Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Preseason Week 3)

[12thMan]

Jason was sharp. Moss looked good. Cooley was Cooley. And I was glad to see Zorn loosen up a bit. Continue to take more shots downfield, man. It's a good thing.

If Marcus Mason and Marko Mitchell don't make this team, for sure they will be playing somewhere else in the NFL this year. I was really impressed with Mitchell's downfield block on Cooley's long reception too. This guy could very well be this year's Colston.

I have no real big criticism of the offensive play as a whole, but it seems like Casey Rabach just isn't getting the job done. I think Heyer is starting to get comfortable over there at tackle as well. He wasn't stellar, but wasn't getting pushed around and more than held his own.

[Beemnseven]

Does anybody else find themselves temporarily forgetting that Antwaan Randle El is even on the team?

Perhaps he has less of a role because the coaches really want Thomas, Kelly and Mitchell to get as much time as possible. But there was a moment on TV when the camera was on the sidelines getting a closeup of Clinton Portis -- Portis was in street clothes and he wasn't looking into the camera, he was focused on the game. Well, behind him, you could see Randle El giving some sort of goofy face into the camera and I almost felt embarassed for him. Here he is schmoozing it up on TV and he never really has proved that he has been worth a damn. To me anyway. I know there are people here who really like him. And don't get me wrong, I like the idea of him. It's his actual results I have a problem with.

When he first got here, I thought he'd be a great kick and punt returner even if he never really proved himself as a receiver in Pittsburgh. That hasn't worked out. Then I thought he'd be great as a trick play-slash type player. But we don't run many trick plays. Then I thought he'd be perfect for the Wildcat. But Zorn doesn't like the Wildcat.

So when you get down to it, the question comes up as to what exactly his role is with this team -- especially if Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly start producing; and it looks as though they are starting to come around which is what we all want.

I know his catches were up last year, and his cap number makes it virtually impossible to release him, but am I alone in thinking that Randle El may not have much of a role on this team? And does it piss anybody else off that there's not a damn thing we can do about it?

[CRedskinsRule]

I think Randle El fits perfectly into the slot, especially on 2nd and 3rds. I have high hopes that once he is in the "right" role his value and production will be obvious.

[GridIron26]

^ I believe so too.. Randle El is also mentoring our young WRs, which is an valuable asset.. I also believe Randle El will be released within two years, not next year..

[NYCskinfan82]

^^ He's not a bad player he's just not a great player and for the money he's being paid he should be great. He has a ring and he's a good role model for the up and coming WR's.

[CRedskinsRule]

^^^ I love ^'s. Not my money, if he is productive then great, not really looking like the salary cap's gonna matter next year anyhow.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

I think Randle El fits perfectly into the slot, especially on 2nd and 3rds. I have high hopes that once he is in the "right" role his value and production will be obvious.

Yep. He really should thrive in the slot. It fits his talents to a T. He's smart and quick enough to find open spaces.

[Misterbillysells]

No ones concerned about the ineffectiveness of portis running the football? Seemed to me that he had a lot more to do with those three straight three and outs than campbell.

[12thMan]

I don't think Randle El is mentoring our wide receivers anymore than Stan Hixon. Besides, what has he done to point to him being such a great role model? He has 15 career touchdowns. His stats are paltry since becoming a Redskin and they weren't all that great at Pittsburgh. The notion that Randle El adds something to this team or will morph into a great slot wideout has been a mystery to me for a while. Sure, he's had some good moments here and there. The 2006 season comes to mind. He had one great game against Miami in 2007. But overall he's been a flop.

I say James Thrash will be as much of a mentor to our WRs, if not more, than Randle El. If it weren't for that outrageous contract he received, I think he would have been gone last year.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

I don't think Randle El is mentoring our wide receivers anymore than Stan Hixon. Besides, what has he done to point to him being such a great role model? He has 15 career touchdowns. His stats are paltry since becoming a Redskin and they weren't all that great at Pittsburgh. The notion that Randle El adds something to this team or will morph into a great slot wideout has been a mystery to me for a while. Sure, he's had some good moments here and there. The 2006 season comes to mind. He had one great game against Miami in 2007. But overall he's been a flop.

I say James Thrash will be as much of a mentor to our WRs, if not more, than Randle El. If it weren't for that outrageous contract he received, I think he would have been gone last year.

Thank you. Somehow, Randle El acquired the 'I-Don't-Have-To-Produce-Jack-Sh*t-And-The-Fans-Will-Always-Love-Me' card. Not many players in the history of the league can get that kind of pass.

[SmootSmack]

It's not El's fault he was offered the contract he was offered. And you can't hate him for accepting.

His numbers are pretty solid for a #3/slot receiver. And really the only reason he's been playing the #2 spot in recent years is because we screwed the pooch on Brandon Lloyd. Again, not ARE's fault.

As a punt returner...I'll just keep my mouth shut.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Thank you. Somehow, Randle El acquired the 'I-Don't-Have-To-Produce-Jack-Sh*t-And-The-Fans-Will-Always-Love-Me' card. Not many players in the history of the league can get that kind of pass.

Considering we've had his two best seasons as a pro these last two years, I think the signing has gone about as well as anyone could have hoped. I have no idea if he met the team's expectations, but if he hasn't earned a pass in their eyes, then he never, ever deserved a contract.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Thank you. Somehow, Randle El acquired the 'I-Don't-Have-To-Produce-Jack-Sh*t-And-The-Fans-Will-Always-Love-Me' card. Not many players in the history of the league can get that kind of pass.

We signed Randle El the same year we signed Arch and Andre Carter. I think the media was more focused on the defensive side of the ball with those two additions. You also had Jason Campbell trying to assert himself as the future of the franschise and could Joe Gibbs return the team to the glory days. So I think in part, Randle El's contract and his lack of production sort of got lossed in the weeds with some of the other bigger stories surrounding the franchise.

Now that Arch and Gibbs are gone and Andre Carter has been solid for the most part, Randle El is, in my mind, the only the guy that hasn't really followed through. Yeah, he's a nice guy and all but I think he's definitely gotten a pass since being here.

edit: I totally forgot about Brandon Lloyd.

[GTripp0012]

Before we villify the OL for getting Campbell whacked a lot, 2-3 of the hits were more a result of Campbell holding the ball long enough to move to his 3rd/4th targets on the play. I know Rabach missed a really critical block that got Campbell whacked against Mike Wright, a second teamer who is comparable to a Kedric Golston type, and I'll go back to the tape, but in the regular season, I'm thinking Campbell will be more focused on getting the ball out quickly and won't take quite as many hits as last night.

[GusFrerotte]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Just as Simms said during the game, give JC time and he can make all the throws. Of course that's true with just about any QB, but I think JC more than proved last night he can play at a high level.

I think most are in agreement he more than deserves to be the starter, but can he play at last night's level on a consistent basis? He looked absolutely awesome last night, but can he do that for most of the season? We seem to have decent depth at O line after all, which surprised me. Too bad about us having to let one of the young RB's go, it is just as bad as having to let Chase or Colt go.