Davis, Thomas, Kelly starting to produce
ASHBURN – They can’t escape one another, their fortunes linked by their draft standing. Their productivity, or lack of it, connected them as well. Until recently. Then Fred Davis got a chance. Then Devin Thomas got one. And now even Malcolm Kelly has produced a big play or two.
Recommended Stories
In their first season-and-a-half, it was fair to wonder if any of them would ever produce. Now, after the past three games, it’s fair to wonder if the three 2008 second-round picks can do more.
“They’re starting to show flashes of being the receivers we want them to be,” Redskins coach Jim Zorn said. “Fred was non-existent when we were talking about catching balls. He’s becoming a factor. He’s playing faster.”
When » Sunday, 1 p.m.Where » FedEx Field TV » FOXRadio » 980AM/Sirius 123
The three even talked about their increasing production after Sunday’s 27-24 loss at Philadelphia in which they combined for 10 catches.
“I think it’s funny,” Kelly said. “At first we were three guys, ‘I don’t know why we drafted those guys; those guys can’t play. They can’t catch. They can’t block. They can’t do nothing.’ Now it’s like, ‘Maybe they do have a chance or an opportunity to do this.’ We were saying that the whole time, but nobody wanted to hear that. … It’s uplifting for the three of us.”
But Kelly started the first six games while Thomas has started the past five. They also aren’t dominating and the two wideouts haven’t even posted a 60-yard receiving game; Davis’ high game is 78 total yards. And Zorn said their route-running needs to improve.
Still, Kelly said the three felt vindicated. Yet he understood the questions.
“A lot of times as a young guy you try not to read into all that, about why aren’t you doing this,” Kelly said. “It’s constantly in your head. You have high expectations coming in and people will ask questions if they don’t see results.”
Davis has separated himself from the other two, having caught 20 of his 27 passes in the past five games, replacing injured Chris Cooley. He has one less catch than Thomas (16) and Kelly (12) combined. And Davis has two touchdowns while Thomas has one and Kelly is awaiting his first professional score.
Thomas has caught nine passes in the past three games for 116 yards; 88 of those yards have come on three plays. He also returned a kickoff 38 yards.
Kelly’s numbers in that same stretch are rather modest — four catches for 104 yards. However, he’s at least made big plays the past two weeks, with gains of 36 and 27 yards. Before the Dallas game, Kelly’s longest reception was 18 yards.
“I notice them a lot because you see them doing everything right, not just catching the ball,” Davis said, “but blocking downfield and knowing what to do on the plays. Me as well.”
It feels better for them knowing that each is contributing.
“We’d much rather see all three of us go out there and have solid games,” Kelly said. “We’ll take that any time.”
