Slimmer Davis knows this is big year for him ASHBURN — Fred Davis dropped the weight and a few bad habits. He hopes that turns him into something he hasn’t been: a full-time contributor.
The fact that his growth is occurring in a contract year is coincidental. Sort of.
“It’s a big year, but I try not to focus on it,” Davis said. “Of course you want to get paid and be the best tight end. But it’s more of a playing thing. I want to be a starter. I don’t want to be a backup the rest of my life. So whatever I showcase, it’s for the Redskins or whoever.”
– John Keim
– John Keim
| Position review: Running back |
| Tim Hightower |
| By far the most aggressive running back in the one-on-one blitz pickup drill is High-tower. Nobody goes to meet the linebacker as fast as Hightower does. It’s as if he relishes the chance for contact. He did this vs. Obi Ezeh and stoned him, drawing a collection of “Whooooaaa’s” from teammates. However, that aggressiveness also can get him in trouble. Once, Hightower rushed up to meet Ryan Kerrigan, but the rookie quickly stepped inside and beat him. Another time Brian Orakpo went right around him. |
| James Davis |
| When Davis signed with Washington midway through last season, he was excited about what he could do in this system. But what he wasn’t excited about was his lack of playing time Friday vs. Pittsburgh. According to ESPN 980, Davis got into a shouting match with running backs coach Bobby Turner on Sunday about it. Davis did not attend practice Monday. He was a long shot to make the roster. “I don’t know,” coach Mike Shanahan said when asked where Davis was. “If you see him, let me know. I’m wondering where he was at, too. Missing in action.” |
| Keiland Williams |
| Williams said he still feels like a running back who’s playing fullback. At 220 pounds, he’s hardly the prototypical size for a fullback. “But it’s about the physicalness and the want-to,” he said. “The biggest transition is being a better run blocker.” Williams also played the role of a third-down back in the preseason opener, as he did for part of 2010. He was OK in pass protection, though he did miss one blitz pickup. |
| Notes |
| » Strong safety LaRon Landry said he will come off the physically unable to perform list Wednesday and plans to play vs. Baltimore in the third preseason game Aug.?25. Landry has spent the first two-plus weeks of training camp strengthening his Achilles tendon. He missed the final seven games of 2010 when it ruptured. He also underwent surgery on his shoulder and wrist in the offseason. He said he wants to return for the Ravens game to test the Achilles. If it doesn’t respond well, then he has two more weeks before the season opener to get it ready. “I don’t want to wait until September?11 to come out there full speed, and I don’t know how it’s going to respond,” he said. “I’ll give it a shot next week.” |
| » Free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe remains sidelined with a sore left groin. Linebacker London Fletcher did not practice because of a sore hamstring/groin. |
Davis, entering his fourth season, lost approximately 15 pounds in the offseason, mostly by changing what he eats.
More than that, he started adapting better work habits. Like in the film room, where he’s altered his approach.
“I would watch film, but I wouldn’t take notes as much,” he said. “I wouldn’t study other players or watch other guys. Now I see myself watching other tight ends, seeing what they do that I can’t do and watching my opponents more, too.”
The result is yet another installation of Davis-is-primed-for-a-big-season. He has looked good in previous training camps only to fade during the season, relegated to blocking and the occasional catch. With a receiver upgrade, Davis still will have to fight for passes. But if starting tight end Chris Cooley, who will miss at least a couple more weeks with a knee injury, is slowed at all, then Davis becomes a bigger part of the passing game.
“Fred totally understands what he’s supposed to do on every play and how to run routes,” quarterback Rex Grossman said. “He’s so fast. It’s just a matter of time before he’s a breakout star in this league.”
“Fred’s always taken it seriously,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “He’s had a heck of a camp. He came in in excellent shape. … Sometimes guys should take off a few pounds, and Fred was in that category.”
The weight loss has resulted in a faster Davis, a second-round pick in 2008.
“I don’t feel I can be [covered] by a linebacker or safeties,” he said.
But, he said, it hasn’t impacted his strength. Though his blocking has been inconsistent in previous years, Davis drew positive reviews for his performance vs. Pittsburgh. One thing Davis noticed: He had to be more aggressive.
“I have to get on a guy quick, and I’m athletic enough to stay with him and move my feet and get my hands inside [the defender],” he said. “I had to test myself out at this weight; I didn’t know if I could be as strong at the point of attack, but I felt pretty good.”
Said Shanahan: “When guys are in excellent shape, it helps other areas — receiving and blocking. Fred does a good job blocking because his mindset is there.”
But he wants to do more than block. Of his 72 career catches, 48 came in his second season, when Cooley missed nine games.
“I didn’t understand why they picked me,” Davis said. “But everything happens for a reason. Maybe this is the reason, to groom me as a player now. I have so much experience by watching Chris and getting in there a little bit. Right now, it’s my time to do something.”
