Report: Falcons show interest in Stephen Garcia
Stephen Garcia was dismissed from the South Carolina team last season. (Associated Press)
Stephen Garcia, the disgraced quarterback formerly of South Carolina, is trying to make the leap to the NFL has talked to a scout from the Falcons, according to a report from Aaron Wilson of scout.com.
Garcia was dismissed from the South Carolina football program last season for drinking after five prior suspensions. Because of his checkered past, he doesn’t seem to fit the prototype of the players the Falcons have signed under general manager Thomas Dimitroff.
During after a all-star game in Florida, Garcia talked with a scout from the Falcons as well as several other teams.
During his conversation with the Falcons scout, all of Garcia’s transgressions at South Carolina were discussed. And Garcia said he didn’t leave anything out, to the scout’s approval
“I went down the list and he said he appreciated the honesty,” Garcia said. “He told me to stay on that track, and I will. I just wish I had changed earlier. I didn’t fully understand until it was too late.”
Garcia is contending that he has changed his destructive behavior.
“I’ve learned how immature I really was. I just didn’t know exactly how important everything was until after I made all of those mistakes. I was trying to be like every other college kid, but you can’t do that as a starting quarterback for an SEC team. Looking back, it sucks. I have nobody to blame but myself.”
Garcia, 24, has a four-year-old son.
Garcia, of Lutz, Fla., recently played in one of the eight regional combines attempting to qualify for the NFL super regional combine on March 30 at Ford Field in Detroit. He was not invited to the NFL scouting combine, which starts today.
The Atlanta regional combine is set for March 10 and 11.
Garcia also told scout.com that South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier is going to allow him to participate in the Gamecocks’ Pro Day on March 28.
Garcia led the Gamecocks to a SEC Eastern division title as a junior and went 20-14 as a starter overall, passing for 7,597 career yards, 47 touchdowns, 41 interceptions and rushed for 777 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Behind starting quarterback Matt Ryan, the Falcons have Chris Redman, who is set to become a free agent at 3 p.m. on March 13, and John Parker Wilson, who was promoted to the active roster late last season when the Minnesota Vikings tried to sign him off the practice squad.
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–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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138 comments Add your comment
Kane337
February 22nd, 2012
4:12 pm
Brett Favre 2.0
Buckeye
February 22nd, 2012
4:13 pm
Yo dogs, Quincy Cater is available, isn’t he?
Ol’ Quincy, one fine dog.
Ackshun
February 22nd, 2012
4:24 pm
Not in the mood to watch another Athlete with control issues (see Brett Farve) play for the Falcons. We need to get Peyton Manning
Falcon Friend
February 22nd, 2012
4:44 pm
Falcon fans are needlessly getting bent out of shape about something that will never happen
fansince74
February 22nd, 2012
4:45 pm
If the Falcons want to bring in a developmental QB to compete for the 3rd string and eventually become the back up then Jarrett Lee from LSU. He will make a roster with someone. I’ll probably catch some flack by some of you for this one but i think I’m right.
BIGame
February 22nd, 2012
5:22 pm
There sure are a lot of UGA hypocrits on this comment list. I guess it’s OK for UGA players to **hit girls** because they have a pastor for a coach? But a guy like Stephen that has actually paid for his mistakes gets hammered?
Grow up and stop judging.
L.A. Mont
February 22nd, 2012
6:49 pm
Is it April Fool’s Day? I agree that the Falcons need to groom another QB, if nothing else, bring some possible trade value down the line. Garcia didn’t show me enough to even get drafted….I do like that Russell Wilson QB from Wisconson….
d-bird
February 22nd, 2012
7:36 pm
This dude is a real bum. My falcon executie calls me daily about renewing for the season. We need to have no bum policy.
d-bird
February 22nd, 2012
7:39 pm
I agree with L.A. Mont, Wilson would be a great fit for us.
steven a
February 22nd, 2012
7:54 pm
Roger
February 22nd, 2012
11:43 am
He who is without sin..throw the first stone. There are alot of perfect people on this blog. Get a life, everyone at some time screws up. I’m prove of that. Every one can change if they wish…..God Bless!
Garcia may be the diamond we’ve been looking for..give him a chance, nothing to loss.
Ditto
Chris Redman is a SCRUB. JP Wilson is a SUPERSCRUB.
steven a
February 22nd, 2012
7:56 pm
Matt Ryan is “EXTREMELY OVERRATED”
zorro
February 22nd, 2012
8:28 pm
Matt Ryan need to be challenge. He thinks he got it made, he needs to be plugged back into reality. And it’s nothing like a good old fight to see who’s got IT.
Atlanta Falcons Sort Of Interested In Stephen Garcia, Apparently – SB Nation Atlanta | Clemson Carolina
February 22nd, 2012
9:14 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
SCFalcon
February 22nd, 2012
11:39 pm
There’s really no risk in bringing him in as a free agent…If he does well, fine, if he doesn’t you cut him, so why not give it a shot?
LDawg
February 23rd, 2012
5:03 am
First we hire some “really good” Jacksonville (!) coaches and then we show interest in QB who had not one, not two, but five suspensions before he was kicked off the college team. Sounds to me like Atlanta is trying to get first round draft picks. We’re supposed to be going up, not down.
The Talker
February 23rd, 2012
8:40 am
The saga of QB’s issues in Atlanta to be continued…
old man
February 23rd, 2012
8:43 am
Redmond is a high paid #2. Garcia sounds like Favre as a Falcon rookie. He has some skills. And the drinking. And high Interceptions. Super Bowl?
I’m serious. Sounds just like a young Favre.
Fats OKelly
February 23rd, 2012
10:52 am
Howdy Doody needs a good fight to see if he is tough enough to lead the Falcons. Garcia might be the sparkplug to get Mr.Doody focused
Johnny Clemtard
February 23rd, 2012
10:54 am
One problem. This guy doesnt have 3rd string NFL talent. Throw in the fact that he’s an idiot and why would any NFL team even invite him to camp. He might be better than anything on a Clemson roster but that doesnt make him good enough for the NFL. Do us a favor Stephen Garcia, get a job at McBurger World and just go away. You are old news and shouldnt be news at all.
Nique
February 23rd, 2012
12:08 pm
would like us to look into FA Adam Carriker, DE
Silver
February 23rd, 2012
12:30 pm
He’ll be given a chance somewhere – most likely cut after camp, however.
Tom G
February 23rd, 2012
1:40 pm
Instead of possibility looking at Garcia, we would be better off looking at the current South Carolina QB, Shaw!! Shaw has got some serious wheels and can throw deep ball also, think he is a JR next season. He does need to put on some weight though(about 200lbs now), played spread offense at Flowery Branch HS under his dad. Just a thought, no way on Garcia?
Jay
February 23rd, 2012
2:51 pm
To be honest I like Garcia! True he made some bad decisions and had ups and downs. However when this man is Hot he is hot. I wouldnt mind seeing him play agian to see how good the “good” Garcia is!
Maddog
February 23rd, 2012
3:40 pm
Personally, I think we need to send Matt Ryan packing. But that’s not going to happen as long as we have Mike Smith….SOooo, at least get a Veteran QB to back up Matt. I believe McNabb is obtainable.
Falconidiot
February 23rd, 2012
3:50 pm
McNabb? Please! What happens when this guy makes it? When he can forget about humble, I know the Falcons are looking for a tougher bunch, but let’s stick to the trenches for those guys.
Pressure on Matt would be nice,
cdc
February 23rd, 2012
7:50 pm
In spite of his problems, he set a lot of records at USC…be reminded that Dawg Haus, Dwagfan and Gdawg must be UGA fans and Garcia owned them for the last 3 years, so we must understand their anger.
Les
February 23rd, 2012
7:55 pm
It would be great if he had another opportunity to showcase his great talent. A shame he couldn’t keep it together while at USC. Good luck!
JoFo
February 23rd, 2012
8:38 pm
GDawg you are right! When you said, “If we need to go after any quarterback it should be Cousins.”
Ichabod
February 23rd, 2012
10:46 pm
Why not look at a QB with some NFL experience?
Nick
February 23rd, 2012
11:48 pm
uhhhhh you guys should check out his stats from his sophomore season. . . obviously character is an issue but if you think that redman or wilson is a better option at back up your crazy
Nick
February 23rd, 2012
11:49 pm
correction. . . junior season
Nick
February 23rd, 2012
11:50 pm
and there are probably lots of uga fans in here. . . dont be bitter because he beat you the last two years
cedrick
February 24th, 2012
7:33 am
WOW!!!! This is why we will never be taken serious! First you bums say they are staying away from all players with a questionable past but I guess thats only for the other players. Next you wasted a position on the active roster to protect John Parker WIlson are you kidding me!!!!!! John “freakin” Parker Wilson?????????????? Seems as if they not assured Matt Ryan has not impressed them enough……….SMH
Gamble
February 24th, 2012
9:36 am
he has a unreal strong arm. The dude is just down right tough, though ! I have hated him for years, but with a good o- line like atlanta’s, he will be just fine. Jake delhomme’s long lost son. Hahaha. Go panthers. I would love to watch defenses crush him ya bum. Good tv.
Runnin with the Dawgs
February 24th, 2012
10:10 am
I think it’s smart for the Falcons to look at another young QB to bring along. Redman’s salary is about 2.5 million per year, and I think Wilson runs the team just about as good as he does for a lot less money. That being said I don’t think Stephen Garcia is our man. Maybe Jarrett Lee from LSU as someone else mentioned.
Nik
February 24th, 2012
10:21 am
THis better be a sick joke
darkmancw34
February 24th, 2012
11:28 am
The scouting department needs to be overhauled if we are interested in this drunk!!!!! Says alot about what TD & MS knows about scouting talent. THEY DON’T HAVE A CLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hiramsaint
February 25th, 2012
9:05 pm
with matty melt at the helm , they should be showing interest in jamarcus russel