So lets just get the obvious out of the way: the Washington Redskins have a ridiculously large need for another wide receiver. Other than Santana Moss, Washington has a geriatric, a bust, and a couple guys who couldn’t play in the Arena league.

The Redskins passing offense looked mediocre at best on Sunday night. Quarterback Donovan McNabb was back in the lineup for the first time in weeks and the offensive scheme was limited as a result.  The Cowboys stacked the box once they realized the passing game wasn’t a threat, and the much-discussed Redskins running game got stuck in neutral as well.

McNabb and his offense will get better and he has a way of making his receivers look better than they are, but Washington’s receiver corps would welcome the likes of Freddie Mitchell and Todd Pinkston right about now.

Frankly, this isn’t a problem that’s going to improve with time. Seldom are even decent starting receivers available in free agency, and there’s no position more unpredictable in the NFL draft than wide receiver. Even if the Redskins pulled a blackjack in the draft, it’s likely that it would take two or three years to get fully up to speed.

Lets get this out of the way as well: the San Diego Chargers have a Pro Bowl caliber receiver they need to get out of town in Vincent Jackson. Who's to blame is open to interpretation: is AJ Smith simply on an ego trip or does Vincent Jackson think he’s the second coming of Jerry Rice?

But either way, the situation appears completely untenable, and it would be best for both sides to move VJax on to another squad.

Somehow, Vincent Jackson to the Redskins just seems too logical, too obvious, but it’s a huge win for both teams.

Many Washington fans are clamoring for this deal to get done immediately, if not sooner, but for the wrong reasons. Jackson is seen as a savior; someone who can fix the offense right away; the last piece of the puzzle to make the Redskins a contender in 2010.

This, he is not.

Jackson is a solid receiver, though he is not in the elite of the NFL with the likes of Andre Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald. He would instantly become the Redskins top target, shifting Santana Moss to No. 2 where he properly belongs. Combined with Chris Cooley and Fred Davis, it would give the Redskins their most legitimate passing presence in over a decade.

However, Jackson isn’t going to save the team this year.  First and foremost, he hasn’t been on the field since January.  Once he serves his suspension, it will take him weeks just to get back into football shape. He will also have to learn a brand new offense and integrate himself into a new locker room.

It will also take some time for Shanahan the younger to learn how to properly use Jackson in terms of designing routes and plays for him.

What the Redskins need to do is acquire Vincent Jackson for next season, whenever that might be. He will help some this year while getting up to speed. With a new contract, his return won’t be in question. He will spend the winter in Arizona with McNabb, come to all the OTAs and then all of training camp.

Then, combined with McNabb, Portis and the rest of the supporting cast, Washington’s offense will be ready to contend. But not before.