Garcia would give Lions QB insurance

The door is open for Jeff Garcia's possible return to the Canadian Football League.
In a surprise move, the Oakland Raiders included the 39-year-old veteran quarterback among their final cuts Saturday. The former Calgary Stampeder was expected to serve as a backup and mentor Oakland's inconsistent third-year pivot Jamarcus Russell.
Garcia's release offers him an opportunity for a reunion with his former coach Wally Buono, now with the B.C. Lions, who is one victory away from a CFL-record 232nd win. Buono recruited Garcia when NFL teams showed virtually no interest in the Gilroy, Calif., and developed him to the point where he replaced start quarterback Steve Young with the San Francisco 49ers.
Garcia capped off his CFL tenure with a memorable march in the final minute of 1998 Guy Cup at Winnipeg, which led to Mark McLoughlin's winning field goal against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Garcia is likely to receive consideration from some other NFL clubs, after showing well with Philadelphia and Tampa Bay in recent seasons; but if no team signs him, he could draw interest from north of the border. The Lions have a need for some quarterbacking insurance, given Buck Pierce's concussion troubles, Jarious Jackson's inconsistency, and the inexperience of rookie Travis Lulay and sophomore Zac Champion.
Buono has avoided "airlifts" out of concerns about disrupting his club's chemistry. But Garcia, clearly in the final days of his unexpectedly long pro career, would probably not pose a major disruption, given his NFL success and even-keeled temperament.
Garcia's long-term future likely involves coaching, and he would have a good chance to watch and learn under Buono, while also helping the Leos on the field when needed.
But another CFL club might have Garcia on its negotiation list, which would preclude the Lions from getting him. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders are also in need of quarterbacking help, while his former Calgary club, with Henry Burris at the helm, is not likely to show much interest.
Garcia would also want to go to another club that has a reasonable shot at a Grey Cup.
The Lions, despite their struggles, are his best bet.