Jabar Gaffney ready to take field for Redskins with help of old friend Keenan McCardell

Almost 14 years ago, Keenan McCardell stood on the sidelines at William M. Raines High in Jacksonville, Fla., reliving his high school days.

The more McCardell watched the Vikings during their state championship season, the more the Jacksonville Jaguars wideout began to see shades of himself in junior wide receiver Jabar Gaffney.

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(Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post) - Jabar Gaffney signs autographs after practice during training camp at Redskins Park.

McCardell saw the potential well before Gaffney caught the game-winning touchdown to win the Florida state championship game, mentoring the young wide receiver during the regular season and keeping him under his wing since 1997.

“He reminded me of myself,” said McCardell, now 41. “He didn’t necessarily have the blazing speed, but he had the ability to separate himself from the defensive backs.”

On the last Wednesday morning in June, Gaffney ate his breakfast and digested the news that the Washington Redskins had just signed veteran wide receiver Donte Stallworth.

“That’s going to be a good move for him,” the 30-year-old thought to himself at the Denver Broncos’ training facility.

“Then I’m getting ready to go, and I hear the news that I’m traded to Washington,” Gaffney said. “I’m like ‘What?’ Coach [Mike] Shanahan called me and next thing you know, I was on my way.”

Gaffney’s football career has come full circle in Washington, where he has reconnected with McCardell, the Redskins’ wide receivers coach since January 2010. Gaffney — whom the Redskins acquired in exchange for defensive end Jeremy Jarmon on July 27 — said he was shocked to learn he was going to Washington, but excited for the opportunity to learn under his longtime friend.

“Growing up, Keenan, he was my hometown receiver,” said Gaffney, who grew up in Jacksonville. “We’ve always known each other. When I got here and learned that he was my receiver coach, it’s just made our relationship that much better. It’s great learning from a guy like that, who I grew up watching.”

Gaffney earned a scholarship to play at the University of Florida, where McCardell kept tabs on Gaffney’s progress. In 2000 and 2001, Gaffney and Gators quarterback Rex Grossman — who is now fighting for the Redskins’ starting quarterback job — combined for 138 receptions for 2,375 yards and 27 touchdowns, the most catches for a player in major college history during their combined freshman and sophomore seasons.

“As soon as he started at Florida, you knew he had that ‘it’ factor, and he still has it,” said Grossman, reunited 10 years later with Gaffney in Washington. “He’s a great receiver.”

McCardell echoed Grossman’s assessment.

“You knew he had it,” McCardell said. “It was just about getting the opportunity and he got the opportunity.”

The Houston Texans drafted Gaffney in the second round of the 2002 draft. From 2002 to ’07, McCardell and Gaffney faced each other five times while playing for various teams. Win or lose, the two receivers always made sure to chat after the game, even if it only was for a minute.

“We’ve been away from each other for a while, but I’ve always kept up with him and he’s kept up with me,” Gaffney said. “Every time we saw each other on the field, it’s always been love.”