Former Browns QB Garcia calls team for tryout

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."

Peyton Manning told Jim Irsay: You're crazy if you don't draft Andrew Luck

It's easy to forget, less than two years ago, just how tough a decision Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay faced.He had Peyton Manning, coming off a season-long neck injury the year before, due a massive amount of money. Irsay also had the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NFL draft, a position that allowed them to potentially draft Andrew Luck, viewed as a once-in-a-generation quarterback prospect.
This wasn't something Irsay could just flip a coin on. So he talked with Manning while the quarterback was still on the Colts' roster.
In a story by USA Today's Jarrett Bell, Irsay recalled those candid moments with his franchise pillar and how he and Manning tried their best to put themselves in the others' shoes.
It became obvious what the only resolution was — no disrespect to Robert Griffin III, the only other player the team seriously considered with the pick.
"He said, 'You've got to take Andrew,'" Irsay told Bell. "'You have to. You're crazy if you don't.'"
Well, crazy and Irsay might extend beyond that decision. But it's clear now, with the Colts and Manning's Denver Broncos set to face each other Sunday for the first time, with Peyton returning to Indianapolis in what is sure to be a storm of emotions and picture flashes, 2010 super bowl XLIV jersey Indianapolis Colts #18 Peyton Manning blue C patch that both parties made out as best as possible.
"I think it's perfect," Irsay says. "What's happened is what Peyton and I hoped would happen. The desire was for him to get well and get to a team that has a chance to win another Super Bowl before his career ended. And our desire was to be able to transition to Andrew. To be so good so soon is stunning."
Lucas Oil Stadium won't just be a reunion. It will mark the meeting of two very good football teams — a possible AFC title game preview, even. Sure, the Colts dropped a game in San Diego Monday night they probably should not have. But Luck would be pretty far down their list of flaws — he mostly has been spectacular, when they've cut him loose (an argument for another day).
If Manning and the Broncos win, it will not be revenge. If Luck and the Colts win, it will not be validation. That's what's special about this game: There is no real wrong result, because it appears that both teams made out as well as they could have hoped.