James Thrash Should Retire

by VA_Skin on Jun 4, 2009 9:53 AM EDT Comment 25 comments

Let me start by saying that James Thrash is one of my favorite Redskins. He is the embodiment of a Joe Gibbs kind of player. He’s smart, tough, and has great character. Thrash may not be the best receiver or athlete, but he works hard and is willing to do whatever the coaches ask of him. And because of his work ethic and willingness to be flexible, he has played more games for us (118) than any other active Redskins player except for Chris Samuels (136) and Ethan Albright (128).

But in case you haven't noticed, Thrash hasn't been on the field during our OTAs this year. Instead, he has been in therapy sessions with trainers because of a neck injury he sustained last season. The injury (and associated pain) is serious enough to have Thrash pondering whether to retire (link to article).

Here are James Thrash's career stats (I didn't include PR stats because they were minimal):

Career Stats			Receiving							Kickoff Returns
Season	Team	G	Rec	Yds	Y/G	Avg	Lng	YAC	TD	KR	Yds	Avg	Long	TD
1997	Washington	4	2	24	6.0	12.0	17	2.0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1998	Washington	10	10	163	16.3	16.3	28	1.8	1	6	129	21.5	39	0
1999	Washington	16	3	44	2.8	14.7	25	1.3	0	14	355	25.4	95	1
2000	Washington	16	50	653	40.8	13.1	50	3.6	2	45	1000	22.2	49	0
2001	Philadelphia	15	63	833	55.5	13.2	64	3.7	8	5	101	20.2	34	0
2002	Philadelphia	16	52	635	39.7	12.2	39	2.6	6	0	0	0.0	0	0
2003	Philadelphia	16	49	558	34.9	11.4	51	4.2	1	34	815	24.0	54	0
2004	Washington	16	17	203	12.7	11.9	31	4.0	0	9	186	20.7	36	0
2005	Washington	12	14	194	16.2	13.9	41	3.4	0	7	170	24.3	31	0
2006	Washington	16	12	151	9.4	12.6	27	2.1	1	1	10	10.0	10	0
2007	Washington	12	9	107	8.9	11.9	31	2.7	2	2	36	18.0	20	0
2008	Washington	16	9	81	5.1	9.0	29	2.2	1	1	17	17.0	17	0
Career		165	290	3646	22.1	12.6	64	3.3	22	124	2819	22.7	95	1

As you can see, Thrash had his most productive seasons in Philly (with the exception of 2000 in Washington). But, over the years since his return to Washington, his numbers have steadily declined. Quite frankly, the only reason we saw so much of him last year was because of the pathetic under-performance of our rookies (Thomas, Kelly, and Davis). Going into this season, Thrash has to know that chances are at least one of the rookies from last year (or this year) will step up and become our #2 and/or #3. With ARE still in the mix, Thrash would pretty much only be used on Special Teams. And it's not like there won't be a ton of competition on STs with all of the LBs and other potential STers we brought in this off-season.

Between the probable lack of playing time and the apparent seriousness of JT's neck injury, I really hope he decides to call it quits and retire with the B & G. The last thing we would want to see is for him to finish his career with another team or to end up ruining his future quality of life, by reinjuring his neck after surgery.

Poll

Should James Thrash retire?

Yes

70 votes

No

8 votes

78 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 25 comments

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Comments

great analysis

by KevinE on Jun 4, 2009 11:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

he really doesn’t bring anything on the field any more, I’d be surprised if he made the team, but i’ve said that before

From Richmond to the District

by pas493 on Jun 4, 2009 11:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He brings leadership

and shows how an average player, can work his but off and have a long and succesful NFL career. I hope he retires and remains a Redskins forever….

by dr WNC on Jun 4, 2009 12:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

thats why i carefully said "he doesn't bring anything ON THE FIELD"

I don’t know how good of a leader he is, i’m not in the locker room and haven’t seen him interact much. He is a hard worker though

From Richmond to the District

by pas493 on Jun 4, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

by dr WNC on Jun 4, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like Thrash is on the way out...

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/thrash-decision-expected-befor.html?wprss=redskinsinsider

by KevinE on Jun 4, 2009 3:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

wouldn't it be nice

if Malcolm Kelly could pick up Thrash’s drive and work ethic? Has anyone seen the workouts on Redskins Nation? Kelly is a GIANT compared to the shrimps who start for us. I knew he was tall , but since he’s been the invisible draft pick, I haven’t seen him that much. But watching him on the field standing next to Moss and Randle Fell, it reminds me of that old Bullets promo with Manute Bol standing next to Muggsey Bogues. Hopefully Kelly has better hands than Manute.

by CJHutch on Jun 5, 2009 8:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

or maybe

marko mitchell can pick up thrash’s work ethic, of course i heard somewhere that he was the biggest under achiever in college

by travisjh86 on Jun 5, 2009 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

Malcolm Kelly (6’4", 219 lbs.), Marko Mitchell (6’4", 218 lbs.) and Jaison Williams (6’5", 237 lbs.) all make Moss look like Frodo the Hobbit.

"Sure it’d be great to be playing with 10 good fingers, but 8 will do just fine." – Jon Jansen

by VA_Skin on Jun 5, 2009 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

I heard they are actually considering releasing him.

by CJHutch on Jun 5, 2009 4:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

cant disagree with you more… Thrash should stay on with the team just to try and mentor some of the younger receivers on the team, his outstanding work on special teams could just be considered a bonus (especially since none of the other WRs on the expected roster play ST). If James can recover from the injury and be ready by training camp I think all of his past (thankless) hard work has earned him the right to battle for a roster spot in training camp.

Whenever I hear a skins fan talking about how they need to get rid of Thrash I think alot of it is fear that he is going to come in and outplay some of the youngsters and make them look bad.

by dt3 on Jun 8, 2009 11:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

he has returned 4 kicks and 2 punts in the past three season, simply outstanding

From Richmond to the District

by pas493 on Jun 8, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

newsflash…. special teams (like the rest of the game of football) is played with 11 players.

There is more to special teams than the guy running with the ball (or in the skins case, shifting left/right a few times and falling down).

by dt3 on Jun 8, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

dt3

the hemorrhoid that just won’t go away… Do you realize that you’ve been more active on this blog than any others. Are you wearing burgundy and gold pajamas right now? :-)

Just messing with you, bro.

I understand the sentimental nature of wanting to keep Thrash. As I stated in the post, he’s one of my favorite Redskins. I was pissed when he went to Philly, and I wanted to puke after he put up those numbers. But, he eventually came back home. And while his stats since returning to Washington haven’t been jaw-dropping, his value to the team has been great (especially on STs). But his numbers have been steadily declining. And even IF “Thrash can recover from the injury and be ready by training camp”, I don’t think he would even make the team. And the last thing I would want to see is he make the team, and then end up getting carted off the field in a neck brace because he reinjured his neck.

You said:

Whenever I hear a skins fan talking about how they need to get rid of Thrash I think alot of it is fear that he is going to come in and outplay some of the youngsters and make them look bad.

Why would any Skin fan give a flying **** about Thrash making some “youngsters” look bad? You mean if they’re family or something? Thrash would probably “outplay some of the youngsters” in training camp anyway, because he’s more familiar with the offense and STs than them. But, we need a youth movement for our WR corps and STs. We’ve got about 8 guys with a viable chance of comprising our WR corps (there will only be 5-6 on the final roster). We will probably have Alfred Fincher, Robert Thomas, Tyson Smith, Cody Glenn, Darrel Young, Robert Henson and others battling for ST spots. Having Thrash around as a mentor would be a wonderful luxury, but last time I checked, the NFL rules say teams can only have a 53-man roster.

"Sure it’d be great to be playing with 10 good fingers, but 8 will do just fine." – Jon Jansen

by VA_Skin on Jun 8, 2009 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the hemorrhoid that just won’t go away… Do you realize that you’ve been more active on this blog than any others. Are you wearing burgundy and gold pajamas

I probably read bloody elbow (SBN mma blog) more than here but am well aware that this board is where I am the most active poster. Like Ive said before though, I live here in NoVa so am somewhat tied to the skins. Dont confuse me with other trolls though who only come to other boards just to spout how great their team is and how much yours sucks. You will rarely (if ever) see me be the first to bring up the eagles in a convo or blindly hate on a player/team

And even IF "Thrash can recover from the injury and be ready by training camp", I don’t think he would even make the team.

like i said above… I dont think Thrash’s name should be carved in stone on the roster immediately, I just think he has (at the very least) earned the right to come into camp and show what he still can/cannot do.

Why would any Skin fan give a flying **** about Thrash making some "youngsters" look bad?

you cant be serious?? It looks bad when a 2nd round pick comes in and has 3 catches his rookie year, it looks even worse when word out of his 2nd training camp is that he is below a “journeyman special teams vet” on the depth chart.

But, we need a youth movement for our WR corps and STs.

Philly needed a big back the past few years but ended up with correll buckhalter backing up Westy. The moral of the story is you play the hand you are dealt. Unless MK/DT start playing special teams or some of those linebackers you listed above improve their 40 time I dont see how they are going to bring what James Thrash brings to your ST unit.

by dt3 on Jun 8, 2009 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dont think Thrash’s name should be carved in stone on the roster immediately, I just think he has (at the very least) earned the right to come into camp and show what he still can/cannot do.

I agree completely. I just hope Thrash makes the right decision and retires with the Redskins.

… it looks even worse when word out of his 2nd training camp is that he is below a "journeyman special teams vet" on the depth chart.

Who are you talking about and where are you quoting from? The Philadelphia Inquirer?

"Sure it’d be great to be playing with 10 good fingers, but 8 will do just fine." – Jon Jansen

by VA_Skin on Jun 8, 2009 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

BTW

What do you think the Bullets are gonna do with their 5th?

"Sure it’d be great to be playing with 10 good fingers, but 8 will do just fine." – Jon Jansen

by VA_Skin on Jun 8, 2009 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

think or wish??

dream scenario 1… Memphis goes with Thabeet. Wiz then trade blatche and 5 to move up and get the spanish heart throb, ricky rubio, at 3

dream scenario 2… trade some combo of the 5th, blatche, james, thomas, and jamison for kirk hinrich/mike miller and a younger option at 4

worst case scenario… using the 5th pick

by dt3 on Jun 8, 2009 11:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

DT-Did play special teams!

Several of the Linebackers have solid 40 times, better than Thrash

Thrash has every right to be on the Redskins Roster at the start of Training Camp, Thrash brings leadership to ST but WAS not the leader of Special teams…Rock was and is…

by dr WNC on Jun 8, 2009 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

most ignorant statement in the history of blogging

“he has returned 4 kicks and 2 punts in the past three season, simply outstanding”

-Pas493 in regards to James Thrash’s special teams contributions over the last few years

by dt3 on Jun 8, 2009 12:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

way to be an ass

how come about 90% of your post include quotes from other people post with you being overly analytical about everything one us says? Are you the only person on here that is allowed to have an opinion? and can you disagree without being an ass and putting down somebody?

You are right im so ignorant and stupid that I never noticed there were 11 players playing special teams… how the hell did I miss that?

All I was saying is Thrash is replaceable and someone certainly younger and better can do his job on special teams. And all the leadership and great locker room stuff is BS, no one is going “I want to be more like James Thrash”, he can be a coach maybe but his game is just not at the level that someone elses could be at

From Richmond to the District

by pas493 on Jun 8, 2009 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Are you the only person on here that is allowed to have an opinion

no, not at all… but if you step up with a stupid opinion like James Thrash’s special team worth can be valued by his kick/punt return numbers be prepared to get called out on it.

by dt3 on Jun 8, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs