How long do you keep Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly if they don't produce?

BigHairedAristocrat · 03-10-2009, 01:41 PM

Considering how cheap they are, and how it can take receivers 3 years to really start producing in the NFL, we'd be fools to cut them prior to the 2011 season. Thomas, especially, should play out his rookie contract as he could be a beast on special teams. Kelly has less special teams value, but he also is more likely to make a significant impact in 2009 if hes healthy.

celts32 · 03-10-2009, 02:00 PM

I let them play out the contracts and just play special teams if they are not good enough to start at WR. They were 2nd round picks so they do not have huge contracts. I don't see any reason to just jump to cutting them. What I will not do is count on them as starters beyond this year unless they produce.

53Fan · 03-10-2009, 02:02 PM

Santana Moss on Devin Thomas, "I think his future is bright, if he stays focused and just lets me talk to him a little more, he'll be all right." If he's smart and listens to Tana, he's good, if not, he may be out the door in a year or two. He has the talent. Malcolm Kelly is who I look for to make the biggest impact if he can stay healthy. I'm not ready to start thinking of giving up on either one just yet.

GMScud · 03-10-2009, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 53Fan

Santana Moss on Devin Thomas, "I think his future is bright, if he stays focused and just lets me talk to him a little more, he'll be all right." If he's smart and listens to Tana, he's good, if not, he may be out the door in a year or two. He has the talent. Malcolm Kelly is who I look for to make the biggest impact if he can stay healthy. I'm not ready to start thinking of giving up on either one just yet.

See, to me this isn't a positive. He "thinks his future is bright," but he's not sure (no one really is sure at this point I guess). Then he says "if he stays focused," which means he hasn't been focused prior, and if he "just lets me talk to him a little more," which means Thomas wasn't previously very receptive of Santana's advice. This is pretty far from a glowing endorsement IMO.

Skinny Tee · 03-10-2009, 02:07 PM

Kelly's injury is just inexcusable. He was incapacitated last year becuase his knees are in that bad of shape. Being Cerrato, how do you draft a tall receiver who has problematic knee issues? A knee injury to a tall person is like a throwing shoulder injury for a quarterback. I just don't see him overcoming those nagging knee problems in the long run.

I was excited for Thomas when he came in last year but seeing him actually play is disappointing. He looks fast but seems to run straight like Forrest Gump and doesn't seem to have lateral agility when he has the ball. Adding any mental aptitude issues just further impedes his chances at stepping up next year.

redsk1 · 03-10-2009, 02:35 PM

I guess that's why Thomas slid to the 2nd round heh? We really need Thomas and Kelly to step it up this year. I like both of them. Thomas is a big dude too and could be a huge plus if he can step it up.

saden1 · 03-10-2009, 03:01 PM

Their performance is partly predicated on the performance of the coaching staff, specifically coach Zorn. I'm hoping they each get at least 400 yards this coming season, and baller numbers the season after that. If not, I'm sure we'll be hearing the fat lady sing.

Monksdown · 03-10-2009, 03:05 PM

The duration of their contracts.

jdlea · 03-10-2009, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monksdown

The duration of their contracts.

I actually agree with this. I wouldn't cut them, I would let them play out their contracts and see if they ever live up to being a 2nd round draft pick. I don't care if it's year 4, teams can't be in the business of throwing away draft picks like that.

For the record: I think we'll see improvement from each of these two this year.

70Chip · 03-10-2009, 03:38 PM

They need to produce this season. The reason is that if they don't, pressure will start to mount from the fans to send Vinny down the road. It goes to Vinny before it goes to Zorn. The press likes Zorn but they think Vinny is a d-bag and a stooge. He willl not survive if these two both blow up on the pad, as it were.

BigHairedAristocrat · 03-10-2009, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70Chip

They need to produce this season. The reason is that if they don't, pressure will start to mount from the fans to send Vinny down the road. It goes to Vinny before it goes to Zorn. The press likes Zorn but they think Vinny is a d-bag and a stooge. He willl not survive if these two both blow up on the pad, as it were.

The press doesnt own the redskins - daniel snyder does. The only person Cerrato and Zorn really need to please is him.

SBXVII · 03-10-2009, 03:43 PM

The team needs to play to it's individual strengths also. If Thomas is nothing but a run straight down the field type of player then they need to utilize that. Send him on speed routes. I know Moss is currently doing that but teams will be baffled as to double teaming Moss and covering Thomas. Then use either Randel El or Kelly on other routes.

If it takes 2-3 yrs for a WR to develope and come into his own, which people are saying of two possible 1st rounders in Kelly and Thomas, then why didn't we keep some of the other WR's we had last yr to develope them? Heck I went on NFL.com and checked the WR's and I can only find McMullen who is available.

Maurice Mann:CFL.ca

Also I can't find Marcus Monk any where. The Giants picked him up then cut him. He was somone who was supposed to possibly make it somewhere.

SmootSmack · 03-10-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBXVII

The team needs to play to it's individual strengths also. If Thomas is nothing but a run straight down the field type of player then they need to utilize that. Send him on speed routes. I know Moss is currently doing that but teams will be baffled as to double teaming Moss and covering Thomas. Then use either Randel El or Kelly on other routes.

If it takes 2-3 yrs for a WR to develope and come into his own, which people are saying of two possible 1st rounders in Kelly and Thomas, then why didn't we keep some of the other WR's we had last yr to develope them? Heck I went on NFL.com and checked the WR's and I can only find McMullen who is available.

Maurice Mann:CFL.ca

Also I can't find Marcus Monk any where. The Giants picked him up then cut him. He was somone who was supposed to possibly make it somewhere.

Monk went back to college to play basketball

# 10 Marcus Monk - University of Arkansas Athletics

The Goat · 03-10-2009, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBXVII

The team needs to play to it's individual strengths also. If Thomas is nothing but a run straight down the field type of player then they need to utilize that. Send him on speed routes. I know Moss is currently doing that but teams will be baffled as to double teaming Moss and covering Thomas. Then use either Randel El or Kelly on other routes.

If it takes 2-3 yrs for a WR to develope and come into his own, which people are saying of two possible 1st rounders in Kelly and Thomas, then why didn't we keep some of the other WR's we had last yr to develope them? Heck I went on NFL.com and checked the WR's and I can only find McMullen who is available.

Good points sir... I think it's especially true of Devin cuz his athletic ability is off the charts but we need to find a way to get the ball in his hands. Getting both guys a ton of reps in pre-season is key too, but even then I think Zorn will have to be a little creative to get Devin the ball. It will be worth it. Also wrt Devin if he's not going to start at WR this year (and I doubt he will) he should be strongly, strongly considered for KR/PR IMO. Again we have to find a way to exploit his physical gifts.

I think Kelly is a simpler case. If his knee(s) hold up he will be productive for us this year no question about it.

DIRTEE · 03-10-2009, 03:49 PM

If you play them all preseason, they will be fine for the regular season. The real question is when will we see the mythical double tight end formation featuring Fred Davis and Chris Cooley in the redzone.

03-10-2009, 01:41 PM	#1
BigHairedAristocrat Playmaker Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4,712	Re: How long do you keep Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly if they don't produce? Considering how cheap they are, and how it can take receivers 3 years to really start producing in the NFL, we'd be fools to cut them prior to the 2011 season. Thomas, especially, should play out his rookie contract as he could be a beast on special teams. Kelly has less special teams value, but he also is more likely to make a significant impact in 2009 if hes healthy. __________________ Dolphins get good press for saving drowning humans.But we only hear about the swimmers theyve pushed ashore.You know who we havent heard from: all the people theyve pushed out to sea.Dolphins dont know what theyre doing-they just like pushing things.

03-10-2009, 02:00 PM	#2
celts32 Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hackettstown NJ Age: 54 Posts: 2,665	Re: How long do you keep Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly if they don't produce? I let them play out the contracts and just play special teams if they are not good enough to start at WR. They were 2nd round picks so they do not have huge contracts. I don't see any reason to just jump to cutting them. What I will not do is count on them as starters beyond this year unless they produce. __________________ Section 116 Row 19 “Goal line, goal line. I-left, tight wing, 70 chip on white.” www.facebook.com/HackettstownBeerClub

03-10-2009, 02:02 PM	#3
53Fan Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kill Devil Hills, N.C. Posts: 7,570	Re: How long do you keep Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly if they don't produce? Santana Moss on Devin Thomas, "I think his future is bright, if he stays focused and just lets me talk to him a little more, he'll be all right." If he's smart and listens to Tana, he's good, if not, he may be out the door in a year or two. He has the talent. Malcolm Kelly is who I look for to make the biggest impact if he can stay healthy. I'm not ready to start thinking of giving up on either one just yet. __________________ Defense wins championships. Bring it!

03-10-2009, 02:07 PM	#5
Skinny Tee The Starter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Redskins Nation Posts: 1,715	Re: How long do you keep Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly if they don't produce? Kelly's injury is just inexcusable. He was incapacitated last year becuase his knees are in that bad of shape. Being Cerrato, how do you draft a tall receiver who has problematic knee issues? A knee injury to a tall person is like a throwing shoulder injury for a quarterback. I just don't see him overcoming those nagging knee problems in the long run. I was excited for Thomas when he came in last year but seeing him actually play is disappointing. He looks fast but seems to run straight like Forrest Gump and doesn't seem to have lateral agility when he has the ball. Adding any mental aptitude issues just further impedes his chances at stepping up next year. __________________ Redskinsly, _________Skinny Tee_________

03-10-2009, 02:35 PM	#6
redsk1 The Starter Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,351	Re: How long do you keep Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly if they don't produce? I guess that's why Thomas slid to the 2nd round heh? We really need Thomas and Kelly to step it up this year. I like both of them. Thomas is a big dude too and could be a huge plus if he can step it up.

03-10-2009, 03:01 PM	#7
saden1 MVP Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Seattle Age: 46 Posts: 10,069	Re: How long do you keep Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly if they don't produce? Their performance is partly predicated on the performance of the coaching staff, specifically coach Zorn. I'm hoping they each get at least 400 yards this coming season, and baller numbers the season after that. If not, I'm sure we'll be hearing the fat lady sing. __________________ "The Redskins have always suffered from chronic organizational deformities under Snyder." -Jenkins

03-10-2009, 03:05 PM	#8
Monksdown The Starter Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Warrenton, Virginia Age: 45 Posts: 1,515	Re: How long do you keep Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly if they don't produce? The duration of their contracts.

03-10-2009, 03:38 PM	#10
70Chip Playmaker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Manassas Age: 54 Posts: 3,048	Re: How long do you keep Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly if they don't produce? They need to produce this season. The reason is that if they don't, pressure will start to mount from the fans to send Vinny down the road. It goes to Vinny before it goes to Zorn. The press likes Zorn but they think Vinny is a d-bag and a stooge. He willl not survive if these two both blow up on the pad, as it were. __________________ This Monkey's Gone to Heaven

03-10-2009, 03:43 PM	#12
SBXVII Franchise Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 7,766	Re: How long do you keep Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly if they don't produce? The team needs to play to it's individual strengths also. If Thomas is nothing but a run straight down the field type of player then they need to utilize that. Send him on speed routes. I know Moss is currently doing that but teams will be baffled as to double teaming Moss and covering Thomas. Then use either Randel El or Kelly on other routes. If it takes 2-3 yrs for a WR to develope and come into his own, which people are saying of two possible 1st rounders in Kelly and Thomas, then why didn't we keep some of the other WR's we had last yr to develope them? Heck I went on NFL.com and checked the WR's and I can only find McMullen who is available. Maurice Mann:CFL.ca Also I can't find Marcus Monk any where. The Giants picked him up then cut him. He was somone who was supposed to possibly make it somewhere.

03-10-2009, 03:49 PM	#15
DIRTEE Special Teams Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 256	Re: How long do you keep Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly if they don't produce? If you play them all preseason, they will be fine for the regular season. The real question is when will we see the mythical double tight end formation featuring Fred Davis and Chris Cooley in the redzone.

How long do you keep Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly if they don't produce?

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