Jeff Garcia was on his way to do some TV work for the NFL Network when his agent called on Monday. Aware that Donovan McNabb suffered a fractured rib on Sunday in the opening game of the season, Garcia knew what it meant: It was time to return to Philadelphia.
"He mentioned that the Eagles were interested in signing me to come back and I had the driver turn around and take me back home," said Garcia, who helped lead the Eagles to the playoffs in 2006 when he took over for an injured McNabb down the stretch. "I know that this is a different situation, the circumstances are different, the situation is different, but for my family and myself, it is definitely an exciting time, an exciting opportunity. I've already exchanged messages with Donovan.I am excited about coming back to the Eagles, but I am not excited that it comes at the expense of his injury.
"Just to be able to come back to an organization that I have such memories with and have had a great experience with in the past, and to be a part of a team that seems to have the direction that everybody would want to be a part of, whether it's for a week or two weeks or an entire season, I'm excited about the opportunity."
Garcia was released by Oakland on September 5 as the Raiders got down to 53 players on their active roster and has been waiting for a call since. It came on Monday and Garcia will be in Philadelphia and ready to go to work on Tuesday.
He is expected to be a backup here for as long as the situation requires. McNabb is injured with the fractured rib and his availability is uncertain for Sunday against the Saints. If McNabb can't go, Kevin Kolb would start and Garcia would be the backup. One part of the process that should be easy to resume is the playbook.
"I think, based upon by tutelage in the West Coast system throughout my career and when I was in Philly three seasons ago, it was very natural for me and very comfortable for me, the entire offensive system is pretty much what I had done when I was in San Francisco and then when I spent the one year in Detroit under (Steve) Mariucci (former head coach), so many similarities between the two offenses. Having been with Marty Mornhinweg when I was in San Francisco, there is definitely some crossover," said Garcia.
"So as far as a team that I could go to where I feel like, offensively I can blend right in without really missing much of a beat, this is the team to do that with. I do feel like I can just step right in and everything will sound familiar and be very comfortable for me."
Garcia is also OK with whatever role the Eagles have for him.
"I'm OK with whatever helps the team win," he said. "That's really the main thing here. Kevin is a guy who has been with the team now into his third year. He has been able to develop and learn the system. This is a great opportunity for him to step on to the field and get the opportunity to get some snaps and get an entire week of practice with the first team, which is always important.
"It's just a matter of me coming in and trying to help out where I can help out and help him where I can help and do whatever I can do to make sure that this team continues to go in the direction that everybody expects it to go in."
UPDATE: Garcia will wear No. 9.
-- Posted by Dave Spadaro, 7:30 p.m., September 14
