How long do you keep Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly if they don't produce?

[Bill B]

OK - lets say the Skins get the same type of production out of Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly this year as they did last. At some point potential has to turn into production and if these two have similar seasons like they did last year how much longer do you keep them on the roster? I know many say WR's need a couple of seasons to develop so I am curious as to how long do the Skins wait for them to produce - 2 years, 3 years, 4 or more?

[Schneed10]

Well last year we got ZERO from them. If they produce zero again then you consider flat out cutting them.

This year you're looking for modest contributions. From Thomas that means a few big plays deep for TDs. For Kelly that means several key third down catches to move the chains, and show flashes that he can have success in the red zone.

In the third year you look for the breakout.

[MTK]

If healthy I'm predicting big things for Kelly.

Thomas is the wildcard. If he has his head on straight and is serious about improving his game, he certainly has the talent to be a very good WR.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

If healthy I'm predicting big things for Kelly.

Thomas is the wildcard. If he has his head on straight and is serious about improving his game, he certainly has the talent to be a very good WR.

That's a big IF. I've mentioned this before - I have a friend who is a personal trainer for the Redskins. He's in the weight room in Ashburn with these guys at least few times a week, and hears all sorts of stuff. He only worked with them twice a week last year, but he got bumped up to four times a week now. Apparently Devin Thomas is a bit of a punch line amongst the other players. Really poor work ethic.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by GMScud

That's a big IF. I've mentioned this before - I have a friend who is a personal trainer for the Redskins. He's in the weight room in Ashburn with these guys at least few times a week, and hears all sorts of stuff. He only worked with them twice a week last year, but he got bumped up to four times a week now. Apparently Devin Thomas is a bit of a punch line amongst the other players. Really poor work ethic.

So even NOW, the players feel he has a poor work ethic? thats disappointing.

[sportscurmudgeon]

They will keep them until it is clear to everyone north of the equator that they can't cut it in the NFL. When the Skins FO makes a commitment to a player - by spending a high draft pick on them or signing them to a big deal - they stick by that player longer than an objective observer would.

There are loads of examples here...

Here is when you will know that the Skins are preparing to cut one of these guys loose:

You start to read that the player is not paying attention at meetings or that he has rubbed some of his teammates the wrong way or that he hasn't committed himself fully to the team philosophy.

That is the prelude to separating the player from the team. Until then...

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

They will keep them until it is clear to everyone north of the equator that they can't cut it in the NFL. When the Skins FO makes a commitment to a player - by spending a high draft pick on them or signing them to a big deal - they stick by that player longer than an objective observer would.

There are loads of examples here...

Here is when you will know that the Skins are preparing to cut one of these guys loose:

You start to read that the player is not paying attention at meetings or that he has rubbed some of his teammates the wrong way or that he hasn't committed himself fully to the team philosophy.

That is the prelude to separating the player from the team. Until then...

Of course, I'll never forgot how much I read about how DeMetric Evans, Shawn Springs, Ryan Plackemeier, and Marcus Washington were not paying attention at meetings and rubbing players the wrong way...

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

So even NOW, the players feel he has a poor work ethic? thats disappointing.

He's still a punch line, yes. I guess he's been trying to step up this offseason, but apparently it was so bad last season, he'll continue to get his balls busted until he does something on the field.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by GMScud

He's still a punch line, yes. I guess he's been trying to step up this offseason, but apparently it was so bad last season, he'll continue to get his balls busted until he does something on the field.

well that could actually work in our favor. Hopefully his being a punch line and the fact that Kelly has made strides will help motivate him to improve his own game.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by GMScud

That's a big IF. I've mentioned this before - I have a friend who is a personal trainer for the Redskins. He's in the weight room in Ashburn with these guys at least few times a week, and hears all sorts of stuff. He only worked with them twice a week last year, but he got bumped up to four times a week now. Apparently Devin Thomas is a bit of a punch line amongst the other players. Really poor work ethic.

Thomas has been working out at Redskin Park with Kelly this off-season though right? And I think I heard that he and Santana Moss are working (will be working?) with JC down in Florida this spring as well. It seems like he's making some progress.

Kelly is a concern because who knows how healthy his knee will ever be. All I know is that almost everyone I've spoken to that has any sort of access inside Redskin Park says they love Kelly (his work ethic, his attitude, his personality), and I think there are some who believe that once (if?) he starts producing on the field he can be a face of the franchise.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Thomas has been working out at Redskin Park with Kelly this off-season though right? And I think I heard that he and Santana Moss are working (will be working?) with JC down in Florida this spring as well. It seems like he's making some progress.

Kelly is a concern because who knows how healthy his knee will ever be. All I know is that almost everyone I've spoken to that has any sort of access inside Redskin Park says they love Kelly (his work ethic, his attitude, his personality), and I think there are some who believe that once (if?) he starts producing on the field he can be a face of the franchise.

Yes, Thomas and Kelly have both been working out at Ashburn this winter, and from what my friend tells me, Kelly is running at 100% and his knee seems to be fine. My buddy also reiterates what your sources say about Kelly. Great attitude, good kid, and when he's clicking he's a freak on the field. And apparently he's every bit of the 6'4" 220lbs he's listed at.

As far as working with Santana and JC in Florida this spring, I haven't heard about that. I'll be talking to my friend this afternoon. I'll find out what I can.

For anyone who is wondering, he said Justin Geisenger is by far the strongest guy on the team. That surprised me a bit.

[GusFrerotte]

Originally Posted by GMScud

That's a big IF. I've mentioned this before - I have a friend who is a personal trainer for the Redskins. He's in the weight room in Ashburn with these guys at least few times a week, and hears all sorts of stuff. He only worked with them twice a week last year, but he got bumped up to four times a week now. Apparently Devin Thomas is a bit of a punch line amongst the other players. Really poor work ethic.

That is sad to hear, but to be honest on par for Michigan St players. Those guys in E Lansing party hardy, and for MSU players in the NFL, they never tend to pan out at all. Charles Rogers is the recent prime example. Drew Stanton will never be healthy enough to even give himself a chance in the league.

[Soup's Uncle]

Yeah, if Kelly is healthy, he will ultimately be the better wide reciever in my opinion. Thomas seems like a gifted athlete, but is a bit of a bonehead. If neither produce this year, you'd have to cut them. They have to produce something.

[SC Skins Fan]

If they were to repeat 2008 numbers then you'd get rid of them, but in all likelihood they stick around a minimum of three years given their draft status. If we expect either to ever amount to much we'd have to be looking for 30-40 catches and 500-600 yards are benchmark numbers.

[hooskins]

Alot of this depends on their offseason work with Zorn and Campbell. Campbell needs to get in a rhythm with them. Otherwise he has Cooley, Moss and ARE; all of which he is much more comfortable throwing to.