Jim Turner

Turnersportsdesk.com

August 4, 2010

The whispers coming out of Redskin Park are more about the lack of wide receivers than the patchwork and very thin offensive line these days. Devin Thomas appears to be coming on but Malcolm Kelly can’t get healthy enough to get on the field and provide Coach Shanahan a reason to keep him. These used to be whispers but now it has turned to matter of fact conversation.

The Redskins sought a trade with the Chargers for the disgruntled beast of a wide receiver, Vincent Jackson. Given his age and ability the Chargers would be insane to trade Jackson. Not to mention the Chicago Bears are willing to sell half of Chicago to get Cutler at least one decent wide out. The key issue is Jackson wants to get paid and I'm not sure how much the Redskins can do on that note. The Redskins do have the advantage of Donovan McNabb who worked out with Jackson all summer and developed a nice relationship. The bottom line is the Redskins would have to give up something really significant in order to acquire Jackson like draft picks unless the Chargers are interested in a giant defensive tackle that can’t run a block without oxygen. Oh wait, they play a 3-4 as well...nevermind.

Enter Plaxico Burress. Fresh out of Jail Burress will be an unrestricted free agent and able to sign with anyone. Despite his issues no one questions his dominance on the field. The fact is Burress did something so stupid to himself I can’t believe they threw him in jail for it. If I were a judge I would have made him stand on a street corner and tell everyone what he did because it was just that dumb. Anyway, he paid his debt to society so if he has been keeping himself in football shape then the Redskins have nothing to lose with an incentive laden contract. At 6’5 225 pounds Burress is the physical mismatch the Redskins need and he knows how to play the game. He worked so well with Eli Manning reading coverages and out jumping little corners for receptions.  The bottom line here is Burress is better than what we have and unlike Jackson the odds of getting Burress without having to mortgage the future is pretty high. If he can play the Redskins would be smart to bring him in.