Oakland Raiders Weaken QB Position By Signing Jeff Garcia

Raiders' offer 1-year contract to the ageless Jeff Garcia

This is an interesting signing by the AFC west's perennial doormat. Are the Raiders seriously thinking about using Garcia and his 'noodle arm' to mentor incumbent quarterback JaMarcus Russell?

I love the move from an unintentional comedy standpoint. Russell is widely known for his ability to throw a football 60 yards from his knees. As a Buccaneers fan, I've watched Jeff Garcia for the past few seasons. He couldn't reach 40 yards through the air if he was given a running start. Maybe Russell will be the teacher, training Garcia not to pass the ball like an 11-year old girl.

The Raider wide receivers were terrible enough as it is, now they will even be off-key at practice, being forced to work with two QBs with completely opposite styles.

My guess is that Garcia will be used strategically, with the purpose of giving the Oakland receivers a rest. Think about it, the receivers have been sprinting downfield all game, only to watch Russell's errant passes sail over their heads. Suddenly in comes Jeff Garcia, who fires off 76 straight screen passes to the halfback because he can't reach anyone else. Talk about throwing off the defense!

I'm BACK!

Wow it's been over 3 months since WBTML has posted anything. Are we still alive? Was Scottie murdered by an angry Lakers fan? Did we run out of material after the 2008 Padres season officially ended? (The Padres season was mathematically over in May, but they actually were still playing until September... who knew?)

Good news - I think we're back! The 2009 Padres season is nearly underway, so Dave will re-emerge from hibernation. I'm thinking about taking a stance on the upcoming NBA & NFL draft, the NBA Playoffs, maybe some Tampa Bucs coverage here and there, and since I'm in San Diego, I may even writing about the Padres.

Today I found an interesting article about Michael Clayton, the Tampa Buccaneers 2nd string wide receiver. Clayton is coming off a solid 2008 season in which he almost had 500 years receiving. After underperforming for the past four years, Tampa Bay management consumed a few too many cocktails in early March and shockingly offered Clayton a 5 year, $26 million dollar contract.

If you need statistical evidence that Michael Clayton is an awful WR, here are his numbers over the past five seasons:

YEAR	TEAM	G	REC	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	FD
2004	TAM	16	80	1193	14.9	75	7	56
2005	TAM	14	32	372	11.6	41	0	18
2006	TAM	12	33	356	10.8	27	1	22
2007	TAM	14	22	301	13.7	39	0	14
2008	TAM	15	38	484	12.7	58	1	21

Clearly not very impressive.

So why was he re-signed in the first place? ESPN's Pat Yasinskas answers this mysterious question in the following article:

Clayton Ready to Block Out the Past 4 Seasons

This quote summarizes the article perfectly: "I really think that's why I stayed here because they value the blocking so much," Clayton said.

Apparently that's an important quality in a #2 receiver... more important than CATCHING THE BALL!

... Well he can't haul in a pass to save his life, but that boy sure can block!

Ladies and gentlement, your 2009 Tampa Bay Buccaneers!

Silly Sports Related Pic of the Week

annnnnd STAY DOWN!

Silly Sports Related Pic of the Week

I will point out two things about this picture:

1) these guys are college athletes.

2) notice the court that the team picture is taken on. No, your eyes doth not deceive you. That is an outdoor court surrounded by a chain link fence.

I am going to find a jersey and wear it every time I play basketball for the rest of my life.

Wait, someone said that? Seriously?!

"Plessico Barress"

That is all.

(apparently he went to Ladanian's "no warries" School of Broadcasting)