The slithery moves could have produced a nickname. Or the dual role that he has played in the past, and will do so in the future. Maybe they’d tag him with something even flashier than, say, Slash.
Instead, it’s the voice they pick; the loud, booming voice. That’s why Santana Moss has dubbed Antwaan Randle El “Mr. PA”. As in, “Mr. Public Address.”
“Because I’m loud,” Randle El said.
The Redskins hope his play speaks even louder. That’s why they signed him as a free agent this offseason, believing he’ll spark not only the passing attack but the punt return unit.
If nothing else, RandleEl and fellow free agent signee Brandon Lloyd provide a deeper receiving corps, together with Moss. But Randle El is here to do more than that. The Redskins would like to expand on the threat he was in Pittsburgh.
As with the Steelers, he’ll be lined up all over, though he’ll probably go in motion more in this offense.
“He’ll be versatile,” Redskins receivers coach Stan Hixon said. “He’s not a speed merchant, but he’s effective. Don’t expect him to be like Santana and Brandon and all of a sudden run right by a guy. That’s not his strong point. He just makes plays. He makes the tough catch in tight areas.”
Randle El can catch (162 career receptions); run (54 carries, 316 yards) and pass (14 of 16, two touchdowns, 128 yards). He also has averaged 9.5 yards on 168 punt returns and 22.3 yards on 78 kickoff returns.
“He’s a great punt returner and that could help our team immensely,” Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said.
Randle El is most dangerous on underneath routes, where his jitterbug running style produces whiffs by defenders. But he’d like to be more than just a mini-possession receiver. Yesterday, he made a diving grab about 30 yards downfield.
Still, the short routes have been his staple.
“I do that [catch underneath] exceptionally well,” Randle El said. “The times they went deep to me in Pittsburgh, I made the plays, especially early in the season. We got away from it a little bit. I just want to improve on what I did in Pittsburgh. I want to be a guy you can really depend on.”
Now, back to the voice. Randle El claims his father is even louder – “Even when he’s on the phone!” But the ever-smiling Randle El also inherited his parents’ upbeat disposition.
“I have no worries,” he said, “so why not be happy?”
Vocal and versatile
» In his first three seasons, Randle El’s longest pass reception was 39 yards. Last season, he had receptions of at least 49 yards or more in the first three games. But, in the next 17 games, his longest catch was 28 yards.
» The 5-foot-10, 192-pound Randle El has averaged 12.4 yards per reception in his career.
» Randle El has gained 5,792 combined yards in his first four seasons.
