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PHILADELPHIA -- Eagles backup quarterback Jeff Garcia doesn’t see much of a difference between the team’s new generation of wide receivers. That doesn’t sound like a good thing for a group that desperately needs to distinguish itself to make up for the loss of Terrell Owens.
Garcia addressed the issue after a Wednesday workout at the NovaCare Complex, which is filling up with Eagles veterans getting a jump on organized full squad practices that begin next week.
"I think they all are very talented," Garcia said. "I think one of the things about the receivers is it seems like they’re a lot of clones -- like the same guy out there. I don’t think there’s a whole lot of difference between them. And I think what’s going to have to happen is, somebody is going to have to really step up and separate themselves. I mean that in a good way. I think competition is going to create that sort of atmosphere on the field."
Garcia would like to think he knows something about receivers. The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers is one of just six players to throw 30 or more touchdown passes in consecutive NFL seasons.
What Garcia has seen at minicamp and in workouts is a group of receivers struggling to find an identity as the Eagles move on without Owens, the superstar that owner Jeffrey Lurie conceded is the best in the business.
A stickler for detailing work, Garcia’s remarks about what the receivers must do to separate themselves, if you will, were eye-opening.
"I think they have to realize that doing the little extra things make a difference," Garcia said, "whether that’s getting in the weight room today after practice, whether that’s watching more film, getting in your playbook or eliminating certain mistakes out on the field. Those are all important factors in separating yourself. When you can become accountable for yourself and dependable, that’s when you start to separate."
Garcia thinks the Eagles can win without a premier go-to guy. He says the balanced attack works -- providing the run becomes a real part of the offense.
"It’s not just balance among receivers, tight ends and running backs," Garcia said. "It’s balance between throwing the football and running the football. I do believe that they go hand in hand. In order for this offense to be able to work effectively, you need to be able to run the football, and you need to be able to utilize play action and movement off of that running game.
"When you look at the old San Francisco teams, not only were they tops in throwing the football, they also ran the football very well. I know this team got away from that last year and probably a lot because of where they sat in certain games, but I think it’s something that we’re really working to get back to, to really have balance. And really, every receiver has to be able to contribute because they’re always an option on any given play."
The Eagles quietly were highly impressed with Garcia’s efforts at the recent minicamp and expect to have a positive influence on starter Donovan McNabb.
"I just want to help him grow and continue to get better on the field and do whatever I can to help this team out," Garcia said.
Garcia’s professionalism already is rubbing of on some of the younger Eagles including quarterback Timmy Chang, whom the veteran has taken under a wing.
"We’re only going to be as good as that last guy on this depth chart," the 36-year-old Garcia said. "And I take pride in helping those guys because I’ve been through it. I’ve been around this system for eight years now and it’s something I’m pretty confident in."
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Garcia addressed the issue after a Wednesday workout at the NovaCare Complex, which is filling up with Eagles veterans getting a jump on organized full squad practices that begin next week.
Garcia thinks the receiving corps is capable. At the same time, the group headed by Reggie Brown and Jabar Gaffney at minicamp is so nondescript Garcia would like to see someone emerge as The Man.
"I think they all are very talented," Garcia said. "I think one of the things about the receivers is it seems like they’re a lot of clones -- like the same guy out there. I don’t think there’s a whole lot of difference between them. And I think what’s going to have to happen is, somebody is going to have to really step up and separate themselves. I mean that in a good way. I think competition is going to create that sort of atmosphere on the field."
Garcia would like to think he knows something about receivers. The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers is one of just six players to throw 30 or more touchdown passes in consecutive NFL seasons.
What Garcia has seen at minicamp and in workouts is a group of receivers struggling to find an identity as the Eagles move on without Owens, the superstar that owner Jeffrey Lurie conceded is the best in the business.
A stickler for detailing work, Garcia’s remarks about what the receivers must do to separate themselves, if you will, were eye-opening.
"I think they have to realize that doing the little extra things make a difference," Garcia said, "whether that’s getting in the weight room today after practice, whether that’s watching more film, getting in your playbook or eliminating certain mistakes out on the field. Those are all important factors in separating yourself. When you can become accountable for yourself and dependable, that’s when you start to separate."
Garcia thinks the Eagles can win without a premier go-to guy. He says the balanced attack works -- providing the run becomes a real part of the offense.
"It’s not just balance among receivers, tight ends and running backs," Garcia said. "It’s balance between throwing the football and running the football. I do believe that they go hand in hand. In order for this offense to be able to work effectively, you need to be able to run the football, and you need to be able to utilize play action and movement off of that running game.
"When you look at the old San Francisco teams, not only were they tops in throwing the football, they also ran the football very well. I know this team got away from that last year and probably a lot because of where they sat in certain games, but I think it’s something that we’re really working to get back to, to really have balance. And really, every receiver has to be able to contribute because they’re always an option on any given play."
The Eagles quietly were highly impressed with Garcia’s efforts at the recent minicamp and expect to have a positive influence on starter Donovan McNabb.
"I just want to help him grow and continue to get better on the field and do whatever I can to help this team out," Garcia said.
Garcia’s professionalism already is rubbing of on some of the younger Eagles including quarterback Timmy Chang, whom the veteran has taken under a wing.
"We’re only going to be as good as that last guy on this depth chart," the 36-year-old Garcia said. "And I take pride in helping those guys because I’ve been through it. I’ve been around this system for eight years now and it’s something I’m pretty confident in."
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