Expectations of Malcom Kelly

GTripp0012

I think if Malcolm Kelly comes predominantly out of the slot and as the flanker in tight formations, he can be one of the better "between the numbers" receivers in the NFL. See: Kelly running through the Chargers' secondary unimpeded in 2009.

He just lacks the physical ability to beat good corners on the outside. See: Aqib Talib's total domination of him in 2009.

Basically, I think he can replace and improve on 70% of what we would get by retaining Santana Moss. We would lose versatility there: we'd need to have someone else play on the outside, but as I've said before in other threads: if Leonard Hankerson sees a 30% increase in snaps as a rookie because Moss is not back, who could possibly be against such a thing?

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SmootSmack

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

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GTripp0012

Agree, because keeping Kelly probably means that they try to pass Terrence Austin through waivers again to the PS, and though they probably could do that, I think they have hopes/a plan for him.

Think he's got a better chance of staying healthy because they didn't try to manage him to play last year. But injury prone at age 23...tends not to become a mark of good health at age 29.

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Shanahan: “The bad thing is he's [Sav Rocca] probably our best offensive weapon and that’s not good.”

Lotus

When I watched him play at Oklahoma I really wanted the Skins to get him. Needless to say, the outcome has been disappointing so far. I hope that he misses no training camp, is fully healthy, and tears it up like he can do.

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mmil12

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?

30gut

If Moss is re-signed: around 34 catches for 472 yards

At a minimum I see Kelly providing an upgrade over the wasted targets(56) that went to our former 3rd and 4th WRs Joey Galloway and Roydell Williams in 2010.

56 targets x .61 (2009 catch %)= 34 catches x 13.9 ypc(2009)= 472 yards

Kelly could also have an expanded role ,along with the other young WRs, that provides the ability to feature a 4 wide package more often.

Without Moss, the expectations for Kelly are much more difficult b/c we don't know what role he or any of the other WRs would play and how that will effect defenses and coverages.

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GTripp0012

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.

To check myself, I'm trying to think of a game where Moss started the game covered by one guy, beat him easily, and the defense had to make an adjustment to cover him differently in the second half. Tennessee, maybe? Cortland Finnegan really struggled at times last year, so maybe the Titans had to make that adjustment.

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Shanahan: “The bad thing is he's [Sav Rocca] probably our best offensive weapon and that’s not good.”

mmil12

I think Malcom has a chance to start this year or at least be the third receiver if he can stay healthy. I agree that he would be a major upgrade over the former three and four starting the season last year. The question is what will hankerson bring to the table and can he beat out austin as well as the other draftees.

sportscurmudgeon

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...?"

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Paintrain

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.

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skinsfaninok

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

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Ruhskins

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

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Mattyk

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

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