Redskins Fishing for Small Change

The prototypical NFL receiver has a combination of size, speed and strength. Randy Moss of the Oakland Raiders is 6-4 and weighs 210 pounds; Terrell Owens of the Philadelphia Eagles is 6-3, 226. And although they are unique talents, NFL wideouts appear to be getting bigger and faster with each draft. Of the six receivers selected in the first round of April's draft, only one was under 6-2: The 5-11, 187-pound Mark Clayton (Oklahoma) was the fifth wideout drafted (Baltimore Ravens) as teams went for bulkier receivers such as the 6-3, 208-pound Braylon Edwards (Michigan), chosen third overall by the Cleveland Browns.

"Some teams have always wanted bigger receivers. San Francisco doesn't mind giving up speed for some size," said Houston Texans General Manager Charley Casserly, Gibbs's GM from 1989 to 1992. Casserly drafted Andre Johnson, a 6-3, 219-pound wide receiver, with the third overall pick for Houston in 2003. "But for other teams like the Rams, speed is number one. It depends on the philosophy."

Patten noted that the Patriots established a dynasty with no receiver taller than 6 feet and that Deion Branch (5-9, 193) was Super Bowl MVP in February.

"We were just a bunch of small guys that got a lot of production on the field," said Patten, New England's number two receiver for most of its championship run. "Everybody always focused on our size. A lot of time, we got overlooked as a corps. We felt like we had one of the best corps in the league. And you saw the end result."

When Gibbs spoke to Patten about joining the Redskins, the coach said that size wasn't an issue, and mentioned some of his former receivers. "He brought up Mr. Sanders and all those guys," Patten recalled.

In the late 1980s, the Posse starred Monk, the 5-9 Clark and 5-11 Ricky Sanders. Monk, who once held the NFL's all-time record for catches -- stood out among the group at 6-3 and 210 pounds. In 1989, three Washington receivers each had more than 1,000 receiving yards. Monk -- a physical, possession pass-catcher -- ended his career with the most receiving yards in team history. Clark and Sanders -- explosive players -- finished third and fifth overall, respectively.

McCants was a Posse fan while growing up in Gambrills. "I'm the Art Monk of the group," McCants said. "Each style of receiver has a different purpose. In this offense, I'm considered more of a possession-style receiver, going across the middle and taking the punishment."

Like Monk, McCants towers over his fellow wideouts. And the size disparity has been an adjustment. "He looks at us and says, 'Hey man, I'm bigger than all of y'all,' " Brown said. "He looks kind of funny standing around us."

McCants and the 6-2, 212-pound Kevin Dyson appear to be competing for the role of Washington's big receiver. (Reserve wideouts Taylor Jacobs, 6-0, 198, and James Thrash, 6-0, 200, are virtually ensured roster spots.) But Gibbs said that he doesn't necessarily have a spot reserved for a big receiver.

Before the Posse, the Smurfs helped Gibbs win the Super Bowl after the 1982 season and reach the title game the following year. In 1983, the Smurfs were led by the 5-10 Charlie Brown and also included Virgil Seay (5-8, 175 pounds) and Alvin Garrett (5-7, 178). The Redskins set an NFL record for scoring with 541 points; Brown caught 78 passes for 1,255 yards with eight touchdowns.

The illegal contact rule helps receivers such as Moss and Patten. Before the 2004 season, the NFL placed an emphasis on enforcing the rule against bumping or grabbing a receiver five yards beyond the line of scrimmage. "In the old days," Redskins wide receivers coach Stan Hixon said, "they were grabbing you down the field and throwing you down and all kinds of things."

Cornerback Shawn Springs said that he has more difficulty defending against small receivers, but sees two main drawbacks. "You have to have a quarterback who can find them because they are not big targets," Springs said, "and they have to be able to hold up. The league is a physical league."

It helps to have big receivers for fade routes, essentially a jump ball thrown toward the back of the end zone. But Gibbs generally doesn't employ a fade in his offense.

Bigger receivers also can use their strength against press coverage. Nonetheless, the best receivers at avoiding jams tend to be small and speedy, forcing defensive backs to give them extra space. At training camp, defenders have been giving Moss a substantial cushion that he uses for intermediate catches.

Antonio Brown, who appears to have a roster spot as the lead punt returner, also might contribute as a receiver. He has improved his route running since last season -- and doesn't give his size a second thought.

"The minus is people doubt you and the plus is proving 'em wrong," Brown said. "An advantage is them not knowing our strengths and our ability, and what we have in the total package."