McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

The Redskins will enter next week's minicamp with more than a dozen wide receivers ready to go. It'll surely be a packed position meeting room, and the guy at the center of it -- new wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell -- will be trying to make sure as many of those receivers as possible are capable of competing for a roster spot.

[url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/wide-receivers/mccardell-takes-on-task-of-dev.html]Redskins Insider - McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly[/url]

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

Talking about Moss, McCardell said:
[QUOTE]The Redskins are "adding more to his role, giving him more on his plate," McCardell said. "He's that guy, he's that veteran, he's the guy that I lean on to do things right to show these guys. Giving him more has made him so much more attentive to everything, even to the young guys. I know how he is, he's kind of a soft-spoken leader, he doesn't say much, [but] I've seen him change a little bit. I even told him, I said, 'Man, you're talking a little bit more.' Which is good, I like it because he's bought in and he is understanding it. He's chomping at the bit right now but he's like my pencil, I got to keep
that lead sharp, I gotta always keep my pencil sharp and he's my pencil."[/QUOTE]
I think, in this light, it could be said that Wade and Galloway are just additional pencils.

Galloway especially knows how to perform at a high level, so between McCardell teaching, and Galloway executing, I [U]hope[/U] Kelly and/or Thomas listen, watch, learn and step up this season.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

All of our receivers (especially the younger ones) should benefit greatly from the experience of McCardell. The fact he so recently played the game with good results should not be lost on them, a fact that should also make it easier for him to relate.

The hiring of McCardell to me is reminiscent to the hiring of Charlie Taylor, a former player drafted by the Redskins who had the honor of coaching some pretty good receivers. If McCardell can come close to duplicating the same success with Thomas, Kelly and Mitchell that Taylor did with Brown, Clark, Sanders, Garrett and Monk (HOF) among others, I'll be more than content with that type results. Even though McCardell spent the majority of his NFL career elsewhere, he's a home grown talent I want to see have success as our W/R coach.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

I'm really interested to see what McCardell can do with these guys. I wasn't a big fan of Hixon. I have a feeling McCardell will be much more "hands on" with the receivers. After all, he could probably step in and run routes today if he wanted to.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

I hope that McCardell's experience in the NFL will translate over well to coaching. Some guys can do it and some guys can't. Here's to him developing many receivers in the future. I almost said 10x the number of Hixon, but that would still be 0 :)

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

[quote=tryfuhl;697065]I hope that McCardell's experience in the NFL will translate over well to coaching. Some guys can do it and some guys can't. Here's to him developing many receivers in the future. I almost said 10x the number of Hixon, [B]but that would still be 0[/B] :)[/quote]

:laughing2

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

I hope the three young guns can really take a giant step forward. I think they will.

DT is a unique type of player, being a former RB, with a great work ethic and attitude. I'm interested to see how the Shannys can find new ways to use him.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

I have always liked McCardell -- he seems like a smart guy. I watched him for many years in Tampa, when I lived there, and man he made some really spectacular catches over the years. Good luck to him and our WRs.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

Either the guys can play or they can't. Too much is being made about the coaching. Hixon may or may not have been a good wr's coach. We don't know cause we're not inside the building. It didn't matter who coached Art Monk and Gary Clark cause they were ballers.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

[quote=skinsfan69;697128]Either the guys can play or they can't. Too much is being made about the coaching. Hixon may or may not have been a good wr's coach. We don't know cause we're not inside the building. It didn't matter who coached Art Monk and Gary Clark cause they were ballers.[/quote]The nature of human capital in football is not well-represented by your ridiculous oversimplification.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

[quote=skinsfan69;697128]Either the guys can play or they can't. Too much is being made about the coaching. Hixon may or may not have been a good wr's coach. We don't know cause we're not inside the building. It didn't matter who coached Art Monk and Gary Clark cause they were ballers.[/quote]

I'm sure coaching helps. Just a crazy thought.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

Of course coaching helps but it seems to me that Malcom Kelly just isn't an NFL caliber WR. The guy has done nothing in two years. Is KM suppose to waive a magic wan and all of sudden get production out of these two guys?? KM has an uphill battle working with this group.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

I realize that KM wasn't a 2nd round pick, but considering he did basically nothing his first 3 years in the league before he took off I would assume he, more than anyone, would understand 2 years is too soon to write Kelly or DT off

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

[quote=SmootSmack;697146]I realize that KM wasn't a 2nd round pick, but considering he did basically nothing his first 3 years in the league before he took off I would assume he, more than anyone, would understand 2 years is too soon to write Kelly or DT off[/quote]

Yeah, history shows that most WRs bloom in their 3rd year.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

[quote=skinsfan69;697142]Of course coaching helps but it seems to me that Malcom Kelly just isn't an NFL caliber WR. The guy has done nothing in two years. Is KM suppose to waive a magic wan and all of sudden get production out of these two guys?? KM has an uphill battle working with this group.[/quote]

coaching helps alot especially in the early years at wide receiver, there are a lot of tricks to running an effective route in the nfl. at high school and college levels you can just run faster, but in the nfl evryone is fast. so perfect route running to give you that extra 2 feet before the side lines on a out pattern on 3rd down is very crucial. hopefully they(dt, mk, and mm) will all develop this year and grow into a great young threesome of wr's for years to come

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

I have to agree with Skinsfan69, coaching can only take you so far. You still have to go out on the field and physically make plays. First Kelly and Thomas showed up to their first training camp out of shape and failed the fitness tests. Then they got injured and missed time.
I hope DT and MK become HOF'ers, I really do. I want them to be successful. But we have to move on if they do not show improvement and production this year.
Being tall and fast does not mean you are an NFL WR.
I don't care if Vince Lombardi came back to life and coached them, they still have to go out make plays.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

I'm not sold that the three WR we drafted under Cerrato will be on the roster. This off season is so different than what I'm used to. I wanted us to ditch a WR to bring McCardell back. I'm more than exited that he's going to be the WR coach. The man always struck me as a no nonsense strait up dude. I liked him as a player and a man, and I have the feeling that I'll like him as a coach. I'd take McCardell at WR over Moss everyday of the week. What about Thrash? Has he moved on to coaching with another team?

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

[quote=SmootSmack;697146]I realize that KM wasn't a 2nd round pick, but considering he did basically nothing his first 3 years in the league before he took off I would assume he, more than anyone, would understand 2 years is too soon to write Kelly or DT off[/quote]

That is what a ton of folks said about JC or Ramsey also( too early to write them off). I think they are going to improve vastly this season, but Skinsfan is right to a degree. The guys have it or they don't. Zorn sucked as a HC, but he was a decent QB coach, and did nothing for JC, neither did Gibbs for that matter. Not because the coaches were necessarily bad, it was JC just couldn't break bad habits, etc. With the new offense given to them by Kyle, if those guys don't improve at all, with McNabb passing to them, then I think folks will be justified in starting to think our newbie WRs might by busts. The main excuses last season were the horrid system and the QB. Both problems have been dealt with and corrected. I am not expecting Desean Jackson and Maclin type stuff necessarily( although that would kick ass!), but a significant increase in the stats should be expected.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

It will be interesting to witness what hindsight will reveal if/when the young receivers step to the forefront and have productive seasons. Will their success be attributed to McNabb being added, coaching, or just the players themselves making a concentrated effort to get better at what they do?.....Or will it be a combination of all the above, or something else?

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

Have to be a combo Longtime. The system sucked and the QB while improved, still wasn't all pro material like Donovan.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

[quote=skinsfan69;697142]Of course coaching helps but it seems to me that Malcom Kelly just isn't an NFL caliber WR. The guy has done nothing in two years. Is KM suppose to waive a magic wan and all of sudden get production out of these two guys?? KM has an uphill battle working with this group.[/quote]

And this is based on what? And if he's done nothing, it's basically been in one year since his first year he really didn't play much his first year.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

I mean McNabb's leadership/reputation has to motivate these young guys to get a lot better a lot faster. That's one of the really great things about bringing in an established franchise QB...he makes everyone better in two ways. First because of the way he plays and second because of how he makes them wanna play.

...Thomas should be a friggin beast this year. He may be the most athletic guy on the team now that Tana is getting up there in years for a WR. If Thomas can consistently create space McNabb will get him the ball and we'll have a stud at WR.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

No doubt, I like that Shanahan basically said he's throwing the playbook at them, it's up to them to learn it and work it. Just knowing that he'll move them around to create advantages, run diff routes and looks, etc is promising. I'm just waiting on an excuse to get a Thomas jersey.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

I think the signing of Galloway and Wade can only push our young WR corp. KM was a hard working WR and he got the most our of his God given ability. If he can get our young WR to work hard and focus on great route running this will help their learning curve. Galloway is a stud to be 38 yrs old and still be able to play in the NFL at the WR position is amazing. He will also show the young WR how to be a pro. MK's 1st year he was injuried with that knee from college so his 1st season is a wash. This is really MK's 2nd full season so lets see how he plays this season to judge him. The Redskins who knows still could bring in TO this year if they feel he can be a upgrade.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

You know we're lacking in the WR position when the receivers coach can still outplay 90% of the receivers on our roster.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

well by the way things are going...it's pretty safe to say he's not happy with either of them, with the signing of joey and bobby. can we just forget that zorn draft? and go ahead and call it the f'n worst ever?

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

[quote=Kalisto2010;697267]You know we're lacking in the WR position when the receivers coach can still outplay 90% of the receivers on our roster.[/quote]I lol'ed.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

[quote=tryfuhl;697257]No doubt, I like that Shanahan basically said he's throwing the playbook at them, it's up to them to learn it and work it. Just knowing that he'll move them around to create advantages, run diff routes and looks, etc is promising. I'm just waiting on an excuse to get a Thomas jersey.[/quote]Well, okay, if we hypothetically threw out all rookie years as for primarily developmental purposes, you're still left with two guys who had a disappointing Sophomore season. The thing is, Zorn could have taken Moss off the field at any time, placed him on punt returns, and let Kelly and Thomas play on the field together, and we would have had a much bigger sample size of production from the both of them.

Unfortunately, our coaching staff thought Moss gave us the best chance to win, so we played him even when he wasn't close to productive.

I have [I]hope[/I] that Thomas OR Kelly can still develop, but it's really not looking good at this point. There's just not a whole lot of evidence-backed noise being generated from our young guys at that position, and while Shanahan^2 have been brought in to make those players productive, there just wasn't much of a leap for either one in 2009.

Kelly's awesome Week 17 game gives me SOME hope for him that maybe if the season hadn't ended, he would have been a productive receiver last year, but at this point, I'm just grasping for something tangible in their development to hold onto.

It is the metaphorical make-or-break year for both of our third year players, and if we could get just one starting caliber wide receiver out of either, I'd be satisfied with the 2008 draft so that it wouldn't look so depressing in retrospect.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

[quote=The Goat;697251]I mean McNabb's leadership/reputation has to motivate these young guys to get a lot better a lot faster. That's one of the really great things about bringing in an established franchise QB...he makes everyone better in two ways. First because of the way he plays and second because of how he makes them wanna play.

...Thomas should be a friggin beast this year. He may be the most athletic guy on the team now that Tana is getting up there in years for a WR. If Thomas can consistently create space McNabb will get him the ball and we'll have a stud at WR.[/quote]

You're right about McNabb. Having a QB of his caliber gives the team a feeling of confidence they wouldn't have with a lesser quality guy. When the team takes the field now, they'll have that feeling they will win as opposed to hoping they can win. It's a quality this team has not known in a while.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

[quote=GTripp0012;697309]Well, okay, if we hypothetically threw out all rookie years as for primarily developmental purposes, you're still left with two guys who had a disappointing Sophomore season. The thing is, Zorn could have taken Moss off the field at any time, placed him on punt returns, and let Kelly and Thomas play on the field together, and we would have had a much bigger sample size of production from the both of them.

Unfortunately, our coaching staff thought Moss gave us the best chance to win, so we played him even when he wasn't close to productive.

I have [I]hope[/I] that Thomas OR Kelly can still develop, but it's really not looking good at this point. There's just not a whole lot of evidence-backed noise being generated from our young guys at that position, and while Shanahan^2 have been brought in to make those players productive, there just wasn't much of a leap for either one in 2009.

Kelly's awesome Week 17 game gives me SOME hope for him that maybe if the season hadn't ended, he would have been a productive receiver last year, but at this point, I'm just grasping for something tangible in their development to hold onto.

It is the metaphorical make-or-break year for both of our third year players, and if we could get just one starting caliber wide receiver out of either, I'd be satisfied with the 2008 draft so that it wouldn't look so depressing in retrospect.[/quote]

Dude you seem to drastically undervalue Thomas' pure athletic ability. I think I remember from the beginning you took to Kelly over the Michigan state product, but honestly we've all watched Thomas do some pretty impressive shit on the field now (once he gets the pigskin in his hands). He fights for yardage like a hungry SOB.

I'd like to think McCardell's hands on approach and emphasis on hard work will make Thomas a significantly better route-runner. I think that's the key. If he learns to create separation consistently we'll have a monster at WR, no?

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

[quote=GTripp0012;697309]Well, okay, if we hypothetically threw out all rookie years as for primarily developmental purposes, you're still left with two guys who had a disappointing Sophomore season. The thing is, Zorn could have taken Moss off the field at any time, placed him on punt returns, and let Kelly and Thomas play on the field together, and we would have had a much bigger sample size of production from the both of them.

Unfortunately, our coaching staff thought Moss gave us the best chance to win, so we played him even when he wasn't close to productive.

I have [I]hope[/I] that Thomas OR Kelly can still develop, but it's really not looking good at this point. There's just not a whole lot of evidence-backed noise being generated from our young guys at that position, and while Shanahan^2 have been brought in to make those players productive, there just wasn't much of a leap for either one in 2009.

Kelly's awesome Week 17 game gives me SOME hope for him that maybe if the season hadn't ended, he would have been a productive receiver last year, but at this point, I'm just grasping for something tangible in their development to hold onto.

It is the metaphorical make-or-break year for both of our third year players, and if we could get just one starting caliber wide receiver out of either, I'd be satisfied with the 2008 draft so that it wouldn't look so depressing in retrospect.[/quote]
You're right that the sample size is pretty small. However seeing what they did with the ball in their hands, especially Thomas, gives promise. It's on them to work on precise routes, creating separation, etc which hopefully will come through this year.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

[quote=The Goat;697325]I think that's the key. If he learns to create separation consistently we'll have a monster at WR, no?[/quote]

I agree this is the key. Unfortunately Devin Thomas is god awful at creating seperation. It was his biggest weakness coming out of college and quite honestly it's a skill that is really really hard to teach unless the pupil wants to put in a tremendous amount of work into the technique.

The attention to detail needed if you are not a natural at creating seperation requires you to be very very diligent.

I don't thik DT has it in him. Not even close, but like I always say about the guy I hope he proves me wrong.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

[quote=The Goat;697325]Dude you seem to drastically undervalue Thomas' pure athletic ability. I think I remember from the beginning you took to Kelly over the Michigan state product, but honestly we've all watched Thomas do some pretty impressive shit on the field now (once he gets the pigskin in his hands). He fights for yardage like a hungry SOB.

I'd like to think McCardell's hands on approach and emphasis on hard work will make Thomas a significantly better route-runner. I think that's the key. If he learns to create separation consistently we'll have a monster at WR, no?[/quote]I honestly have no idea what awesome/impressive things you are referring to. Thomas' entire career has been the TDs he scored in that Saints game. Overall, a great 60 minute performance, but not one play that I would say reminded me of something that Brandon Marshall or Roddy White could do.

I don't need/want flashy highlight reel type plays from my receivers, I just want them to be productive more than 1-3 games out of a season.

They still have time to get it turned around, but anyone who is expecting some sort of insane breakout this year from either Thomas or Kelly probably isn't basing it off either assessment of physical talent or prior production.

Honestly, the best thing at this point is that Kelly/Thomas stop getting mentioned together as a duo, and one clearly separates himself from the other this season. If that can happen this year, maybe we can get a 2011 breakout season (there of course will probably be some signs at the end of this year, not unlike Miles Austin or DeSean Jackson at the end of 2008 -- this after one guy separates himself from the other).

If neither guy can get 35+ catches or 400+ yards this year, it's probably time to cut bait with both of them at the end of the year.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

[quote=tryfuhl;697328]You're right that the sample size is pretty small. However seeing what they did with the ball in their hands, especially Thomas, gives promise. It's on them to work on precise routes, creating separation, etc which hopefully will come through this year.[/quote]Thomas has shown me some ability with the ball in his hands. I wouldn't say he's particularly adept at gaining yards after the catch, but there's at least something there that could be developed if he can first learn the finer points of being an NFL receiver. Kelly, seam route aside, probably isn't a YAC guy, though I think if we could get some protection for the QB, he's a sound enough route runner to make a play or two downfield (15+ yards) every week.

Remember, Reggie Brown showed a lot more in his first two years than either Thomas or Kelly did in theirs, but McNabb + Eagles version of WCO couldn't develop him any further than that. I'd say it's a 50/50 shot that we've already seen the best that Thomas and Kelly (independent of one another...so 25% chance that they are both total busts and 25% chance that neither is a bust) have to offer in the NFL.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

[quote=tryfuhl;697237]And this is based on what? And if he's done nothing, it's basically been in one year since his first year he really didn't play much his first year.[/quote]


And also, to MKs defense, he hasnt be great, but thing I can say about that dude is that he has GREAT catching ability. For the most part, everything thrown to him he snags. Wide open or with defenders around him. I'm guessing he just needs to improve his route running. But like its been said, it's too early to cast these guys off.

This sounds corny, but I collect football cards, and from looking @ the stats for the WRs past and present, a big percentage of successful WRs did not break out until their 3rd-4th year, if not later.

For me, I'd be willing to give them another two years (this season included), before I'd be ready to cast them off. If they cant get it done in the next two years Shanny and McNabb, we need to cut bait, and look to signing a proven NFL stud WR (s).

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

I think having a QB that I know won't LAUNCH it 5 or 10 yards past our deep route WR's I think production will go up.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

It will be interesting to see the YAC with a QB that can hit a reciever....in stride

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

[quote=Kalisto2010;697267]You know we're lacking in the WR position when the receivers coach can still outplay 90% of the receivers on our roster.[/quote]

If KM was in shape he could make a serious run at our #2 or #3 wr spot. lol.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

The more i think about it is the more i agree with most WP posters, all these additional WR were brought in to push the youngsters DT, MK & MM because if they weren't then why not sigh TO (i'm OK if they sign him or if they don't). Limas Sweed for the steelers just went down, they will probably go after TO makes sense for them.

HTTR.

Re: McCardell takes on task of developing Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly
 

It's put up or shut up time for Thomas and Kelly. Hopefully McCardell brings the most out of them or perhaps Mitchell or another underdog will emerge.