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Originally Posted by Defensewins
Why is there so much hate for Gardner? Everyone is willing to give Samuels a second chance after two bad seasons. Remember how many times Jansen jumped offsides and at times looked like a rookie last year? Up to now, Ladell Betts and Taylor Jacobs have been a waste of a high draft pick. Dockery did not look good early on and never really looked great.
I think our entire team (except for Champ Bailey) did not play well on a consistent basis. Even L. Coles and P. Ramsey, who came out great, fizzled and sputtered as the year went on.
Most of the blame has to go to S. Spurrier and his system.
Right before Spurriers first year, many football experts were saying Spurriers system does not lend itself to big possesion receivers like Gardner. Why are we suprised he did not look good?
I am willing hold back my dislike for Taylor Jacobs and Ladell Betts. I will give them a second and third chance (respectively) to prove they are not busts, if you folks give Gardner just as much of a fair chance.....
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Believe me, I'm definitely not a Gardner-hater. Just ask any of the Warpathers who were on the board last year, and they'll tell you I was probably giving Gardner more props than he deserved. I've been rooting for the guy since he got drafted-- my Dad played at Clemson, so I have a soft spot for Clemson guys. Rod even agreed to record a little videotaped message for my Dad when I was at camp last year, so I've got nothing against the guy.
There are a couple of reasons I say that McCants and Jacobs have an excellent shot at displacing him on the depth chart: Jacobs has looked stellar in both minicamps, and has added a lot of muscle to his frame in an effort to improve his durability. Jacobs may be the best route-runner on the team, and his hands might be the softest. Frankly, I haven't been nearly as impressed with McCants (he was held out of much of the first minicamp, and didn't do anything spectacular in the 2nd one), but obviously, Gibbs has seen something about him on film that he really likes. McCants has proven he can be a dangerous red-zone threat, and he has excellent size and deceptive speed.
I didn't see anything in the first two minicamps to indicate that Gardner has stepped up his game. While he has shown flashes throughout his career of tremendous potential (200+ yards in that 2001 victory over Carolina come to mind), and he impressed me with his ability to reach 1,000 yards in 2002 (despite the horrible quarterbacking situation), he has never been able to shed his reputation as an unreliable receiver. I'm not saying he won't step up his game at some point this summer, but right now I have to go on what I have actually seen. At this point, if I had to create a depth chart, I'd put Jacobs at #2, with Gardner and McCants in a dead heat for the 3rd spot.