Comments from Burke Griffin -7/22
As a late season pickup last year, Gardner is now the sleeper of the Packers WR corp. With the size and speed he possesses, head coach Mike McCarthy and Offensive Coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski feel as if he is the perfect fit for their planned possession passing game.
Gardner has actually shown a flare for the big play and that is one thing that Brett Favre loves about his play.
The knock on Gardner has been attitude vs. performance.
In Washington, Gardner had his breakout year in 2002 with over 1,000 yds and 8 TD's. He was a FFL GM's dream for one year, but has since been a nightmare.
In 2003 he had just 3 games where he lived up to his potential, and in 2004 just one dominating performance.
Gardner's numbers have tended to drop off at the end of the year, which was why his short but productive stay in Green Bay prompted his staying in Titletown.
FANTASY UPSIDE
Earning Brett Favre's trust is the number one job of every WR playing for the Packers, and it seems as if Gardner did that in a hurry last December. Favre also loves "tough guys" and by all indications, Gardner fits that mold. His combination of ability, hands, and quickness make him a logical target in the Packers passing game. The sky is the limit for Gardner when it comes to potential.
FANTASY DOWNSIDE
The word potential is something that all GM's hate - both real and FFL. Gardner has had issues with his prior two teams and last year his drop-off in Carolina was significant after being traded by the Redskins. As a #4 WR behind Steve Smith, Keary Colbert, and Ricky Proehl, Gardner obviously didn’t like his role with the Panthers and was eventually cut by the team. GB quickly grabbed him off the waiver wire. No one seems to know for sure if it’s a poor attitude by Gardner or just bad situations that he was in prior to this year.
MY BOTTOM LINE
Green Bay and Gardner have a 2-way street in 2006, and they both need each other. For the Packers to be competitive in what could be Brett Favre's final season, targets like Gardner have to be on the same page. Rod needs to resurrect his career and prove his first round worthiness from 2001.
Gardner's ADP is off of everyone’s radar and while he is a gamble, I feel as though he's one worth taking. Given Robert Ferguson's prior injury problems, it wouldn’t surprise me if Gardner is the Packers #2 WR at some point this season.
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