The inevitable departure of wide receiver Rod Gardner finally became a reality on Wednesday when the Redskins agreed to trade the former first-rounder to the Carolina Panthers for an undisclosed draft pick (reportedly a fifth or sixth rounder, depending on performance levels) in 2006.
Gardner, who earned the moniker “50/50” his rookie season because of his inconsistency, is in the last year of his contract and is owed $2.1 million this season.
After requesting a trade shortly following the 2004 season, Gardner had been excused from all of the team’s offseason activities. The Redskins originally hoped to receive a high draft pick in exchange for Gardner who was originally selected 15th overall in the 2001 draft, but after strong speculation that he would eventually be released, trade interest dwindled.
Gardner’s best year came in 2002, when he amassed 71 catches for 1,006 yards and 8 touchdowns. Coincidentally, his best single-game performance came as a rookie against the Panthers in Week 6 when he helped lead the Redskins to their first win of the season. Gardner caught 6 passes for 208 yards and one touchdown (85 yards). That was the best single-game performance by any receiver in the league that season.
In high school, Gardner starred as a quarterback. Those talents were put to use in 2003 when he threw two touchdown passes for 46 yards.
In 2004, Gardner caught 51 catches for 650 yards and 5 touchdowns. His best game of the season came against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3 when he caught 10 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns.
Hog Wire – Fourth round pick Manuel White, Jr., signed a four-year deal with the Redskins on Wednesday. White, used as a fullback and running back in UCLA, looks to work at H-back. Fifth round pick Robert McCune signed a three-year deal with the team on Monday as well.
With Carlos Rogers and Jason Campbell still unsigned, Gardner’s exit gives the Redskins approximately $3.75 million in much needed salary cap room that will be used to sign the former Auburn Tigers.
According to the Washington Post, the Redskins brought in wide receiver Damien Harrell for a workout this week and did not offer him a contract. Harrell --a Florida State product -- finished fourth in the Arena Football League in receiving and touchdowns last season for the Arena Bowl champion Colorado Crush.
Jake Russell is a writer for theHogs.net. You can contact Jake at Jakeman@theHogs.net.
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