Randle El still useful?

[Monkeydad]

I was watching an old Illinois-Indiana game last night on the Big Ten Network. Randel El was the QB and I was amazed how incredible of a college player he was. He did not throw many passes, but completed those he did throw, but it was his amazing runs on nearly EVERY play that were stunning. The defense knew he was going to run and he'd still bust off 20+ yard runs routinely.

I had forgotten how explosive he was.

It really makes me think he can still contribute despite all of the naysayers. Sure, that was college, against college defenses, in an option offense...but he seemed to have instincts that should carry over.

With that said, I have no idea when the "dancing" started on punt returns, he was much more decisive back then.

However, he can still be a solid slot WR for us. He has shown this the last few years on much needed 3rd downs and critical plays.

If we get him off the punt returns, I believe not only will the criticism die down, but I think he'll be a more effective WR. Now that he'll be open more often since defenses have to contend with up to 5 WRs instead of 2...he should have his best year yet as a Redskin.

It's too bad no NFL teams can run the option successfully, because he'd more praised as a running QB than Vick, McNabb and any others. He has/had incredible skills, just not completely a skill set that transferred into the NFL at his position.

If anyone has the Big Ten Network, keep an eye out for this game, you'll be amazed.

Thoughts on our former QB wide receiver and any predictions on his performance this season? Most people around here seem to want him out of town, but I believe he'll be an important piece of the offense this season.

[DynamiteRave]

As long as he's not returning kicks, I like him. He's a good WR and good on those tricky plays we sometimes use (where he actually has to throw the ball). I think people calling for his head are being a little hasty..

[Trample the Elderly]

He's a good trickster.

[DynamiteRave]

Originally Posted by Trample the Elderly

He's a good trickster.

lol tricky wasn't the word I wanted to use.. There's actually a term for the plays like WR reverse options and such.. But I couldn't think of the name of it. I'm on burnout from all the college work I've had so far. :confused:

[#56fanatic]

I have been saying since we signed him that he is an overhyped, overpaid average WR. I dont see where he makes us a better team. He isn't going to return kicks or punts(thank god!) He may be a decent slot WR, but no way he should be playing #2. I would honestly get rid of him. That way we can play the younger receivers and get them involved. Kelly and Thomas with Mitchell and Santana is OK with me. We have to start playing the young guys and develop them. We never end up with a draft pick (WR) that works out to be worth a damn. They dont learn sitting on the bench playing behind a 30 something washed up gadget guy!

[MTK]

He's solid in the slot and if we can use him that way this year I think he will really shine in that role.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by Buster

I was watching an old Illinois-Indiana game last night on the Big Ten Network. Randel El was the QB and I was amazed how incredible of a college player he was. He did not throw many passes, but completed those he did throw, but it was his amazing runs on nearly EVERY play that were stunning. The defense knew he was going to run and he'd still bust off 20+ yard runs routinely.

I had forgotten how explosive he was.

It really makes me think he can still contribute despite all of the naysayers. Sure, that was college, against college defenses, in an option offense...but he seemed to have instincts that should carry over.

With that said, I have no idea when the "dancing" started on punt returns, he was much more decisive back then.

However, he can still be a solid slot WR for us. He has shown this the last few years on much needed 3rd downs and critical plays.

If we get him off the punt returns, I believe not only will the criticism die down, but I think he'll be a more effective WR. Now that he'll be open more often since defenses have to contend with up to 5 WRs instead of 2...he should have his best year yet as a Redskin.

It's too bad no NFL teams can run the option successfully, because he'd more praised as a running QB than Vick, McNabb and any others. He has/had incredible skills, just not completely a skill set that transferred into the NFL at his position.

If anyone has the Big Ten Network, keep an eye out for this game, you'll be amazed.

Thoughts on our former QB wide receiver and any predictions on his performance this season? Most people around here seem to want him out of town, but I believe he'll be an important piece of the offense this season.

You are right about ARE in college.

I think he'll do just fine in the slot, which is where he should have been all along. And, if he has a reduced role in the offense, he may pick it up as a returner.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by DynamiteRave

As long as he's not returning kicks, I like him. He's a good WR and good on those tricky plays we sometimes use (where he actually has to throw the ball). I think people calling for his head are being a little hasty..

Hasty? It's not like he's a rookie. No, he's not going to grab 70 balls in a year. But if he's not grabbing a ton of receptions and he's not a great a returner and we don't run that many trick plays, why are we paying him all that money. Seriously, to play the slot?

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

He's solid in the slot and if we can use him that way this year I think he will really shine in that role.

Absolutely. I really believe we were misusing him by having him try to be our #2 and sometimes when Moss was hurt, by making him the only legit WR option (not including Cooley since he's a TE).

Did we overpay for a #3 WR? Based on how we were using him, yes. But as a slot WR, he'll be great and worth the money this year. Look how valuable other great slot WRs can be, Wes Welker for example.

[Zerohero]

My only gripe was him being our punt returner, has been very misused on this team. Shame we dont incorporate some type of wildcat.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

Hasty? It's not like he's a rookie. No, he's not going to grab 70 balls in a year. But if he's not grabbing a ton of receptions and he's not a great a returner and we don't run that many trick plays, why are we paying him all that money. Seriously, to play the slot?

If he becomes a to-go guy on 3rd down and scores 6+ TDs because the defense is concentrating on the tall WRs, Moss and trying to remember Cooley in the red zone, wouldn't you agree that he's valuable enough to be paid?

IF he excels in the role, he's definitely worth the price this year...the other years, we'll just have to eat the cost.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by Zerohero

My only gripe was him being our punt returner, has been very misused on this team. Shame we dont incorporate some type of wildcat.

I think that's a fancy new trend that defenses will soon figure out and shut down. There's a reason the option does not work in the NFL and this is not much more than a modified option where a non-QB lines up as the QB.

But, in the meantime, yeah, he and Devin Thomas would be exciting to watch in some Wildcat plays...gotta agree with you there.

I just hope we continue to let him throw the ball occasionally...I think some teams forget he was a QB.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by Buster

Absolutely. I really believe we were misusing him by having him try to be our #2 and sometimes when Moss was hurt, by making him the only legit WR option (not including Cooley since he's a TE).

Did we overpay for a #3 WR? Based on how we were using him, yes. But as a slot WR, he'll be great and worth the money this year. Look how valuable other great slot WRs can be, Wes Welker for example.

Wes grabbed 111 and 112 receptions the past two seasons, respectively. I'm not hating on Randle El, but he ain't no Wes Welker.

Also, Wes signed a 5 yr/$18 mil contract in '07.

[Monkeydad]

In that system, he could be.

If Welker was in Randel El's role the past few years, he'd be disappointing too.

I wasn't saying ARE would catch 100+ balls, that's ridiculous to think about...we have a better running game and different system than New England, it's apples to oranges...but I did mean that he can have a big impact.

Welker came cheap because he was essentially a kick returner with Miami...not much of a WR.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by Buster

If he becomes a to-go guy on 3rd down and scores 6+ TDs because the defense is concentrating on the tall WRs, Moss and trying to remember Cooley in the red zone, wouldn't you agree that he's valuable enough to be paid?

IF he excels in the role, he's definitely worth the price this year...the other years, we'll just have to eat the cost.

Frankly, if Devin Thomas or Malcolm Kelly cracks the lineup...and if Marko Mitchell continues to develop, I don't see where/how Randle El fits into that picture. We just don't throw the ball that often. Cooley had, what, 83 catches last year. Portis will get his share of carries, Betts will get more action on 3rd down and you can count on Moss getting his share of balls thrown his way.

Throw Freddie Davis in the mix and I just don't see how Randle El elbows his way into that lineup for more than 60 touches. Could happen, but you're talking about a combination of things happening.