Originally Published: September 1, 2009
Raiders' Garcia is top backup QB
1. Jeff Garcia, Oakland Raiders
Even though he has been a little nicked up this preseason, he is still the best of the backup crop. He has Pro Bowl experience and playoff experience, and in the West Coast offense he is the most capable backup in the NFL.To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
-
ESPN The Magazine subscribers
-
Need more information?
2009 NFL PREVIEW

POWER RANKINGS
COMMENTARY/BLOGS
TEAM PREVIEWS
- NFC North: Chicago | Detroit | G.B. | Minn.
- NFC South: Atlanta | Caro. | N.O. | Tampa
- NFC East: Dallas | New York | Phil. | Wash.
- NFC West: Ariz. | Seattle | S.F. | St. Louis
- AFC North: Balt. | Cincy | Cleveland | Pitt.
- AFC South: Houston | Indy | Jax. | Tenn.
- AFC East: Buffalo | Miami | N.E. | New York
- AFC West: Denver | K.C. | Oakland | S.D.
BACKUP QB PLANS
- Monday, Aug. 31: A team's fortunes can change in an instant if it doesn't have the right backup QB. Jeffri Chadiha
- Outsiders: Backup QB cap analysis
- SportsNation: Rank backup QBs
- Tuesday, Sept. 1: The NFL Blog Network evaluates every team's backup QB situation. Analysis
- Scouts Inc.: Ranking the backup QBs

- Clayton: Who's the next Matt Cassel?
- Graham: Belichick's comfort zone
RANKING TODAY'S QBs
- Wednesday, Sept. 2: We turned to a former Super Bowl-winning QB to provide a unique take on today's bunch. Trent Dilfer
HOW THEY DO IT
- Thursday, Sept. 3: Breaking down AFC offensive, defensive philosophies. Scouts

- Friday, Sept 4: Breaking down NFC offensive, defensive philosophies. Scouts

PREDICTIONS
- Tuesday, Sept. 8: Experts' forecasts
- Friday, Sept. 4: Gene Wojciechowski
10 BIG QUESTIONS
- Monday, Sept. 7: John Clayton's answers

EMERGING STARS
- Timmons: Steelers' LB to be unleashed
- Brown: Texans' tackle ready to be fixture
- Miller: Raider gets team's TE legacy
- Meriweather: Pats safety an all-around force
- Morgan: WR gives Niners good option
- Meachem: Saints' WR ready to deliver
- Olsen: Bears TE meshing with Cutler
- Phillips: Giants safety rising quickly

ESPN THE MAGAZINE (INSIDER)
- Team previews: We like the Bolts!
- Interactive O-line glossary (Cool!)
- Inside Manning-Saturday pairing
- Cutler: Savior or destroyer?
PAGE 2
MORE NFL HEADLINES
- Schefter: Charlie Weis... to Buffalo?
- Rumors: 2010 Boldin trade gaining steam
- Tools: PickCenter | Game Predictor
- Draft: Mel's Big Board (11/18) | NFL draft blog
