For Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly, it is time to start producing. Matt Bowen
I love the anticipation of training camp. We can focus on actual football, schemes and players who have to step up and answer some questions about their game.
In Washington, I see those players are third-year WRs Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly. Forget the drama surrounding Albert Haynesworth. Jim Haslett’s unit has enough players to make the switch to the 3-4 front—with or without the DT.
ICONCan Thomas and Kelly produce with McNabb now in Washington?
However, on offense, we are looking at a WR corps—outside of an aging Santana Moss—that is stale and still unproven. That is where Thomas and Kelly come in. Let's distance the Terrell Owens rumors for a while and focus on what the 'Skins do have. These two aren’t rookies anymore and they aren’t second-year wide outs playing in that disaster under Jim Zorn in 2009.
Instead, they now have a QB that I still see as a top-tier talent in Donovan McNabb and an offense that will provide them opportunities to show up on tape.
This offense will change under Shanahan. Expect to see McNabb on the move and expect to see him out of the pocket with what I like to call “movement” passes (boot, swap boot, misdirection, play action). A tough scheme to prepare for as a defense in a week’s time leading up to Sunday. The TE combo of Chris Cooley and Fred Davis will be fun to watch, but there still needs to be production--and big plays--from the wide outs.
In the NFC East, against the pressure fronts of Dallas and Philly, both will see one-on-one matchups. Against the Giants under new defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, they will have to recognize zone blitz schemes and beat a jam vs. Cover 2. It sounds basic and it may sound like we are talking about things that every WR has to do in this league to be successful and productive, but I haven’t seen that yet from these two young players on a consistent basis.
And that is what we are really looking at here in D.C. Those opportunities to catch the ball down the field will be there, but they will also need to make plays when a CB is on their hip, in a “jump-ball” situation and when a pass isn’t thrown perfectly. Part of the evolution of a pro wide out.
We shouldn’t care about potential anymore when a player is entering his third-year in the league. That time has come and gone. Now, it is all about playing like a pro and helping this Redskins team compete in the East.
Ready for fantasy football? Click here to purchse the Total Access Pass/ Draft Guide from the NFP.
Follow me on Twitter: MattBowen41
Devin Thomas showed flashes last year. Hard to evaluate a WR with the QB, OL and playcalling issues they had under Zorn/Cerrato. Kelly has never shown anything and has bad knees. Great draft pick. Moss is small and getting old. Tough to understand why they cut Marko Mitchell, then brought in some old guys.
The problem with running two TE sets is neither of their TEs can block. Cooley is a fan favorite but he can't even hold his own blocking against a LB, forget a DE.
Hasn't some of the defense of Campbell's past 3 years in Washington been based on a revolving offensive system, with new coordinators every year and no offensive stability? I would think the the receivers can lay claim to some of that argument as impeding their development. How they respond to McNabb, though, will likely determine if they have a future in the league, and if they bloom this year McNabb will rightfully get a share of the credit. But if they fail some front office personnel will have some bad draft day decisions on their resumes.
Matt you wrote: "This offense will change under Shanahan. Expect to see McNabb on the move and expect to see him out of the pocket with what I like to call “movement” passes (boot, swap boot, misdirection, play action). A tough scheme to prepare for as a defense in a week’s time leading up to Sunday"
Listen, am a die hard Donkeys guy & loved Shanahans ability to be creative against NFL defenses by using movement from the QB - Elways the easy one to remember, but he really used Plummers ability to move on the boot the first couple of years he had him to succeed as well...that being said here's two concerns and would appreciate if you could address these in Shanahans offensive planning - first, Shanahan is a master IMO at using a defensive coord's keys against them, so that what you read & think you see is not in fact what's occuring - secondarily, Shanahan relies upon a QB that's mobile, not necessarily a running QB, yet can get to the edge if need be and is comfortable in the outside or just at the tackle level without blockers or maybe one moving blocker...now the concerns, Shanahans offense on the edge seemed predicated upon the 4 - 3 and being able to get the QB to that "bubble" before the defense could react, quite frankly w/the preponderance now of the 3-4 defenses, and hybrid LB/DE's in play not sure that the bublles going to be there, as quite frankly the last season Plummer played in Denver the defenses were stacked for this and remember Plummer getting killed on misdirections...secondarily, though McNabb doesn't throw a lot of INT"s as he's wont to throw the ball low for an incompletion instead, am wondering w/diminishing movement at his age, and number of plays in the leauge if defenses may force him into a higher INT percentage - particularly w/receivers that may not be adept at "helping" the QB under fire from defenders better suited in today's NFL since Shanny's offense dominated - random thoughts of course; however, again just not convinced Shanahan's offense is going to be able to move the defense out of the way of the play with the emphasis on pressure and the athletes on the edge that are out there now...
I agree with this article, time for Thomas and/or Kelly to step up and be a starting caliber receiver.
Thomas has the athletic atributes you look for in a #1 Wr, he needs to stay healthy, and learn the playbook. Kelly is not fast nor a good route runner, but he needs to establish a rapport with McNabb and use his big frame to make plays. If neither steps up this year, the team will likely have to use their #1 draft pick next year on the position. That's not good on an aging team with numerous holes to fill.
Will throw one more angle out there concerning the misdirections & boots - they're predicated upon a running game - now Matt makes a good point about the receivers; however, in Shanny's offense (and of course we're assuming here that leapords don't change their spots, and this may in fact be wrong) the ability to use zone blocking with a bell cow back is a requirement to sell the boot, misdirection and moving pocket plays - who's going to be the bell cow back, and as far as zone blocking guru's well Shanny's favorite Gibbs is in Seattle now not in D.C. - so really the receivers issue will be moot if they can't move the chains w/a running game as unlike the Colts that really only run on occasion, Shanny's offense's are setup the pass w/a dominating running game - personally don't believe Shanny has faith in Portis, this was the guy that left Denver w/a bad taste in everyone's mouth and though talented, is he still able to carry the load, doubtful - Willy Parker looks like damaged goods at this point in his career as well, and unless he can step it up don't expect him to be the feature back, which really leaves the mercurial but definitly erratic Larry Johnson, personally believe Johnson could definitly be that guy in Shanny's offense, again depeinding upon Johnson's mindset, as his physical tools should still be there as hasn't been really used much the last 2 yrs - and he or someone's gotta be or doesn't matter who the receivers are, and if the running game of Shanny's is intact, well quite honestly then the passing game starts to make non-descript receivers into household names, as the misdirection & boots normally open up windows that even the erratic throwing of a Plummer would be able to find the wide open receivers...so we'll see folks,
The Redskins are intriguing to me from another perspective w/Shanny - his kids with him, and just gotta think of Don Nelson & Donnie Nelson when seeing this happen as it has - Shanny doesn't really need this oppty w/the Skins, yet if it's successful, has he then opened up the door for Snyder to allow his son to take over in 3 - 5 yrs...again, random thoughts...
@matrixnov,
Good comments but the Texans were able to move the ball very well with an indifferent run game. This will be interesting to watch, no doubt.
I am an Oklahoma fan of sorts, and I would be offended by sjgmoney's rude comments if only they weren't all true. Malcolm Kelly stunk it up at Oklahoma, and, while he's perfectly welcome to prove me wrong, I don't think he has any tools to be a WR in the NFL.
I am an Oklahoma fan of sorts, and I would be offended by sjgmoney's rude comments if only they weren't all true. Malcolm Kelly stunk it up at Oklahoma, and, while he's perfectly welcome to prove me wrong, I don't think he has any tools to be a WR in the NFL.
Have faith my fellow skinz fanz! HAIL!
Guys-
Mike Furrey was a HUGE off-season acquisition for the Skins, and that has flown completely under the radar. He was 2nd in the NFL in receptions in 07. He's a versatile athlete (started the final four games for Cleveland at Free Safety last season). He will be a major contributor and adds hands and experience to that unit. McNabb will fall in love with him.
In addition to the jump-ball drills, Thomas and Kelly should extensively drill on catching footballs rifled at their shoetops while running at full speed. This drill will adequately prepare them for what to expect on those McNabb roll-outs.
This reminds me of this past season with Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon. McNabb will work them in a way Peyton Manning with Collie and Garcon and should do better this year.
@matrixnov,
Good comments but the Texans were able to move the ball very well with an indifferent run game. This will be interesting to watch, no doubt.
meateater - assume by the Texans you meant Kubiak's offense vs Shanahans - though similiar in nature as Kubiak did set as the OC for Shanny, there's a distinct difference in that Shanahan believes in the run & will find competition to create a running game - unfortunately Kubiak being stacked in against the Colts may have given in to a non-existant or poor running game at times, though they've had some success the Texans as a whole have been inconsistent as a franchise so far in their ability to run the football - you don't see that w/Shanny coached teams, even when they lose, they run the ball as the priority...
@matrixnov
don't share your concerns with the running game, it will be fine. portis is capable of getting the job done, and i am with you on johnson being a good fit in shanahan's system. also agree that parker is long shot to make the team. you didn't mention ryan torain, who shanahan compared to terrell davis a couple years back. selection of williams with the #4 pick and the trade for brown will turn a weakness into a strength. the running game will be there, and will set up the passing game.
mcnabb has worked with less than stellar receivers before. not ideal, admittedly. shanahan will give thomas and kelly one year to show what they've got, if they don't deliver this year they won't be around next. also not worried that shanahan's offensive scheme is predicated on facing a 4-3. your memories of plummer getting killed on misdirections must have erased your memory of cutler getting great protection and time to throw. not a great running qb, but mobile enough, much like the mcnabb of today.
btw, kyle shanahan was the oc in houston, not kubiak. kyle is now the oc in washington. i do believe that mike will let kyle run the offense, if not immediately then eventually, just as he let kubiak run the offense in denver.
i think that people are underestimating the mark that kyle will make on the offense. what i don't know is how he is similar to and different from his dad in approach. sorry, i just haven't seen enough texans football to know. anyone care to clue me in?
@johnny Z, I commend you for being a OU fan yet seeing the truth, most times that does not happen. Sorry if you thought my comments were rude. My favorite OU joke of a receiver is still Mark Bradley, I'm sure OU fans still want to kill him for his embarrassing performance in the National Championship game against USC. My favorite play in that game was when he tried to throw the ball over the goalline from the 10 yard line as he was getting tackled out of bounds. I seriously think he didn't know the rules about football, there could be no other possible explanation.
@Tom_in_Sf, very funny and very true.
Breaking down the slant route...
Why the rest of the NFL needs...
Chalkboard breakdown of the 9...
Breaking down my game notes from...
What I am looking for in the Giants-Patriots...
Jul 19, 2010
10:39 AM
Malcom Kelly is a WR from Oklahoma. The next WR coached by Bob Stoops to actually learn how to run a route and get open will be the first. To expect anything from this joker is to believe in the tooth fairy, the Easter bunny and Santa Claus all in one.