Malcolm Kelly Observation

[Wahoo McDaniels]

I never said you boot the kid or he wasn't going to be any good. I've got a guy who sits next to me at the games who yammers at me all game long about how good Kelly was at Oklahoma....how he destroyed Aaron Ross non-stop whenever they played Texas....yadayadayada. So, the kid's obviously has got talent. But Westbrook and Gardner (codename "50-50") had talent at that level also and were drafted a heck of a lot higher.

My only point was that he you don't throw the ball to the kid on a pivotal play when he has dropped every big catch this year. Let me remind you that those 3 catches would have continued drives and maybe changed games...and they were all on 3rd down. So why (as the initial post asks) would you throw the ball up in the air in the endzone to a guy who hasn't made a play all year?

[Redskin in Canada]

... So why (as the initial post asks) would you throw the ball up in the air in the endzone to a guy who hasn't made a play all year?

Mmmmmmm .... (thinking very hard .... )

Maybe because the guy was -actually- open?

The ball, after all, bounced off his hands!!!

If the guy cannot be expected to catch, he should NOT be on the field, let alone be thrown to.

But I am all for a bit of PATIENCE. We spent a valuable draft pick anyways ...

[tribeofjudah]

I think Thomas has an impressive upside too. I've noticed that Kelley does seem to demand attention, but Thomas fights for everything. Last night, either Betts or CP was running around the left side and Thomas was a foot behind the most likely tackler and he put his hands up rather than try a tackle resulting in a hold. He's got just one year of college under his belt as a junior and the greatest upside to all of the 2nd rounder is age. Kelley and Thomas are listed at 21 years of age, and sleepy is 22. These could pan out to long careers that enable the team to shop around in other areas in the future.

All the upside will come to fruition when.....? NEXT YEAR

[redskins14ru]

Something I noticed last week and even more this week. When Kelly is in the game, the defenses cover him with their #2 CB and then also have a safety in the immediate area. I think that teams are somewhat afraid of what he can do. Now that's a good sign for us in the future once we are able to give Jason time enough to get the ball to him.

They'll stop giving him respect if he continues to drop passes.

do it again and they will sack the qb, thats why I say the WR should catch the ball in the middle of the field and it would hold the defense up some.
that will open up screens and plenty of running lanes.

I am now almost a genuis! thanks. this is a great post.

[ChocolateMilk]

I never said you boot the kid or he wasn't going to be any good. I've got a guy who sits next to me at the games who yammers at me all game long about how good Kelly was at Oklahoma....how he destroyed Aaron Ross non-stop whenever they played Texas....yadayadayada. So, the kid's obviously has got talent. But Westbrook and Gardner (codename "50-50") had talent at that level also and were drafted a heck of a lot higher.

My only point was that he you don't throw the ball to the kid on a pivotal play when he has dropped every big catch this year. Let me remind you that those 3 catches would have continued drives and maybe changed games...and they were all on 3rd down. So why (as the initial post asks) would you throw the ball up in the air in the endzone to a guy who hasn't made a play all year?

cuz nothing else seems to be working

[KazooSkinsFan]

The man dropped his first 3 passes thrown to him in the NFL. He is absolutely no good, his career is over...

Exactly. I'm not all that concerned about a few dropped passes by Kelly, maybe it was just nerves or rookie butterflies. But, of all Kelly's abilities, he is known for having great hands...

I'm with you. All I was saying above is let's work him in and get him some experience before we put a "starter" spotlight on the kid. You guys aren't saying anything counter to that.

I'll counter.


If you look at the best of the best, big play WRs in the NFL you will find one thing in common. Besides things like quickness, size, route running etc...

That is drops. T.O., Edwards, Ocho they all drop passes. Especiall easy passes. The passes that are so easy, they think its too easy, and don't focus as much. But they make the big ones. One of Kelly's first passes, was a deep ball. I say that was nerves.

But if he is a player like the others in the NFL. You will have to trade serveral drops, for a couple of TDs.

AND IF thats the case, you will only see the payoff if he's getting a lot of playing time.

That wasn't a counter, the point was the Kelly doesn't need to start and you didn't disagree with that. I agree with you in that drops, especially for a rookie learning the game, are not fatal. So agreed we shouldn't not play him because of that. But we were agreeing on that too so you're not countering that either.

[TeeterSalad]

So why (as the initial post asks) would you throw the ball up in the air in the endzone to a guy who hasn't made a play all year?

Because maybe thats just what he needs to shake those Rookie nerves off..a big play or TD.

[welch]

I would throw the ball there because Kelly has to begin making those plays. Now or next week, it doesn't matter.

[SkinsFreak]

For the three of them, Kelly, Thomas and Davis, I think it's just about getting their confidence up. It's a big leap from college to pros and these guys just need to stick with it, their time will come.

Kelly has great hands and just might be in a slight rookie slump. Kinda like when Tiger misses putts from inside 10 feet for a day or two, something he rarely does. He eventually gets it together and starts dropping them from everywhere. Kelly has a proven track record for great hands and rarely dropping passes, so I have no doubt he'll return to form.

Possibly the only one, though — Chris ey, who described the weather today as “awful”, said that yesterday’s practice was one of the best in a long time. “Guys were moving well,” he said.

I had to run inside to take care of things a few times during practice, and it seemed like every single time I came back out, Fred Davis was doing something impressive: blocking, catching a ball, or even just showing some speed on routes. “I’m hoping to get some plays during the game this week,” Davis said. “I feel like I’m more in tune with it now, because when you play more you don’t just visualize it, you get to do the actions. That helps a lot more.” Coach Zorn complimented Davis again after practice, and said it looked like he was playing fast and “enjoying himself out there,” a sentiment that Davis agreed with. “It’s always fun when you’re playing, man. I love football.”

Not only Davis, but the rookie wideouts received some post-practice love as well, especially Devin Thomas, whom Zorn described as “definitely improving.” Malcolm Kelly, meanwhile, had a mixed practice. I saw him drop one well-thrown long pass, but he used his height to snag a throw that looked to be over his head. Unfortunately, the impressive catch was on a toss from Antwaan Randle El as he returned the ball after a play, but it was something good. “It’s concentration more than anything,” Kelly said of what’s changed for him as the season progressed. “I felt pretty good. I’ve gotta pay more attention to the small stuff, but I’ll be cool.”

[redskins14ru]

when we were in the redzone, i was dieing for Campbell to just throw it up to Kelly. take a 3 step drop and just throw it high into the endzone for Kelly to jump up and grab it.

You mean drop it, just like he's done the past 3 times the ball was thrown at him. We trusted him once last week on a critical 3rd down and he dropped a ball that hit him in the chest. Why would we do it again?

Isn't the definition of insanity doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result?

He needs to gain trust, then we throw the ball to him in critical situations. He hasn't done that. Pretty soon, he lands on the inactives with Fred Davis.

Yeah, because 1 mistake from a rook should get him run out of the league. Everyone, and I mean everyone has dropped critical balls these past two years. Just b/c he's a rook, he has a different set of standards?

the skins have had 2nd round receivers before and hey they came out ready to go and did squat, check it,... for rookies and the offense to get to gether is chemestry a match made in heaven , atleast the ball got were to the rooks and know this it is about the timing, I am just real excited about the rooks. and don't forget they even got the ball to moss. in time the hands will be there and then bam cooly, okay.

portis is a modern day workhorse and more than a great back a great redskin

[roybus14]

At this point, what does this team have to lose by going to him??? The one thing that I am disappointed about with Kelly is his comments a couple of games on why he dropped that long ball on the sideline. He was being interviewed by Kelly J. on Comcast Post Game and he said the reason why he dropped the ball was because he was caught deciding whether to catch it with his hands or his body. At this level, you have to know that and make the catch. Especially if you consider yourself a good player and deserve to be at this level.

[crazyhorse1]

For the three of them, Kelly, Thomas and Davis, I think it's just about getting their confidence up. It's a big leap from college to pros and these guys just need to stick with it, their time will come.

Kelly has great hands and just might be in a slight rookie slump. Kinda like when Tiger misses putts from inside 10 feet for a day or two, something he rarely does. He eventually gets it together and starts dropping them from everywhere. Kelly has a proven track record for great hands and rarely dropping passes, so I have no doubt he'll return to form.

Possibly the only one, though — Chris ey, who described the weather today as “awful”, said that yesterday’s practice was one of the best in a long time. “Guys were moving well,” he said.

I had to run inside to take care of things a few times during practice, and it seemed like every single time I came back out, Fred Davis was doing something impressive: blocking, catching a ball, or even just showing some speed on routes. “I’m hoping to get some plays during the game this week,” Davis said. “I feel like I’m more in tune with it now, because when you play more you don’t just visualize it, you get to do the actions. That helps a lot more.” Coach Zorn complimented Davis again after practice, and said it looked like he was playing fast and “enjoying himself out there,” a sentiment that Davis agreed with. “It’s always fun when you’re playing, man. I love football.”

Not only Davis, but the rookie wideouts received some post-practice love as well, especially Devin Thomas, whom Zorn described as “definitely improving.” Malcolm Kelly, meanwhile, had a mixed practice. I saw him drop one well-thrown long pass, but he used his height to snag a throw that looked to be over his head. Unfortunately, the impressive catch was on a toss from Antwaan Randle El as he returned the ball after a play, but it was something good. “It’s concentration more than anything,” Kelly said of what’s changed for him as the season progressed. “I felt pretty good. I’ve gotta pay more attention to the small stuff, but I’ll be cool.”

The drop wasn't that bad. I've watched replays and it seems to be the ball was at least partially shielded by the defender's hands and may have been tipped. Even if it wasn't, he was in the air and turned in an awkward position, as well as cramped by the sidelines. I'm not saying he shouldn't have had it, I'm just pointing out that it was a tough catch. Neither Moss nor ARE would have had it-- that's for sure.

[redskins14ru]

it would have been nice,

[SkinsFreak]

Thru Dec. 11th, most dropped passes in the NFL...

1 Braylon Edwards Cle 16
2 Dwayne Bowe KC 13
3 Brandon Marshall Den 11
4 Calvin Johnson Det 9
5 Roddy White Atl 8
6t Marques Colston NO 7
6t Rashied Davis Chi 7
6t Anthony Gonzalez Ind 7
6t Marshawn Lynch Buf 7
6t Santana Moss Was 7
6t Terrell Owens Dal 7
6t Hines Ward Pit 7
13t Bernard Berrian Min 6
13t Laveranues Coles NYJ 6
13t Warrick Dunn TB 6
13t Jabar Gaffney NE 6
13t Justin Gage Ten 6
13t Madison Hedgecock NYG 6
13t Santonio Holmes Pit 6
13t Chad Johnson Cin 6
13t Marcedes Lewis Jac 6
13t Muhsin Muhammad Car 6
13t Koren Robinson Sea 6
13t Steve Smith 6

Point? There's some pretty darn good WR's leading that list. Every WR drops passes. Kelly has great hands, will get his concentration back and I have serious doubts he'll ever be leading or near the top of that list.

[SKINFAN]

So why (as the initial post asks) would you throw the ball up in the air in the endzone to a guy who hasn't made a play all year?

Because maybe thats just what he needs to shake those Rookie nerves off..a big play or TD.

We didn't do with BLoyd, and he was known to make some plays in the NFL not college before he played for B&G...


sorry teeter, couldn't resist!


Honestly though, the passes throw to rooks are increasing. This is a good thing. I hope this trend continues and they get 3-4 passes each game towards the end. I still think that Kelly should line up with Moss, better chance at getting open, since Moss seems to be a CB magnet.

[VetSkinsFan]

So why (as the initial post asks) would you throw the ball up in the air in the endzone to a guy who hasn't made a play all year?

Because maybe thats just what he needs to shake those Rookie nerves off..a big play or TD.

We didn't do with BLoyd, and he was known to make some plays in the NFL not college before he played for B&G...


sorry teeter, couldn't resist!


Honestly though, the passes throw to rooks are increasing. This is a good thing. I hope this trend continues and they get 3-4 passes each game towards the end. I still think that Kelly should line up with Moss, better chance at getting open, since Moss seems to be a CB magnet.

Well, obviously BLloyd didn't pan out. I guess his temper tanutrums coupled with lack of production had his bags packed for him.

[DEHog]

Kelley Inactive today??

[frankcal20]

Yep. He will be doing nothing today.

[Chris Luva Luva]

Well, obviously BLloyd didn't pan out. I guess his temper tanutrums coupled with lack of production had his bags packed for him.

He had a good game the other day. He didn't pan out here cus we don't know how to use players.

[welch]

Gibbs judged and found him wanting.

[VetSkinsFan]

Well, obviously BLloyd didn't pan out. I guess his temper tanutrums coupled with lack of production had his bags packed for him.

He had a good game the other day. He didn't pan out here cus we don't know how to use players.

I thought I was inferring about his time here in Washington.

[SkinFan63]

Something I noticed last week and even more this week. When Kelly is in the game, the defenses cover him with their #2 CB and then also have a safety in the immediate area. I think that teams are somewhat afraid of what he can do. Now that's a good sign for us in the future once we are able to give Jason time enough to get the ball to him.

They'll stop giving him respect if he continues to drop passes.

Where was he THIS week?

[Wahoo McDaniels]

Something I noticed last week and even more this week. When Kelly is in the game, the defenses cover him with their #2 CB and then also have a safety in the immediate area. I think that teams are somewhat afraid of what he can do. Now that's a good sign for us in the future once we are able to give Jason time enough to get the ball to him.

They'll stop giving him respect if he continues to drop passes.

Where was he THIS week?

In a snazzy sweatsuit, as I predicted...but not next to Fred Davis.

[Chris Luva Luva]

Looks like Kelly will be deactivated for 2 weeks in a row now... Those dropped passes must have hurt him.

[SkinsFreak]

Looks like Kelly will be deactivated for 2 weeks in a row now... Those dropped passes must have hurt him.

No, I don't think the dropped passes hurt him. As Zorn recently said, it's merely about a numbers game with regard to the 53-man roster limit on Sundays...

Zorn also acknowledged bluntly that it more or less comes down to a numbers game each week between Malcolm Kelly and Fred Davis. Davis is more likely to play this week, unless an injury opens up a spot to activate Kelly.