Gruden: Come Home McCardell

[nychief]

Gruden: We Need McCardell Here

By Mike Cobb
The Ledger
mike.cobb@theledger.com

TAMPA -- Whether he was lobbying to get a play-making receiver back, Buccaneer coach Jon Gruden said after Sunday's 10-6 loss that the Bucs definitely need holdout receiver Keenan McCardell.

Whether the first two games will change the Bucs' position on McCardell's holdout remains to be seen, but they might.

"That's a situation that's been very disappointing," Gruden said, "but I'm sure talks will accelerate due to the fact that he is an outstanding player and our team misses him.

"We can't publicly comment other than we want him here."

McCardell, who led the Bucs with 84 catches for 1,174 yards last year, is holding out seeking a contract close to the average of No. 1 receivers in the league, which is approximately $4.1 million.

He was scheduled to make $2.5 million this year, but he did not report to camp and has been a holdout since.