What's the Story With McCants?

[joecrisp]

Originally Posted by Ramseyfan

There are some people that practice well and others who play well. McCants is the latter and not the former. But, that isn't sufficient justification, in my mind, to keep him off the field. Thrash and Jacobs are excellent recievers, however, neither of them are the tall big jumping red zone target that McCants is; they're both speedy deep-threats. I'd like to see McCants in the mix because our current lineup has not been as effective in the red zone as I'd like.

I agree that some players simply don't perform well in practice, but they bring the goods on gameday. I also agree that Jacobs and Thrash don't possess the physical attributes that makes McCants a solid red zone threat. But there's also a numbers game to consider, as far as the active roster limit of 45 players, and there are several factors that play into McCants not being a part of that active list:

1) Gibbs likes to have lots of O-linemen and TEs available for substitutions and injuries. He has been carrying 8 O-linemen and 4 TE/H-backs on the active roster for each game. The linemen are needed for depth, and the top three TEs/H-backs all see frequent action in offensive sets, while the 4th (usually Royal) is mostly a special teamer. Remember, Spurrier had little use for tight ends and H-backs.

2) The heavy use of TEs and H-backs limits the opportunities for multiple receiver sets; generally Gibbs uses no more than 3 wideouts in any formation. He only carries 4 wideouts on the gameday active roster. Spurrier carried at least five.

3) The 4th receiver must play well on special teams. McCants apparently doesn't fit the bill there. Thrash has been excellent on punt coverage, and his special teams skills are a major reason why the Redskins traded for him.

4) Jacobs has been seeing more and more action as the 3rd receiver, and also as Coles' reliever, and he seems to be gaining the confidence and favor of the coaching staff. Jacobs also plays special teams.

5) Gregg Williams uses a lot of players on defense, and all of the non-starters are special teams contributors.

6) The primary red-zone threats at this point are Gardner and Cooley. Both are big, physical receivers, who also have performed well enough outside of the red-zone to be starters. McCants would be more of a red-zone specialist, and since there is little room on the active roster for non-starters who don't contribute to special teams, that specialization makes him a less appealing option for the active roster.