Expectations of Malcom Kelly

I think he can be dark horse in the WR competition. I think Kyle and Mike see that too, that is why they didn't treat him like Devin Thomas. Thoughts?


I think there is a lot more to it than that.

Thomas was not a hard worker or a guy who gave the impression that he was dedicated to football as his profession. Basically, he had gone through high school and college and had excelled because of his physical superiority to most of his opponents. He did not enjoy that superiority in the NFL and would not work to improve his game. After a couple of years of that act, the coaching staff - - and without the GM who drafted him hanging around to "protect him" - - let him go. Please note that when people are talking about difference-making WRs, his name never comes up as a "sleeper".

Kelly is just the opposite. Kelly works to improve his game - - but he arrived in Redskins' Park with a leg injury and he has never been fully healthy. Coaches like his work ethic and his underlying skills but they are probably at the end of the line in terms of waiting for him to stay healthy enough to be on the field.

When the skins let Thomas go, there was probably a shrug of the shoulders and even some relief amongst the coaches. If they have to release Kelly, they will do it as a "business decision" but will probably have thoughts of "what if he had never had leg injuries...?"

He can be part of a potent WR corp if healthy and Hankerson develops. I love he fact that he attended practices and meetings last year while on the IR as well as getting time running routes for John Beck all year in 2010.

He can be a very pleasant surprise.

I have a soft spot for MK being a former sooner so I'm really hoping he makes something of him self in DC

I think the key will be health for him. As SS said, if he is not 100% he'll be gone.

He's one of the most loved guys at Redskins Park. He works hard and everyone is rooting for him. But he's hanging by a thread simply because he has to really prove he can stay healthy. If healthy, wouldn't surprise me if he even started. But any sign of less than 100% health, I could easily see him getting cut. In other words, I don't think there's any middle ground for him

It's definitely a make or break preseason for him.

Ok if Kelly and Hankerson developed well they could be a dangerous duo of big bodied receivers. Kelly will only make it if he proves himself in the preseason. I think that is one of the reasons the redskins went after Hankerson to replace Kelly if proves to be a further disappointment.

I agree with those who feel this year could be the last go round for Kelly if he's unable to stay healthy long enough to display the talent that earned him a 2nd round selection. By him not being released last year, Shanahan demonstrated he's not inclined to easily give up on a young player with talent.

Kelly may have been further along in his development now had they not had him on the 53 man roster his rookie year, giving him the time needed to fully recover from an injury he came to the team with. In the haste for him to play, his career has been set back.

Redskins who could be ready to break out in 2011 « Riggo's Rag | A Washington Redskins Blog (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=30&ved=0CE0QFjAJOBQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Friggosrag.com%2F2011%2F04%2F04%2F redskins-who-could-be-ready-to-break-out-in-2011%2F&ei=d0gjTuGuHKfc0QG368zDDw&usg=AFQjCNFUz4f6bAwSAriaz0QG9UG7JG54EQ&sig2=Qg4amChPcaBoRlrxhNqQTw)

Malcom Kelly is the Greg Oden of the NFL.



Any sort of injury in training camp and consider his career over. (at least in Washington)

Moss was covered by linebackers a lot last year, so I struggle to believe he was dictating deep coverage much at all. That and the Redskins moved Santana around so much that it would have been really obvious if a defender was following him around the field.
Defenses have been trying to take Tana out of the game plan for years.
Kyle was smart enough to move him around to make it harder for defenses to key in on him and the emergence of AAA helped also.

Moss snaps/targets were about 60% X,Z and 40% slot.
2010 Snap Breakdown - Santana Moss | ProFootballFocus.com (http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/05/17/2010-snap-breakdown-santana-moss/)

Skins picked up 3 wr in the draft and one of them will surely make the team. Kelly is in deep shit unless he shows up big. His chance of making the team is 50/50 at best.