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Originally Posted by raleighskinsfan
I actually got goose bumps reading that JoeC. Outstanding job. I am most encouraged by the Taylor Jacobs news. Considering he is doing so well, what do you think his chances of winning the number 3 role are over McCants? Do you think we have enough or even too many WR's, or do you think we should keep them all?
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I appreciate that, Raleigh.
At this point, I would say Jacobs' chances of winning the #3 job are excellent, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him eventually supplant Gardner as the #2 option by mid-season.
Of course, there are a lot of variables that play into the equation-- not the least of which are Jacobs' health and Gardner's status as a trade option. Also, as others have pointed out, many players sparkle in the preseason, only to be exposed as fool's gold when the true test of the regular season is applied.
However, when you consider the skills and talent that Jacobs brings to the table, he looks considerably more refined than Gardner or McCants, both of whom bring a physical presence, but seem to forget the importance of technical precision from time to time. In addition to his speed, quickness, athleticism and reliable hands, Jacobs runs his routes with the accuracy that coaches and quarterbacks love, avoiding false steps and getting quickly in and out of his breaks.
Another characterisitic that makes Jacobs appealing is the way he goes after the ball-- he doesn't wait for it, he attacks it. That's something that, despite his superior size, Gardner hasn't learned to do on a consistent basis.
It looks like a lot of people around the league think the trade for James Thrash is a sure sign that Gardner is on the way out. I don't think so. Thrash was primarily a special teams acquisition, and he'd be a #4 wideout on this roster. I think the real threat to Gardner is McCants-- his re-signing makes Gardner expendable; they were virtually interchangeable before, now they may be in a literal sense as well. Gardner's base salaries over the next two years are manageable ($1,006,200 in 2004, and $1,446,800 in '05), so he would be a decent trade target for a team looking to obtain a big #2 wideout.
The problem is, there's such a wealth of wide receivers in this year's draft class, that it's hard to imagine anyone giving up more than a low 3rd rounder for an inconsistent receiver like Gardner. At this point, a low 3rd may be all the Skins are looking for.
Right now, the trio of Coles, Jacobs and McCants looks to be the most likely combo to attempt a revival of "The Posse". If Gardner isn't traded by the draft, he'll have a real fight on his hands to keep his job as the #2 wideout. Cloman and Thrash are the kind of #4 and #5 wideouts that Gibbs loves to have around as special teams standouts who can fill in capably for the top 3 wideouts when called upon.
It all depends on how many wideouts Gibbs chooses to keep. Given his reliance upon tight ends and H-backs, and the need for depth at those positions, it's hard to imagine him keeping more than 5 wideouts on the active roster.