My hat is tipped towards Extreme Skins for tracking down this Len Pasquarelli article:
Free agent wide receiver Keenan McCardell, the No. 9 pass-catcher in NFL history, may decide to finish his career with the franchise that originally brought him into the league.
Before/If you were getting your hopes up:
ESPN.com has confirmed through league sources that McCardell is in active negotiations with the Washington Redskins, who chose him in the 12th round of the 1991 draft. Released by the San Diego Chargers earlier this spring, McCardell is also discussing a contract with the Houston Texans, where he visited club officials and coaches three weeks ago.
Since he resides in Houston and might be a starter there opposite standout wide receiver Andre Johnson, most felt McCardell would sign with the Texans, who continue to hold open a roster spot for him. But the Redskins became involved with McCardell in recent days and remain a viable alternative for him.
I'm apathetic. Keenan McCardell is a kind-of-sort-of possession receiver in the twilight of his career. I could see him getting some catches in Washington, though it's already a crowded WR unit. Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle-El, Brandon Lloyd, and James Thrash are all locks to make the team, meaning McCardell would compete for that final spot with Mike Espy and a bunch of other guys who probably won't make the roster (Espy had an impressive mini camp and is the current favorite), so I can't imagine this is a particularly enviable situation to walk into. I also doubt that Keenan will demand much of a contract, though his asking price would obviously influence how I felt about him rejoining the Redskins -- we drafted him in 1991.
I am concerned with this from the above article: "...the Redskins became involved with McCardell in recent days..." Why? Are the coaches concerned with our receiving corp? I presumed above that he's battling for that 5th spot, but maybe I'm wrong. Does this not bode well for James Thrash?