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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, July 29, 2009

NFL: Jeff Garcia says he can be Raiders’ starting quarterback


By Steve Corkran
Contra Costa Times

NAPA, Calif. — Veteran quarterback Jeff Garcia arrived at training camp early, unwilling to concede anything to projected starter JaMarcus Russell.

“My job is to make certain decisions hard,” Garcia said Tuesday.
“JaMarcus’ job is to make the decision easy and to go out there and be the guy that this team has invested in to be, and that’s to be a leader, a player that is accountable and that everybody looks toward to basically carry the team on his shoulders and lead this team to victory.”
Players are required to report to camp on Wednesday for a mandatory 9 a.m. PDT meeting. Russell was not spotted during a three-hour period in which at least half the 80 players on the roster checked in.
Garcia showed up in a car driven by his mother and with his father in the back seat. Within seconds upon arriving, Garcia said he hasn’t changed his mind-set.
“I don’t believe I’m a backup quarterback by any means,” Garcia said. “I feel like this team is getting a quality player at the position, and however it ends up being utilized is how it ends up working out. I realize what the situation is here, so I’m not coming in here trying to stir the pot.”
Murphy, Norris sign Fourth-round picks Louis Murphy, a wide receiver, and Slade Norris, a linebacker, signed contracts and reported to camp. Receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey now is the only unsigned draft pick.
Walter reports Backup quarterback Andrew Walter reported to camp, unsure of his status and taking a wait-and-see approach.
“I’m under contract, so 9 a.m. mandatory meeting (Wednesday),” Walter said. “I’ll be there unless something changes.”
Walter stayed away from all offseason workouts except the mandatory minicamp in early May. He is in the final season of his contract but doesn’t appear to be in the Raiders’ long-term plans.
The Raiders signed veterans Garcia, Charlie Frye and Bruce Gradkowski in the offseason, and Walter didn’t get any reps during full-team drills at the minicamp.
Extra points: Raiders coach Tom Cable didn’t speak with the media. He is scheduled to hold his first news conference of camp Wednesday at noon. ... The Raiders need to cut three players at some point Wednesday. That number jumps to four if Heyward-Bey signs. Teams are permitted to carry no more than 80 players on training camp roster. ... Fullback Oren O’Neal, who missed all of last season with a left knee injury, said he will be able to practice once a day. ... Second-round pick Mike Mitchell, a safety, said he’s recovered from his offseason hamstring problem.