I'm not here to give you reasons on how the Washington Redskins are going to win the Super Bowl this season, or predict our record, or talk up our team. As all Redskins have come to learn, talking up the Redskins is like playing with fire and your bound to get hurt.
So instead I'm going to take the safer route and just talk about some reasons to maybe get excited for this upcoming season as training camp has started. I don't know about the rest of you but I've been snoozing on the Redskins until recent so hopefully I can be your coffee and wake you up to some possible excitement.
Part 1: Our 2008 First Three Picks
Don't we all remember the excitement when we heard the names Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly, and Fred Davis? A trio of big-time receivers bound to make the Redskins offense tops in the NFL. Sadly Thomas and Kelly couldn't stay healthy and Davis couldn't grasp the playbook. This limited the rookies to a combined 21 receptions for 165 yards and no touchdowns to speak of.Yet things seem to be looking up for the upcoming season. A full season and off-season under their belts now, they look poised to be the weapons we all hoped they would be last season.
Despite being hampered by a nagging hamstring injury Devin Thomas was the most productive receiver last season. Posting 15 receptions for 120 yards and was the only one of the group to record a touchdown on a WR reverse, Week 12 against the Giants taking it 29 yards to for the Redskins only score of the day. Thomas also had a huge catch and run for a touchdown called back by a penalty. As of right now Thomas is progressing nicely and is the front runner of the three and according to coach Jim Zorn he could take over the number two starting wide receiver and bump Randle El to the slot.
Malcolm Kelly on the other hand was slowed by a bad knee and it didn't help that he mentally blocked himself from performing in practice, instead nursing the injury. He comes into camp this season in a lot better shape as he as sheded ten pounds and improved his quickness of the snap. Early reports from camp are raving about his playmaking ability. Something we only saw three times last year for just 18 yards. The key for Kelly this offseason and preseason is to remain healthy. If he can do that then he as well can push for the second starting spot as well, something I feel he would fit better in as he is the bigger reciever.
Fred Davis on the other hand didn't have the injuries that his wide receiver counterparts had. Instead he had sleep issues and couldn't learn the playbook to get on the field and make plays. Davis appeared in 11 games but recorded just three catches for a solid 27 yards. Coming out of USC we know Davis is a athlete that will deserve a lot of attention when he gets on the field. The threat that he poses with Chris Cooley on the field will most likely be unmatched by any other starting duo in the NFL. Davis is impressing early in training camp as well and if he continues I can't see the coaching staff holding him behind veteran Todd Yoder who poses no threat what so ever at TE.
So hopefully Year 2 will be a lot more successful for this trio who didn't exactly set the bar high last season, so even a touchdown reception by one of them will be considered an improvement. However I don't see minimal improvement, each of them have potential for huge seasons. The only thing that will hold them back is the fact that there is just one ball and a lot of weapons to share with. But i'm sure whenever the ball comes one of their way there is a good chance for a big play and that's all we can ask for coming into this season.
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