What are the chances of Jacobs.....

[CarMike]

beating out Gardner out for the #2 WR spot? Does the #2 spot have to have size or better speed? I've never really thought about the way WRs get their labeling #1, #2, and #3 WR.

With that said, it seems that you are hearing great things from all WRs except Gardner. You always hear about Coles making a great catch. I've heard several people talking up Jacobs. I've even heard good things about Russle and Woodcock.

Thoughts???

[rskinsfan10]

I've said before that I think the drafting of Jacobs was a precursor to Gardner leaving after his contract is up, and quite honestly, if Jacobs impresses, I wouldn't be surprised to see Gardner let go after this season to clear cap space.

[bfauble83]

That would suck, I really like Gardner.

[JoeDaSchmoe]

Speed is more important to the #3 reciever. If you remember from a few years ago, the Rams had their best offensive seasons when they had Az-Zahir Hakim was their third wide out. He had great speed, and would almost always get seperation from any nickel back guarding him. Not to say the Rams were terrible after he left (obviously not, even in their strange past season their team offensive numbers weren't too bad), but he was a main component, and what he brought was speed. Same with guys like Jerry Porter (he obviously brings more than speed), Antwaan Randle El, Santana Moss, and so on. There aren't many good posession third recievers. The second position is different. That's where most posession guys are, the bigger guys who make catches in traffic, and most importantly in the red zone. Not to say speedsters don't work there, too. They do. Just look at Peerless Price. It's more a matter of speed being more important than size at the #3 spot than not mattering as much at #2. If Spurrier wants to play the recieving corps to its abilities (and get the most production out of them), he'll keep Gardner at #2 and have Jacobs coming out of the slot. Besides, being a rookie, he'll fare much better going up against nickel backs anyway.

[truant]

Let go? Really? I thought that we might get rid of him after some time... but i think that he should be worth some value, esp after the numbers that a WR should get in this offense...

But you can't deny the good news that Jacobs looks good

[PennSkinsFan]

i agree Kenny. Jacobs is the future, Gardner will nbot be here past his contract. I Love Gardner, but the future of this passing attack is Coles and Jacobs. That is why i think it is imperative, if that is the plan, then we have to keep McCants. He will be the tall, possession type WR, that even in this offense, i think you need.

[LostinNH]

I'm not expecting McCants to ever become much so I think it would be hasty to assume that Rod will be gone anytime soon. From the camp reports I have read Gardner has looked very good and considering his size will be the top threat we have in the red zone. Jacobs is a nice #3 guy in an offense that needs at least 3 good receivers to maximize what it can do.

[Shabba]

There is no way that Jacobs will beat out Gardner. Rod is a vet and may just be starting slow. He's not gonna get the same treatment as Michael Westbrook.....is he?

[SkinsKY]

If Gardner proves his worth, we will keep him depending on how much he wants. Spurrier can't get enough receivers and he'd love to have someone who was money on 3rd and long and in the redzone.

[Skinzaholic]

What about Russell in the #3 slot?

[RichardBradley]

Their will be plays when Jacobs and Coles are the wide outs and Gardner will be on the bench. This is what makes Spurrier good at what he does he maximises players abilities in certin circumstances. Often during his last season at Florida Gaffeney was on the bench and Jacobs and Caldwell we on the field. Gardner is a weapon and Spurrier will never let on go unless he has to.

[Skins57]

SS never had to worry about the cap in Florida either. If Rod keeps performing he will want some cash and we can't be paying everyone.

[Spence]

I also think Jacobs may well replace Gardner when the latter's contract expires. He won't beat him out this year, though. Gardner really played well last year. He's a natural #2 receiver and will complement Coles nicely because Gardner is big and powerful. Jacobs is too much like Coles.

[TexSkin]

Unless of course the unthinkable happens and Spurrier is gone and another coach with a different style takes over by the time Gardner's contract is over.

[Skins57]

Originally posted by TexSkin
Unless of course the unthinkable happens and Spurrier is gone and another coach with a different style takes over by the time Gardner's contract is over.

I am sure you mean SS retires after winning 2 striaght Super Bowls...right?..thats what you meant... I understood you completely...:D

[Hailyeah]

TIME OUT HERE! First of all, it has been called to our attention that Jacobs is a FLA receiver that may have excelled in college but can't compete in the bigs. See Travis Taylor, Jacquez Green, Riddell Anthony. Secondly, let's not go absolutely crazy with the speed, speed, and more speed concept. Gardner has adequate wheels to perform very well in this offense. I recently watched the Redskins 2002 yearbook and then popped in the tape of the Indy game from last year. Rod is a stud. He's a big target with great flexibility and leaping ability. Head and shoulders above McCants and the like. Sometimes you need a big target to outbody the opponent or outheight them for a 1st down. Its not ALL 45 yd strikes to the endzone. Just trying to bring us down to earth in here about this pure track team everyone seems to want.

[PennSkinsFan]

Good point skins 57, and that is a point we will face in a few season on many on this roster, including Rod Gardner. Cap! Normally, Big Daddy would have been worked on a few more days until a deal could be reached, but we are at the cap limit and we know that to extend champ, it was either now get rid of Big daddy ro carry it on and not contact Champ at all, and further the alienation he was beginning to feel by not being contacted.

Fact is, we have put together a nice team, btu it is a costly team cap wise and over the next few season we have to be prepared to say bye to some we dont wanna say bye to. It is called the NFL cap.

[camasterton]

I'd like to have Darrell Jakson, Ike Hilliard or Travis Taylor on our Team. But your right about Time Out. Another point is, this is an offense that needs 3 or 4 good WRs. Coles and Gardner have proven to be so. If Jacobs does as well, then he's another weapon. He won't be forcing Gardener out.

[AZ#1SkinsFan]

Gardner will be asking for a bunch. He is going to have a great year in the #2 spot.

Mark my words. He will have 75+ catches for 1200+ yards with 10 - 12 TD's.

[Spence]

Originally posted by Hailyeah
TIME OUT HERE! First of all, it has been called to our attention that Jacobs is a FLA receiver that may have excelled in college but can't compete in the bigs. See Travis Taylor, Jacquez Green, Riddell Anthony. Secondly, let's not go absolutely crazy with the speed, speed, and more speed concept. Gardner has adequate wheels to perform very well in this offense. I recently watched the Redskins 2002 yearbook and then popped in the tape of the Indy game from last year. Rod is a stud. He's a big target with great flexibility and leaping ability. Head and shoulders above McCants and the like. Sometimes you need a big target to outbody the opponent or outheight them for a 1st down. Its not ALL 45 yd strikes to the endzone. Just trying to bring us down to earth in here about this pure track team everyone seems to want.

Who the hell mentioned Jacobs and the inglorious history of Florida receivers? Who would do such a thing? :D

I agree with you, Hailyeah. I think the main problem for Gardner will be a money crunch. I think he'll be an excellent receiver for us that we'll have to let go because of the money we're giving Coles. [Sort of the way that when the Bills gave big money to Eric Moulds they were pretty much ensuring that Peerless Price could not stay with the team. Let's hope we're as smart as Buffalo and get a first round pick for Gardner instead of just losing him for nothing.]

[CarMike]

I wonder if Marty would be interested in taking Gardner to pair up with Boston and Breez?

[LakeAnneCrew]

I don't think a team can be successful with three speed receivers. You need a possession-type WR to get you the tough seven or eight yards for a first down. Run those tight slants or short curls. That's where I think Gardner will shine. Just like when we had Monk, Clark and Sanders. Monk would get the tough yards for the first downs. Usually the third receiver is in the slot against the nickle back and if he's on the side of the possession WR, usually he'll go outside while the possession WR goes inside. Since the Skins don't rely on a TE to give them a presence in the middle of the field, Gardner or Trung/RB will have to fill that role.

[284ever]

Gardner compliments Coles very well. He had a breakout season last year, and if he keeps improving he will be a real threat. Jacobs will be #3 reciever, which will be on the field alot with Spurriers offense. I think we would be fools to let Gardner go. He seems like the type to have career years once if he leaves.

[Skinzaholic]

Originally posted by 284ever
I think we would be fools to let Gardner go.


I dont think anyone here is willing to "let" him go... but as stated... money may make that decision for us.:(

[Spearfeather]

I have mixed feelings about Gardner. He put up good numbers last year, but I'm still not confident in him making the clutch catch.

And when we're down by 14 points, and he makes a catch and then gives the first down signal, it really turns my stomach.

[PennSkinsFan]

Originally posted by Skinzaholic
I dont think anyone here is willing to "let" him go... but as stated... money may make that decision for us.:(

My point precisely. It is not an issue of wanting tio give up gardner, it is a matter of maybe HAVING to.

[camasterton]

There is the -Betts pick in anticipation of Davis going-precedent. Then again there are other places to find the money. Like Rod Jones eating a million and a half in cap space this year and next, to be 3rd string OT...

[Hailyeah]

I think this is a situation where were getting a little to ahead of ourselves with what a players next contract will be. I understand it with our big, big ticket guys like Champ and Lavar, but pulling out the crystal ball on middle of the roaders gets too blurry in my book in the context of the person being replaced. Gardner's a solid young receiver on the field. That all any of us know.

[Skins57]

If you look at all the WR with 1000 yards in thier second season and look at their first free agent contract, I bet it is huge. Rod caught 70 plus passes 1000 yards and 8 TDs with Woeful and Matthews behind center. If Ramsey is decent this year and with Coles taking the double teams Rod could have a 1400 yard season and 12 tds

[RichardBradley]

We all have our favirote players and we all hope that they are life long skins but that is not reality. If Gardner steps it up to 1400 yards and 12 TD's he will be here because he will make it necessary to keep him. I for one see his numbers slipping this year because of Coles and Jacobs

[JoeDaSchmoe]

I think they'll rise again, not quite to 1,400 yards though. Probably around 1,150-1,200.