After a four-team, five-season odyssey since leaving the 49ers, Jeff Garcia finally found his way back home to the Bay Area - albeit on the other side from where he started.
The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback joined the Oakland Raiders yesterday, agreeing to a one-year deal to be JaMarcus Russell's backup.
Garcia, 39, will join the club's offseason workout program immediately in the next stage of a remarkable NFL career that didn't begin until 1999 after a long detour to the CFL.
Garcia spent the past two seasons with the Buccaneers, starting 24 games while leading them to a division title and a playoff berth in 2007. Despite solid numbers last season - 2,712 yards passing and a 90.2 passer rating - he wasn't re-signed.
Burress a bonus baby
Despite getting into trouble,
Plaxico Burress can keep a $1 million signing bonus from the Giants, but
Larry Johnson's salary in Kansas City isn't guaranteed, according to a ruling issued following a grievance hearing.
University of Pennsylvania special master Stephen Burbank agreed with the NFL Players Association that money already earned, such as a signing bonus, cannot be forfeited even if a player subsequently gets into trouble.
Johnson also can keep money he's earned so far, though the Chiefs - if they release Johnson - do not owe him future pay after the running back had two nightclub altercations last year. Burbank ruled Johnson has not yet earned $3.75 million in guaranteed salary and bonuses due him over the next two seasons.
Williams arrested
Free agent receiver
Reggie Williams was charged with drug possession after police used a Taser to subdue him when he refused to leave a bar in Houston. Jail officials later found a small bag believed to contain cocaine in Williams's back pocket. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance and freed after posting a $2,000 bond . . . A co-defendant in a federal drug case involving former Broncos running back
Travis Henry has reached a plea deal with prosecutors.
James Mack has filed papers saying he wants to plead guilty. A similar filing was made last week by Henry. The two men were arrested in Denver in October, after authorities in Montana said they found six pounds of marijuana and about six pounds of cocaine that Henry and Mack allegedly supplied . . . Buccaneers tight end
Kellen Winslow agreed to a six-year, $36.1 million extension with $20.1 million guaranteed . . .
Matt Hasselbeck will practice with the Seahawks for the first time since December when a minicamp starts today. Hasselbeck, 33, missed nine games last season with a bulging disk in his back.
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
