Something new to talk about

[FRPLG]

I'd call Westbrook a bust and Gardner a typical first roudn receiver. Westbrook had basically no career after the Skins. He never lived up to the top ten pick we waste on him and the only notable thing he ever did was go Judo on the Redskins single season rushing leader. Gardner is a decent receiver for sure. He probably has a good 6 or 7 year career ahead of him and could end up in the 500-600 catch range if he finds the right situation. What he isn't is a game changing type receiver that we need. He is a good number two on a balanced offensive team. Most first round receivers end up in this mold. Only a few go on to be great players. First round WRs are the bigest crap shoot but also carry the least risk since basically you know you're at least going to get a decent ball player. It is such a skill position that if they show any acumen in college you'll know whether they are good enough or not. Whether they become great or not depends on system and intangibles. Gardners doesn't seem to have much in the intangibles category.

[sportscurmudgeon]

Matty:

It's OK to be nasty. You can call them "busts" instead of "disappointing" and we won't think you've gone totally over to the dark side.

Expectations for Westbrook were higher than for Gardner and neither came close to living up to whatever expecation level was set for them. I think Westbrook was the bigger problem for the Skins because he was involved in some "internal team issues" that were less than wonderful and Gardner seems not to have had that dimension to his game.

I have to conclude that Gardner is not anywhere near a MENSA candidate though. Remember, he's the guy who had his car stolen when he gave the keys to some guy posing as a valet parking attendant. As they say in the Guinness commercials: BRILLIANT!!