Spencer, 27, was traded Monday by Gregory for Aaron Garcia, the Red Dogs' starting quarterback.  New Jersey will receive an additional player at a later date.

  Garcia, ranked fourth among the league's quarterbacks this week, arrived in Des Moines on Monday night and practiced with the team Tuesday.

  In announcing the trade, Gregory said he regretted giving up Spencer, but Garcia, a four-year veteran, is a quarterback capable of bringing consistency to the Iowa offense, which now ranks last in scoring.

  "Aaron is a veteran quarterback who has been one of the top-rated quarterbacks in the league this season," said Gregory, adding Garcia will start Saturday against the Grand Rapids Rampage.  "It cost us a quality player, but that's what you have to give up these days to get a quality quarterback."

  Gregory also said New Jersey would not have made the deal without getting Spencer in return.  "We tried a number of different players, but it always came back to Chris," he said.

  Of Spencer's comments, Gregory said he couldn't dispute his former player.

  "Chris Spencer has always been one of my favorite players.  In a lot of ways, what he says about the trade is true," Gregory said.

  Garcia, 6-foot, 1-inch, 195 pounds, completed 65 percent of his passes this season for 1,158 yards and 18 touchdowns.  He also has thrown five interceptions.

  "It's my job to come here, throw good passes and help win games," Garcia said, adding he was glad to be with Iowa despite the Barnstormers' 0-5 record.

  "I know they gave up a good player to get me, so I just have to make sure I do my job," Garcia said.

  Spencer said he feels no bitterness toward the Barnstormers front office or the team's fans.

  "Don't get me wrong, the front office has been very good to me," Spencer, a Marshalltown native who attended Iowa State, said.  "I also thought our fans were great to me.  That's what makes this so tough."

Register Staff Writer

The Des Moines Register

Des Moines, Iowa

June 3, 1998