Reason #47 To Love Philadelphia: Jeff Garcia And Carmella DeCesare

You might think, now that the season’s over, that, ah, Jeff Garcia mania might be over. But, no, of course not. Not when there are promotions to be done!

On Saturday at the Atlantic City Hilton, fans will get a chance to meet Jeff Garcia and his fiance, Carmella DeCesare. But there’s a catch: You can’t just walk up there, wait in line and then get autographs from the Birds’ QB and the 2004 Playboy Playmate of the Year (who is 24, by the way).

No: Every 30 minutes between 2 and 7 on Saturday, organizers will select one lucky table or slots gambler to attend a reception with Garcia and DeCesare that night. That’s right: You have to gamble for five hours and probably lose a few hundred dollars, and if you do that, you might have a chance to attend a reception where you can get a photo with Garcia and DeCesare.

Who wants to bet they’ll have a packed house?

Here’s a chance to meet Garcia and his fiancee [Daily News]
Jeff Garcia Mania! [The 700 Level]

Reason #32 To Love Philadelphia: The Northeast

And why do we love the Northeast today? Because hundreds of people lined up behind Forman Mills to meet Jeff Garcia.

And, according to KYW 1060’s Hadas Kuznits, the people there thought it was the greatest event in the history of mankind (even the ones who didn’t get to meet Jeff!).

Jeff Garcia is a huge draw to Eagles fans:

“There’s a huge line and everything! I’ve never seen so many people!”

But the line was so long, it had to be cut off, leaving some fans disappointed:

“Because he left!”

(Kuznits:) “And you didn’t get an autograph!”

“No.”

(Kuznits:) “You still like him even though you didn’t get to see him?”

“Yeah.”

You had to get there early if you wanted to see Jeff Garcia:

(Kuznits:) “How long did you wait in line to see him?”

“Four and a half hours.”

(Kuznits:) “Was it worth it?”

“Yeah.”

So why do they like him?

“You know, he’s a true Philly kind of guy.”

(Kuznits:) “Tell us why you really like him.”

“Now, you know my husband’s out there waiting!”

“He’s a very handsome fellow, I must say.”

I wonder what kind of life someone has lived when the most people he or she has ever seen in one place is at a Jeff Garcia autograph signing.

Fans Line Up For Garcia Autograph Session [KYW 1060]

Gee, Thanks, ‘Sports Illustrated’

Dammit.

Jinx fears arise with Garcia on Sports Illustrated cover [Inquirer]
SI Cover Jinx [Wikipedia]

Eagles’ Winning Streak Inducing Craziness

Oh, yes, I suppose I have not done much on the Eagles yet. So let me begin: Whoo! Eat it, Dallas!

The Eagles are a win away from the division title and a first-round home playoff game thanks to many things, but part of it due to Jeff Garcia’s surprisingly good performance. Of course, some people are taking it a little overboard:

The biggest contest in 2007 here won’t be the Philly mayor’s race: It will be the McNabb-Garcia debate. Jeff Garcia, a 36-year-old castoff from the Detroit Lions, is the newest folk hero in Philadelphia after leading the Eagles to a playoff spot.

No no no! No no no no no. Look, Garcia is playing worlds better than anyone thought he would. But he’s not as good as Donovan McNabb. Next year, you sign Garcia to start at the beginning of the season if McNabb isn’t ready and then he returns to the backup role. (It’s all in this article.)

It’s okay; it gets worse in that NBC 10 blog:

All this has led to a huge debate on local sports radio and in homes and pubs about who should lead the Eagles next year: Garcia or McNabb? So far, from what I’ve heard on the radio, the fans want Garcia. McNabb has his defenders, in particular Howard Eskin.

Don’t ever make me agree with Howard Eskin again, NBC 10.

Eagles Blog: Garcia Or McNabb Debate Takes Off [NBC 10]
All Garcia Does Is Win [Football Outsiders Blog]

Current Eagles TV Lineup Making You Long For The Glory Days Of ‘The Randall Cunningham Show’

Official guest list for Monday Night Live, airing on Comcast SportsNet tonight at 7 p.m.:

• Jeff Garcia, Eagles backup quarterback-turned-starter.
• Carmella DeCesare, officially “Guest Reporter” but best known as Garcia’s fiancee and former Playboy Playmate of the Year. Also was a finalist in the “WWE Raw Diva Search.”
• Dirk Johnson, Eagles punter.
• John Nash, former 76ers and Blazers GM.

There’s your star-studded lineup there, folks! Who won’t be tuning in tonight?