Human nature is to gravitate towards familiarity.
One month from now, Sean McVay will begin his first free agency period as head coach of the Los Angeles Rams. Developing Jared Goff is paramount, so it would help to get the second-year quarterback a playmaker.
McVay may know a guy (or two).
Redskins wide receivers Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson will be two of the most sought after offensive free agents come March. McVay coached both players in Washington and each had over 1,000 yards receiving last season in the ‘Skins’ second-ranked passing attack.
Changing the offensive culture of this football team becomes easier when proven commodities whom you’ve worked with before come aboard. Los Angeles’ last-ranked offense produced one 1,000-yard receiver: Kenny Britt, who squeaked by that mark by two yards in Week 17. Britt, too, is a free agent.
So what are the benefits of the Rams signing Garcon or Jackson this offseason? Let’s examine:
The case for Garcon
Observers would argue Garcon was the most important receiver to the Redskins in ’16 — not Jackson, Jamison Crowder or tight end Jordan Reed.
The 10-year veteran from Mount Union was targeted 114 times by Kirk Cousins last season, most on the team. He hauled in 79 balls for 1,041 yards and 3 TDs. His reliability and knack for the clutch catch outweighed his big-play ability.
Goff needs a receiver he can count on to consistently move the chains. Fifty-two of Garcon’s receptions in 2016 were converted into first downs, tied for 14th in the league. Washington had the best third-down conversion percentage in the NFL at 46.6. The Rams were No. 24 in the league (37.3).
Garcon’s fiery personality is infectious, but it’s reasonable to wonder if it will jibe with a young quarterback hoping to find his way. At 30, Garcon may be looking to stay in D.C. with Cousins or latch on to an immediate contender.
Familiarity is comfortable, though. In addition to McVay, Rams new offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur spent two seasons with Garcon in Washington when he was the team’s quarterbacks coach.
Tough, intense and reliable are three adjectives worth hitching your free-agent dollars to. Garcon would bring instant credibility to an offense embarking on a complete overhaul.
The case for Jackson
When McVay was hired by the Rams last month, several Redskins players were quick to congratulate their former coach, including the speedy Jackson:
Like Garcon, Jackson, 30, is entering his 10th season in the NFL. He will certainly test the market and it seems like he was miffed by a recent Instagram post from the Redskins account.
Is a homecoming on his mind?
The Long Beach native is coming off the fifth 1,000-yard season of his career. And think about this astounding stat: His 22 career touchdowns of 60 yards or more trail only the great Jerry Rice (23). Jackson also has a career average of 17.7 yards per completion.
One of Goff’s strengths is his live arm, something he wasn’t able to showcase his rookie season for a myriad of reasons. Inexperience, of course, but his offensive line graded out as No. 27 in the league by Pro Football Focus. Couple that with an underwhelming wide receiving corps and it’s hard to have expected anything more.
In Jackson, Goff would be equipped with arguably the most dangerous deep threat in NFL history. Questions remain though: Will he have proper protection? Will he have developed enough this offseason to take full advantage of Jackson’s speed?
One thing’s for sure: If certain stars align, the Cal-Bear connection has the potential to be a lot of fun for Rams fans in the Coliseum.
Stats and information courtesy of Pro Football Reference and NFL.com.
