Player Profile: Antwaan Randle El, Wide Receiver, Indiana University Age: 28 NFL Experience: 6 years Contract Remaining: 6 years 2008 Cap Number: $2,724,000 2008 Release Fee: $8,882,000 Example #567 that people don't understand the salary cap: a rumor has recently surfaced that to make room for Bengals' receiver Chad Johnson, the Redskins would be moving Antwaan Randle El. This report came less than a week after the Redskins gave Randle El a one year extention, restrctured his deal as to double his guarenteed money in 2008, and effectively paid a 2 million dollar roster bonus. Love him or hate him, Randle El isn't going anywhere. The extra year is actually pretty significant proof that Randle El is going to be a starting receiver for the forseeable future. A year ago, Randle El was exactly what he was billed as by the media: a great punt returner who had yet to establish himself as a legitimate NFL receiving target. Now, following his 2007 campaign, it's clear that Randle El is going to become very familiar with Jason Campbell for many seasons. For the first time in his career, Randle El caught 50 balls (51) in 2007. He averaged a career high 14.3 yards per reception, and knowing the previous two facts, you can deduce that he set a career high in receiving yards (728). Randle El led all Redskin receivers with an excellent 66% catch rate, and was the most valuable receiver on the team this season. Coincidentally, Randle El had his most difficult year as a punt returner, averaging a career low 6.1 yards per return on a career low 34 attempts, and no touchdowns. Randle El has twice broken the 10 yards per return mark in a single season, the mark of a great return man. I think we can expect to get the best of both worlds from Antwaan in 2008. Historical evidence suggests that when a converted college quarterback has a breakout season at WR, he generally can maintain that level of production. Historical evidence also shows that with punt returners who have multiple great years will almost always rebound following a poor year. Don't look now, but the Redskins will be counting on him. Since it doesn't appear likely that the Redskins will break the bank for a receiver in the offseason, Randle El could find himself as the number one receiver in Washington by the second half of the year if Moss struggles. It's important to remember that Randle El is the same age as Moss though, and is developing/peaking at the same time. He was a 4 year college quarterback, drafted in 2002, whereas Moss left the 'U' with a year of eligibility remaining. Randle El is that consistency factor that fans clamor for. He's got the high catch rate, and he's the possession receiver in this offense. He's also an explosive punt returner, so it's clear that once you get the ball in his hands on offense, all bets are off. Randle El just happens to have the highest quarterback rating in NFL history for a player with 20 or more attempts. Out of his 21 career passes, Randle El has thrown for 3 TD's (1 as a Redskin), and 0 INTs, and that's ommiting his TD pass to Hines Ward in Super Bowl XL. Though this doesn't mean a whole lot, it does mean you can trust Randle El when you put the ball in his hands. The Redskins can choose to liberally use him on reverses and reverse passes, because he has yet to turn the ball over in his 6 year career. The guy has the mentality of a quarterback, and that's always a good thing, no matter what position you are playing. Randle El is going to have a very impressive career in Washington by the time he's done here. He will look to add a whole bunch of receiving, returning, and passing TD's to his resume in 2008 under Jim Zorn. The Redskins are getting their $4.5 million a year worth on Randle El every time his on the field, and it's clear that he will be a key contributor going foward, well into his thirties.