing from the highlight real for awhile. AP is a great running back, but he’s not a bruiser. He might not be able to handle a defense this physical.

Jack Sutherland
SouthTunnel Web Development
http://www.southtunnel.com

by southtunnel on Sep 16, 2008 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

SERIOUSLY?!?!

NOT just cuz im a vikings fan but because of pure stats, A.P will be able to handle your defense! You want stats lol The single game rushing record was set by ap, offensive rookie of the year, in the past two games he’s on track for 2,152 yards! And imagine this southtunnel, say there was a game that collected the best of the best in the nfl and they all played eachother, call it the pro bowl, and say one player is MVP of that game…. need i say more. A.P is the total factor, and the deciding factor why we will win sunday =) =) sorry bro bro

by Macdaddy4508 on Sep 16, 2008 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hear ya

Aight Macdaddy. Im with ya thus far… maybe AP is all that… maybe he rips off a few. But John Fox likes to run the ball and kill the clock. And we got not one, but two dynamic backs… Deangello Williams and soon to be rookie of the year, the real bruiser, Jonathan Stewart. They will be chewing up time off the clock, which means AP might not have much time on the field. And if he does, then it is a points game. The Panthers have averaged 23 points per game, without Steve Smith! Smitty is the WR version of AP… except he has experience He is good for atleast 1.5 TDs…. bringing the total up to about 33 points. You guys are only averaging 17!

Jack Sutherland
SouthTunnel Web Development
http://www.southtunnel.com

by southtunnel on Sep 16, 2008 10:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eleven in a Box

Welcome to Minnesota.

Here is today’s Sunday forecast for Minnesota Nice: The Sioux sent Custer back east in a box, and it would be alright with me if the Vikes send the all of the Panthers back that way too. Heck, I’ll even chip in for FedEx.

Tell that high-class Steve Smith to keep sucker punching his own team; it will save us money on air fare.

Don’t come expecting a picnic here.

by Elgar on Sep 16, 2008 2:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Sucker Punch

After sitting out 2 games, Steve is fired up to play. You will have your hands full.

Jack Sutherland
SouthTunnel Web Development
http://www.southtunnel.com

by southtunnel on Sep 17, 2008 5:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Steve Smith

Southtunnel, I’m not saying there is no chance Smith will have a good game after seeing what he has done a few times in his carrer but I can guarantee you one thing. Frazier is not stupid enough to let just one guy cover him for 3 1/2 quarters like the last time he lit up the Vikes. I still wonder if they chose to leave Smoot on that island because they were sick of his mouth and wanted him to just shut up.

The only thing I can give and still keep is my word.

by Rooster7 on Sep 17, 2008 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

'05

That year everyone learned that all you had to do was double or triple Steve Smith, and you could shut down our offense. Nobody else could make plays. ‘08 is different. They showed the 1st 2 games they can win without him. They upgraded their receivers. You can’t double Smith now without leaving DJ Hackett or Muhammad open, or without weak protection against the run. And Jonathan Stewart and Deangello Williams have already shown they can run the ball on tough defenses… even without Smitty. So now what?

Jack Sutherland
SouthTunnel Web Development
http://www.southtunnel.com

by southtunnel on Sep 17, 2008 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm Sorry

But Come on Guys, You Mean to Tell me you would rather have Tavaris Jackson @ Starting Quarterback on this team than Jeff Garcia with half the playbook? Come on……

Heres the One way to end the Horrible Play at QB……Bring Back Daunte…..BRING BACK Daunte…..Would be interesting to see how he would perform under Chillys Offense, He was Good In under Tices Offense untill He had his Knee Misshap, I Think with AP, Berrian Rice and all the Talent on this team, BRING BACK CULPEPPER!

by Tony_O on Sep 16, 2008 4:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

and Fire Childress

Scratch that statement it would be interesting to see how he would be under Chillys Offense because i want his ass gone as well.

I Think Marty Schottenheimer would be a Perfect Coach for this Squad.

by Tony_O on Sep 16, 2008 4:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wont happen this year

It just doesn’t happen… a team with this much potential will not lose its HC during the season. If anything happens they make changes at QB but Chilly is here til the offseason. Find something new to talk about.

by Macdaddy4508 on Sep 16, 2008 8:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

anyone think that john david booty would be better for this offense?

im starting to think he might be our starter next year

"It felt good to be out there, I wasn't nervous anymore, and I felt like I belonged out there." -David Price after his ML debut.

by RaysOfHope on Sep 16, 2008 9:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I am against bringing in a new quarterback. Or even starting Gus.

I’ve stated it again and again. But don’t take that as backing Tjack to a fault. We’ve started the year, I don’t think it would be a good idea to trade for a QB. I think using ones that have been on the squad in this (sucky) offense should be the starter. But if Gus is the best option, I say we stick with Tjack and change the gameplan.

BUT!… After this year, seeing how he’s played, I am NOT against picking up a GOOD quarterback or drafting one, although no project players, I don’t think the fans could take another Tjack.

In AP I trust

by FarvaForTheVikings on Sep 16, 2008 10:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

In Some Other Parallel Universe, but Not Here

Sorry, I just cannot picture Jeff Garcia telling his wife Carmella that it would be better to drag their infant child away from home games in Tampa to spend more time in the frozen tundra of Minnesota this December.

“Jeff, isn’t that the place where the bridge fell down?”
“Yes, dear, but I really wanna go there. It’ll remind me of my days at Calgary and the CFL. They are winless up there, Chilly is a great coach, and those fans will want to tear me limb from limb when Shiancoe drops the ball. Let’s pack up and go now.”

Changing QB’s in the middle of a season and expecting some messiah will take you to the Super Bowl is a pipe dream. It’s more believable that Ted Thompson has an assassin ready to shoot any good QB who attempts to come here.

by Elgar on Sep 17, 2008 12:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

not that Garcia is the answer....

but we really don’t need a messiah…..we just need somebody who can either

1. not throw the ball at the feet of the recievers or
2. not throw the ball to the equipment manager on the sideline

Jackson wont ever succeed for two reasons;

A. Noodles and Bevell won’t open the play book up enough for him to have a chance to succeed
B. Even if the play calling was expanded, he lacks the accuracy to succeed in any form of a WCO

We don’t need an athlete at QB to win games…we need a passer….Jackson ain’t one, and never was, and never will be…..

by Hilton Head viking on Sep 17, 2008 6:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It may be to late for Garcia

The alternative of starting TJ or GF wont matter. Vikes will end the season 7-9 and have a worn out beat up back AP. How long can this guy run against 8,9,10 in the box and stay healthy.
Bring in Garcia give him to week 6 to learn the play book, and hope they get 2 wins in that time. That gives them 12 games to try and and sneak into the poffs. A couple of wins with Det, Chi, and one against GB and they have a shot. TJ and booty have a year to learn from a proven vet and it gives them the option of going Garcia, booty or tj 2009.

How much is booty going to get watching and learning from TJ.

by TheVik on Sep 17, 2008 10:03 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs