Jim Zorn noticed. And he even volunteered that Devin Thomas would show off his new muscles by taking off his shirt. Just ask him, said the Redskins coach. Well, no thanks. Besides, they’re pretty noticeable with the shirt on, the bulging chest muscles a sign of Thomas’ maturation.
The Redskins hope that results in much better on-field success. Thomas played in all 16 games last season, but finished with just 15 catches for 205 yards and no touchdowns.
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But the newly-toned body — and Thomas was cut to begin with — points to a new day.
“Devin is much more mature,” said running back Clinton Portis. “What a difference a year makes.”
“A major change,” Zorn said.
What didn’t change was another setback for Thomas. He tweaked his hamstring and did not practice Saturday and might not work much during the organized team activities this week.
But, on the first day of minicamp, Thomas showed his speed on some routes and improved route-running on others. He beat corner DeAngelo Hall on a deep ball, making an over-the-shoulder catch. The caveat: It’s only May.
The Redskins need him to be more productive. They need bigger plays from receivers not named Santana Moss. Thomas, a second-round pick last year, and Malcolm Kelly, also a 2008 second-rounder, have to produce. Kelly is coming off knee surgery and can’t participate in practices until June.
Thomas has been a constant presence at the offseason workouts, working often with quarterback Jason Campbell.
“The game matures you,” Thomas said. “The NFL ages you in dog years. I already had the ego and I’ve got my confidence, but I had to show the professionalism coming into the NFL — being on time, doing things right and showing up on time and being precise in what I do. I learned that. I took a bump in the head. Now I realize what I have to do and I’m gonna do that to the T.”
Last year, he said, “just added another chip on the shoulder.”
