What's up with Devin?

by CJHutch on Sep 9, 2009 8:49 AM EDT

I don't want to make this a DT-bashing post, but I just read the RI, and something jumped out at me. The reason I'm bringing it up is because it is not the 1st time I've heard stuff like this. If you haven't seen it yet, here's what I'm referring to:

Campbell has especially taken the lead in working with young receivers such as Malcolm Kelly and Marko Mitchell, Cerrato said.

"If you notice, every day he stays out after practice and works on things that need to be worked, that he didn't do well in practice," he said. "And he stays out there; Marko's always out there and Malcolm's always out there, working on things. --Redskins Insider

Notice the missing component? I have picked up on plenty of snippets this offseason similar to this. Most of them mentioned just Campbell and Kelly, so I chalked it up to them having a closer relationship. But now that Marko is included, it leads me to wonder why Devin Thomas isn't working out with them as well? This goes back to my prior comments about him seeming to have that "I've arrived" attitude, and therefor thinking the rest should be handed to him. It's funny, because my buddy and I were just talking about Marko Mitchell's comments yesterday:

"If you ain't first, you're last. So right now I'm last," Mitchell said. "I'm trying to get up there to No. 1 hopefully. ..... I can't just stop right there. I need to elevate myself in the regular season." --Marko Mitchell via Redskins Insider

Now granted, Mitchell was a 7th rounder and ~~somewhat of~~ a surprise, but I think ALL young, UNPROVEN players should have this attitude, and I just don't see it in Thomas. Hopefully I'm wrong.

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I was wondering the same

According to the Redskins Blog, the day you’re referring to with staying with Jason, there are days that Devin is there, and there are days that he’s not. The day that they’re talking about just happened to be a not day.

I will say, that Devin should be lightyears ahead of MK though, simply based on the fact that he has had so much more time because of Malcolm’s injury. But I’ll worry about that later, because the fact is even IF (that’s a big if) he isn’t up to par with the other two, we still have TWO tall receivers taking themselves to task to make sure they’re prepared to do the things we asked them to.

I'm to young to Die Danny...don't make me do it tomorrow....

by Rekka on Sep 9, 2009 9:16 AM EDT reply actions

I think you're reading too much into it.

Don’t worry, regular season is less than a week away. Then we can start talking about their actual performance.

by SSBlitz on Sep 9, 2009 9:43 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs

or lack thereof

by dt3 on Sep 9, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions

-1

by VA_Skin on Sep 9, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm real excited about all the WRs.

Even though Devin hasn’t had the most ideal approach to the preseason, he still showed the talent we all know he has when he got in the games. I think he is going to be a big player on Specials and will get mixed in pretty regularly even if its just to stretch the field and not to be a security blanket for Jason.

Malcolm seems like a completely different player from last season. I recommend everyone watch his interview on Redskins.com. If he doesn’t have a huge season I’m going to be surprised. And you gotta love everything about Marko, especially that he is putting in the extra time and saying all the right things.

With Malcolm coming into his own and Marko being the preseason standout, Devin has been marginalized in the press, but I wouldn’t take that to mean he is that far behind. He has been working with Jason after practice too, just not everyday. We haven’t heard anything about Davis lately either, but I don’t think that means much in terms of the snaps he’ll see. These players aren’t being focused on, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t talented, the Skins are just rolling deeper than the media right now.

The great news here if that in FIVE DAYS we get to see for ourselves exactly whats up.

by Boo. on Sep 9, 2009 10:06 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

What has he done wrong?

Even though Devin hasn’t had the most ideal approach to the preseason

by SSBlitz on Sep 9, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Same thing Hutch has been talking about...

Fooling around, acting like he’s already made it. We talked about how Smoot seems less than impressed with his antics, but with Smoot you never know. Its not that Devin has been a loser, its just that compared to Kelly he seems much less focused and mature.

by Boo. on Sep 9, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

WaPo's RI blog

Has said a couple times thatThomas checked out mentally for a few weeks. Whatever that means.

by BayAreaBullet on Sep 9, 2009 12:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

All I've seen is Thomas and Smoot chirping each other.

Which is bound to happen with their personality types. I still don’t understand how it escalated into “he’s been goofing on and not working hard”.

by SSBlitz on Sep 9, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Goofing off. Not on.

by SSBlitz on Sep 9, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Fair enough.

Its just that going into the season it was Devin’s job to lose and he lost it. We obviously aren’t at practice or in the locker room so we have no idea what Smoot or the coaches think or how focused Devin is.

Smoot repeatedly called Devin an “idiot” in the offseason/preseason when referring to Devin’s smacktalk (specifically the wheelchair stunt). Maybe it was spun by certain outlets to lead me to that impression, but it was my immediate perception upon reading the story on the redskins blog, which if anything tries to spin things to the positive.

But you’re right, we shouldn’t come to conclusions about him until we see how he performs on the field.

by Boo. on Sep 9, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think this is true either.

Its just that going into the season it was Devin’s job to lose and he lost it.

It’s always been “someone has to step up”. With a lot of fans, especially around here, pointing to Devin as the forerunner.

Good for Malcom for stepping up and playing well. They both had the same number of catches for around the same number of yards. But none of it takes away from Thomas’ work ethic or mindset.

by SSBlitz on Sep 9, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Alright, but Devin had more experience working in the offense than Malcolm did because of Malcolm’s injury and inactive status for most of the year. You said it yourself, they both put up similar numbers in the preseason, so the fact that Malcolm will most likely start against the Giants shows that the coaches and Jason trust him more than Devin.

Why do they trust him more? Because, as has been reported, he has had a more mature approach and has worked with Jason after practice EVERY DAY. Devin has been there at times, but he also hasn’t been there at times, and we will see this season whether he perhaps should have been. I’m not being super-critical, I think he’s going to have a nice year and in no way should be considered a bust.

by Boo. on Sep 9, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I think

Smoot’s reaction to him was what highlighted it to me. Smoot was visibly irritated, plus his statement, where he said that “the guy doesn’t catch any balls in practice, but he wants to joke around.” Now, in print this seems like he’s just clowning on him, but looking at Smoot’s face when he said it made me think there was something to it.

I also remember reading comments DT made on his blog early on, stuff like how he’s “ready to be a superstar.” Now, I know I may come off as hypocritical after saying that Marko’s “wanting to be #1” statement impressed me, but I disected the statements 2 different ways. I feel like MM’s statement is saying he knows he needs to keep working to get where he wants to be, while DT’s statement sounds like he feels like he’s taking the next step to be a superstar. Sorry, but the next step for him is to become an NFL caliber receiver.

Now, I readily admit that I could be looking too much into this. And, like I said, I hope that’s the case. But things like the statements from Cerrato keep popping up to get me thinking this way.

by CJHutch on Sep 9, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

You should know by now

whatever Smoot says should be taken with a grain of salt.

by VA_Skin on Sep 9, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree

but, like I said, it was his facial expression when he said it that stood out to me. And, the other way to look at it is that if SMOOT thinks someone is goofing off too much, there could be a problem.

by CJHutch on Sep 9, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

It was all in fun

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/08/devin_thomas_has_a_wheelchair.html

“i refuse to sit in it,” Smoot said. “I’m not that old. So I ain’t going to do that.”

“Come on, old man,” Thomas said. “We had a lot of hard work today. Me, Santana, Malcolm Kelly, all the receivers, Randle El, hurt them pretty bad today,” Thomas continued, patting the chair. “I think it’s time for him to take a seat.”

I told him what Thomas said about the receivers working him in practice.
“You listen to that idiot?” Smoot asked. “Are you serious? This guy could leave a practice with no catches and he’ll still swear he just worked us to death. Do not listen to the guy.”

Most importantly, this is what Dan Steinberg said within the article:

Note: This was all in jest. Please do not use this item as an excuse to malign the football prospects of Devin Thomas. Thank you.

by bigrm18 on Sep 9, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice post.

Thanks for collecting all the quotes together.
Definitely sounds like playful name-calling.

by SSBlitz on Sep 10, 2009 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah, I saw

all of this. First, I go back to Smoot’s demeanor during the exchange. If you saw it, you could tell he was visibly irritated. Even so, I wouldn’t think it was that big of a deal on it’s own, but when coupled with all the other stories I’ve heard, plus the stuff read “between the lines” it makes me worry.

by CJHutch on Sep 10, 2009 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, but

If you saw it, you could tell he was visibly irritated.

Smoot could have been irritated because he knew that Thomas was right about what he was saying or he could have been frustrated that the WR’s actually did get the best of him that day. We all could come up with speculations of whether or not Smoot was serious but the only one who truly knows is Smoot.

More importantly

Note: This was all in jest. Please do not use this item as an excuse to malign the football prospects of Devin Thomas. Thank you.

Unlike any of us, Steinberg was actually there during this exchange so I think he would have a better understanding on whether or not it was all in fun or if Smoot was serious in his words. And as Steinberg said, “this was all in jest.”

I’m pretty sure if Steinberg felt Smoot was dead serious and/or angry with Thomas he would have reported it because it would have created more buzz/readers for him. So I’m taking all of this as friendly trash talk.

by bigrm18 on Sep 10, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions

No mas, No mas

I give. Like I said in the beginning, I don’t wanna bash Thomas. And I also said, I was basing my observations off of more than one thing. But I don’t want to keep going down this path. I relent.

by CJHutch on Sep 10, 2009 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Any links?

all the other stories I’ve heard, plus the stuff read "between the lines" it makes me worry.

by SSBlitz on Sep 11, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

No, sorry

I’m sure if I combed the web I could find some of it. (and I guess this makes me sound a little like La Canfora). I’m mainly talking about different articles I’ve read talking about how Jason and Malcolm are working together, and how Malcolm stays after practice all the time, and how Malcolm is always asking Moss and ARE questions. I’ve heard both of those guys mention Kelly numerous times, but not Thomas. That’s the “between the lines” stuff I’m talking about. As far as the attitude stuff, again, I’m going off of things I remember reading. I was turned off when I read comments he made on his blog about being a “superstar” this year. I realize that that should be a good thing, but I’d rather hear him talk about working to help out the team before just becoming a “superstar”.

Now, any of this stuff taken alone wouldn’t mean anything to me. But the more, read, and saw, it just added up to paint a different picture than that of Kelly. And, again, I DO hope I’m making more of this than there is.

by CJHutch on Sep 11, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree with CJ

In reading about those recievers over the last year it does seem to give the impression that MK is much more together than DT. Atleast to me. I even thought if you read the comments from the Vets last year during Camp when MK was actually able to practice that the Vets viewed them differently. The reporter would note that Moss or someone would praise MK’s ability and work ethic more than they normally would a rook and then offer the usual platitudes of “Needs to grow up and learn how to be an NFL player, etc” when asked about DT. Also since CJ wrote this post the WaPo has savaged DT in an article stating that people inside and outside the team had to sit him down and tell him to get his act right. Obviously it’s alot more smoke than fire but like CJ I def. smell the smoke and am starting to worry about there being a legit fire.

by BayAreaBullet on Sep 11, 2009 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Article in Question

I'm to young to Die Danny...don't make me do it tomorrow....

by Rekka on Sep 11, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah

and I can’t say enough that I hope that I either turn out to be completely off base here, or that this is just an early blemish on his career that will be forgotten about after a few 1000 yard seasons.

Either way, one thing I think should definitely be said more often around here is

“I agree with CJ”

by CJHutch on Sep 11, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah that was said but

You also left out the next thing that Reid said about Thomas

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/jason-reid/-the-injury-report-carlos.html

Thomas’s lackadaisical approach was so troubling to some in the organization that several people, inside and outside the building, told Thomas to get his head in the game. Thomas got it together and responded well. He made plays in the passing game against the New England Patriots and showed a spark on kickoff returns in place of injured special-teams standout Rock Cartwright.

Yes Thomas was lacking in his work ethic, but as soon as he found out that nothing was going to be given to him, and he lost what was once his starting job, Thomas buckled down and as J. Reid said got it together and made plays in the passing game and returning kickoffs.

by bigrm18 on Sep 11, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I didn't say he was irredeemable

I just said that there has been alot of talk about his lack of maturity and work ethic and that the Post article ripped him. And if your comment was supposed to be supportive of DT I don’t see how. A guy that checks out mentally for weeks and then has to get chewed out by people within and without the building to provide a decent performance is the definition of an un-motivated loser. The article probably(hopefully) is just reflecting poorly on him but saying hey he improved his effort eventually is hardly praise or proof that people shouldn’t be concerned. Didn’t we read all off-season that he was working hard and had improved his approach to the game going into his second camp? I fear we might be treated to alot of quotes from articles like the one you highlighted. That being said I hope he pulls through and develops into a stud WR and definitely am not counting him out. I was just agreeing with CJ’s original assertion that there has been a mounting pile of evidence that DT might not have the work ethic/concentration neccesary to be a productive NFL player and there is cause for concern. I’m still rooting for him though.

by BayAreaBullet on Sep 11, 2009 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Never said you shouldn't be concerned

I just thought that you should have made mention of the fact that Thomas showed up and played well after he “mentally checked out.” Granted, he definitely shouldn’t have even thought about “checking out” in the first place, but I just felt that you should have reported all the facts, but maybe I’m wrong for feeling that way.

by bigrm18 on Sep 11, 2009 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't feel like I left out any pertinent facts

The discussion was about the perception about his work ethic not his performance in the NE game. Sorry if my reply seemed argumentative I was just saying I didn’t feel like the sentences you highlighted had anything to do with the assertion that the Post said he has work ethic/concentration issues. The fact that he improved just underscores the perception that he needs to have people on him at all times to get him to perform as well as he should. I put it poorly but I was trying to say when I read that whole paragraph I don’t percieve it as a 2 part paragraph with one part that reflects negatively and one that reflects positive and I cherry picked the negative part for my own purposes. I saw that paragraph as one negative point with no positive part as it was a discussion on concentration and saying he checked out and then had to get his butt kicked to play to his abilities only reinforces that impression. The article could be a hack job I was just saying it implies that the reason he has been somewhat underwhelming has been due to the mental aspect as opposed to a physical abilities standpoint(i.e. he has to be chewed out to perform up to his ability). So sorry if I seemed to jump down your throat my wording was harsh I just don’t think there are any pertinent facts that were left out.

by BayAreaBullet on Sep 11, 2009 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Let's put it this way

If he shows up and plays his butt off (which he did in the preseason) I could care less about his work ethic. As long as Thomas goes out on the field, gives his all, and plays as well as he possibly can, everything else doesn’t matter. Looking good in practice/staying after practice doesn’t equate to playing well in the real games. Usually it does of course but not always.

http://blog.redskins.com/2009/09/09/on-the-sideline-at-practice-as-is-colt-brennan/#continued

And those of you who were concerned by yesterday’s report that the only wideouts working after practice were newly anointed #2 WR Malcolm Kelly and rookie Marko Mitchell can rest easy: Devin Thomas was there as well today.

Would I rather have Thomas stay with Campbell and the other new wideouts after every practice? Most certainly. But if asked if I would rather have Thomas look good in the real games or look good in practice I’d of course say the real games. We need to judge Thomas on how he looks in the upcoming games. If he continually plays well, none of us are going to remember the time that he joked with Smoot after practice. However, if Thomas doesn’t do well and looks as if he isn’t going full speed then we all will have a valid reason to worry. But Thomas hasn’t played a 2009-2010 regular season game yet so let’s all take a wait and see approach.

by bigrm18 on Sep 11, 2009 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Baffling

I’m having alot of trouble following you. You say say you disagree with something and then proceed to give an off-topic explanation that has nothing to do with the point you are allegedly disputing. I say that the Post says he checked out and had to be told to get his head back in the game and you say I am leaving out the fact that he did improve afterwards as if that is some counterpoint to saying he checked out and had to be chewed out by multiple people. It just adds emphasis to my point. It doesn’t mitigate the point that he checked out it just adds further proof he was dogging it. When I point that out you come back by saying he should be judged by the games and we shouldn’t count him out when I wasn’t talking about his future production or counting him out. That wasn’t even the discussion and doesn’t have anything to do with the original point you took exception too. I certainly haven’t said I’d rather have Thomas look good in practices than in games, thats a Straw Man argument. It’s like your responding to me but arguing with someone else’s points.

by BayAreaBullet on Sep 11, 2009 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions

What I’m saying basically is that all the other stuff that you’re arguing, complaining, or worrying about doesn’t matter if Thomas produces on the field. If Thomas doesn’t produce on the field then we can come back to this post and fill it up with more comments about him. Until then let’s just sit back and see if he produces and plays the way he’s capable of.

by bigrm18 on Sep 11, 2009 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I can go with that

by CJHutch on Sep 12, 2009 7:56 AM EDT up reply actions

I've always expected Kelly to be better than Thomas

So I’m not surprised nor worried about Thomas’ development. It’s not just because Kelly works harder, either. I just have always felt that Kelly is the better, more NFL-ready talent. I don’t think Thomas will be a bad player or a bust, I just think he’ll always be one or two steps behind Kelly. Now, as for Marko Mitchell… That guy is surprising everyone. After drafting him and Chris Horton (and Rob Jackson has at least exceeded the expectations of a 7th-rounder), I think Cerrato should let someone else handle the first few rounds, while he focuses in on finding those late-round gems lol.

"One-on-one? You can't." -Gilbert Arenas
JC Bandwagon all day!

by kseandoyle on Sep 9, 2009 10:46 AM EDT reply actions

Orakpo, Kelly, Thomas, and Davis

Are really good first day picks. I wouldn’t take anything away from Cerrato over the past two years.

by SSBlitz on Sep 9, 2009 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Pretty amazing, number of Redskins players picked up by other teams

The count is up to 4 I think which is pretty remarkable I think

by dr WNC on Sep 9, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

I think we are a really deep squad, especially in young talent.

So we have to turn away a lot of young talent. I also think we do training camp right and a lot of other teams realize that (we actually hit unlike those ladies in Texas)

by Parks Smith on Sep 9, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Selective memory

I can recall clearly how, during training camp, Devin Thomas was heir apparent for the # 2 slot. He was the one getting all of the praise for busting his ass to put in extra time with Campbell. We were all just hoping Malcolm Kelly would be healthy enough to play, much less become the #2. Then Devin pulled his hammy and was questionable going into the first preseason game against the Ravens. Kelly stepped up and has been able to take full advantage of his opportunities. Good for him, and even better for us. But let’s not make a mountain out of a molehill over DT not winning the #2. He’s got plenty of time to prove himself.

One thing I would like to add about MK. I forget what his Combine 40 time was, but I know it wasn’t great because of the knee. Either way, he is deceptively fast. His game speed is much faster than whatever 40 times he has recorded, especially for a guy his size. DT is obviously faster, but you gotta love seeing these bigger receivers (Thomas, Kelly, Mitchell) with that kind of speed. JC will have more weapons than ever this season.

by VA_Skin on Sep 9, 2009 2:53 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with you.

MK is more than fast enough. He ran a faster 40 time than Larry Fitzgerald or Anquan Boldin. He was also battling leg injuries at the time. Any talk about him not being fast enough to go downfield is ignorant BS. He’s not a track star but more than fast enough to get downfield even if we use him as an intermediate guy due to his size and great hands.

by BayAreaBullet on Sep 9, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah

I am real impressed with Kelly’s speed. I remember the talk on him coming out was that he wasn’t very fast, but could play otherwise. He obviously has that vaunted “game speed” that so many other great ones prove to have. (Fitzgerald, Owens, Rice). (Oh, and MONK – remember those end arounds?)

by CJHutch on Sep 9, 2009 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions