WP: Receiving Unit May Be in for a Change

[bubba9497]

Receiving Unit May Be in for a Change
Redskins Wideouts Struggled as Team Posted NFL's 30th-Ranked Offense
By Nunyo Demasio
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A48522-2005Jan4?language=printer


Rod Gardner departed Redskins Park on Monday afternoon while talking on his cell phone, moving hurriedly toward his car and avoiding reporters as if they were defensive backs. When Laveranues Coles, the Redskins' other starting wide receiver, was approached by reporters after the final team meeting, he referred inquiries to his agent.

Gardner and Coles stopped taking questions from the media midway through the 6-10 season, and several teammates believe it's because they didn't want to say anything controversial.

Coach Joe Gibbs and his staff yesterday began a four-day process of evaluating their offense, scrutinizing the performance of the unit into the night. Sentiment among Redskins players is that the wide receiving corps -- perhaps the team's most disgruntled group -- will be the segment of the NFL's 30th-ranked offense most likely to be changed.

Much of Washington's struggles to complete deep passes -- only four for 40 yards or more -- stemmed from the quarterback play. However, Gibbs has proclaimed his quarterback situation set, saying Patrick Ramsey will retain the starting spot he took from Mark Brunell late this season.

"Obviously, I follow what Coach Joe Gibbs wants to do," Ramsey said. "But I feel like those guys [wide receivers] played well towards the end of the year. I think they continued to step up when I got in there. And I feel good about those guys."

Wideout Darnerien McCants said that he probably won't return, based on being inactive 10 games. Coaches have said that Taylor Jacobs and James Thrash will take increased roles next season, an indication that Gardner may finally be dealt after incessant trade rumors the past two seasons.

The Redskins, who have the ninth overall pick, can turn to the draft or free agency to find new wideouts. Several top receivers are expected to become free agents, including Plaxico Burress of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Muhsin Muhammad of the Carolina Panthers and T.J. Houshmandzadeh of the Cincinnati Bengals. Muhammad is perhaps the most intriguing possibility after setting club records in receiving yards (1,405) and touchdowns (16). However, the downside is that Muhammad will turn 32 before next season and has stated his desire for an exorbitant contract.

The Redskins -- who set an NFL payroll record last season at roughly $120 million -- are about $4 million under the projected $85 million cap for the 2005 season. That margin might increase if players such as left tackle Chris Samuels agree to restructure their contracts. Gibbs has expressed confidence in the ability to make key, if limited, free agent acquisitions.

The Redskins also have enticing options at wide receiver with their top pick. The top wideout is expected to be USC's Mike Williams, who was projected to go ninth last year after declaring for the draft following his sophomore season. But a judge sided with the NFL to maintain its policy barring freshmen and true sophomores. Williams, who had 176 catches and 30 touchdowns in two years, didn't play this season. The 6-foot-5, 228-pounder is such a strong prospect, he might not be available when Washington picks.

Washington should be able to land Michigan's Braylon Edwards, considered the second-best wideout in the draft. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder seems similar to Gardner -- he has the size and speed to make spectacular catches, yet occasionally botches routine plays.

Gardner produced the worst numbers in his four-year career: 51 catches for 650 yards (an average of 12.7 yards), plus five touchdowns. Coles set a career high with 90 catches -- the most receptions in franchise history by anyone not named Art Monk. But Coles finished with only 950 receiving yards for a career-low average of 10.6 yards and had only one touchdown.

One person close to Coles said he has been unhappy throughout the season mainly because of the losing compounded by Washington's inability to get the ball downfield. (Coles played the final 14 games with an injured middle finger, and all season with toe trouble.)

For much of this season, wide receivers lobbied their position coach to seek a four-wideout set. It was finally unveiled Dec. 5 during Washington's best offensive showing -- a 31-7 victory over the New York Giants. The coaches believe that the wideouts should have done a better job getting open in one-on-one coverage. The coaches also feel that imprecise pass routes helped lead to some of the 38 sacks Washington gave up.

McCants would cost the Redskins a cap hit of $1.3 million if he is released before June. Being waived after June 1 would spread the figure out evenly over the next two years. "Paying me the money they did, not to play me, is basically giving away money," said McCants, who signed a three-year, $4.5 million deal in the offseason. "So with Thrash and Taylor are ahead of me now I wouldn't be surprised if I wasn't here."

Redskins Notes: The Redskins finished with the NFC's top defense, third overall in the NFL. Star linebacker LaVar Arrington was one of several key players who didn't play much because of injury. Last year, when Arrington made his third straight Pro Bowl, the Redskins were ranked 25th. Does it diminish Arrington's value?

"That's up to the coaches and you guys," Arrington replied. "There are two sides. Some people feel LaVar is valuable. Some people feel you can do without him. You can't dispute the fact that the defense played very well without me. That's reality." . . .

Gibbs said that he doesn't expect anyone from his staff to resign because of their age. What Joe Bugel, 64, has dubbed the "Medicare Bunch" includes offensive coordinator Don Breaux, who has had a hip replaced and will turn 65 next season; tight ends coach Rennie Simmons, who will turn 63; and linebackers coach Dale Lindsey, who will be 62. . . .

Shawn Springs became the first cornerback in NFL history to lead his team in interceptions (five) and at least tie for the lead in sacks (six). Springs, voted a second alternate to the Pro Bowl, was tied in sacks with defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin. . . .

The Redskins promoted cornerbacks James Bethea and Korey Banks and defensive linemen Nic Clemons and Melvin Williams to the active roster from the practice squad.

[mojo]

Fine, get rid of them both.

I've wanted Gardner gone the past 2 years and although I like Coles' heart, if he wants to sulk, he can hit the bricks too. Only, I don't see how Coles cannot return to the Skins. No team would trade for his contract, especially since he's damaged goods due to the toe injury.

If we did sign a FA, I think Derrick Mason would be a great fit. He seems like a Gibbs type of player to me.

[Art]

Continuity and stability begin by establishing a coaching staff that is reasonably good. I think we have that. The second part is identifying players who fit what that staff believes in. We are JUST starting to see THAT.

The third part is retaining players who fit that goal. Let's not default to constant knee-jerk answers of, "Cut them all," every time we may see something in the press that doesn't indicate extreme pleasure on the part of any particular player.

We have to get to a point we maintain something year over year, or we'll never actually break out of our current underachieving ways.

[Sebowski]

Originally posted by Art
Continuity and stability begin by establishing a coaching staff that is reasonably good. I think we have that. The second part is identifying players who fit what that staff believes in. We are JUST starting to see THAT.

The third part is retaining players who fit that goal. Let's not default to constant knee-jerk answers of, "Cut them all," every time we may see something in the press that doesn't indicate extreme pleasure on the part of any particular player.

We have to get to a point we maintain something year over year, or we'll never actually break out of our current underachieving ways.

I agree. Keep 'em all!!!:point2sky

[Truant]

Coles being upset about losing is hardly a flaw.

Some moves are going to piss us off but the offense will be much better next year.

[redman]

I don't care if Coles is grumbling.

Gardner, however, has been an underachieving clown since Day 1. Good riddance to him.

[Sonny Joe Hog]

One of the primary goals of this offense is to protect the QB. Well, here we are going into the off-season with a developing young talent as our starting QB who is healthy and able to work to improve. That is important to the team.

A regular diet of four WR sets is not conducive to the good health of the QB. That means that the WR's must be able to beat the coverages and make plays. If the offensive coaches think that a four WR set is just a "band-aid" to cover up the inability of the WR's to run crisp routes, get open and make plays, then I don't think that this staff will accept it as an alternative to WR's doing their jobs the right way. Instead, the current group of WR's must improve or they will be replaced.

This offense is all about Team and winning. When the winning starts to come on a regular basis, I think that the WR's will be much happier and less concerned about their individual numbers. In particular, I'm not concerned about Coles because he is a Team guy, a fierce competitor and a winner. Next year, when we're winning, he's going to be very happy to be a Redskin.

[Pete]

Seend Gardner packin, he's had more then a fair chance to produce.

Coles on the other hand, I would like to see stay with one condition. He has the sergury to fix his friggin toe. I don't care how much heart he shows by playing hurt, it's effected his ability to do his job. I would hope Gibbs and the medical staff push this issue.

IMO, we've never truely gotten to see the guy we signed away from the Jets due to this toe shlitz.

[Riggo-toni]

Anyone else think we will package Gardner and McCants together in a trade. I bet Marty would overpay for them. He's always overpaid for his "yes men." Anyone remember the ridiculous contract he gave Lockett here, or the mega-bucks he paid in SD for Stephen Alexander? Packaged together, we might get a 2nd rounder from him.

[ktball74]

I think the problem is that we have too many of the same type of WR's. I mean Coles, Jacobs, and Thrash all are in the same mold. We definitely need a Keyshawn type possesion WR. I really would like us to draft Mike Williams or Braylon Edwards with our first pick if we can't trade down.

[Gilgamesh]

Looks like we are going to lose three picks from the Marty draft all in one season...Garderner, McCants and Smoot. Dammit Marty you fool, I knew we should have taken Steve Hutchinson...

[acuradriver77]

Don't be surprised to see McCants in an eagles jersey next year!

[Gilgamesh]

Originally posted by acuradriver77
Don't be surprised to see McCants in an eagles jersey next year! You're welcome to him.

[sweet daddy]

Well, everyone on the team has had a rough year. For Coles to sulk and show how unhappy he his doesn't let me know he is a team player. Other factors in my opinion are that fact that we lost last year and he wasn't that unhappy. I don't think it is about us losing. He is mad because of his numbers. And that is def. not a team player.

I have said this before. He has a poor attitude.

[Fatty P For The Pulitzer]

Originally posted by acuradriver77
Don't be surprised to see McCants in an eagles jersey next year!

Naah, a Bungles jersey. All our cut players go to Cinci, most of our FAs who leave go to Philly. Who knows, we might be able to get a very late round pick for McCants.

[dwills1]

coles grabbed 90 catches which is top 10 in the league and top 3 in the conference. He's a baller...imagine if we could have gotten him the pill earlier in the season. he's a baller....gardner;well we might as well give him walking papers

[SNEET]

I'll never understand why McCants was snubbed so much by Gibbs and Co.

[jtyler42]

Originally posted by posse
I'll never understand why McCants was snubbed so much by Gibbs and Co.

B/c he isnt a hard worker and he didnt really want to play...Gibbs and Co said all along they only play backup WR that play special teams....So instead of Dmac saying put me on ST b/c I want to play he just said I dont play ST so I guess I wont ever play...Poor work habits in practice and no true desire to get on the field = inactive for 10/16 games...

Coles has had a tough yr, people that have never played dont understand the toll injuries take on a player that takes pride in their body and the fact that they arent injury prone...His body has broken down on him, and he cant play to full abilities, he doesnt make excuses he just plays....

Keep Coles...

Gardner can roll in a trade of course, he will bring ussome picks or something we arent going to let his arse just leave for nothing...

[hoops381]

Originally posted by jtyler42


B/c he isnt a hard worker and he didnt really want to play...Gibbs and Co said all along they only play backup WR that play special teams....So instead of Dmac saying put me on ST b/c I want to play he just said I dont play ST so I guess I wont ever play...Poor work habits in practice and no true desire to get on the field = inactive for 10/16 games...


And you know all of this as a fact. How do you know what was ever said between DMac and the coaching staff. All I have to say is the numbers don't lie, everyone can keep talking about what thrash and Jacobs do on ST's, but if you all did not notice, our offense is what stunk. Dmac would have definately helped this offense as he proved over and over again when he got his chances.

Unfortunately, I envision McCants popping up somewhere like umm...... Philly. The West coast offense is a perfect fit for a guy like McCants, and I think he'd be the perfect compliment to a guy like T.O. IMHO, a definite upgrade from Stinkston.

If you compare the production of McCants and Jacobs/Thrash in their stints as the 3rd wide, you'd see that McCants was Just as effective alone than the combination of Jacobs/Thrash.

McCants (2003)
Rec Yds Avg. Long TD
27 360 13.3 32 6

Thrash/Jacobs (2004)
Rec Yds Avg. Long TD
33 381 11.5 45 0

Also take into account that he also did not crack the lineup until about the 4th week (I believe against the colts), and he split time with Patrick Johnson. So his opportunities were just as limited. These guys worked against the same Nickle corners and linebackers that Dmac did, with less to show for it. IMO, one of the main reasons that our downfield passing game was so ineffective was the fact that in most cases we had only one or two wide recievers in the route. In today's NFL, with so many people in coverage, you have to do better than that. I find it sad that McCants wasn't given an opportunity to play this season for whatever the reason, whenever he was on the field, he made plays, and even with the limited amount of opportunities he had this year, he made the most of them.

[Mad Mike]

JMO but Gardner can go. Coles needs to have his toe taken care of or he can go too. It may be his body to do with as he pleases, but if it is hurting his performance the team has to make it's own choices. No hard feelings.

I like Plaxico. He's a tough solid reciever who can block and he is familiar with a run first scheme. Jacobs would be fine as a #2 and as we have seen he can be a deep threat. It wouldn't be the most explosive 1-2 punch in the NFL but they would be solid.

It's going to be an interesting FA period even if it isn't as wild as some we have had in the past. We still need a Center, O line depth, and a DE that can put pressure on the better O lines we face (McNugget had all day in the pocket every time we played). Whatever needs remains after FA will dictate our draft picks.

One thing though. First round WRs scare me. Just like a box of chocolates, you never know what your going to get. Is he the next big thing or the next big bust? Worse, even when they work out they seem to rarely become the superstar you were hoping for with that high pick. The superstars usualy come from the 2nd and 3rd rounds, or so it seems to me.:doh:

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

Originally posted by hoops381


And you know all of this as a fact. How do you know what was ever said between DMac and the coaching staff.

It's been widely reported that McCants does not
practice well (which he admitted himself) and that he
does not play special teams. There have been numerous
articles mentioning this subject.

[cphil006]

bye Gardner, don't let the door hit you where the good lord split you.

[FBChick]

Originally posted by hoops381


And you know all of this as a fact. How do you know what was ever said between DMac and the coaching staff. All I have to say is the numbers don't lie, everyone can keep talking about what thrash and Jacobs do on ST's, but if you all did not notice, our offense is what stunk. Dmac would have definately helped this offense as he proved over and over again when he got his chances.

Unfortunately, I envision McCants popping up somewhere like umm...... Philly. The West coast offense is a perfect fit for a guy like McCants, and I think he'd be the perfect compliment to a guy like T.O. IMHO, a definite upgrade from Stinkston.

If you compare the production of McCants and Jacobs/Thrash in their stints as the 3rd wide, you'd see that McCants was Just as effective alone than the combination of Jacobs/Thrash.

McCants (2003)
Rec Yds Avg. Long TD
27 360 13.3 32 6

Thrash/Jacobs (2004)
Rec Yds Avg. Long TD
33 381 11.5 45 0

Also take into account that he also did not crack the lineup until about the 4th week (I believe against the colts), and he split time with Patrick Johnson. So his opportunities were just as limited. These guys worked against the same Nickle corners and linebackers that Dmac did, with less to show for it. IMO, one of the main reasons that our downfield passing game was so ineffective was the fact that in most cases we had only one or two wide recievers in the route. In today's NFL, with so many people in coverage, you have to do better than that. I find it sad that McCants wasn't given an opportunity to play this season for whatever the reason, whenever he was on the field, he made plays, and even with the limited amount of opportunities he had this year, he made the most of them.

First - Actually there are numbers that are missing, and those are SPECIAL TEAMS. Thrash and Jacobs have been major contributors in the special teams department, giving them a dual role to play on this team and therefore making them worth more on the roster then anything McCants can bring.

Second - Now I will admit to not being able to see many games last year, but honestly, I'm not sure where all this McCants love is coming from. He got into a couple of games this year and produced NO better then anyone else on the field. I watched him drop passes, stay covered and perform about as well as the rest of the group on the field. Offensive production didn't seem to change at all with McCants on the field.. explain to me where this magic pill is going to all of a sudden light it up when he didn't do i given the chance? Why on earth would I take a guy so limited who can only produce as well as two others who are much more versitle?

Third - Regardless of what you or I think, the fact is McCants got activated for a couple of games, and then was deactivated again. Meaning the coaches did not see ANY thing in him that would make him even a #3 wide receiver on this team, let alone a #2 wide receiver, and personally, neither did I. I'm not saying he wouldn't be a good WR in a different style of Offense, somewhere else.. but he didn't make the cut here.

[hoops381]

Originally posted by FBChick


First - Actually there are numbers that are missing, and those are SPECIAL TEAMS. Thrash and Jacobs have been major contributors in the special teams department, giving them a dual role to play on this team and therefore making them worth more on the roster then anything McCants can bring.

Second - Now I will admit to not being able to see many games last year, but honestly, I'm not sure where all this McCants love is coming from. He got into a couple of games this year and produced NO better then anyone else on the field. I watched him drop passes, stay covered and perform about as well as the rest of the group on the field. Offensive production didn't seem to change at all with McCants on the field.. explain to me where this magic pill is going to all of a sudden light it up when he didn't do i given the chance? Why on earth would I take a guy so limited who can only produce as well as two others who are much more versitle?

Third - Regardless of what you or I think, the fact is McCants got activated for a couple of games, and then was deactivated again. Meaning the coaches did not see ANY thing in him that would make him even a #3 wide receiver on this team, let alone a #2 wide receiver, and personally, neither did I. I'm not saying he wouldn't be a good WR in a different style of Offense, somewhere else.. but he didn't make the cut here.

OK,

First- Wide receivers are paid to make plays in the passing game. Yes, Thrash and Jacobs contributed on special teams, but their contributions are vastly overrated. Thrash downed three punts inside the five one week, and all anyone talked about was how hard he worked. Crap!!! What about Tom Tupa's punting performance that game. Taylor blocked a punt, but he also ran into a few punters and drew penalties.

Second- While you may have not been able to see many games this year, I saw every one, and I can recall in only one instance that dMac didnt bring in a semi catchable ball. If he did nothing, then why is his yards per catch the highest on the team this year.


Third- You're right, he was activated and the deactivated again, but in the time that he was active, what opportunities did he really have in the passing game. He came in only in the 1 wide reciever set, and they ran the ball all the time. In the eagles game, where patrick forced the ball into cooley in the corner of the endzone, Mccants was working 1 on1 with sheldon brown in the middle of the field. We win that matchup 9 times out of 10.

Lastly, this is no love fest with McCants. I just get disappointed as hell when we do not showcase the talent that we have while they are here. All of our local area teams get so caught up in the what guys aren't doing that they overlook what they are doing and how they can be used to benefit the team.

[fdarugar]

Anyone who says they feel secure with Jacobs as our #2 must be smokin some good sheeit...

[kappaluvacee]

Hoops, most people on this board know we have mad love for DMAC because we went to school with him. Don't waste your time trying to convince them of DMAC talent and ability. When drafted he was the NCAA's all time TD receptions in a season leader playing a hybrid WR/TE position. Philly wanted him bad in the off-season and will definitely pick him up if he's cut. These DMAC detractors will then see the mistake made. My money says he goes to Philly because they have the wide-open receiving game and because he has Jamaal Jackson there who he played with at DSU. I am 'Skins to the heart, there's no doubting that, but I see this man destroying us in Philly. Philly's WR's drop everything (except TO). DMAC hands will make TO that much harder to defend because you'll have one LB trying to cover Westbrook in the flats and another trying to contain DMAC on 7 yard routes. As a hornet I wish DMAC all the luck in the world. As a Redskins fan, I hope the FO does everything in their power to keep him from landing in Dallas or Philly because he’s going to have a breakout season, I just hope he doesn’t break our season two times a year while doing so. I don’t understand how a staff can play Gardner all season and not give every other player on the roster a shot at his job. I know DMAC is partially a casualty due to the fact that he doesn’t play Special Teams. As a second round draft pick that gives us as little as he does on offense, Jacobs better be a solid special teams player, and thrash has always been a special teams player so he’s not doing anything any different than he is accustomed to doing. If DMAC would have been a special teams player, then I think he would have had more favor with the coaches. It is his prerogative though, and it appears the decision has cost him a job. He’ll recover and bounce back. I just don’t want it to be against us.

[Aikmans Killer No.56]

Originally posted by bubba9497
rl]

Washington should be able to land Michigan's Braylon Edwards, considered the second-best wideout in the draft. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder seems similar to Gardner -- he has the size and speed to make spectacular catches, yet occasionally botches routine plays.



Sounds like another Gardner :doh:

I don't know. For some dumb reason, I like Gardner. I love that goofy first down sign he makes after a catch. He drops easy catches sometimes, but he makes others that no one on the team can make. Look what he did for us in the Dallas game. But then I think about the drop in the endzone when we were in NY. I dunno what his deal is, but we can't have people on offense screwing up easy stuff. He has been an underachiever.

I still want Coles around, I don't care if he's in a bad mood. He caught 90 balls and next year when we go downfield more his average will go up.

I dunno, I just don't want to spend more big bucks in free agency. It hasn't worked for us over the past few years. We just need to build from within. I'm afraid if we spend big bucks with our luck we'll get what happened when Peerless Price went to ATL.

Our drafts over the past 5 years have been solid, so I trust our scouts and judgements we make. We've gotten some great players who have helped us out. I've been saying I don't want Mike Williams, but maybe it's not such a bad idea. I just don't want another Gardner.

I dunno, I'm ranting right now, I'm not making much sense, I'm done

[Aikmans Killer No.56]

And keep DMAC!

[BD]

Look, Coles is going nowhere. He's pissed, yes, but justifiably so.

Gardner and McCants are almost surely gone, and I bet you that this article is right about the replacements. That said, I think Braylon Edwards is a horrible, horrible choice.

BD

[jimster]

Originally posted by hoops381
[B]

OK,

First- Wide receivers are paid to make plays in the passing game. Yes, Thrash and Jacobs contributed on special teams, but their contributions are vastly overrated. Thrash downed three punts inside the five one week, and all anyone talked about was how hard he worked. Crap!!! What about Tom Tupa's punting performance that game. Taylor blocked a punt, but he also ran into a few punters and drew penalties.

Second- While you may have not been able to see many games this year, I saw every one, and I can recall in only one instance that dMac didnt bring in a semi catchable ball. If he did nothing, then why is his yards per catch the highest on the team this year.


Third- You're right, he was activated and the deactivated again, but in the time that he was active, what opportunities did he really have in the passing game. B]

McCants got a holding call on a Portis run during that Eagles game that would have been a 1st when it wasn't necessary to hold. - Then we went back 10 yards, didn't convert and punted.

I like McCants, but the staff recognizes he doesn't want to work in practice, he admits he doesn't want to work in practice, doesn't play special teams and when got his opportunity he killed a drive.

- As far as Thrash working his butt off studying special teams, then going in and downing 3 punts inside the 5 in one game, that's pretty significant. - Yes, Tupa put it there, but how many times have you seen a punter's kick roll into the end zone because no one was there? ..Thrash is a great special teamer.

Hopefully we can get a draft pick or player for McCants.

[vnmenon1]

I'm GLAD Coles is mad... it will ultimatley make the O better imo..

Gibbs likes Coles, he has publicly praised him numerous times, and likely gibbs will listen to coles, and go deep more. He'll add more deep plays and such

[jimster]

I think Coles will change his tune once Gibbs lets him in on the changes that will be made on offense.

....remember that this time last year (almost) Arrington wasn't thrilled with Gibbs either until they talked.

....it'll be ok:grouphug:

[Bat~man]

i hope coles is back , wouldnt mind getting a WR in the draft the more i think about it ..........BUT i hope we spend a LOT of attentionon our o-line and hopefully gibbs will make some deep routes for coles and some better run plays for portis and get some guys who can block for portis ...... hope gardner goes and maybe mike williams will be ok , braylon edwards might not be too bad but i dont know ..... someone said our scouts have done well the past few years and i agree except they messed up on gardner and hopefully they look for a few different things in WRs than they did with gardner ....anyway heres to hoping the offseason is SHORT!!

[Bat~man]

oh and i for one think smoot is a NEED .... we need to freakin resign him people think we can just throw any CB there and we will be fine ....i dont think thats true its HARD to get good corners and we KNOW what smoot is so we should NOT take a chance on looking for another

[skinsfan93]

Originally posted by bubba9497
Receiving Unit May Be in for a Change
Redskins Wideouts Struggled as Team Posted NFL's 30th-Ranked Offense
By Nunyo Demasio
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A48522-2005Jan4?language=printer


Rod Gardner departed Redskins Park on Monday afternoon while talking on his cell phone, moving hurriedly toward his car and avoiding reporters as if they were defensive backs.

I don't know how accurate this article is. Rod Gardner doesn't have the ability to "hold onto a cell phone while avoiding defensive backs" IMO. :laugh:

[bulldog]

I would rather find a veteran wide receiver as that position is very hard to peg in the draft for immediate success and use the picks to find depth on the OL, DL and perhaps RB.

[Renegade7]

Trade Gardner and DMac for picks. Gibbs is almost making it obivious he's looking for a monster WR who has proven he can play on an NFL level. Don't be suprised to see someone like Burress in B&G in 2005.