Kelly understands this could be a pivotal year
Malcolm Kelly was here because he had no choice. Maybe the receiver would have been among the couple dozen that showed up for the Redskins’ workouts anyway. But four years into his career, he has 28 catches, a reputation for being injured and a whole mess of reasons he should be worried about his future.
So he showed up to the players-run workouts knowing he has reached a pivotal point in his career.
“Everybody has to prove something,” said Kelly, a second-round pick in 2008. “For me to say I have to go the extra mile, yeah I do. Everyone knows that. But to harp on that? I just have to go play. If I can play while I’m healthy, I think that speaks for itself.”
But Kelly spent last season on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, which he first hurt before training camp.
The Redskins then drafted three receivers in April, making Kelly’s quest to return a little harder. One of those receivers, Leonard Hankerson, is two inches smaller but has long arms and plays big — like the 6-foot-4 Kelly.
“In the NFL, defensive backs will be right on your back, so you have to create separation with your hands and your arms and get the ball off your chest and catch it,” quarterback John Beck said. “That’s what those guys do a really good job of.”
But Kelly isn’t bothered by the rookie wideouts.
“You always have to bring in guys,” Kelly said. “They made a good choice [in Hankerson]. Anytime you get a guy who can make plays … With me it’s more about getting out there and establishing myself.”
Nor is he rooting for free agent Santana Moss to sign elsewhere.
“That dude is a heck of a player,” Kelly said. “Do I want to be out there starting? Of course. But that guy still is one of the most explosive guys in the league. He can help the team.”
Kelly, who has been working out in Atlanta since the week before the Super Bowl, has lost 10 to 15 pounds in a quest to increase his quickness in and out of breaks. And after resting next week, Kelly plans to spend a week working out with John Beck here or in San Diego, and then he’ll spend another week working out with Rex Grossman in Tampa, Fla.
He also showed up this week instead of spending time with his family, including his newborn nephew, in Texas. He did miss Wednesday’s session, having to pick up his girlfriend at BWI, but participated Tuesday and Thursday.
Still, he said he’s motivated. There’s more incentive.
“This is the last year of my contract. I want to go out and be the best I can,” he said. “I’m healthy; I’m more explosive.”
