12/21/24
March 12, 2006
Randel El to Washington NFL team: Not sure how many footballs Randel El expects to catch in Washington with all the receivers they have (Santana Moss, Brandon Lloyd, David Patten, etc.), but he passed up $18 million per year for six years—plus an $8 million signing bonus—from his hometown Bears to work for The Danny. Hope Al Saunders has enough plays to go around.
Darn, I was really hoping the Bears would get him.
posted by skydivemom at 04:30 PM on March 12, 2006
Randel El would have been well-advised to stay in Pittsburgh. I think he's OK, overall, but nothing special. His best attribute is his ability to throw that option pass. Without a decent quarterback, which is the situation Washington finds itself in, Randel El will not be heard from, unless it's on special teams. He was only a "name" because he played on the Steelers.
posted by dyams at 04:33 PM on March 12, 2006
dyams: I agree with you. IMHO, owners sometimes act like they are playing fantasy league and can't seem to figure out that one or two good weeks do not make a reliable player. I am sure everyone knows I am a Steelers' fan, but Randel El was far from a favorite of mine. He did well enough on 3rd downs, but I think he only caught one TD during the regular season. Plus he is prone to fumble as he holds the ball poorly. He would have been better off staying in Pittsburgh, where he surely would have seen more balls thown his way than he will in Landover... errrr... Washington. I am glad the Steelers didn't pay him what he apparently commanded. Good luck, Randel El.
posted by scully at 04:41 PM on March 12, 2006
I wouldn't be surprised if he's used mostly as a kickoff specialist, or third down reciever. I think his route running and weak hands will keep him from becoming a # 2 WR. They should have tried to sure up the need for the SS spot before getting a second WR. They had been looking at that SS Archi guy released by the Rams
posted by solrac at 04:41 PM on March 12, 2006
terrapin, I agree with you. Dan Snyder acts like he is playing in a fantasy league. I wonder how much input Joe Gibbs has in these mystery signings.
posted by geekyguy at 05:06 PM on March 12, 2006
Temporary insanity, it's the only explanation,he can't possibly expect to handle the rock in the district, and what is gibbs thinking 4 number 2 receivers and not a gamebreaker in the bunch,Yeah yeah yeah moss great season blah blah blah, ever hear of a one hit wonder,aging qb and salary cap mean playoffs this year 2and 14 next
posted by nflfreak at 05:44 PM on March 12, 2006
Don't forget he can still throw the ball pretty well and is big enough to run occasionally. This could make for useful options in 4 and 5 receiver sets or as an H-back/second back in a pro set. Frankly, I have no clue if that's what the StupidNames have in mind but it could be attractive to ARE.
posted by billsaysthis at 06:02 PM on March 12, 2006
billsaysthis: are those talents worth $31 million over seven years and $11.5 million in bonuses? Randel El caught only 35 passes last year and had 1 touchdown reception. His return skills are admirable, but the article says Washington has hired him as the #2 receiver behind Moss. Over-rated and now over paid.
posted by scully at 06:16 PM on March 12, 2006
I don't personally know how he did in the regular season because I do not follow the steelers. (sorry terrapin). I do know he did alright for me in my fantasy playoff team. So that is what I was basing my opinion on.
posted by skydivemom at 06:44 PM on March 12, 2006
reminds me of the special teamer from greenbay's super bowl that had a breakout game, signed the followg year with oakland and was never heard of again.
posted by barry b at 06:46 PM on March 12, 2006
barry b: I wouldn't compare Randel El to Desmond Howard, but you make a good point. Howard was the king of making the most of big opportunities but sucking at consistency. He didn't deserve the Heisman trophy, didn't deserve to be drafted as high as he was (by Washington) and he didn't deserve to be rewarded for his one big game in the Super Bowl... IMHO :)
posted by scully at 06:57 PM on March 12, 2006
terrapin, did you mean this Desmond Howard? While I do agree with you on the NFL part of your story, Howard did have an outstanding year when he won the Heisman in '91. Courtesy of College Football News' Top 100 Players of All Time -- #76: Howard's 1991 season was amazing by any standards catching 61 passes for 950 yards and 19 touchdowns (23 total TDs.) He was the first receiver in Big Ten conference history to lead the league in scoring with 138 points. Add the 12 scores as a sophomore and two as a freshman, and Howard amassed an amazing 37 touchdowns in his UM career. Honors: Heisman Trophy - 1991 Maxwell Award Winner - 1991 AP Offensive Player of the Year - 1991 Walter Camp Award - 1991 All-Big Ten - 1990, 1991 All-American - 1991
posted by wingnut4life at 07:32 PM on March 12, 2006
Thank You Wingnut4life!!!!! Go Blue!!! The Heisman pose in the end zone is the coolest thing I've ever seen. Close second: Howard's grab in the corner of the end zone against Notre Dame, on forth down and one!!! That play marked the birth of the modern style pro offense Michigan has today. Go Blue!!!
posted by Fade222 at 08:03 PM on March 12, 2006
well i think randle likes all the crime d.c has... seeing he committed a huge ripoff on snyder..lol!!
posted by ktown at 08:56 PM on March 12, 2006
The Heisman pose in the end zone is the coolest thing I've ever seen Actually, that is exactly why I think he was a chump. I stand corrected on his college stats, but stand by my assertion that he was for the most part a bust in the pros. However, now that the misogyny has started, and the LOLers are here, I'm done with this thread. Toodles.
posted by scully at 09:30 PM on March 12, 2006
i would be willing to bet between randle el and joe gibbs by the end of the season when the skins go to the superbowl instead of dumping gatorade they can just dump a big jug of their tears from over the course of this season
posted by bronxbomber at 09:34 PM on March 12, 2006
Randel El going to Washington is definetely a dumb move, but he isn't the only player on the Steelers team. They still have a great team, with or without him.
posted by mytigerlillies at 10:05 PM on March 12, 2006
Wait a minute...didn't Washington just pick up Brandon Lloyd from the 49ers? Now they have Randall El? Wow, you have to give the Redskins some props for at least trying to retool their WR corps and give Moss and Cooley more help. This could be an "interesting" situation right here... Lets just hope that Randall El and (Clinton) Portis don't get into a fight over the most TD passes thrown by a non-QB this season... Course, maybe this is the year for Ramsey or that 'other QB' Washington just HAD TO HAVE (my memory fails me but then again it is 11 PM)
posted by chemwizBsquared at 10:59 PM on March 12, 2006
El in DC; TO in Big D! Well, maybe the TO thing ain't decided yet, but ...! This is what we call the silly season in racing, but it is just about as much fun as the game. The 'Skins are close to being on par with the best in the NFL, and I trust Joe Gibbs to know better than anybody how to put a team together. My heart breaks. Why couldn't Jerry Jones have gotten Joe Gibbs?
posted by Bud Lang at 11:59 PM on March 12, 2006
Actually, that is exactly why I think he was a chump. What a hater. Don't hate the player, hate the game...
posted by wingnut4life at 06:29 AM on March 13, 2006
The Heisman pose in the end zone is the coolest thing I've ever seen. You don't get out much, do you?
posted by The_Black_Hand at 08:45 AM on March 13, 2006
"and I trust Joe Gibbs to know better than anybody how to put a team together."
And I trust Dan Snyder to know better than anybody how to ruin a team by overpaying underperforming players.
Randle El commanded a lot of respect in the FA market and with the new CBA in place - greatly increasing cap room - I'm not surprised he went to the Foreskins for that much money. He does fill the punt returner position they've been struggling with ever since Brian Mitchell left, however, it's a steep price to pay for a special teams player. Bears could've used him but I think they're better off spending their loot somewhere else. posted by redsnare at 11:50 AM on March 13, 2006
Im glad that Randle El is out of Pittsburgh, but in Washington you have a better chance of seeing the Nationals win over 100 games and win the series this year then the Redskins win a playoff game. Every year they stack their team with great players and the have a great coach and great fans, but they just never get the job done. They always look like they can be the best team in the NFC, but they always find a way to lose.
posted by Clevelander32 at 06:23 PM on March 13, 2006
you have a better chance of seeing the Nationals win over 100 games and win the series this year then the Redskins win a playoff game. Yeah, 'cause it's not like they beat the Buccaneers in the playoffs last year, eventually losing to the NFC Champions, right?
posted by The_Black_Hand at 12:04 PM on March 15, 2006
Why did you have to bring up painful memories for me, TBH?
posted by bperk at 12:06 PM on March 15, 2006
Why did you have to bring up painful memories for me, TBH? Sorry bperk...blame the troll. If he hadn't been so woefully uninformed, there'd have been no need for me to rip the scab off.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 02:00 PM on March 15, 2006
Evil, evil trolls.
posted by bperk at 02:42 PM on March 15, 2006
now the steelers will not make the playoffs and the redskins are becoming like the yankees and knicks