SI.com- Training Camp Battles

[S.Taylor36]

6. Washington third receiver, Devin Thomas vs. Malcolm Kelly -- Looking to get bigger at receiver, the Redskins weren't content to take a tall rookie pass-catcher in the second round. Instead, they selected two. Kind of like the way they added both Brandon Lloyd and Antwaan Randle El in free agency in 2006, even though both receivers were of similar slight build.

With Santana Moss and Randle El still on hand, Thomas (the 34th pick out of Michigan State) and Kelly (the 51st selection out of Oklahoma) will square off this preseason for the rights to the third-receiver role. The good news is there's plenty of three-receiver sets in the version of the West Coast offense new head coach Jim Zorn brings with him from Seattle, so there should be enough work for all four players involved. Based on his breakthrough junior season in 2007, Thomas is expected to have the early edge in his one-on-one duel with Kelly.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/don_banks/04/30/camp.battles/1.html

[native skin]

I think Kelly will take it. Not that it matters, as the article says, there's enough work for everyone in Zorn's system. I sure hope that's the case.

[native skin]

Although, I have to admit, I like Thomas. I think he could be pretty good.
Devin, Malcolm you are not here to collect checks!! Make us proud!! Go Skins!!!

[redskin_rich]

I think Mix is the one with the biggest battle, this camp. He is battling an uphill climb for a spot in the top 4 and if he doesn't win that, he is battling the dozen or so other receivers for the final spot at WR.

[greatest2]

i personally hope Devin Thomas wins the three spot. He is great after the catch, and while is 40 time is deceiving (i seen him play, and i don't think he plays as fast as he ran) he is still fast enough to run away from guys and because he was a return guy he can take it to the house anytime. I think him in the three makes us that much more dangerous then kelly at 3.

But i like competition, it will bring the best. And we have depth because as much as i like moss i bank on at least 2 games where he will be inactive for the year, so this depth is great.

Mix is certainly in a dog fight. I think he is fighting for 5 spot, simply because we drafted both guys in the second, and if we can get them experience they should get in there. So mix is fighting for that 5 spot. Good thing is he has size on the other receivers, and is good at special teams like thrash. I expect mix here, and thrash gone.

I like our group with 1. moss, 2. el, 3. thomas, 4. kelly, 5. mix.

I wouldn't be surprised if thomas over takes el for number 2 spot like 2/3 of the way through the season. El in the slot would be murder for alot of people, especially the way him and JC have a connection

[shally]

I think Mix is the one with the biggest battle, this camp. He is battling an uphill climb for a spot in the top 4 and if he doesn't win that, he is battling the dozen or so other receivers for the final spot at WR.


mix plays great special teams.. that is his ace inthe hole battling for the 5th receiver spot

[native skin]

mix plays great special teams.. that is his ace inthe hole battling for the 5th receiver spot
For the little that he played, he was a beast on ST.

[skinsfan36]

i think they both crack the lineup quicky
i see our wrs as
moss,thomas,ARE,kelly,mix,mathis(kr)

[firehawk157]

Agreed, with Thomas, Kelly, Mix, Davis and Cooley getting the nod at the goalline (obviously, the chances we put out all 5 are minimal, but no way that Moss and ARE see time inside of the 10).

[smoak]

I think Mix is the one with the biggest battle, this camp. He is battling an uphill climb for a spot in the top 4 and if he doesn't win that, he is battling the dozen or so other receivers for the final spot at WR.

Yeah, I was looking forward to seeing him earn a spot, but there is no way he makes it now IMO. The regime won't admit a mistake with the guys they drafted so Mix basically has to hang on and beat ARE/Moss next year.

[Canuck]

i think they both crack the lineup quicky
i see our wrs as
moss,thomas,ARE,kelly,mix,mathis(kr)

The only way Mathis makes this team is if he scores on a couple of returns in the preseason, assuming he even gets a chance to return some kicks.

I just don't see Mathis making this team over Thrash, who is a good ST player and has experience in the WCO thanks to his Philly days.

My pick for the six WR: Moss, ARE, Thomas, Kelly, Mix and Thrash.

If we only go with 5 WR then it's going to be a battle between Thrash and Mix.

[firehawk157]

Well, we probably aren't putting El back there so that leaves Cartwright (who has minimal value otherwise), Mathis and Thrash going for the same position. Thrash may make it based on his experience but at some point, we've got to cut ties with him. Cartwright may be caught in a numbers crunch if Mason shows up. Mathis should get a considerable look in preseason.

[Hrabanmaur]

The only way Mathis makes this team is if he scores on a couple of returns in the preseason, assuming he even gets a chance to return some kicks.

I just don't see Mathis making this team over Thrash, who is a good ST player and has experience in the WCO thanks to his Philly days.

My pick for the six WR: Moss, ARE, Thomas, Kelly, Mix and Thrash.

If we only go with 5 WR then it's going to be a battle between Thrash and Mix.

I agree with Mathis likely not making the team, especially with the number of KR we drafted and already have on the team. In the battle between Thrash and Mix, I'm inclined to think Mix gets the nod. They're comparable players, but I think Mix wins out due to his redzone height, his connection with JC, and his youth.

The SI article is a little misleading. Zorn has already stated that he's excited about the WR and TE depth and how that will allow him to implement different personnel packages. It's not going to be as simple as the same three guys being on the field at the same time all the time.

[JsMaViSd]

cartwright is not going anywhere

[coffdogg]

Although, I have to admit, I like Thomas. I think he could be pretty good.
Devin, Malcolm you are not here to collect checks!! Make us proud!! Go Skins!!!I think both could be good and if we can develop Mix,then next year maybe we can jettison Randle el. I say him because I think Moss is better and El was supposed to help our return game and that certainly has not happened

[coffdogg]

i personally hope Devin Thomas wins the three spot. He is great after the catch, and while is 40 time is deceiving (i seen him play, and i don't think he plays as fast as he ran) he is still fast enough to run away from guys and because he was a return guy he can take it to the house anytime. I think him in the three makes us that much more dangerous then kelly at 3.

But i like competition, it will bring the best. And we have depth because as much as i like moss i bank on at least 2 games where he will be inactive for the year, so this depth is great.

Mix is certainly in a dog fight. I think he is fighting for 5 spot, simply because we drafted both guys in the second, and if we can get them experience they should get in there. So mix is fighting for that 5 spot. Good thing is he has size on the other receivers, and is good at special teams like thrash. I expect mix here, and thrash gone.

I like our group with 1. moss, 2. el, 3. thomas, 4. kelly, 5. mix.

I wouldn't be surprised if thomas over takes el for number 2 spot like 2/3 of the way through the season. El in the slot would be murder for alot of people, especially the way him and JC have a connection Mix would be cheaper and more upside if we needed to use our 5th wide than Thrash. I also agree that given time this year Thomas can take over the 2 and that would leave EL more time to rest up for punt returns.

[coffdogg]

The only way Mathis makes this team is if he scores on a couple of returns in the preseason, assuming he even gets a chance to return some kicks.

I just don't see Mathis making this team over Thrash, who is a good ST player and has experience in the WCO thanks to his Philly days.

My pick for the six WR: Moss, ARE, Thomas, Kelly, Mix and Thrash.

If we only go with 5 WR then it's going to be a battle between Thrash and Mix.My thought exactly. Mathis is as good as gone as far as I am concerned unless he completely blows up in the preseason and Mix and Thrash will go to battle.

[bergiemoore]

I think both could be good and if we can develop Mix,then next year maybe we can jettison Randle el. I say him because I think Moss is better and El was supposed to help our return game and that certainly has not happened

Randle El is the only consistent WR, right now. Moss hasn't played like a #1 receiver in 2 years, and has proven to be fragile.

[Meatsnack]

Between Kelly and Thomas, Kelly is the more polished and experienced receiver. I would expect him to catch on quicker than Devin. DT has more upside, so if he will commit to work on his game, he can be that legit #1 guy in a season or two. Kelly is a born #2/borderline #1 receiver in that he can impact a game in a big way but is rarely going to scare a defense with his speed. Moss, of all of the WRs we have, benefits most from playing from the slot and has openly said he prefers coming out of the slot because it allows him to avoid the jam.

ARE is an endangered species because he hasn't panned out as a returner, he isn't a big threat as a receiver, and he makes just as much money as Moss. If he has been marginally mroe reliable than Moss he hasn;t been more productive. We have new returners trying to make the roster and if one of them impresses, I wouldn't be surprised to see him get traded or even waived if the cap can support it.

Mix will need to come in ready to compete if he wants to see the field but his learning curve is much less steep than any rookies.

I don't count on either of the rooks being a mortal lock to do much of anything outside the redzone their rookie year. I think we have to take a long-term "Braylon-meter" approach to these guys. Anything we get this year is gravy. For than matter, the last I looked Adarius Bowman and Maurice Purify are still out there as UDFA. If we think we need to replace Thrash/Mix/El/whomever and get cheaper and younger, we can do that.