The Redskin Report

The Washington Post is reporting that Keenan McCardell, drafted by the Redskins in 1991 but never playing as a Redskin, has become a Redskin again, while Omar Stoutmire has been caught in the game of musical widereceivers chairs and has been released; Stoutmire will return, however, if Washington has any injuries to their secondary and he’s available; he’ll also be back in camp next year, again, if available.  While I haven’t seen reports of what McCardell has signed for, it’s almost certainly veteran minimum at this point in the season, on a one year contract.  Depending on performance from here on out, either Reche Caldwell or Keenan McCardell (or possibly both) will be probably also be invited back to camp next year.  Washington is presumably about $1.5M under the cap, but this still doesn’t give room to accelerate the release of Brandon “Bust” Lloyd; staring at the numbers, he’s not going anywhere until June 1st, 2008.

 Of more interest is how McCardell and Caldwell will help us THIS year.  Caldwell has been with the team now for three full weeks, and is reported by Coach Gibbs to be ready; I think we’ll see him for the first time on the field this weekend.  However, Caldwell is not exactly a big target (he’s a smaller guy, ala Santana Moss or (Heaven Forbid that I say this this week, of all weeks) Gary Clark Ricky Sanders).  McCardell, however, was drafted to be the eventual replacement for Art “Best Wideout EVER not in the HOF” Monk, a possession kind of guy who can move the chains; that role is filled right now only by Cooley, so look to McCardell to potentially have a big year, with Moss or Caldwell and El spreading the field deep, and Cooley and McCardell coming across in the intermediate routes, and the running back as the safety valve.  This should open up Cooley, as well, for more of the big plays we know he can make.  That should help Jason Campbell mature as a passer even faster.  This is a potentially great move for the Redskins, and look for the Skins to draft or otherwise acquire a big wideout next year, too.

 Lastly, since I’ve brought him up, Gary Clark will be honored at halftime this week by his entry into the Redskin Ring Of Fame, a well deserved and past due honor for one of the immortal Smurfs.