What's the Story With McCants?

[That Guy]

miami only needs about 4 more receivers, they'd take any of our guys at this point...

[SkinsRock]

I've heard that he is doing well in practice, but he just doesn't play special teams, so especially in Gibbs offense, unless he proves to be a starter (or someone is injured), he won't play due to the numbers game. This is from Vinny C talking to Elliot on DC101 this morning...

[d151b]

Originally Posted by SkinsRock

I've heard that he is doing well in practice, but he just doesn't play special teams, so especially in Gibbs offense, unless he proves to be a starter (or someone is injured), he won't play due to the numbers game. This is from Vinny C talking to Elliot on DC101 this morning...

unless he proves to be a starter????? you're joking right? you've got to be! the guy was tied for most td catches on the team just last year and he's only been activated once this year(yet to see the field), and gardner nor coles can catch the ball half the time. maybe that's why brunell throws it into the first row 75 % of the time. this would be the equivelant of the Yankees benching Mariono Rivera. McCants is the closer in the redzone. now he's been relegated to the bullpen for good!? i just don't get it. someone please help me understand.

[joecrisp]

Originally Posted by d151b

unless he proves to be a starter????? you're joking right? you've got to be! the guy was tied for most td catches on the team just last year and he's only been activated once this year(yet to see the field), and gardner nor coles can catch the ball half the time. maybe that's why brunell throws it into the first row 75 % of the time. this would be the equivelant of the Yankees benching Mariono Rivera. McCants is the closer in the redzone. now he's been relegated to the bullpen for good!? i just don't get it. someone please help me understand.

If you saw how maddeningly inconsistent he was in practice this summer, and compared that to how focused and precise the other receivers were, you might understand. All the other receivers are excellent practice players, and bring a very professional attitude to work with them. Gibbs loves those kind of guys, and as long as there is such a disparity in the quality of effort given between Darnerian and the other wideouts-- which I assume is still the case-- I have to believe nothing is going to change. The way I see it, McCants fell so far behind the other wideouts in training camp that he would have to put forth a phenomenal effort in practice to break into the lineup.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by joecrisp

If you saw how maddeningly inconsistent he was in practice this summer, and compared that to how focused and precise the other receivers were, you might understand. All the other receivers are excellent practice players, and bring a very professional attitude to work with them. Gibbs loves those kind of guys, and as long as there is such a disparity in the quality of effort given between Darnerian and the other wideouts-- which I assume is still the case-- I have to believe nothing is going to change. The way I see it, McCants fell so far behind the other wideouts in training camp that he would have to put forth a phenomenal effort in practice to break into the lineup.

I don't if you can confirm this from this past summer Crisp but I know in past seasons Rod Gardner has been one of the best practice players on the entire team. He goes all out, first one to practice, last one to leave. Gibbs will start a guy like that any day. What do you think Crisp?

[joecrisp]

Originally Posted by smootsmack

I don't if you can confirm this from this past summer Crisp but I know in past seasons Rod Gardner has been one of the best practice players on the entire team. He goes all out, first one to practice, last one to leave. Gibbs will start a guy like that any day. What do you think Crisp?

I kept an eye on him through the minicamps and training camp, and Gardner definitely approaches practice the way you would hope all professional players do. The guy shows a strong desire to improve, and I think it's unfortunate he hasn't had a stable system and quarterback situation to help cultivate that progression. I think the addition of Coles and Thrash, McCant's re-signing, and the anticipated emergence of Jacobs have all contributed to Gardner's improvement.

He still makes mental errors (illegal formation and illegal motion penalties come to mind), and has dropped a few passes this year, but he's showing more consistency as a playmaker, which is why he was drafted so high. He's responded really well to the work ethic of guys like Coles and Thrash, and it seems like he really tries to emulate their approach to the job.

Before the season, I didn't think Gardner would be around much longer, but the guy has to have impressed the heck out of the coaches with his maturity and professionalism-- not to mention the physical attributes he brings to the table. He could be one of the guys that Gibbs tabs as a "Redskins guy". I'd like to see him continue to develop into that kind of player. He's a good guy, he works hard, he's got talent; now he just has to apply those attributes week in and week out, and prove he's worth keeping around beyond this season.

[SkinsRock]

Gardner has really impressed me with his positive attitude and work ethic. He knew that dropping easy passes was a big problem, so he started going in early to work on it. And it seems to be paying off...that is when Brunell can get the ball to him...or any receiver for that matter. His numbers are roughly equal to Coles this year, with the exception of TD's which he has 3 to Coles NONE (WTF???). Maybe he is the other red zone threat now....

As for the McCants being a starter comments, I was just saying that anyone that doesn't regularly play on special teams would have to be a starter on a Gibbs team, and since he's not, assuming he and Jacobs are about the same (which may or may not be true), the "numbers game" keeps him from being activated on game day.