McCants it is. He's the Newest Eagle.

[hkHog]

I always trust someone who says, "Somewhere I read...."

Well it's good that you do because:

Gibbs became disenchanted with McCants' practice habits and with his reluctance to participate on special teams. Those factors earned him a spot on the inactive list for 10 games last year.

The handwriting seemed to be on the wall for McCants' imminent release for most of the summer and it became a little bit more visible when the team signed receiver Kevin Dyson, another big receiver, just before minicamp. The handwriting turned bolder as he dropped pass after pass early in camp and in the Carolina preseason game and the ink turned indelible as he continued to sit out special teams plays in the preseason games.

I knew that he was gone as he spoke with a few of us after a training camp practice. When asked about playing special team, he said that he was lining up as one of the gunners on punt coverage. The only aspect of doing it he didn't like, he said, was the hitting part. "If I get to him (the returner) I'll just wrestle him to the ground or something." That's kind of like saying that you like to go swimming, but you hate getting wet. Such an attitude will not earn too many points with special teams coach Danny Smith, who is as old school as they come.

http://taterskins.scout.com/2/431246.html

[Diomedes]

Not to mention he played for 3 DIFFERENT HEAD COACHES AND 3 DIFFERENT OCs in 4 years. Could that have been the problem?

That's certainly worth noting.

[PhillyPhanInDC]

From Mel Kiper back before the '01 Draft. He had him listed as one of "Kiper's Climbers" FWIW.

Kiper's Climber | Darnerian McCants, WR, Delaware State

While the wide receiver spot is the strongest and deepest position in the draft this year, highlighted by the major-college stars, there are still a few small-college dynamos who have been gaining momentum over the last two months.

At or near the top of this list is the athletically gifted McCants, a 6-foot-3, 209-pounder with 4.48 speed and excellent leaping ability. At Delaware State, he also starred as a high jumper on the track team.

After he redshirted with the Hornets in 1996, McCants was expected to really thrive in Delaware State's pro-style attack. While he enjoyed several outstanding performances, his productivity was limited since the Hornets distributed the ball to four or five different options in the passing game. After hauling in 20 receptions in '97 and 18 the following year, his receiving total dropped to nine catches as a fourth-year junior in '99.

Ironically, when the Hornets shifted to more of a wing-T offense last season, his numbers actually improved. He hauled in a career-high 36 receptions for a 19.2-yard average and 18 TDs. The Hornets would isolate McCants on the smaller cover men, taking advantage of the matchup edge when the Hornets moved into the red zone.

As a wideout, he needs to become a bit more polished in terms of route-running, and the transition from Division I-AA to the NFL may not be easy at first. But the physically gifted McCants definitely possesses intriguing pro potential. He's big, runs well, shows explosion out of his cuts, will catch in traffic and proved to be a real TD-maker last season.

The Hornets certainly haven't produced a wide receiver who has garnered this much attention since John Taylor in 1986. That year, Taylor ended up becoming a third-round super steal for the 49ers.

While he doesn't carry quite the final grade that Taylor did, don't be surprised if McCants hears his name called in the fourth- or fifth-round area.

I think with the right coaching, DMac throwing him lasers, and a firm support structure from the FO, he could turn into a solid possesion guy/redzone threat.

DARNERIAN McCANTS, Wide Receiver
School: Delaware State University Hornets. Height: 6:04.0. Weight: 207. Hometown: Odenton, Maryland

ANALYSIS

Positives...Prototype receiver in the Ed McCaffrey (Denver) mold...Has long arms and an effortless stride to the ball...Displays outstanding leaping ability...Shows superb acceleration off the snap and the long arms to haul in the tough pass in traffic...Very crisp in and out of his cuts... Great vertical threat who is very effective as a crack blocker upfield...Has good stutter-step moves after the catch...Shifty route runner with loose hips and excellent change-of-direction skills... Despite his size, he still has the juking moves needed to make the initial tackler miss.


Negatives...Still needs some route-running definement...Has to learn how to shorten his stride coming out of his cuts...More fast than quick...Despite his size, he has problems against even the small defensive backs escaping the jam...Gets frustrated too quickly when he can't elude the defender...Needs to show much better ball concentration ability, as he tends to drop just as much as he catches...Very passive blocker who will generally stand around upfield rather than lend support to the ground game...In a definite need for a confidence booster, as it seems he either is unsure of his ability or simply lacks the desire to hone his craft.

[PhillyGirl]

I agree that coaching and a great QB can do nothing more than help him. I mean, there was ZERO consistency in DC...new Coaches, schemes and QBs every year, a zesty oline, etc. He's got to be loving where he is going now.

[WEST is GOD]

personally would have preffered price but not a bad pick up.

Price at what Price? He won't come in and be a 3rd or 4th and he's not worthy enough to jump in and take over Greg Lewis' spot.

How do you know he won't come in and be a 3rd or a 4th? He's never said this. All indications are he really wants to be an Eagle according to Clayton on ESPN, CSN and NFL Network. Also, he doesn't need to jump in and take over Lewis' spot. He has to come in and work and earn it.

[Don Ho]

I always trust someone who says, "Somewhere I read...."

Yeah, SI for Kids

[PhillyPhreak54]

personally would have preffered price but not a bad pick up.

Price at what Price? He won't come in and be a 3rd or 4th and he's not worthy enough to jump in and take over Greg Lewis' spot.

How do you know he won't come in and be a 3rd or a 4th? He's never said this. All indications are he really wants to be an Eagle according to Clayton on ESPN, CSN and NFL Network. Also, he doesn't need to jump in and take over Lewis' spot. He has to come in and work and earn it.

Dude. Let's get real here.

Peerless Price came to ATL and left BUF so he could be a #1 WR. He's not going to go from a #1 making #1 WR money to a #4 WR.

And he will not cover kicks. As I have said before, if you are a #4 WR YOU HAV TO PLAY STs!

Look at Warrick. He went to a team that had poor WRs and signed a 1-year deal. He will use the opportunity of playing with a sorry group of WRs to parlay that into a big contract.

use some perspective, bro.

[hkHog]

I think with the right coaching...

Negatives... it seems he either is unsure of his ability or simply lacks the desire to hone his craft.

I agree that coaching and a great QB can do nothing more than help him.

The real question is will he be receptive to coaching?

[PhillyGirl]

Why wouldn't he be? He's basically auditioning for another chance. if he's not receptive, he'll be out of a job.

[PhillyPhanInDC]

I think with the right coaching...

Negatives... it seems he either is unsure of his ability or simply lacks the desire to hone his craft.

I agree that coaching and a great QB can do nothing more than help him.

The real question is will he be receptive to coaching?

No gimp. The real question is why are you, a trolling, bothersome, misguided taterskins fan, posing that question on an Eagles message board? Why don't you go back to your burgandy and gold Gibbs suckfest?

[PhillyGirl]

 

[Rome]

Dizzam, PPDC!

[WEST is GOD]

personally would have preffered price but not a bad pick up.

Price at what Price? He won't come in and be a 3rd or 4th and he's not worthy enough to jump in and take over Greg Lewis' spot.

How do you know he won't come in and be a 3rd or a 4th? He's never said this. All indications are he really wants to be an Eagle according to Clayton on ESPN, CSN and NFL Network. Also, he doesn't need to jump in and take over Lewis' spot. He has to come in and work and earn it.

Dude. Let's get real here.

Peerless Price came to ATL and left BUF so he could be a #1 WR. He's not going to go from a #1 making #1 WR money to a #4 WR.

And he will not cover kicks. As I have said before, if you are a #4 WR YOU HAV TO PLAY STs!

Look at Warrick. He went to a team that had poor WRs and signed a 1-year deal. He will use the opportunity of playing with a sorry group of WRs to parlay that into a big contract.

use some perspective, bro.

If he signs with the Eagles to be a #3 or #4 he still will have a chance to get revenge on the Falcons which I think he really wants. We play them in week one and could very well again the playoffs. Secondly, he will be playing for a championship team. To me I think he'd want revenge and a ring before playing time, and money.

Also if you want to look at it like Warrick has, then you have to remember Price has never succeeded unless he played opposite of a star wideout. If he goes to the Eagles, he will play with TO and he may think he could repeat his performance of 2002. That would earn him a potential big pay day. He won't do shtein on a team with sub-par receivers. He knows that.

[PhillyPhanInDC]

One thing I am wondering, is if they will work him into the gameplan in Week 9 in DC to rub salt into the wound. I'd like nothing better than for this kid to take to the system well, and shtein all over the Skins RoX0r! secondary.

[hkHog]

I think with the right coaching...

Negatives... it seems he either is unsure of his ability or simply lacks the desire to hone his craft.

I agree that coaching and a great QB can do nothing more than help him.

The real question is will he be receptive to coaching?

No gimp. The real question is why are you, a trolling, bothersome, misguided taterskins fan, posing that question on an Eagles message board? Why don't you go back to your burgandy and gold Gibbs suckfest?

Dude, the issue here isn't me, it's DMac, can't you read the title of the thread.

All I did was tell you what I know about DMac - he's a nice, big Red Zone threat who a lot of 'Skins fans wanted to play more but Gibbs didn't like his practice habits and he doesn't like ST very much.  What is wrong with that?  Did I say anything hostile?

By the way, it's OK, I forgive you, your post was very clever.