Let the kids play: the story of Thomas, Kelly, Davis and Mitchell

[themurf]

http://www.homermcfanboy.com/images/davis111109.jpg

(photo by Brian Murphy)

With tight end Chris Cooley out of the lineup, Washington Redskins coaches and fans get their first extended look at second-year player Fred Davis.

The next month or so will serve as an impromptu evaluation period to see what strengths and flaws Davis, who won the Mackey Award as the country’s top tight end his senior year at USC, has in his game at the pro level.

You never want to lose a player to injury, especially not Cooley, who was the team’s most consistent offensive performer at the time of his injury, but this trial period will finally begin to answer the question – is Davis a player you can build around?

In the last season and a half, opportunities have been few and far between for Davis, as well as fellow second-year pass catchers Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly. Throw in rookie wide out Marko Mitchell and you’ve got a quartet of potential playmakers.

But while young players like Miles Austin in Dallas, DeSean Jackson in Philadelphia and Steve Smith in New York all thrive this season for NFC East teams, no one can say with any certainty what will come of Davis, Thomas, Kelly and Mitchell.

At 2-6, the season is over for the Redskins. Sure, the schedule still says they play eight more games, but any realistic chance at the playoffs was crushed when offensive linemen Randy Thomas and Chris Samuels were put on the shelf.

So if this team is simply playing for pride the second half of the season, why not up the stakes? Why not throw all four of these young players into heavy rotation and give them a baptism by fire? What harm would it do to play “The Future Four” to see who can be counted on and who, out of the group, is a bust?

With that in mind, we set out to talk to the youngsters about the situation.

How tough is it mentally to go into a game having no clue how much or how little you’re actually going to play that week?

“It’s hard,” admitted Davis. “It’s definitely not easy. It’s one of those experiences that you just have to work through and make the best out of the situation. Some people it works out, some people it doesn’t. It’s all about getting that opportunity. You never know when your time will come, you’ve just got to be ready and do the best you can.”

As an outsider, you see Kelly getting the bulk of the snaps one week and then the next game he’s glued to the bench while Thomas gets all the snaps, and you wonder if it isn’t hurting both of them …

“Yeah, it’s hard,” Davis said. “Because you never know what’s going to happen. It catches you off-guard a little bit, kind of like when I went in [after Cooley’s injury] and gave up two sacks. You’ve just got to prepare the best you can. But for them, it’s definitely been hard.”

You never want to completely give up on a season, but wouldn’t this be the ideal time for the four of you to get in there and show everyone what you’ve got?

Click here (http://www.homermcfanboy.com/2009/11/11/let-the-kids-play/) for the full article, including comments from Thomas, Kelly and Mitchell.

[Burgundy Burner]

It needs to be done. Yes, Moss and ARE would probably complain about the lack of playing time. But it is time to see what the future holds with these players. Play them and use them extensively. After eight games, the new (presumably) coaching staff will have a much better idea of what these players can do.

One other note - Justin Tryon seems to get better each week and his playing time continues to increase. The only way to know if you have a bust or a gem is to let them play. It seems to work for Tryon.

[Rdskn4Lyf21]

A-FREAKIN'-MEN!

Let the kids go out there and play ball. They screw up and it's a learning experience. We have nothing to lose at this point except for the fact of not giving them solid playing time to get comfortable and see what we have in them.

Our group was going crazy every time we saw Marko on the field. Free the kids!

[themurf]

It needs to be done. Yes, Moss and ARE would probably complain about the lack of playing time. But it is time to see what the future holds with these players.

In a perfect world, the team would put Antwaan Randle El on injured reserve with a broken fair-catching hand, which would then open up a spot in the regular rotation for all of these young guys to show what they've got once and for all.

[derekc4]

Nice article. Is skinscast coming out today? :)

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

I've been screaming for the very same on here for a good few weeks now.

Not only should the four you mentioned be getting extensive, on field playing time, but all the youth, such as it is, should be boosted up the depth chart. (Save maybe's for the joke of a third round O-line pick from last year.).

Get Orakpo going from end, his natural position, with Chris Wilson and Jarmon heavily in the mix, and dispense with Daniels who won't be back next year in all likely hood. That would allow Blades to slot in at SAM, admittedly not the position he's being groomed for, but the on-field experience wouldn't hurt him one bit, and the little dude wouldn't let anyone down. He's as tough as they come. Activate Kavin Barnes and Tryon and get them heavily involved at corner. Kareem Moore at safety.

Hell, switch Lorenzo Alezander over to the O-line and see what he's got there. He sure as heck couldn't do much worse.

When the season was long dead before half-way, with one of the worst outfits in the entire league, these decisions should already of been made to see exactly what we have in these guys going forward, and who, if any, are worth keeping in the re-build.

Not blundering on with the same over priced, over hyped, has been/never was vets. and revisiting the same mistakes week on week in so doing.

Oh, and as to the OP and the wide outs, the one man who should sit and NEVER suit up in DC again is the biggest of the over hyped, over paid, never was clowns who's taken this organization for a real ride and continues to do so.

Yes El, I'm looking at YOU! Although something tells me I'm preaching to the choir when it comes to Mr. Murphy on that one.

Hail.

[themurf]

Nice article. Is skinscast coming out today? :)

Yep. As soon as Pappas sobers up.

[themurf]

Activate Kavin Barnes and Tryon and get them heavily involved at corner. Kareem Moore at safety.

Hell, switch Lorenzo Alezander over to the O-line and see what he's got there. He sure as heck couldn't do much worse.

Yes El, I'm looking at YOU! Although something tells me I'm preaching to the choir when it comes to Mr. Murphy on that one.

You really bring up an interesting point. I asked a few folks after the Eagles game why the team suddenly forgot that Lorenzo Alexander could play on the offensive line when we have such depth on the defense and are so thin on offense. No one had any answers.

Tryon is definitely getting his chance to shine now, playing ahead of Smoot at corner, and it's safe to say Moore will play a bunch with Chris Horton out of the lineup. And as for my guy Barnes, he was all set to play against the Falcons, until H.B. Blades was deemed healthy enough to play.

As for the Randle El stuff ... you had me at hello. But you already knew that.

[Lombardi's_kid_brother]

Bob Watson and Cesar Cedeno need to be involved in this somehow.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

Murf,

Any indication that a youth movement is likely? I would love to see what the kids can do (even more than just the WRs as others have mentioned).

[themurf]

Murf,

Any indication that a youth movement is likely? I would love to see what the kids can do (even more than just the WRs as others have mentioned).

Sadly, not so much.

Zorn has to be thinking he's coaching for his job, so he's not going to be in a hurry to bring in a bunch of young, unproven guys across the roster. The only way I see this happening is either a.) the front office tells him "You will play young guys," or 2.) Zorn gets fired and the message is relayed to the temporary head coach as he takes over the rest of the way.

[STBonecrusher21]

I couldn't agree more murf..

I think given the opportunities these guys can be very good, and not just coming in on certain packages..

[Capt. Kaos]

In a perfect world, the team would put Antwaan Randle El on injured reserve with a broken fair-catching hand, which would then open up a spot in the regular rotation for all of these young guys to show what they've got once and for all.

Brian, yet another great read.

"broken fair-catching hand"

:rotflmao:

That's an instant classic!

[TD_washingtonredskins]

Sadly, not so much.

Zorn has to be thinking he's coaching for his job, so he's not going to be in a hurry to bring in a bunch of young, unproven guys across the roster. The only way I see this happening is either a.) the front office tells him "You will play young guys," or 2.) Zorn gets fired and the message is relayed to the temporary head coach as he takes over the rest of the way.

Thanks for the reply. I tend to agree.

I guess there's no incentive for a lame duck coach to help out his replacement by putting the young kids on film.

[Koolblue13]

Start all these guys and see what they have. IR ARE, Portis and maybe even Moss. Bring in any O linemen out there and see if they can help.

Same with the Defense. Start benching guys like LL, who I now want to see get trucked for incompetence.

I want to know what the young guys have. What we have to build on and what Vinny has actually done.

More Jarmon and Rak at end as well. Give these guys a chance to shine, so we know what they can do next year and what our other less glaring needs are.

[Koolblue13]

Also, promote Bugel to HC, let Sherm keep calling plays. Let Zorn do what he knows how to do. Work with JC more closely.

Heck, maybe even let Grey be the DC play caller.

Danny, shake it up NAO!

[MWCREDSKINS]

I think you can throw Chad Rhinehart in there as well. They don't even give this guy a shot and I don't understand it. He can't be worse than Will Montgomery.

[Fischer fan]

....sigh.......if only Colt were here to meld with T,K,D&M.:(

[REDALERT]

Like I was saying also, let the guys play. I just can't except that all these guys are bust if any. But zorn is hanging on by a thread and trying to salvage any part of the season he can by playing our vets.



This is the reason these guys can't get developed properly or on to the playing field.

1. The coaches don't trust them enough

2. When they make a mistake they get taken out.

3. Mentally challenged due to being yanked all the damn time for making mistakes

4. The coaches we have

5. The scheme and being put in better situations to make plays

6. Play calling

7. OL

8. The QB

9. Randel El in the way

Again, I can't accept that damn near every team we watch other then the Redkskins, rookie and 2nd year receivers are making plays on offense and special teams(kick returns/punt returns). And I'm quite sure many of you feel the same and get sick on the stomach like myself seeing other teams young receivers making helluva plays.


So what's the damn problem here? Can somebody splain this to me Lucy..

[grantarchy]

This seems to be pretty common with a sports teams in general. It is rare you see freshmen going to the starting lineup for example. But, I've never really understood it either. I think that when it comes down to it, coaches value their jobs and they don't feel comfortable taking risks enough to play unknowns. When you're 2-6 though, I don't see why you wouldn't design more plays to get them involved. What have you got to lose? I would love to see more of this kind of risk-taking.

[CounterTrey]

Our coaching staff is so freaking stupid I want to slap most of them. This season is over, play the young guys.


Daniels out - he's done, play orakpo oevr there, see what Wilson can do at LB, maybe he's good and and we don't need to use a draft on a LB in the early rounds.

See what jarmon can do also. Play Mitchell, kelly and Thomas more. Get rid of ARE, or let him sit on the bench for a bit. Play Barnes at CB instead of Smoot.. I MEAN PLAY SOME OF THE YOUNG GUYS, just so that we know what we have and we can draft intelligently next year.

[themurf]

Our coaching staff is so freaking stupid I want to slap most of them. This season is over, play the young guys.

I think stupid is a little harsh. Think of it this way - if you're trying to win now and somehow save your job, would you turn to a bunch of young, unproven guys? No, of course not. You'd try to stick with your veterans to help turn things around. If the kids are going to play, it's going to be because management tells Zorn (or his replacement should he get canned before the season ends) to play them.

[themurf]

Unless of course management is already telling him to play veterans. I started a thread nearly a year ago questioning Zorn's willingness to start the then rookies (among other things). He has not changed his approach since then. Call it stupid or stubborn, but the fact remains the he continues to get the same result.

This comes directly from my article:

“I mean, I try every day in practice,” Thomas admitted. “Every day in practice, I’m catching punts and doing something. Even Vinny [Cerrato] has asked if I should be getting back there. You know, one of these days, they’re going to give me the opportunity – give me that chance – and I’m going to showcase what I can do. I’m just waiting for that chance.”

Without me asking about the front office at all, Devin Thomas volunteered that Vinny has asked Zorn and his coaching staff if Devin should be more involved. Feel free to reach your own conclusion from there.

[SonnyJ]

I would imagine that Cerrato would be very interested in getting all those picks involved, rather than commanding they don't.

Their lack of playing time and poor development is on the coaching staff. It is inconceivable to me that none of these guys can help an offense as bad as this one, or even play at all.

[RandyHolt]

Perhaps the only way Zorn can keep his job is playing the kids and hoping they can spark the team. Then again, with our seemingly controlling front office, we dont know if Zorn's hands are tied. I am surprised a vet hasnt been cut. Thats one way to get everyone else to play better. Sorry but see ya. Someone.

Make room for a kid. But the problem is we play the kids in all the wrong positions and in the wrong roles. Davis a blocker? Rhino a guard? Rak and Wilson, in pass coverage? Daniels our starting LDE, our run defense is horrible. He is a DT in my eyes.

We wont put a kid in a place to succeed. Take Thomas, our 2. Great, but do we call a bunch of plays for him, or any plays? Sink or swim. We throw him a fade that we didnt set up at all, didnt pump fake, didnt pick the shortest or most aggressive corner. We make him a 2 and you dont even see him in the game.