QB Garcia still wants to play, questions Bucs' philosophy

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jeff Garcia realistically understands his situation.

He is 40 years old, has been out the NFL for one season and would be a gamble for any team who signs him.

Nevertheless, he is ready for another shot at resuming his career.

"It's one of those of these things where my agent is out there. He has talked to people and it sounds like there is some interest out there," said Garcia, who spoke late Tuesday during a break in filming for Spike TV's reality series Pros vs. Joes. Former Bucs players Derrick Brooks and Warrick Dunn also will be on the show and are taping this week.

"It's just a matter of that interest stepping over and becoming a reality and somebody offering me a contract and getting the chance to come in and be a part of their team and hopefully be in a role where I can help a young guy out, or be a supportive backup, and go from there."

Garcia was cut by the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders in 2009, but the veteran quarterback believes he still has enough left in his tank to backup an established quarterback. The Giants had expressed some interest in having him backup Eli Manning, but signed former Colts backup Jim Sorgi on Wednesday.

"I feel like I'm as healthy and as young-feeling and as active as I've ever been," Garcia said. "Now it's just a matter of somebody wanting to give me that opportunity to come in and have a positive affect in the locker room.

"I think that's something I really want to be able to do and for people to understand that I'm not at all that type of person at all that is going to come in and disrupt the team chemistry or the energy. I want to come in and be supportive and be a part of something positive."

One team Garcia does not expect to bid for his services is Tampa Bay.

Garcia's was Tampa Bay's starting quarterback in 2007 and 2008, leading his team to a 9-7 record in both years. Tampa Bay won the NFC South title in 2007 and Garcia appeared in the Pro Bowl that year.

However, Tampa Bay did not re-sign Garcia after he became free agent in 2009. Garcia said he is still close friends with Bucs offensive coordinator Greg Olson and found it difficult to watch Tampa Bay's 3-13 season in 2009.

"I think that obviously there are some definite changes being made, but it just doesn't seem like they are being made to really help the team right now," Garcia said. "I don't know what the thoughts are from the ownership [Glazers] standpoint, or general manager [Mark Dominik] standpoint, but it's tough when you're not necessarily opening the door to free agency to come in and help your team, or try to strengthen your team in a certain way outside of the draft.

"I mean, to rely on young players in the draft is a difficult position to put your team in in order to be competitive. That's just something they have to figure out and hopefully they do figure it out."