Redskins Sign Thomas to Rookie Contract

Skinna Mob · Post by **Skinna Mob** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:11 pm

http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=36668

Cappster · Post by **Cappster** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:15 pm

Excellent! And in Fred Davis fashion, he is the caboose.

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:19 pm

Cappster wrote:Excellent! And in Fred Davis fashion, he is the caboose.

.

Um... Fred?

Train's leaving the station...

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:22 pm

Countertrey wrote:
Cappster wrote:Excellent! And in Fred Davis fashion, he is the caboose.

.

Um... Fred?

Train's leaving the station...

He was late for practice during his first week he won't be late for camp too.

I hope

floridaskinsfan · Post by **floridaskinsfan** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:23 pm

This is excellent news! Davis will sign before sunday

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:33 pm

1niksder wrote:
Countertrey wrote:
Cappster wrote:Excellent! And in Fred Davis fashion, he is the caboose.

.

Um... Fred?

Train's leaving the station...

He was late for practice during his first week he won't be late for camp too.

I hope

Davis is certainly in the weakest postition of the 3. We currently have one of the best receiving TE's in the league, who happens to be playing at the top of his game, on the team. Sure, it would be great for him to be there, but... they won't miss him if he doesn't show.

He can't afford not to sign.

Cappster · Post by **Cappster** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:44 pm

Devin Thomas Agrees To Terms

Skins got him on a four year deal. The WR out of Michigan State was Washington's top pick in the draft, and first of three second-round picks. His signing leaves just second-round TE Fred Davis un-signed. Thomas will earn a max of $4.8 million in his deal, with $2.75 million as his signing bonus, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

The team has been confident all along that it would get all picks signed before practice begins Sunday (players report Saturday). Davis and Thomas had been among a group of players already in town, working out daily at Redskins Park, and eager to report.

Talks with Davis were not as advanced as the Thomas negotiations at the start of the week, but ample time remains to complete a deal. I'd be pretty surprised if they didn't have a full slate of picks on the field by Sunday morning.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskins ... terms.html

everydayAskinsday · Post by **everydayAskinsday** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:49 pm

No surprise hear that Thomas signed.. I would of been shocked if he hadn't .. coming in as a rookie is hard enough but when your coming in with another rookie who plays your same position and was drafted in the same round ( regardless of who went before who) that adds pressure

so to sit out even a practice of training camp while your peer is getting the leg up is just foolish

as for Davis he now has the pressure on him.. 9 picks signed and he's the only hold over not to mention he's already goofed once .. he's prob. pushing his agent harder then ever to get his deal done

SkinsFreak · Post by **SkinsFreak** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:58 pm

Great news. I haven't been following what other teams are doing, but is there a chance the Skins could potentially be the first team to sign all their picks?

riggofan · Post by **riggofan** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 1:03 pm

This is awesome news. Who knows if these receivers will actually pan out? But they're at least in position to be successful, getting into camp on time and everything.

Alright!

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 1:54 pm

Countertrey wrote:
1niksder wrote:
Countertrey wrote:
Cappster wrote:Excellent! And in Fred Davis fashion, he is the caboose.

.

Um... Fred?

Train's leaving the station...

He was late for practice during his first week he won't be late for camp too.

I hope

Davis is certainly in the weakest postition of the 3. We currently have one of the best receiving TE's in the league, who happens to be playing at the top of his game, on the team. Sure, it would be great for him to be there, but... they won't miss him if he doesn't show.

He can't afford not to sign.

Is it possible that Davis doesn't want to sign because he would be second to Cool

ey?

What would happen if that were the case?

I'm not jerking anyone's chain but I always wondered what would happen if a rookie refused to sign with a team that drafted him and his father's name wasn't Manning.

GSPODS · Post by **GSPODS** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 2:04 pm

Bob 0119 wrote:
Countertrey wrote:
1niksder wrote:
Countertrey wrote:
Cappster wrote:Excellent! And in Fred Davis fashion, he is the caboose.

.

Um... Fred?

Train's leaving the station...

He was late for practice during his first week he won't be late for camp too.

I hope

Davis is certainly in the weakest postition of the 3. We currently have one of the best receiving TE's in the league, who happens to be playing at the top of his game, on the team. Sure, it would be great for him to be there, but... they won't miss him if he doesn't show.

He can't afford not to sign.

Is it possible that Davis doesn't want to sign because he would be second to ey?

What would happen if that were the case?

I'm not jerking anyone's chain but I always wondered what would happen if a rookie refused to sign with a team that drafted him and his father's name wasn't Manning.

Section 5. Other Professional Teams:
(a) Notwithstanding Section 4(b) above, if a player is drafted by a Club and, during the period between the Draft and the next annual Draft, signs a contract with, plays for or is employed by a professional football team not in the NFL during all or any part of the 12 month period following the initial Draft, then the drafting Club (or any assignee Club) shall retain the exclusive NFL rights to negotiate for and sign a contract with the player until the day of the Draft three League Years after the initial Draft, and shall thereafter have a Right of First Refusal as described herein, and the player may receive offers from any Club at any time thereafter.

The NFL team that drafted a player holds the exclusive rights to that player for three years even if the player refuses to sign any contract offer or tender. The team can waive the rights, but the player cannot waive them. The team has to make an annual tender offer to retain rights to the player.

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 2:05 pm

Because they already have one of the most prolific receiving TE's in the league on their team, the Redskins are under no pressure to do anything. They can sign him, or not. They don't have to do anything, if they choose not to. They own his rights for 3 years if he doesn't sign.

On the other hand, Davis has no other options. He gets paid, or he doesn't. He is not in a strong position. My understanding is, he can't even negotiate with anyone else, unless he has the permission of the team.

My bet is that he has already upped the pressure on his agent to get this done. He either signs, or he loses. He's in a tough spot.

Paralis · Post by **Paralis** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 3:02 pm

GSPODS wrote:
Bob 0119 wrote:
Countertrey wrote:
1niksder wrote:
Countertrey wrote:
Cappster wrote:Excellent! And in Fred Davis fashion, he is the caboose.

.

Um... Fred?

Train's leaving the station...

He was late for practice during his first week he won't be late for camp too.

I hope

Davis is certainly in the weakest postition of the 3. We currently have one of the best receiving TE's in the league, who happens to be playing at the top of his game, on the team. Sure, it would be great for him to be there, but... they won't miss him if he doesn't show.

He can't afford not to sign.

Is it possible that Davis doesn't want to sign because he would be second to ey?

What would happen if that were the case?

I'm not jerking anyone's chain but I always wondered what would happen if a rookie refused to sign with a team that drafted him and his father's name wasn't Manning.

Section 5. Other Professional Teams:
(a) Notwithstanding Section 4(b) above, if a player is drafted by a Club and, during the period between the Draft and the next annual Draft, signs a contract with, plays for or is employed by a professional football team not in the NFL during all or any part of the 12 month period following the initial Draft, then the drafting Club (or any assignee Club) shall retain the exclusive NFL rights to negotiate for and sign a contract with the player until the day of the Draft three League Years after the initial Draft, and shall thereafter have a Right of First Refusal as described herein, and the player may receive offers from any Club at any time thereafter.

The NFL team that drafted a player holds the exclusive rights to that player for three years even if the player refuses to sign any contract offer or tender. The team can waive the rights, but the player cannot waive them. The team has to make an annual tender offer to retain rights to the player.

It's only three years if he signs a contract or one of the CBA-mandated minimum tender offers each team must offer their drafted rookies. If he doesn't, he's not considered an employee of an NFL team and his rights are forfeited at some point during the season (I think the same 10-week point as for the accrued years for vested veteran status). Davis would go back into next year's draft, like Bo Jackson did in the 80s (refused to sign with the Buccaneers and played baseball exclusively for a year before being drafted again).

The only thing, of course, is that Fred Davis isn't Bo Jackson. He's not even Mike Williams. So he'll sign at some point, and now that Kelly and Thomas are signed, it shouldn't take long.

HEROHAMO · Post by **HEROHAMO** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 3:10 pm

All right! One more to go. That pesky Fred Davis!

aswas71788 · Post by **aswas71788** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 5:56 pm

I'm not to concerned about Davis's signing. It will get done before the start of training camp. Have faith. He can't be so stupid as to hold out when the amount of his package is pretty much dictated by those who were drafted before and after him. As for not signing because of Cool

ey, he could find no better TE to pattern himself after. Zorn has already said that he will use some 2 TE plays. So Davis will get to see action, maybe not as much as he would like but action.

Have faith, we will go into training camp with everyone signed and ready.

VetSkinsFan · Post by **VetSkinsFan** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:31 pm

Countertrey wrote:Because they already have one of the most prolific receiving TE's in the league on their team, the Redskins are under no pressure to do anything. They can sign him, or not. They don't have to do anything, if they choose not to. They own his rights for 3 years if he doesn't sign.

On the other hand, Davis has no other options. He gets paid, or he doesn't. He is not in a strong position. My understanding is, he can't even negotiate with anyone else, unless he has the permission of the team.

My bet is that he has already upped the pressure on his agent to get this done. He either signs, or he loses. He's in a tough spot.

I agree we have an incredible starter, but we don't have jack for back up. TE plays quite a physical position and I would feel more comfortable with Davis signed and practicing starting this Sunday.

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:49 pm

VetSkinsFan wrote:
Countertrey wrote:Because they already have one of the most prolific receiving TE's in the league on their team, the Redskins are under no pressure to do anything. They can sign him, or not. They don't have to do anything, if they choose not to. They own his rights for 3 years if he doesn't sign.

On the other hand, Davis has no other options. He gets paid, or he doesn't. He is not in a strong position. My understanding is, he can't even negotiate with anyone else, unless he has the permission of the team.

My bet is that he has already upped the pressure on his agent to get this done. He either signs, or he loses. He's in a tough spot.

I agree we have an incredible starter, but we don't have jack for back up. TE plays quite a physical position and I would feel more comfortable with Davis signed and practicing starting this Sunday.

Despite that, the pressure is on Davis, not the skins. No matter how you look at it, having 2 dynamic, pass catching TE's is gravy... but not a big concern if it doesn't happen. The reality is, Kelly is big enough to function as a pass catching TE if needed...

SkinsFreak · Post by **SkinsFreak** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:12 pm

I'm betting Davis gets signed in time. Our FO has done very well so far. With Thomas and Kelly already signed, I can't see Davis trying to hold out. And apparently Davis has been at the Park all week working out, so I gotta think he's anxious to get signed.

Having two stud pass receiving TE's is going to be very interesting. As much as I love Cool

ey, I really think Davis can be dynamic and become a major contributor as well.

Just think, and not that they'll all be on the field at the same time, but what does a defense do? Cover Moss, Thomas, Kelly, ARE, Cool

ey, Davis... Portis out of the backfield...

If our o-line holds up, this offense should be productive.

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:32 pm

SkinsFreak wrote:I'm betting Davis gets signed in time. Our FO has done very well so far. With Thomas and Kelly already signed, I can't see Davis trying to hold out. And apparently Davis has been at the Park all week working out, so I gotta think he's anxious to get signed.

Having two stud pass receiving TE's is going to be very interesting. As much as I love ey, I really think Davis can be dynamic and become a major contributor as well.

Just think, and not that they'll all be on the field at the same time, but what does a defense do? Cover Moss, Thomas, Kelly, ARE, ey, Davis... Portis out of the backfield...

If our o-line holds up, this offense should be productive.

Can you imagine what our Red Zone passing package could look like? The shortest receiver may be Thomas! Put Davis or Cool

ey in the slot, the other at TE! If they choose, they will be able to put 4 receivers on the field who are over 6'2"! If they all have the hands they played with in college, how the heck to you defend that???????

This has the potential to be lots of fun.

SkinsFreak · Post by **SkinsFreak** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:37 pm

I only got one thing to say... :rock:

MDSKINSFAN · Post by **MDSKINSFAN** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:42 pm

good. davis better sign in the next couple of days to get it out of the way but if he doesnt its no big deal we have the best TE in the league anyway

HEROHAMO · Post by **HEROHAMO** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 3:22 am

MDSKINSFAN wrote:good. davis better sign in the next couple of days to get it out of the way but if he doesnt its no big deal we have the best TE in the league anyway

Agreed! I just would like to see all our guys signed away already. If not oh well cut the kid! JK! :lol:

SkinsFreak · Post by **SkinsFreak** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 8:57 am

I think he'll get signed today. But if he does miss a day or two, it's not like we're in a dire situation. It's not like we're depending on Davis to be our immediate starter, like if we had drafted a QB or RB in the 1st and needed them to start immediately. We already have a Pro Bowler in Cool

ey and Davis will get there sooner or later.

Hopefully he'll see how determined Thomas and Kelly were to get signed so they don't miss any camp and will follow suit.

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 9:09 am

SkinsFreak wrote:Hopefully he'll see how determined Thomas and Kelly were to get signed so they don't miss any camp and will follow suit.

On Redskins-dot-com he said he wants to get in on time and knows he'll miss a lot if he comes in late. And he has been at the Park all week. I think it will get done. I think he wants them to pay him enough so he can get a better alarm clock

Back to Thomas: Deal Done, Thomas Turns Focus to Football