McCants: Your thoughts?
 

With all the talk about WRs recently, I haven't seen much about McCants. He worked very well as a redzone target a couple years back, but he sort of fell out of favor last year it seems.

I don't have any tapes, so I can't verify this, but he seems to fit the role of that bigger, physical receiver that some people were thinking the 'Skins were needing with Mike Williams and Plaxico Burress earlier in the free agency period. Could McCants play a larger role this season? To what sort of success? I for one, would like to see him step up and make an impact this year. Discuss!

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

I honestly think he can. He was Patrick Ramsey's favorite target most of the season two years ago. He is a better bet than Gardner at this point.

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

Well you would hard pressed to find anyone on this board who doesn't like McCants, the problem is Gibbs doesn't like McCants, he insist's it's because McCants wont play or can't play special teams, personally I think there more to it than that, regardless Gibbs so far is not a McCants fan and that's what count's.

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

[QUOTE=offiss]Well you would hard pressed to find anyone on this board who doesn't like McCants, the problem is Gibbs doesn't like McCants, he insist's it's because McCants wont play or can't play special teams, personally I think there more to it than that, regardless Gibbs so far is not a McCants fan and that's what count's.[/QUOTE]
I agree that Gibbs does not think highly of McCants, but I think that Gibbs may be in a situation where he will almost have to put aside his feelings/thoughts on wether or not McCants can play special teams or not. Other than Gardner, McCants is our only BIG physical WR.

I just looked on the NFL website and I just noticed that McCants is almost the exact mold of our very own Art Monk.(I mean in size compaision)
McCants is like 6'3" 214lbs, and Monk was like 6'4" 214 if I am not mistaken. Just a quick comparision...

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

I trust the judgement of Joe Gibbs on McCants...he knows more about the situation than we do...but I really felt too that McCants can contribute well for us. I do have a feeling though, that our starting trio will be Moss, Patton, and Jacobs.

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

[QUOTE=Redskins8588]I agree that Gibbs does not think highly of McCants, but I think that Gibbs may be in a situation where he will almost have to put aside his feelings/thoughts on wether or not McCants can play special teams or not. Other than Gardner, McCants is our only BIG physical WR.

I just looked on the NFL website and I just noticed that McCants is almost the exact mold of our very own Art Monk.(I mean in size compaision)
McCants is like 6'3" 214lbs, and Monk was like 6'4" 214 if I am not mistaken. Just a quick comparision...[/QUOTE]


I agree, exept with or without Gardner he's our only big reciever. ;)

As far as the comparison, monk went 6'2" 180lbs when he entered the league he played bigger than that though, as far as McCants he's defiently bigger than Monk, McCants body type is much longer than Monks as well.

But to compare the 2 really isn't fair because there's really no comparison, McCants hasen't proven he's a clutch, go get the ball type of reciever, whether that's Gibbs fault or not we don't know, but he was raw when we drafted him, but he seemed to be progressing until last season, who knows about him at this point, I personally want to see him on the field he's a playmaker but Gibbs say's otherwise and he makes the final decisions.



[url]http://nova.sportscombine.com/ap/p/ap_pu_std_stats.asp?pid=36272[/url]

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

[QUOTE=offiss]I agree, exept with or without Gardner he's our only big reciever. ;)

As far as the comparison, monk went 6'2" 180lbs when he entered the league he played bigger than that though, as far as McCants he's defiently bigger than Monk, McCants body type is much longer than Monks as well.

But to compare the 2 really isn't fair because there's really no comparison, McCants hasen't proven he's a clutch, go get the ball type of reciever, whether that's Gibbs fault or not we don't know, but he was raw when we drafted him, but he seemed to be progressing until last season, who knows about him at this point, I personally want to see him on the field he's a playmaker but Gibbs say's otherwise and he makes the final decisions.



[url]http://nova.sportscombine.com/ap/p/ap_pu_std_stats.asp?pid=36272[/url][/QUOTE]

[url]http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/100/91.html[/url]

[url]http://www.thehogs.net/History/ArtMonk/[/url]

[url]http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=248[/url]

These sites have him at 6'3" 210lbs and I am sure that is where I got the idea that he was about 214 or around there. As for Monk being 6'2" and 180lbs out of college that may be, but on the his hall of fame page they have him listed as 6'3" 210lbs.

Anyhow I did only compare the two in size, I never compared them as to there abilities and talents. Art Monk makes McCants look like a pop-warner WR. Yeah McCants was starting to look good acouple of years ago, and I do think that he has alot to offer, but he does have a way to go to be able to compare his talents, abilities and skills to Art Monk.

I hope that everyone does understand that I think that McCants is only comparable to Monk in body type and thats it...

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

McCants to me just looks bigger than Monk on the field I do think that McCants has much longer arms and legs which could make him deceptivly tall.

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

well last year,mccants was the invisible man!did he even catch a pass at all during the regular season?:coach:

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

[QUOTE=BIGREDSKINFAN63]well last year,mccants was the invisible man!did he even catch a pass at all during the regular season?:coach:[/QUOTE]
I get your point if you are being sarcastic, but incase your not Ramsey did have a pretty good drive going in one game where he hit McCants like 3 out of 4 times then McCants got benched. I am not sure what game it was but I am pretty sure it was at FedEx, maybe against the eagles, but like I said I am not sure...

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

I think McCants has the physical attributes and skills to become a very good wideout in Gibbs' system, but he's not a consistent practice player (unlike Thrash and Jacobs, who are on-point for virtually every snap), and whether we like it or not, special teams ability (not just [I]willingness[/I] to play on special teams), plays a huge role for Gibbs in determining who's on the game-day active roster. That said, without Gardner, Gibbs is going to need a big-bodied receiver, and McCants is the only one on the roster.

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

I think it's more than a little shitty when players don't want to play special teams. However, if someone hires me as a CEO of a company, I don't want to responsible for filing and organizing things when that is not part of my job description. McCants was drafted as a WR, not a WR/Special Teams specialist.

I do think as a matter of principle, you SHOULD volunteer to play special teams, but I don't think that should be a reason for benching. Which also leads ME to believe there is something more going on we don't know about.

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

Gardner is not that bad he is just inconsostent he has made some amazing grabs.... Hsome value I think if he stays he and McCants can make contributions. How big is Cooley? does he count as a big target?

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

how tall is Jacobs?

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

Jacobs is about 6'0

I hope he blows up this year. We are going to need it.

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

[QUOTE=skinsguy]I trust the judgement of Joe Gibbs on McCants...he knows more about the situation than we do...but I really felt too that McCants can contribute well for us. I do have a feeling though, that our starting trio will be Moss, Patton, and Jacobs.[/QUOTE]

I think Gibbs knows what he is doing most of the time, but exhibit #1 - Mark Brunell, is my evidence for why Gibbs sometimes puts too much faith in a player's personna moreso than their talent. I'm not saying that is a bad thing, but if you are struggling on offense, why not give someone a chance.

It isn't like he has been arrested smoking pot or DUI (hello Sean Taylor) - give him a shot.

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

I'm hoping McCants can break through this year and win some quality playing time. He and Ramsey definitely seem to have a nice connection.

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

Gibbs has already been on the record stating that as far as WR's are concerned, size means nothing to him. I agree to a certain extent. I don't think Randy Moss would be the player he is now if he was 5'9" as opposed to 6'4". But it's all about speed, securing the ball, YAC and the ability to sell routes. IMO it would be nice to have a big guy to get those fades and jump balls. It was clear to me at the end of this last season that coach was experimenting a little bit... he atleast put McCants in there and let Jacobs get some more playing time. I'm really exciting about a revamped passing game especially 'cause Musgrave is getting Gibbs to consider such novel ideas as .... the shotgun!! I for one am happy with the guys we have now and I think it will be a huge difference compared to last year.

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

We all pretty much agree that we have a very potentially talented receiving corps. This group could be the surprise of the NFL. You will notice I said potentially. If all our WR's can take that next step we will have a good receiving corps. I feel we need to have a very productive first quarter of the year to build their convidence and I include Ramsey in that group. If we can only establish a passing threat I can see Portis with about 1500 yards next year. Lets only hope that Gibbs can work his magic and get this group to play to their potential and we will all be smiling.

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

[QUOTE=TheMalcolmConnection]I think it's more than a little shitty when players don't want to play special teams. However, if someone hires me as a CEO of a company, I don't want to responsible for filing and organizing things when that is not part of my job description. McCants was drafted as a WR, not a WR/Special Teams specialist.

I do think as a matter of principle, you SHOULD volunteer to play special teams, but I don't think that should be a reason for benching. Which also leads ME to believe there is something more going on we don't know about.[/QUOTE]

Jacobs and Thrash were also drafted as WRs yet they play special teams. Look at that Lions game from last year, Thrash and Jacobs were the MVPs of that game as a direct result of their special teams play

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

I'm not saying they shouldn't play special teams, I just don't think it should be required for playing time. Thrash was by far one of our biggest playmakers on the punt team. I just hate to see someone who has the talent of McCants not get playing time simple for something like that.

Maybe I'm reducing it more than it should be, but I think he really has skills and he is being benched for something fairly innocuous.

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

McCants doesn't seem like he has a special teamer's kind of attitude. I don't think he likes to do things like that. He's sort of soft, in my eyes. I can understand him not wanting to play special teams because I don't think he'd be at all useful in that capacity. I think he should see the field this year, because Ramsey loves throwing to him. If they truly want Ramsey to succeed they have to give him his favorite target.

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

Right. It's fine to punish people for missing meetings, workouts and to hold out for contracts. But come on, it's just special teams. We drafted and signed people specifically for that. Benching McCants simply for not playing special teams is not sending a good message when I'm sure that Taylor and Moss will be welcomed back and be crucial parts of the offense and defense.

The whole team is being punished because we all have seen the connection McCants has with Ramsey.

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

[QUOTE=TheMalcolmConnection]Right. It's fine to punish people for missing meetings, workouts and to hold out for contracts. But come on, it's just special teams. We drafted and signed people specifically for that. Benching McCants simply for not playing special teams is not sending a good message when I'm sure that Taylor and Moss will be welcomed back and be crucial parts of the offense and defense.

The whole team is being punished because we all have seen the connection McCants has with Ramsey.[/QUOTE]I think there is more to the picture than just not wanting to play special teams. It could be for the lack of even trying, the lack of hussel durning practice etc...I do not think Gibbs would not play a player who could not play special teams but I do believe he would bench a player unwilling to try.

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

the problem is that mccant doesn"t practice very well, like boss hog said "if he wants to play lets see it in practice. i hope he steps up this year, we could use him. he's good, allhe does is makes plays.

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

If the guy doesn't put out in practice than Gibbs is right not to play him, if he put's out and is just a lowsey practice player then Gibbs should decern between the 2 and get him some playing time, I would rather have a player who's not good in practice but delievers on game day, than a workout wonder in practice who disapears on game day, I am sure we can find a replacement on special teams for him, and Ramsey obviously has some kind of chemistry with the guy, whether it's because he's big, or has a nack for getting open, either way he need's playing time.

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

Yeah, I completely support him being benched it he doesn't give his all in practice or his work ethic is poor. Simply an unwillingness to play special teams wouldn't justify benching, I wouldn't think.

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

Forgive the lack of knowledege but does anyone know why McCants is appartently in the doghouse. What did he do or not do?

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

[QUOTE=Red Robert]Forgive the lack of knowledege but does anyone know why McCants is appartently in the doghouse. What did he do or not do?[/QUOTE]


I'm thinking I heard something about McCants not working as hard as expected during practice. Others might have heard that he didn't want to play special teams, but I haven't actually heard that or read that anywhere myself.

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

I think the term I heard used about him is that he did not pratice well. I don't know if that is the nice way to say that he was lazy or he just did not perform well in pratice droped balls etc... If I remember correctly he was asked about his pratice performance and addmitted he did not do well in pratice. He also said that he had always had problems performing in pratice but it never effected him on game day. I guess there will be guys that have trouble turning it on when its just pratice and can turn it on game day. If this is the case it can be hard as a coach to distinguish the difference between these players and could take time to give that player a chance at game day.

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

Thanks guys, I just wanted to be sure I had not missed anything on this. I really do think that between Jacobs and McCants we could have a #1 reciever in waiting. Playcallling is the key on this in my opinion. Hopefully these guys will see the opportunity and step up.

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

Jacobs has impressed everytime he touches the field over the sholder catches I just hope he stays healthy thats been his problem i definitely think Jacobs is a number one receiver. Jacobs Moss and Patten and then switch our Patten and McCants per situation. I think will be fine. I defintiely think the offense will score alot next year I just hope we can replace Pierce I think Rodgers should start from day one i always thought Walt Harris was a joke.

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

[QUOTE=firstdown]I think the term I heard used about him is that he did not pratice well. I don't know if that is the nice way to say that he was lazy or he just did not perform well in pratice droped balls etc... If I remember correctly he was asked about his pratice performance and addmitted he did not do well in pratice. He also said that he had always had problems performing in pratice but it never effected him on game day. I guess there will be guys that have trouble turning it on when its just pratice and can turn it on game day. If this is the case it can be hard as a coach to distinguish the difference between these players and could take time to give that player a chance at game day.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, as long as he puts his best foot forward at practices, that's all that matters. I mean just TRY. Gardner put forth 110% by staying after and HE got to play. There's definitely something else going on. Maybe laziness. Who knows?

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

[QUOTE=skinsguy]I trust the judgement of Joe Gibbs on McCants...he knows more about the situation than we do...but I really felt too that McCants can contribute well for us. I do have a feeling though, that our starting trio will be Moss, Patton, and Jacobs.[/QUOTE]

Did you trust Gibbs judgement on Brunell?

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

[QUOTE=TAFKAS]Jacobs and Thrash were also drafted as WRs yet they play special teams. Look at that Lions game from last year, Thrash and Jacobs were the MVPs of that game as a direct result of their special teams play[/QUOTE]

Thrash played lights out that game and if it wasn't for him we would have been 5-11 instead of 6-10. But look at the Eagles after they bring in a T.O. for Thrash. HUGE difference in production. McCants needs to be on the field. Ramsey likes him, he makes catches and he finds seams in the D that our other WR have problems doing.

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

We all say he didn't play special teams, but honestly, how much play time would Gibbs have given him if he had played special teams? Marginally more? I mean, Thrash and Jacobs played STs and hardly saw the WR position at all (I guess Thrash got a decent amount of snaps) but still. I don't think STs would have helped McCants onto the field. Part of that is running 2WR sets all the time.

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

[QUOTE=Daseal]We all say he didn't play special teams, but honestly, how much play time would Gibbs have given him if he had played special teams? Marginally more? I mean, Thrash and Jacobs played STs and hardly saw the WR position at all (I guess Thrash got a decent amount of snaps) but still. I don't think STs would have helped McCants onto the field. Part of that is running 2WR sets all the time.[/QUOTE]

GREAT POINTS HERE... That is one of the most well thought out quotes I have read on this site.

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

[QUOTE=RedskinsJunkie]Did you trust Gibbs judgement on Brunell?[/QUOTE]

I certainly did! Why shouldn't I have? The man knows how to win championships. Are you telling me that we shouldn't trust his judgement because of the Brunell situation? Because of Brunell, the rest of Gibbs' resume is bunk?

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

[QUOTE=RedskinsJunkie]Thrash played lights out that game and if it wasn't for him we would have been 5-11 instead of 6-10. But look at the Eagles after they bring in a T.O. for Thrash. HUGE difference in production. McCants needs to be on the field. Ramsey likes him, he makes catches and he finds seams in the D that our other WR have problems doing.[/QUOTE]

I don't disagree with what you say. And I really feel that McCants should be out there on the field, especially because he seems to have good chemistry with McCants. However, I think that Jacobs is well ahead of McCants on the depth chart going into this season and that's because the past season Jacobs put in the effort on special teams and in practice. Something that Darnerien allegedly didn't do.

If it were up to me they'd both be getting major minutes at WR. All I'm saying is that I have a feeling that Gibbs is seeing things another way

Re: McCants: Your thoughts?
 

I have aquestion. Are we all asuming that McCants did not play special teams because he didn't want to, or did he just not fit the bill talent wise to play special teams? Facts and thoughts are welcome.