Interview with Aaron Garcia and his Agent
Tim Ball
Thursday May 2, 2002
On January 30th 2002, San Francisco announced the signing of another Arena Football superstar. Aaron Garcia is well aware that his contract with the San Francisco 49ers is dependent on making the team. The first mini-camp was held April 26th through the 28th and the 49ers have four quarterbacks competing for positions behind Pro Bowl QB Jeff Garcia. Tim Rattay (6.0 215 Louisiana Tech.), Gio Carmazzi (6-3 224 Hofstra College), 2002 draftee (163rd) Brandon Damon (6-2 210 BYU) and Aaron Garcia (6-1 200 Sacramento State).
Dwight Moss of Moss Sports of Phoenix Arizona, Garcia’s agent, also answered some questions for Arenafan Online about how the opportunity to join the 49ers opened for Garcia.
 Aaron Garcia with the New York Dragons in 2001 Image courtesy of New York Dragons |
Aaron Garcia: Thank you. I knew mid-season that they were looking at me.
TB: Though you were signed to a two-year deal, do you still have to make the team?
AG: Absolutely. The key is to go into camp healthy. You have to go into the preseason ready to perform. That’s the bottom line. In professional sports, competition is fierce just to make the roster.
TB: Even though you were under scrutiny from NFL scouts in 2001 it didn’t seem to affect you. You had better stats than in 2000. 104 touchdowns on the season, 99 points in one game. What was the reason 2001 was such a productive season?
AG: Our team was very focused and playing well together. This is a must in the Arena league. Things happen so fast. Without teammates in sync with each other you fall behind before you know it. New York has a team that can win it all.
TB: I have to ask, did you enjoy the ESPN Sports Center piece on the 99 points game against Carolina?
AG: That’s a game that will be hard to forget. Everything was going our way. It was great to know ESPN covered some highlights.
TB: What do you like the most about Arena Football?
AG: The speed and constant pressure. You can’t make many mistakes. It requires quick decisions and brings out the best in a player.
TB: How do you feel about the rapidly evolving relationship with the AFL and the NFL?
AG: Teaming with the NFL is obviously good for all concerned. There have always been many NFL players, coaches, officials and retired NFL players involved in every aspect. Owners of NFL teams own AFL teams now, with more buying into the Arena League.
TB: What about the Arena League being a “minor league” for the NFL?
AG: I don’t like the minor league label. It may be proving grounds for the NFL, but it’s a league that has stood on its own. It is an excellent brand of football in its own rights. The fans prove that.
TB: Now that you mention it, what do you think draws so many fans to Arena Football? My family never misses a San Jose SaberCats game.
AG: Excitement. It is fast paced and never boring. There is a high level of talent. The games are affordable and have something for everyone. You know the SaberCats have a great coach in Darren Arbet, I’ve known him a long time, since my Sac’ days.
TB: Has coach Arbet always been so calm?
AG: He knows how to handle professional athletes. He’s been a player as well as a coach and has years of experience. He can let you have it though if you’re not performing like he thinks you should.
TB: What’s your view of the NBC television deal with Arena Football and changing the season start to February and games from Saturday to Sunday?
AG: It should be good for Arena Football, fans and players. The season won’t start at the same time as Basketball and Hockey playoffs and the start of Baseball. It will also give players time to rest and then prepare for NFL tryouts if the wish. People are used to football on Sunday and Arena games are mostly in the evening, so not much should change there.
TB: How do you feel about transitioning to the NFL and the 49ers?
AG: Again, staying healthy is the key to performing at your best. I’m excited about the opportunity. Being from the Sacramento area I was a big Niners fan growing up. This is an organization that has produced two Hall of Fame quarterbacks and a sensational Pro Bowl quarterback in Jeff Garcia. I feel confident in their leadership.
TB: Do you think AFL players are respected by NFL players?
AG: Yes, especially now. The Arena League is producing and signing good athletes, many with NFL experience. Pro football is extremely competitive and NFL players know that AFL players are as dedicated as any athletes in the world. The AFL has always respected the NFL and it is paying off for both leagues now.
TB: Who was your biggest influence in football growing up?
AG: My father. He was a quarterback and taught me from day one. He was my mentor from the beginning. I’ve been throwing footballs as long as I can remember. I can never thank him enough.
TB: Head coach John Gregory seems to have a niche in interesting the NFL with players. He also coached Kurt Warner and Kevin Swayne as well. How do you feel about continuing this trend?
AG: He is a great coach bottom line. He’s also a leader who knows how to bring out the potential of his players. I will do all I can to produce in training camp and the preseason.
TB: Aaron, good luck with the 49ers. As you know everyone in the league is pulling for you and we all wish you the success you deserve.
AG: Thanks again. Arena Football continues to be very important to me. I have many friends throughout the league and I’ll be going to Arena games, and of course supporting the Dragons.
Aaron Garcia has just finished the first mini-camp held by San Francisco. The next camp is in late May.
Aaron Garcia was signed to a two-year deal worth over a million dollars according to his agent Dwight Moss of Moss Sports, Phoenix AZ. Moss represents AFL and NFL football players and is keeping tabs on the Arena League and the caliber of players being produced by the fast moving sport.
Tim Ball: What was it in Aaron Garcia that interested the 49ers?
Dwight Moss: He can produce under pressure. He is poised and professional in what he does. Aaron is one of those players who slipped through the cracks in signing with an NFL team earlier. I expected him to sign with the Ravens in 2000 but they opted for Elvis Grbac.
TB: What do you think stood out to NFL scouts in Aaron’s ability and what are his chances of making the team?
DM: His release is very quick. His judgment and anticipation of the play developing is incredible. He has a strong and obviously very accurate arm. 104 touchdowns last season proved that. Aaron is involved in a strenuous training program and is in great shape. If he gets playing time in the preseason he will make the team I’m confident of that.
TB: Aaron is going in against three other quarterbacks. With Jeff Garcia as starter that means only two of the four will make it.
DM: All pro athletes compete against each other. It’s part of the game. The real decision maker is getting the playing time to produce. Like I said if Aaron gets playing time he’s in. He’s that good.
TB: What’s your opinion of Arena Football and the players who make up the league?
DM: Aaron is a premier quarterback but the League seems more willing to bring in top quality players. There are so many talented athletes in Arena Football now it has to be taken seriously.
TB: What about the game itself? Arena Football is quite different from the outdoor version.
DM: I’ve been to many Rattlers games. It’s fast and exciting, no doubt about that. “Don’t Blink,” “The 50 yard indoor war,” and all of that, it’s a great brand of football. Players seem to become faster and stronger playing Arena Football. If the sport is promoted well, it will be very successful.
TB: Do most sports agents take the Arena League seriously?
DM: Kurt Warner made a lot of people take notice of Arena Football. But there are traditionalists in the NFL, including agents that feel the game does not relate to the outdoor game. Although the more people take time to learn about Arena Football the more they respect the AFL and those who don’t like it are in the minority.
TB: Do you think the NFL should buy into the Arena League?
DM: Like Aaron pointed out, there are already a large percentage of NFL players playing Arena Football, several AFL teams are owned by NFL owners as well. Just going through websites related to Arena Football and watching games on TV, you see a lot of NFL legends involved. Dick Butkus and Jack Youngblood bring a lot of validity with their names. Whether the NFL buys in or not the relationship is already there.
TB: Are you looking at AFL players now? Who do you like?
DM: There are several players making names for themselves. If you don’t mind I’ll keep that to myself for now. Let me just say, the league has some outstanding players and we know who they are.
TB: Good luck in your search and good luck with Aaron Garcia and the 49ers.
DM: Thanks. It’s all a waiting game now.
Aaron Garcia and Agent Dwight Moss highlight the ever evolving legitimacy of Arena Football’s rise among prominence in the pantheon of American sports. The spread of Arena Football is showcasing not only a brand of football that appeals to millions of fans already introduced to the game but is breaking down the walls of separation that exist between “football traditionalists” and the youth of America who instantly love the speed and excitement of the indoor version.
The NFL and society in general is realizing that there is more than just a niche for Arena Football with American football fans. The rising numbers of families and youth flocking to games indicates the future is bright indeed for the positioning of the AFL to take hold and dominate a segment of American sports fans who are loyal and consistent.
Tim Ball is a writer in the Chicagoland area. Married and father of three, his opinions on Arena Football reflects the positive aspect of the game as a family event second to none in pro sports.
