Redskins coach Jim Zorn finally said what everyone expected to hear: Malcolm Kelly will start at wide receiver.
Kelly will play the flanker position opposite No. 1 receiver Santana Moss. He beat out Devin Thomas and Antwaan Randle El for the position. Randle El will be the No. 3 guy and play in the slot. Zorn expects all four receivers to play a role. But the 6-foot-4 Kelly Thomas gets the first shot at No. 2.
“His overall explosion off the line has been very good,” Zorn said. “I can’t tell you that everybody just stepped back and watched him go, but we will give him the opportunity to get out there and hit it.
“This is what we’ve been waiting for. We wish we would have had what he’s doing now last year. There are still some start-up costs, but he’s earned the right to get out there. All of these guys will be involved. You’ll think Antwaal Randle El could be the starter as well.”
Kelly played in only five games last year, catching three passes, as a bum knee slowed him down. He had surgery in February. As he gained more confidence in his knee, and learned more of the offense, he consistently looked better in practice and games.
“He has a real presence,” Zorn said. “He can snag the ball out of the air; he’s not much of a basket catcher. He’ll snag it. There are still things he’s improving on. He’s not near his ceiling at all. This is his starting point and hopefully he’ll jump right out and be a factor in the game.”
Said running back Clinton Portis, “You can’t cover Malcolm one-on-one. It’s going to be impossible. Teams will realize that.”
As for Thomas, he might have a role on kickoff returns, though it was uncertain in what role. One Redskins source said he would not be returning kicks Sunday. Zorn said that might happen in the future. However, it does sound as if he’ll be on the field in some capacity.
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