WR McCardell considering signing with Redskins, Texans

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Originally Posted by jdlea

Here's something to chew on:

I put on over 50 lbs in about 4 months (the majority of which is fat). However, if I ever decided to work out, I could probably shed that and turn it into at least 20 lbs of muscle.

sounds like you been chewing

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by mmil12

Numbers don't lie...here are the last three years for both players. Does this explain why McCardell would be a better receiver then Thrash? McCardell has almost as many reception last year as thrash has had the last three years combined.

Thrash:
2004 WAS 17 203 11.9 0
2005 WAS 14 194 13.9 0
2006 WAS 12 151 12.6 1

McCardell:
2004 SDG 31 393 12.7 1
2005 SDG 70 917 13.1 9
2006 SDG 36 437 12.1 1

Sure, but I don't think we're talking about Thrash or Keenan as the #1 guy here. We're talking about the #4 receiver. When you're talking about the #4 receiver I don't think number of catches is the key factor to look at. These are the guys who are, as previously mentioned, playing special teams; making the key block on a long run, and all those other intangibles.

Sure, if injuries happen and the #4 becomes the #1 then yeah you want Keenan over Thrash. But you can't approach it that way.

[EXoffender]

Originally Posted by skinsfan_nn

Yes, this is a tough one. I don't think we would let thrash go, it would proubally be Espy....? I like McCardell a good vet that would be nice to have, if he has any gas left in the tank.

I think Espy has a strong upside, he just needs a chance, and had a really strong showing at mini-camp he was in the top four list of best camp players, he just needs a chance to prove himself in a real game.

I guess if I had to pick it would be the proven vet IF HE CAN STILL PLAY, with a year, but not so sure. This is a tough call!

Thrash plays special teams and is a player-coach. It's good news that Espy is making strides but, it won't hurt Espy to sit another year to see how Lloyd pans out.

[MTK]

JLC's take on McCardell:

Made some calls this morning and the Skins are in fact negotiating with McCardell, 37, to bring him into camp. He has good size and has been a quality possession guy for a long time. Not great speed and nearing the end, but the Skins could definitely use someone as a big target for Jason Campbell as a slot guy.

From what I have heard, they essentially offered McCardell the veteran minimum, which would be the logical initial move in this case. There would be no guarantees that McCardell, a former Skins draft pick who never actually played for them, would make the team. This late in free-agency game, guys aren't getting big bucks and Keenan would realize that.

McCardell (6-1, 191) lives in Houston and was offered the minimun by the Texans. So if he's going to sign someplace for that money, might as well do it at home I would presume. But from what I gather, the Skins have some legit interest here - which speaks to the odd way they comprise their roster and how, after spending so many millions on complimentary receivers, they still have a need.

If they step up and give McCardell a decent little signing bonus, I think it gets done. He's a bit part at this point, but has assets the team lacks. Lloyd and Randle El have never proven to be No. 2 WRs to this point in their career - although one of them had better do so in 2007 - and McCardell did manage to start 11 games for the AFC powerhouse Chargers in 2006, though with limited production (36 catches, 437 yards, no TDs).

In 2005, though, McCardell started all 16 games, had 70 catches had nearly 1,000 yards; he caught 9 TDs and had 50 first-down catches - which is exactly the kind of thing the Skins need, someone savvy to move the chains and make catches in the high-traffic areas,

So we'll see what the Skins do over the next little while. Ball is in their court. I was surprised they didn't even take a look at Keyshawn - even with his issues - and to me it makes a lot of sense to throw a bonus at McCardell and a $1 million base and give Lloyd and that bunch a little something to consider. The 16-year vet. would be a positive influence on the younger guys if nothing else, and has been known as a locker room leader type for a long time.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by jdlea

Here's something to chew on:

I put on over 50 lbs in about 4 months (the majority of which is fat). However, if I ever decided to work out, I could probably shed that and turn it into at least 20 lbs of muscle.

Damn dude. That a lot of lbs. I see your in College Park. I use to live there from 91-94. Back then my diet was Cluck U Chicken, $4 Jerry's Cheese Pizza, MaDonalds and Olympia beer.

[21plus30equalsbashbros]

McCardell would be an excellent addition to the team. James Trash hasnt done anything since before he left for philly. His hands are questionable and he is like another WR here......scared to go across the middle. McCardell is an all around great posession reciever and a great LEADER something this team needs with the emphasis on the youth of this team.

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Originally Posted by 21plus30equalsbashbros

McCardell would be an excellent addition to the team. James Trash hasnt done anything since before he left for philly. His hands are questionable and he is like another WR here......scared to go across the middle. McCardell is an all around great posession reciever and a great LEADER something this team needs with the emphasis on the youth of this team.

you raise a good point but like other people said James Thrash plays special teams while mccardell does not. But if Mccardell comes I think Espy is out.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by 21plus30equalsbashbros

McCardell would be an excellent addition to the team. James Trash hasnt done anything since before he left for philly. His hands are questionable and he is like another WR here......scared to go across the middle. McCardell is an all around great posession reciever and a great LEADER something this team needs with the emphasis on the youth of this team.

What? Thrash has questionable hands, done nothing AND is scared to go across the middle?
He may have the best hands on the team play for play. I don't recall Thrash dropping anything since we got him back, but I'm sure he's dropped a couple as any wr does. He has played maybe 20% of the snaps and he's blocked & caught the ball when his # is called. I've only missed a couple games on tv the last few years & my view of Thrash is the polar opposite of yours. I'm not even talking about his contributions on spec. teams, which is substantial, just his ability as a wr. His only flaw is that he's not a game breaker, but he still fights for extra yardage & I have no idea why you say he has questionable hands & is scared to go across the middle. Most every pass that comes his way is in traffic.

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Damn dude. That a lot of lbs. I see your in College Park. I use to live there from 91-94. Back then my diet was Cluck U Chicken, $4 Jerry's Cheese Pizza, MaDonalds and Olympia beer.

Yeah...a whole lot of beer and sitting at a desk all day doesn't much help. My weight has actually been odd recently though because I was 180. Then I got up to 215, got back down to 185 and now I'm about 235. That's been about the last 18 months. Most of it is also because I grew to 6'3 in high school and now I'm filling out my frame some, so I don't mind the weight...outside of not having a lot of muscle.

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by EARTHQUAKE2689

you raise a good point but like other people said James Thrash plays special teams while mccardell does not. But if Mccardell comes I think Espy is out.

I think that's a mistake. The Skins have a kid in Espy who could develop into a decent wide receiver. I don't think there's any reason to bring a guy who is going to set him back or have him end up being cut. If he doesn't work out, it's not that big of a deal, but I would rather the Skins keep a 24 year old to going out and getting a 37 year old.

[MTK]

I know people love the underdogs but c'mon, if you have a chance to sign a proven veteran like McCardell to a veteran minimum deal vs. keeping a complete unknown practice squad caliber player like Espy you take the vet every day of the week.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I know people love the underdogs but c'mon, if you have a chance to sign a proven veteran like McCardell to a veteran minimum deal vs. keeping a complete unknown practice squad caliber player like Espy you take the vet every day of the week.

Yeah, for sure McCardell is going to be the better option this year, but what will his impact be? Remember, if we roster Keenan McCardell, thats one spot on the 53 man that can not go to a young guy. And does he make this team any better? Not a whole lot if any.

It's kind of meaningless in the big picture either way, but I'd rather not have two receivers who don't play teams on my roster.

McCardells just not what he used to be.

Do we even know if he's still a better option than Thrash? Thats the mistake we made last year with Lloyd and Randle El, we forgot to consider the possibility that the incumbant by default might be a better player.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by mmil12

Who would you rather have in your three wide out sets: Moss, ARE and McCardell or Moss, ARE, and Thrash.

Moss, Cooley, and Betts. Somewhat serious.

In passing situations, how can you not have Portis, Betts, Moss, Cooley, and ARE all on the field. Those are your five best offensive weapons. Putting anyone else on the field would decrease our offensive potential.

You could make the arguement that McCardell>ARE at receiver, a valid statement, but the difference probably isn't big enough to mitigate ARE's versatility, especially when you are considering giving a roster spot to Keenan or not.

In today's game, the most versatile offensive players can be receivers in 3-4 receiver personel packages. Betts can be a good slot receiver, and Cooley can split wide. We should ONLY be adding receivers who are better than Lloyd/ARE, instead of just rostering more players for the sake of having more players.

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Originally Posted by jdlea

I think that's a mistake. The Skins have a kid in Espy who could develop into a decent wide receiver. I don't think there's any reason to bring a guy who is going to set him back or have him end up being cut. If he doesn't work out, it's not that big of a deal, but I would rather the Skins keep a 24 year old to going out and getting a 37 year old.

I hear that but we have 3 recievers already in their 20's that make Espy look like a scrub, if anyone goes it will be him.

[skinsfan69]

Adding another WR would not be a bad idea. But he has got to be a young guy that we can develop. KM is not going to beat out BL or ARE for the 2nd and 3rd wr spots. Sorry guys but it's just not going to happen. So that leaves JT. Why in the hell would you bring in an old 4th wr that does not play teams?????? IT MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL.