Keenan McCardell = New WR Coach

spudstr04 · Post by **spudstr04** » Thu Jan 28, 2010 8:19 am

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/redskins-hire-mccardell-to-coa.html

The Redskins will hire one of their former wide receivers, Keenan McCardell, as wide receivers coach, according to an ESPN report.

The team interviewed at least three candidates for its final opening: former Bucs receivers coach Richard Mann, former Bucs receiver Ike Hilliard and McCardell, also a former Bucs receiver.

McCardell was in Mobile, Ala., this week for the Senior Bowl, trying to find a coaching job. He also interviewed for Tampa Bay's vacancy.

McCardell started and ended his playing career in Washington. In 1991, he was the 326th overall pick -- that's round 12. He was on injured reserve when the Redskins won the Super Bowl that year and was released following the season.

McCardell, a two-time Pro Bowler, also played for Cleveland, Jacksonville, Tampa Bay and San Diego before returning to Washington midway through the 2007 season. He played the final 10 games with the Redskins and eventually retired following the season.

Though he played for the Bucs before Bruce Allen took the reins, McCardell does have ties to offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. He was in training camp with Houston in 2007, where Shanahan was an offensive assistant.

The Redskins don't have any more major coaching openings. Depending on how big a staff Mike Shanahan wants, they may add more positions. While the team has announced Kirk Olivadotti as a defensive assistant and Sean McVay as an offensive assistant, Shanahan could still add quality control coaches.

VetSkinsFan · Post by **VetSkinsFan** » Thu Jan 28, 2010 9:03 am

I'm liking the potential from this. The guy's been a journeyman so he has a broad knowledge in schemes I would imagine. He's been to 2 Pro Bowls, so he's had at least moderate success in the NFL. He's walked the walk already to back up talkin the talk. Let's just hope he can make the leap to coaching.

HTTR

skins2357 · Post by **skins2357** » Thu Jan 28, 2010 9:10 am

As long as he can help those guys from OK and Mich St then Im all for it!

CanesSkins26 · Post by **CanesSkins26** » Thu Jan 28, 2010 10:27 am

I'm somewhat skeptical of this move. Given the fact that we have several very young receivers, I would have preferred for us to have hired a receivers coach with more coaching experience.

frankcal20 · Post by **frankcal20** » Thu Jan 28, 2010 12:09 pm

I'm kind of with you Canes but I think more than anything, he's just going to be a guy to teach route running, getting off press coverage, etc. I think that a new or an old coach can do that but the new coach would need to be experienced which he is - playing the position.

Like everything with this team, I want to take a wait and see approach.

langleyparkjoe · Post by **langleyparkjoe** » Thu Jan 28, 2010 12:11 pm

Hey ya'll, I saw on Hogs Haven that he was on the '91 roster that won a SB but I can't find him actually listed on the squad. I know he was drafted in '91 but is that like, drafted and then played with us the following year :-k

Does he actually have a ring? Anyone know?

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Thu Jan 28, 2010 12:12 pm

frankcal20 wrote:I'm kind of with you Canes but I think more than anything, he's just going to be a guy to teach route running, getting off press coverage, etc. I think that a new or an old coach can do that but the new coach would need to be experienced which he is - playing the position.

Like everything with this team, I want to take a wait and see approach.

I'm sure he can teach how to read coverages and DB tendencies. Experience is experience. Now, the question is can he easily impart that knowledge, that's up to the FO to figure out. I'm sure they've evaluated him and found him adequate.

frankcal20 · Post by **frankcal20** » Thu Jan 28, 2010 12:13 pm

langleyparkjoe wrote:Hey ya'll, I saw on Hogs Haven that he was on the '91 roster that won a SB but I can't find him actually listed on the squad. I know he was drafted in '91 but is that like, drafted and then played with us the following year :-k Does he actually have a ring? Anyone know?

He does have a ring but I feel like he was on IR that year.

BurgundyandGoldfaith · Thu Jan 28, 2010 12:46 pm

CanesSkins26 wrote:I'm somewhat skeptical of this move. Given the fact that we have several very young receivers, I would have preferred for us to have hired a receivers coach with more coaching experience.

This makes alot of sense in that the game hasn't passed him by with his age. It's not like you need a PHD to understand what Shanahan's going to want from his WR's, but he should more closely understand how Devin can use his violent speed or how Malcom should be settling into soft spots on the field. He was doing it to the same corners they'll be up against next year.

riggofan · Post by **riggofan** » Thu Jan 28, 2010 1:14 pm

I like this move. This guy is a good example for our young receivers. Should have a ton of credibility with them as well.

langleyparkjoe · Post by **langleyparkjoe** » Thu Jan 28, 2010 1:25 pm

frankcal20 wrote:
langleyparkjoe wrote:Hey ya'll, I saw on Hogs Haven that he was on the '91 roster that won a SB but I can't find him actually listed on the squad. I know he was drafted in '91 but is that like, drafted and then played with us the following year Does he actually have a ring? Anyone know?

He does have a ring but I feel like he was on IR that year.

Oh ok well that'll explain it, thanks bro

UK Skins Fan · Post by **UK Skins Fan** » Thu Jan 28, 2010 1:30 pm

He's been a senior citizen amongst wide receivers for so long, I suspect that he's effectively been playing a coaching role anyway - imparting his knowledge to any young wide receivers sensible enough to listen.

He was a tremendous receiver, who had his success by maximising what he had - just the sort of player who might be able to translate all that knowledge into coaching ability.

Sure, it's a slight gamble, but I like the move. It has potential.

VetSkinsFan · Post by **VetSkinsFan** » Thu Jan 28, 2010 3:26 pm

frankcal20 wrote:
langleyparkjoe wrote:Hey ya'll, I saw on Hogs Haven that he was on the '91 roster that won a SB but I can't find him actually listed on the squad. I know he was drafted in '91 but is that like, drafted and then played with us the following year Does he actually have a ring? Anyone know?

He does have a ring but I feel like he was on IR that year.

Correct, frank.

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 5:30 am

LOL, it's not like he's the HC...

langleyparkjoe · Post by **langleyparkjoe** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 12:16 pm

Chris Luva Luva wrote:LOL, it's not like he's the HC...

You mean hire someone for one position and push him into the HC spot? Danny would NEVER do that! :shock:

Gibbs4Life · Post by **Gibbs4Life** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 6:41 pm

He couldn't be any worse than Hixon

chiefhog44 · Post by **chiefhog44** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 10:04 pm

wait and see for me

NEWSKINSFAN119 · Post by **NEWSKINSFAN119** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 4:04 am

This a great move he is not that removed from playing so he can relate to his receivers and understand what they are seeing when they face DBs The passing game in the NFL has changed a lot and you need someone who has adapted with it and that is McCardell. Plus this way we will know the guys are running routes the right way and are good blockers, he was known for that during his 16yrs in the league

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 10:24 am

Keenan McCardell is a model for making the most of your skills. Any young player who really wants to excel will take advantage of everything he has to offer. I'm sure that he will have Kelly's attention... if he has the coaching skill to engage Thomas, as well, then we might truly have something special.

We know that Keenan McCardell was a very good, all around WR as a result of his personal discipline and selflessness. The question is... "Is he an equally good coach?"

Hooligan · Post by **Hooligan** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 2:43 pm

His time on the roster may have been his coaching audition. I imagine the staff took notice of his ability to mentor and teach other receivers during that time. This shouldn't be too much of a gamble.

VRIEL1 · Post by **VRIEL1** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 2:49 am

CanesSkins26 wrote:I'm somewhat skeptical of this move. Given the fact that we have several very young receivers, I would have preferred for us to have hired a receivers coach with more coaching experience.

I have felt the same way. Hixon was the worst and thought we would actually go out and land a proven qualified WR coach. I was upset at the fact that most rookie coach's end up being Assistant coach's. In this situation we pick up a rookie coach and make him WR coach. It bothered me all the way up until I looked at the coaching staff again today...

Kyle Shanahan was a WR coach with Houston when first hired.

Matt Lafleur was a WR coach with Houston.

Jon Embree was a WR coach at UCLA

Sean McVay was a WR coach with Tampa and in the UFL under Haslett's team.

We have atleast 4 coach's who can help out McCardell.

broomboy · Post by **broomboy** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 3:33 am

VRIEL1 wrote:
CanesSkins26 wrote:I'm somewhat skeptical of this move. Given the fact that we have several very young receivers, I would have preferred for us to have hired a receivers coach with more coaching experience.

I have felt the same way. Hixon was the worst and thought we would actually go out and land a proven qualified WR coach. I was upset at the fact that most rookie coach's end up being Assistant coach's. In this situation we pick up a rookie coach and make him WR coach. It bothered me all the way up until I looked at the coaching staff again today...

Kyle Shanahan was a WR coach with Houston when first hired.

Matt Lafleur was a WR coach with Houston.

Jon Embree was a WR coach at UCLA

Sean McVay was a WR coach with Tampa and in the UFL under Haslett's team.

We have atleast 4 coach's who can help out McCardell.

Damn, I didn't realize that. This makes me feel much better about the hiring. Great post! =D>

BnGhog · Post by **BnGhog** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 6:20 pm

I think Shanahan loves it.

He has the first hand experience. And because he hasn't coached before, he will do what Shanahan wants him to do.

I mean, if he has coached before, you run into the "well, this is how we did it in Miami or where ever he last coached.

He will coach what Shanahan wants him to coach, and throw in some experiences here and there.

IMO players turn position coaches are the best. Now, if they did something stupid, like makeing him the LB coach...

jeremyroyce · Post by **jeremyroyce** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 6:42 pm

I'm not sure what to say about this. But, I hope that this moves works out.

El Mexican · Post by **El Mexican** » Tue Feb 02, 2010 1:44 am

jeremyroyce wrote:I'm not sure what to say about this. But, I hope that this moves works out.

If he teaches our young WRs how to get to half the level he had at Jacksonville, this will be a great move.

Dude was unstoppable when he was catching passes from Brunnel.