[ESPN] Skins' WR questions (OTR)

[honejc]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/tag/_/name/on-the-radar-52710


In case you've been trapped under a rock or some other impediment recently, you know that Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss has been connected to a Canadian doctor charged with supplying and smuggling human growth hormones. Moss hasn't addressed the topic publicly, but his teammates and head coach seem convinced that he'll be cleared of any wrongdoing. But while it looks like there's no threat of criminal charges, we all know about the swift hand of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's justice. If he determines that Moss did anything wrong, the receiver could face a suspension.

And it's not like the Redskins are flush with proven receivers right now -- unless you count a guy like Joey Galloway who has been proving himself for 16 seasons in the league. Galloway's been on the downhill side of his career for at least the past four seasons, so it's unlikely he could turn back the clock and become a consistent deep threat. Moss led the Skins with 70 catches for 902 yards and three touchdowns last season, but his 12.3 yards per catch is a pretty benign number. That's why it's finally time for the faces of the '08 rookie class to show some consistency. Either Malcolm Kelly or Devin Thomas -- perhaps both -- need to step forward and make plays for Donovan McNabb.

The good news is that McNabb has had some success when surrounded with pedestrian receivers. In his pre-Terrell Owens years in Philly, he threw to the likes of Freddie Mitchell and the immortal Todd Pinkston. So chucking the ball to Bobby Wade, Thomas and Kelly might not look that bad to him. Plus, he'll have the talented combo of Chris Cooley and Fred Davis at tight end.

But even if Moss clears the Dr. Anthony Galea hurdle, the Redskins still need for Thomas and Kelly to emerge. I think fans are sick of hearing about their potential. Kelly won the starting job at the start of last season, but Thomas was the better receiver down the stretch. Thomas only had 25 catches, but three of them went for touchdowns and 16 went for first downs.

"Devin Thomas has been hurt through most of the minicamps and OTAs," Mike Shanahan told reporters last week. "It's good to get Devin back and watch him in these OTAs because I didn't get a chance to watch him except for the first day in our minicamp. Malcolm, it's like all of the receivers, learning the system, getting the chance to show their skills. It's going to be an interesting question here over the next two months, three months. We got a number of wide receivers that are competing for a position. I like what I have seen thus far."

If the commissioner decides to suspend Moss, don't be shocked if Shanahan looks to T.O. for help. We simply don't have enough drama in the NFC East, so it's important to reunite McNabb and his old buddy. As you know, their appearance together on a recent reality show laid the foundation for reconciliation. I have to stop now because I'm getting emotional.

[ConnSKINS26]

Not much new in this article, but I love the thought of Kelly and Thomas breaking out, and hate the thought of yet another thread devolving into a T.O. discussion.

I'm excited for the day when all of my friends of other teams have a reason to know DT and MK's names on game day.

[icbmayday]

We need Thomas and Kelly to step up hopefully it will happen this year.

[Kindred]

Is it DT that always seems to be hurt?

[ConnSKINS26]

Is it DT that always seems to be hurt?

That used to be Kelly, but now it just seems that DT has a stubborn Hamstring, which happens to a lot of speedy guys.

[Hitman21ST]

We need Thomas and Kelly to step up hopefully it will happen this year.

The third year is generally the breakout year for receivers, and this being their third year, with a proven quarterback who can get them the ball on time on target will just allow them to break out even more.

[[[ghost]]]

Roddy White didn't look too hot his first couple of seasons. But he improved in Matt Ryan's Rookie season, and killed it last year.

Sidney Rice looked average with Tavaris Jackson throwing him the ball. But his 2nd year, plus Brett Favre, lead to a pro bowl year.

[ConnSKINS26]

];7552298']Roddy White didn't look too hot his first couple of seasons. But he improved in Matt Ryan's Rookie season, and killed it last year.

Sidney Rice looked average with Tavaris Jackson throwing him the ball. But his 2nd year, plus Brett Favre, lead to a pro bowl year.

These are the examples that I like to hear. McNabb made Desean Jackson, and I think he'll make at least one of DT and MK look just as impressive.

[Hitman21ST]

These are the examples that I like to hear. McNabb made Desean Jackson, and I think he'll make at least one of DT and MK look just as impressive.

1000 yds and 5 TDs for DT, 800 and 3 for Moss, 500 and 8 TDs for MK, 1200 and 8 for Cooley and Davis combined.

[ConnSKINS26]

1000 yds and 5 TDs for DT, 800 and 3 for Moss, 500 and 8 TDs for MK, 1200 and 8 for Cooley and Davis combined.

Which would add up to 3,500 yards and 24 TD for McNabb, not counting any TD's and yards to other recievers, as well as the HB's and FB's.

I think that's actually very realistic, of course with some optimism. I think that you could even see DT score more than 5 times. I mean, he scored three times with JC throwing him the ball (or handing it off, once), and with only 25 catches for 325ish (?) yards. If you give him 60-70 balls for over 1,000 yards, I can't see him only scoring 5 times. That many touches, and he's bound to score more, he's got that after-the-catch ability.

Otherwise, I think you're right on in predicting less yards but more TDs for Kelly, who I see emerging as a huge red-zone favorite of McNabb, along with Davis and Cooley. DT will be his big-play guy.

And I really don't know about Moss. It all depends on how much he plays and what kind of rapport McNabb builds with him. I'm gonna say that if he even misses 2-4 games and sacrifices that in-game chemistry building with his QB, DT and MK will get many more catches than if he's there from the beginning.

[Hitman21ST]

Which would add up to 3,500 yards and 24 TD for McNabb, not counting any TD's and yards to other recievers, as well as the HB's and FB's.

I think that's actually very realistic, of course with some optimism. I think that you could even see DT score more than 5 times. I mean, he scored three times with JC throwing him the ball (or handing it off, once), and with only 25 catches for 325ish (?) yards. If you give him 60-70 balls for over 1,000 yards, I can't see him only scoring 5 times. That many touches, and he's bound to score more, he's got that after-the-catch ability.

Otherwise, I think you're right on in predicting less yards but more TDs for Kelly, who I see emerging as a huge red-zone favorite of McNabb, along with Davis and Cooley. DT will be his big-play guy.

And I really don't know about Moss. It all depends on how much he plays and what kind of rapport McNabb builds with him. I'm gonna say that if he even misses 2-4 games and sacrifices that in-game chemistry building with his QB, DT and MK will get many more catches than if he's there from the beginning.

We are in agreement then :D

[allskins]

IMHO, If Kelly and Thomas don't break through this year, we consider them another one of Vinny's bust drafts and get rid of them and reload on the WR position.

[gutlead74]

Dammit august hurry up you *****!

[BurgundyBlog]

i'm holding out hope for terrence austin to be our version of desean jackson. but i hope devin thomas doesn't turn into our version of limas sweed.

[Enter Apotheosis]

];7552298']Roddy White didn't look too hot his first couple of seasons. But he improved in Matt Ryan's Rookie season, and killed it last year.

Roddy White blew up the year before Matt Ryan entered the draft and that was with Joey Harrington and Chris Redman at QB.

[svenbob]

it annoys me that marko mitchell is never mentioned in these threads... That dude's gonna blow it up.

[NewCliche21]

it annoys me that marko mitchell is never mentioned in these threads... That dude's gonna blow it up.

. . . for some other team. He was cut a while back.

[gutlead74]

You know what's awesome! Just saw Warren Moon throw a deap bomb to Joey Galloway in seatle..........that's just fantastic!

[gutlead74]

it annoys me that marko mitchell is never mentioned in these threads... That dude's gonna blow it up.

People that live in cave houses, shouldn't throw stones!!! LOL!!!!

[nemocystem]

You know what's awesome! Just saw Warren Moon throw a deap bomb to Joey Galloway in seatle..........that's just fantastic!

lol...wow..........

that's when they were still wearing leather helmets, right?

[gutlead74]

lol...wow..........

that's when they were still wearing leather helmets, right?

No they weren't leather but they did only have one bar face mask :( lol

[rk3025]

Marko is a Detroit Lion so rookies are
Armstrong
Austin
Shay
Hodge

People that live in cave houses, shouldn't throw stones!!! LOL!!!!

[NewCliche21]

I'm pretty sure that I've heard good things about Armstrong and Austin. Didn't Hodge have a great day earlier this week where he was the offensive star?

I'm hoping that they all work out. I'd love to see Thomas and Kelly be our eldest starting receivers, and not due to injury.

[gutlead74]

Marko is a Detroit Lion so rookies are
Armstrong
Austin
Shay
Hodge

Hence the cave dwelling reference. I'm on ES waaaaaaaay to damn much to not know that.

[Vladimir L]

Our WR do not impress me.

They mised alot of easy catches last year.

Their rookie year they were no show ups.

Havent shown a trace of consistancy.

By this I mean catching 2 or 3 passes for 5 or 6 games straight.

They always would have 1 great game and dissapear for 6 games.

[msak24cardss]

I believe both DT and MK will have good years. Look who's going to be passing to them. Look for Davis at TE to have a breakout year also. Its time for the youth of this team to step forward and make some plays.

[Darrell Green Fan]

At this point there has to be huge concern over the Redskins WRs. I have always maintained that Malcolm Kelly is the most likely candidate to break out. His hands are special, just worried about his ability to get open. Billick's comments that he has no explosion put with his bad 40 time has to concern you. Still there have been tons of really good WRs who didn't time well. As for Thomas I still say he's just "A Guy". I see nothing in him that makes him any different than 100 other WRs around the league.

[PennSkinsFanhR]

Year three. Do or die year for both Thomas and Kelly. They do not step up this year put the official bust label on. In addition, Shanahan is not tie dto these gusy beyodn this season. They arent his or Allen's picks.

[bulldog]

nobody on Zorn's staff ever pushed the players on the roster. In this regard, see Chris Horton's comments about the roster 'working as hard as I have ever seen it' under Shanahan here in Year 1.

[jasjhughes]

The third year is generally the breakout year for receivers, and this being their third year, with a proven quarterback who can get them the ball on time on target will just allow them to break out even more.

Isn't that what everyone said last year about the second year.

Let's hope you are right and they were wrong.

[ConnSKINS26]

Isn't that what everyone said last year about the second year.

Let's hope you are right and they were wrong.

No. Many people hoped that last year would be the year, and they definitely progressed. But everyone said all along, year 3 is the year for WR's.

[BurgundyBlog]

i think their development is tied much more closely to the performance of the offensive line than anything else, including their own "maturation" or even the QB switch. we have no idea what these guys can do because campbell never had enough time to find them. if kyle shanahan can turn this o-line into something approaching mediocre, i think the more experienced mcnabb will have enough time to get through his progressions, and these guys will "improve" even without making any individual progress at all.

[ConnSKINS26]

i think their development is tied much more closely to the performance of the offensive line than anything else, including their own "maturation" or even the QB switch. we have no idea what these guys can do because campbell never had enough time to find them. if kyle shanahan can turn this o-line into something approaching mediocre, i think the more experienced mcnabb will have enough time to get through his progressions, and these guys will "improve" even without making any individual progress at all.

I'd agree with that. While I do think that individually you can count on them to improve, just in terms of route-running, and dealing with DB's at the NFL level, etc, I agree that more than anything their improvement, stat-wise, relies on the OL not only keeping McNabb out of the dirt, but doing it in a manner that gives him the time to make all of his reads and look for the big play. That's where I think you'll see DT break loose, or MK get open to move the chains.

Another aspect involved with the OL, are the TE's. Everyone talks about utilizing 2-TE sets to get Davis and Cooley both on the field and create mismatches, which I agree would be dangerous. In Madden. In real life, if the OL doesn't prove its worth early, 2-TE sets WILL be necessary...but one of the TE's will be a blocking TE, kept in to help whichever Tackle is struggling. So that's yet another effect the OL has on the passing game. If they prove to be good enough, as a unit, then Cooley and Davis will see the field together much more often.

[MartinC]

No they weren't leather but they did only have one bar face mask :( lol

Careful - the first helmet I played in had a one bar face mask and I'm not THAT old. Actually maybe I am :(

[VRIEL1]

Not much new in this article, but I love the thought of Kelly and Thomas breaking out, and hate the thought of yet another thread devolving into a T.O. discussion.

I'm excited for the day when all of my friends of other teams have a reason to know DT and MK's names on game day.

You maybe correct in regards to the T.O. discussion, but let me say it's not half as bad as the people who keep professing their undieing hope for Thomas and Kelly. As for those who think Kelly is going to step it up and surpass Thomas are just as funny. Thomas has had 2yrs of coaching and 2yrs on the field. This will be his third yr, break out yr. Kelly has had 2yrs of coaching and only 1yr on the field. This will be his second yr. Neither WR has been anything other then just an OK WR. I think Shanahan will get the most out of them but if they both don't do well there has to be a plan B vs. simply saying "Thomas and Kelly will get it done" when they actually have not gotten it done.

[Johns Bass]

IMHO, If Kelly and Thomas don't break through this year, we consider them another one of Vinny's bust drafts and get rid of them and reload on the WR position.

'...They should play or they should go now...' (the Clash, slight reprise)

[VaK9Trainer]

Lets not forget the X-Factor this year. We have a new receivers coach. That, in and of itself should lead to a change. Look for Devin and Malcolm to really tear it up this year.

[MartinC]

Lets not forget the X-Factor this year. We have a new receivers coach. That, in and of itself should lead to a change. Look for Devin and Malcolm to really tear it up this year.

I think having a new QB and actual NFL coaching will make a huge difference to the production of our receivers even if they make no progress themselves at all.

That said I think we have to be realistic - there will be only so many balls to go around and we have have Moss, Cooley and Davis as well as Thomas and Kelly plus at least one other WR all wanting their share. Cooley and Davis will combine for 100+ catches, Moss (suspension pending) should get around 80 and the backs should get say 50 catches combined. if we pass it about 350 times that leaves about 120 balls to go around 3 receivers.

If Thomas gets the start I would be happy if he got 50 balls for about 650 yards and 3 or 4 scores and Kelly say 40 catches for 500 yards and a couple of scores.

It gets interesting if Moss gets suspended for 4 games. Then one of Thomas or Kelly really has to step forward and make a more significant contribution.

[Redskins4ever]

Thomas and Kelly will play solid this year. They have to. They are both playing in the right scheme, and both have Donovan McNabb, of all people, throwing them the football. One of them has to have a great season.

[GoodOnPaper]

Is this the last year of both MK and DT's rookie contracts? Or did they sign 4 year deals?

[VRIEL1]

I think having a new QB and actual NFL coaching will make a huge difference to the production of our receivers even if they make no progress themselves at all.

That said I think we have to be realistic - there will be only so many balls to go around and we have have Moss, Cooley and Davis as well as Thomas and Kelly plus at least one other WR all wanting their share. Cooley and Davis will combine for 100+ catches, Moss (suspension pending) should get around 80 and the backs should get say 50 catches combined. if we pass it about 350 times that leaves about 120 balls to go around 3 receivers.

If Thomas gets the start I would be happy if he got 50 balls for about 650 yards and 3 or 4 scores and Kelly say 40 catches for 500 yards and a couple of scores.

It gets interesting if Moss gets suspended for 4 games. Then one of Thomas or Kelly really has to step forward and make a more significant contribution.


I agree with you that a new HC, OC, QB, WR position coach, and scheme should make a difference for our WR's, but what if it doesn't? you can't go into the season with the mind set of "lets hope for the best." I prefer the mind set of "lets plan for the worst and then hope for the best." My issue is Galloway and Wade our not my idea of lets plan for the worst.

[VRIEL1]

Is this the last year of both MK and DT's rookie contracts? Or did they sign 4 year deals?

I think they signed longer deals then 3 yr deals. This is their 3rd yr. Kelly had surgery his first yr and last yr was his second yr of which he saw some field time. Thomas has a little more experience having been on the field for 2 yrs.