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

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

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...

Dont forget Antonio Pierce, Ryan Clark, Lemar Marshall, Leigh Torrence, and Patrick Ramsey. Those guys were all lockerroom cancers and we knew about it months in advance of their release.

Originally Posted by Skinny Tee

Kelly's injury is just inexcusable. He was incapacitated last year becuase his knees are in that bad of shape. Being Cerrato, how do you draft a tall receiver who has problematic knee issues? A knee injury to a tall person is like a throwing shoulder injury for a quarterback. I just don't see him overcoming those nagging knee problems in the long run.

Kellys knees did not severely limit him in college. If they had, he wouldnt have been projected by pretty much everyone as a 1st or 2nd round pick. It was risky to select him, but it was worth the risk. I dont think anyone can legitimately question that we got a great "value" selecting any one of Kelly, Thomas, or Davis in the 2nd round. They were all steals at the postion we drafted them. The only reasonable criticism of the moves i can see is that it was a bit of overkill - however, if two of the three guys end up working out, i'll be very happy. So far, Fred Davis is the only one I think is a lock to have a solid NFL career ahead of him, though.

[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.

[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.

[redsk1]

I guess that's why Thomas slid to the 2nd round heh? We really need Thomas and Kelly to step it up this year. I like both of them. Thomas is a big dude too and could be a huge plus if he can step it up.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

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...

I scratched my head on that one too.

:confused:

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by 53Fan

Santana Moss on Devin Thomas, "I think his future is bright, if he stays focused and just lets me talk to him a little more, he'll be all right." If he's smart and listens to Tana, he's good, if not, he may be out the door in a year or two. He has the talent. Malcolm Kelly is who I look for to make the biggest impact if he can stay healthy. I'm not ready to start thinking of giving up on either one just yet.

See, to me this isn't a positive. He "thinks his future is bright," but he's not sure (no one really is sure at this point I guess). Then he says "if he stays focused," which means he hasn't been focused prior, and if he "just lets me talk to him a little more," which means Thomas wasn't previously very receptive of Santana's advice. This is pretty far from a glowing endorsement IMO.

[saden1]

Their performance is partly predicated on the performance of the coaching staff, specifically coach Zorn. I'm hoping they each get at least 400 yards this coming season, and baller numbers the season after that. If not, I'm sure we'll be hearing the fat lady sing.

[Monksdown]

The duration of their contracts.

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by Monksdown

The duration of their contracts.

I actually agree with this. I wouldn't cut them, I would let them play out their contracts and see if they ever live up to being a 2nd round draft pick. I don't care if it's year 4, teams can't be in the business of throwing away draft picks like that.

For the record: I think we'll see improvement from each of these two this year.

[70Chip]

They need to produce this season. The reason is that if they don't, pressure will start to mount from the fans to send Vinny down the road. It goes to Vinny before it goes to Zorn. The press likes Zorn but they think Vinny is a d-bag and a stooge. He willl not survive if these two both blow up on the pad, as it were.

[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.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by 70Chip

They need to produce this season. The reason is that if they don't, pressure will start to mount from the fans to send Vinny down the road. It goes to Vinny before it goes to Zorn. The press likes Zorn but they think Vinny is a d-bag and a stooge. He willl not survive if these two both blow up on the pad, as it were.

The press doesnt own the redskins - daniel snyder does. The only person Cerrato and Zorn really need to please is him.

[SBXVII]

The team needs to play to it's individual strengths also. If Thomas is nothing but a run straight down the field type of player then they need to utilize that. Send him on speed routes. I know Moss is currently doing that but teams will be baffled as to double teaming Moss and covering Thomas. Then use either Randel El or Kelly on other routes.

If it takes 2-3 yrs for a WR to develope and come into his own, which people are saying of two possible 1st rounders in Kelly and Thomas, then why didn't we keep some of the other WR's we had last yr to develope them? Heck I went on NFL.com and checked the WR's and I can only find McMullen who is available.

Maurice Mann:CFL.ca

Also I can't find Marcus Monk any where. The Giants picked him up then cut him. He was somone who was supposed to possibly make it somewhere.

[DIRTEE]

If you play them all preseason, they will be fine for the regular season. The real question is when will we see the mythical double tight end formation featuring Fred Davis and Chris Cooley in the redzone.

[Meks]

i dont consider it fair to CUT them, when we really dont give them a chance to produce as much as we'd like to see.... it has A WHOLE LOT to do with the play -calling and the QB, i still say give them more time even if this year isnt thier greatest