Thomas on track to be starting WR

SnyderSucks · Post by **SnyderSucks** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 1:34 pm

How's this for some positive news: (I know it's redskinsinsider, but its not JLC, so is it okay to post?)

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/

Posted at 1:03 PM ET, 08/ 3/2009
Devin Thomas Seems to Be Close to Z Role
I promised myself I would not write about Devin Thomas today because we've written a ton about him already and we aren't even a week into training camp.

But while speaking to people I trust in the organization last night, three separate sources praised Thomas for his improved approach. They told me he has been attentive in his position group meetings, works hard in drills and knows the playbook, three things that could not be said about him as a rookie last season.

Barring injury or regression, they said, expect Thomas to be the starting Z receiver, or flanker, opposite top wideout Santana Moss, the X receiver, or split end. They said it is clear that's the direction the coaching staff would prefer to go, which would enable the Skins to move last year's No. 2 receiver, Antwaan Randle El, to a full-time slot receiver role.

We've previously written that appeared to be the team's plan, so it's not my aim to present this as shocking news or a scoop of some sort. It's merely an update on a player whose performance is expected to be among the keys to the season. What did surprise me, however, was that informed guys all praised Thomas without me asking about him. I guess the kid really is serious about this season.

langleyparkjoe · Post by **langleyparkjoe** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 1:37 pm

I've heard that as well from alot of media outlets. My cousin saw him and said he's lookin fast out there. That's always a plus.. I pray that we skip over the injury bug this year but football is football and that may be hard to avoid.

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 2:10 pm

as many here have pointed out, there must be a reason why we did not bring in an established wideout when we so obviously need someone to complete our receiving corps :wink:

I also think that the 3 top picks from the 2008 draft will show that they just needed the time to become the players that the team was hoping they could be :lol:

If Thomas can become a #1 WR and allow Moss to be the great #2 WR that he really is it will free up so many other parts of our offense.

this could develop into a very good offense and I hope Zorn get's the time here to help it grow

Skinna Mob · Post by **Skinna Mob** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 2:17 pm

I LOVE IT... I LOVE IT. Thank You!!!!

CanesSkins26 · Post by **CanesSkins26** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 2:22 pm

Great news. All of the reports, with the exception of a drop here or there, have said great things about Thomas. I still think that Kelly has more upside than Thomas but it would be awesome if either one of them secured a starting role.

Cappster · Post by **Cappster** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 2:50 pm

I would like to see Moss, Thomas, and Kelley all on the field making plays. Randle El is versatile enough to be moved all around so he could even lineup in the backfield on some plays such as a unique version of the wildcat.

ChocolateMilk · Post by **ChocolateMilk** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 2:52 pm

SkinsJock wrote:as many here have pointed out, there must be a reason why we did not bring in an established wideout when we so obviously need someone to complete our receiving corps
I also think that the 3 top picks from the 2008 draft will show that they just needed the time to become the players that the team was hoping they could be

If Thomas can become a #1 WR and allow Moss to be the great #2 WR that he really is it will free up so many other parts of our offense.

this could develop into a very good offense and I hope Zorn get's the time here to help it grow

That's the only thing man. Will the Snyder give him the time he needs to develop this team into a winning one?

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 2:55 pm

So long as it doesn't take an unreasonable amount of time, I think Snyder will be more patient than many might think.
I could see him giving Zorn a good ten, fifteen minutes to get everything in place and hand Danny the Lombardi.

PAPDOG67 · Post by **PAPDOG67** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 2:56 pm

then Cerrato hit a HR in the '08 draft. Drafting & developing a legit # 1 WR is one of the toughest things to do. The only position that is harder to draft and develop is a franchise QB.

PulpExposure · Post by **PulpExposure** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 3:07 pm

SkinsJock wrote:as many here have pointed out, there must be a reason why we did not bring in an established wideout when we so obviously need someone to complete our receiving corps
I also think that the 3 top picks from the 2008 draft will show that they just needed the time to become the players that the team was hoping they could be

Ruh roh, does this mean that Cerrato is slowly becoming less of a bozo?

(By the way, it doesn't irritate me when you write that, it makes me laugh. You need a new term to call them!)

tcwest wrote:So long as it doesn't take an unreasonable amount of time, I think Snyder will be more patient than many might think.
I could see him giving Zorn a good ten, fifteen minutes to get everything in place and hand Danny the Lombardi.

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 3:15 pm

From what I've seen the past four days, Kelly has looked SUPER impressive, even more so than Thomas, who still has looked more impressive in this camp than he did all of last year.

That was very encouraging for me to see this weekend.

SnyderSucks · Post by **SnyderSucks** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 3:28 pm

SkinsJock wrote:as many here have pointed out, there must be a reason why we did not bring in an established wideout when we so obviously need someone to complete our receiving corps
I also think that the 3 top picks from the 2008 draft will show that they just needed the time to become the players that the team was hoping they could be

If Thomas can become a #1 WR and allow Moss to be the great #2 WR that he really is it will free up so many other parts of our offense.

this could develop into a very good offense and I hope Zorn get's the time here to help it grow

Even if Thomas becomes a good #2 this season, it improves 1,2, and 3 if teams can't triple cover moss, and Randle El is a better 3 than 2.

For both a good offense and the time to help it grow, I think a lot depends on the O-line play this season. If they stay healthy, and someone plays RT well, they could be okay. I really hope Rhinehart steps up and challenges for time this season.

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 4:47 pm

PulpExposure wrote:
SkinsJock wrote:... I also think that the 3 top picks from the 2008 draft will show that they just needed the time to become the players that the team was hoping they could be

Ruh roh, does this mean that Cerrato is slowly becoming less of a bozo? (By the way, it doesn't irritate me when you write that, it makes me laugh. You need a new term to call them!)

tcwest wrote:So long as it doesn't take an unreasonable amount of time, I think Snyder will be more patient than many might think.
I could see him giving Zorn a good ten, fifteen minutes to get everything in place and hand Danny the Lombardi.

I'll confess that I was initially a Cerrato 'fan' :shock:

When Snyder first brought him here and I saw what he had done in San Francisco, I thought that maybe he could work some magic here - I understand that he has only been in his present position for a little more than a year (is it 2?) but prior to that his group of scouts and talent evaluators have in my opinion left a lot to be desired and in fact I think hurt the team because they for the most part were a part of giving away draft picks for players who for a lot of different reasons did not make us much better. That's all :wink:

Now, let me say that I have not given up on Thomas, Kelly or Davis and really hope they can all be really good - that being said it is going to take a lot for me to think we would not have been better off if we had not had Cerrato's input here - I can forgive but I still won't forget :lol:

The point that TC alludes to concerns me because unless Zorn shows he's not a good HC, he should be given a couple more years and I think Snyder will not do that given the future HOF coaches that will want some of his money :roll:

SkinsFreak · Post by **SkinsFreak** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 4:57 pm

Jake wrote:From what I've seen the past four days, Kelly has looked SUPER impressive, even more so than Thomas, who still has looked more impressive in this camp than he did all of last year.

That was very encouraging for me to see this weekend.

That's great news about Kelly, as it is about Thomas as well. Quite frankly, I really like our WR line up. The WCO utilizes 4 WR sets and with Kelly, Thomas, Moss and ARE in the slot... JC should have some nice targets come game day. Sprinkle that with Cool

ey, Davis and Mitchell on occasion, along with 135 pass plays verses just 50 from last year, our passing game should be so much better. I'm excited and can't wait to see it.

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 4:58 pm

Jake wrote:From what I've seen the past four days, Kelly has looked SUPER impressive, even more so than Thomas, who still has looked more impressive in this camp than he did all of last year.

That was very encouraging for me to see this weekend.

thanks for that, Jake - From what we read last year, after the draft, these 2 have a lot of potential and I've always felt that we were lucky to get them both

If both could become really good we will have a very formidable group of receivers and then you add Davis and the possibility of the 2 TE sets that many here think will be a huge help to Zorn and we are all very happy campers :lol:

rick301 · Post by **rick301** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 5:27 pm

Alot of this depends on the o-line playing stoutly - and JC making quicker/better decisions with a faster release. Once the passing game takes off that should take some pressure of the o-line since D's will have to respect our receivers.

The potential is building - can't wait for the season to begin! :celebrate:

tribeofjudah · Post by **tribeofjudah** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 6:19 pm

It's about time this ROOK took his game to a new level. That's all I've got to say....

Deadskins · Post by **Deadskins** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 6:32 pm

tribeofjudah wrote:It's about time this ROOK took his game to a new level. That's all I've got to say....

How many years does a guy have to play to no longer be considered a "ROOK" in your book?

Skinsfan55 · Post by **Skinsfan55** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 8:26 pm

This is just excellent news. I can't wait to see what Thomas can do!

TincoSkin · Post by **TincoSkin** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 8:58 am

ive said this before in threads regarding our young wide outs. in the NFL it takes new wide outs three to four years to learn enough to be viable at this level. this is their third season. its time. now if the danny can give zorn one more season we can build an O line next offseason then we will be set!

Skinsfan55 · Post by **Skinsfan55** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 9:07 am

TincoSkin wrote:in the NFL it takes new wide outs three to four years to learn enough to be viable at this level. !

it's only their second season, but I completely agree and I've been saying the same thing myself. If Thomas doesn't have a 1,000 yard season some skins fans are going to try and label him a bust, but WR's take a while to grow and develop. Personally, I think he'll have around 600 yards and some TD's but that still won't tell us how good he is. If the Redskins are going to have a chance to compete now and in the future we need to be patient with Thomas and Kelly... not replace them with broken down veterans next year.

CanesSkins26 · Post by **CanesSkins26** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 9:47 am

TincoSkin wrote:ive said this before in threads regarding our young wide outs. in the NFL it takes new wide outs three to four years to learn enough to be viable at this level. this is their third season. its time. now if the danny can give zorn one more season we can build an O line next offseason then we will be set!

I agree with you that it can be difficult for rookie receivers to make the transition to the NFL. I completely disagree with your statement that it take 3 to 4 years to learn enough to be viable at the NFL level. Look around the league and guys like Andre Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Greg Jennings, Brandon Marshall, Dwayne Bowe, etc. were all posting big numbers by their second years in the league. Not saying that that is necessarily going to happen with Thomas and Kelly, but there is really no reason why a wide receiver should take 3 to 4 years to become a viable option.

TincoSkin · Post by **TincoSkin** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:13 am

CanesSkins26 wrote:
TincoSkin wrote:ive said this before in threads regarding our young wide outs. in the NFL it takes new wide outs three to four years to learn enough to be viable at this level. this is their third season. its time. now if the danny can give zorn one more season we can build an O line next offseason then we will be set!

I agree with you that it can be difficult for rookie receivers to make the transition to the NFL. I completely disagree with your statement that it take 3 to 4 years to learn enough to be viable at the NFL level. Look around the league and guys like Andre Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Greg Jennings, Brandon Marshall, Dwayne Bowe, etc. were all posting big numbers by their second years in the league. Not saying that that is necessarily going to happen with Thomas and Kelly, but there is really no reason why a wide receiver should take 3 to 4 years to become a viable option.

why cant it take a guy 3 years as opposed to two? you point out a few all stars then say that our guys may not be all stars and yet they cant take one more year than the likes of andre johnson brandon marshall and larry "crazy hair" fitzgerald?

my point remains, rookie wide outs dont make impacts. they work up to that. and maybe this is the first chance our young guys have a chance to do that. im thinking they wont be all stars but by year three and four they will be NFL caliber pro receivers, guys whose ability is such that we wont need to waste money in FA. (we can spend it on an O line.)

Deadskins · Post by **Deadskins** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:25 am

TincoSkin wrote:ive said this before in threads regarding our young wide outs. in the NFL it takes new wide outs three to four years to learn enough to be viable at this level. this is their third season. its time. now if the danny can give zorn one more season we can build an O line next offseason then we will be set!

are you counting last year's pre-season? Because, to everyone else, this is their second season. Anyway, you can usually tell by their second year if a WR has what it takes to compete at the pro level.

SkinsFreak · Post by **SkinsFreak** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 5:51 pm

Who's No. 2? Zorn Opens Up Competition At Wide Receiver

By Gary Fitzgerald
Redskins.com
Posted: August 4, 2009

In 2008, the Redskins drafted Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly to infuse some youth in their wide receiver corps.

A year later, it appears youth is ready to be served.

Head coach Jim Zorn has said that Thomas and Kelly are competing with Antwaan Randle El to be the No. 2 receiver opposite Santana Moss.

That would allow Zorn and the offensive coaches to play Randle El in the slot, where it is thought he could be more effective.
null

It is up to Thomas and Kelly to outplay Randle El in preseason, though.

“Randle El is our starter,” Zorn said. “These young receivers are coming after him, but he’s not going to give it up. I think [Randle El] is more comfortable inside, and I do see our young guys improving, so that competition is going to heat up as we go on.”

Randle El has been steady as a starter the last two years. He logged 53 catches for 593 yards and four touchdowns last year. In 2007, he had 51 catches for 728 yards and one touchdown.

Zorn wants to get another receiver in the mix to add to Moss, Randle El and tight end Chris ey.

Thomas, in particular, has impressed during training camp. He has made several leaping grabs, although he was not able to hold on to a deep ball from Jason Campbell on Sunday.

On Tuesday, Randle El followed up by getting wide open on a post pattern and hauling in a deep ball fromo Campbell.

As a rookie last season, Thomas caught just 15 passes for 120 yards. His only touchdown came on a wide receiver reverse.

“Coach Zorn has put [the starting job] up in the air, so I’m going to keep working hard and do what I have to do to make that a tough decision for him,” Thomas said.

Zorn has seen enough improvement in Thomas to give him an extended look.

“We have a lot of confidence in where he is headed,” Zorn said. “I think Malcolm is coming on, but Devin is a little more seasoned. They’re both going to be competing.

“[Thomas] is able to run his routes now without having to think, ‘What do I do on this play,’ so he just keeps in line. He’s able to concentrate more on coverage and beating the defender than trying to remember what his route is.”

Kelly missed most of last season resting and rehabbing a knee injury, so he is still learning on the field. Zorn often pulls Kelly aside after a play in practice to discuss how he could improve his route-running.

Kelly played in five games last year and posted three catches for 18 yards.

"I’ve seen him flash on several occasions," Zorn said. "What a big target he can be. We ran a red zone drill and had him go up for the ball. Now he caught it out of bounds, but just the effort, the concentration on the ball and the snag out of the air--that’s what we’re looking for.

"As he becomes more comfortable running down the field and making breaks, we’ll see more and more of Malcolm."

While it's only day 6 of camp and Zorn isn't yet going to come right out and say it, it seems pretty clear at this point the direction Zorn intends to take. ARE in the slot, Thomas as the Z or #2 and Kelly coming along nicely and making plays in the red zone with his size and leaping/catching abilities. I think we all knew we were heading in this direction, but with Zorn always being so cautious with what he says, it's nice to perhaps know this is coming to fruition.

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Thomas on track to be starting WR

Thomas on track to be starting WR

If either one of them become a solid # 1...