Here's a new wrinkle in the Browns' curious quarterback conundrum: Former NFL starter Jeff Garcia called and offered his services.
Garcia, who started 10 games for Cleveland in 2004, told 92.3 The Fan on Tuesday that she contacted the Browns and asked for a tryout. The 43-year-old Garcia hasn't started an NFL game in 5yrs, but he informed the Browns he'd love a chance to make their team.
"I actually reached to the Cleveland Browns and said, 'Hey, when you need a guy ahead in, work me out, take a peek,"' Garcia told the station. "I don't know if people want me the government financial aid Cleveland, but I'm ready to accept the ability."
Garcia, who went 3-7 in their stint as being a starter in Cleveland, said the Browns declined his offer. Garcia would be the only Browns starting QB to win a season opener from the team's expansion era since 1999.
The Browns also have quarterback issues all season. Starter Brandon Weeden got hurt and was replaced by Brian Hoyer, who won two games before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Weeden returned on the starting lineup but has struggled the past two games. He completed just 17 of 42 attempts in Sunday's 31-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Coach Rob Chudzinski said Monday that he's considering a change at QB, and can utilize veteran Jason Campbell this week if Browns (3-3) visit the unbeaten Gambling (7-0).
Chudzinski will announce his decision Wednesday.
Weeden's problems have included poor decisions, forced throws and a couple underhanded flips within the fourth quarter during losses to Detroit and Green Bay days gone by 14 days. Most Cleveland fans have witnessed enough and therefore are screaming on a regular basis.
However, Weeden really has support in Cleveland's locker room. A number of his teammates have increased to back the 30-year-old, saying he is not the only person who really should be blamed.
"I've not been here for a specified duration," said running back Willis McGahee, who signed while using Browns last month after Trent Richardson was traded. "I've played a couple of games with him and from what I have seen, he may are making a couple plays that's shouldn't are already thrown but who says things are all gonna be perfect? I needed some runs in the game i could've taken backside and I didn't accept it.
"It is difficult. It's to get a quarterback to be sold and become perfect particularly with the history he's had here, it's even harder with everybody on him. I take my hat away and off to him because he still walks around which has a smile on his face, still competitive. That immediately shows which kind of character they have."
