There was plenty of excitement at Redskin Park on draft day last April. That's not typical for a team that had chosen 11 fewer than the minimum number of players in the precious five drafts. In 2008, the Redskins chose a whooping 10 players, including a trio in the second round, who inspired most of the aforementioned excitement.
Receiver Devin Thomas had burst into stardom in his second season at Michigan State, setting a school record with 79 catches and leading the Big 10 with 1,260 receiving yards. Thomas had generally been forecast to be picked midway through the first round, so the Redskins were thrilled to land him with the 34th choice.
Fred Davis had won the Mackey Award as the nation's top tight end as a senior at USC, which he led with 62 catches for 881 yards and eight touchdowns in 2008.
Receiver Malcolm Kelly, taken 51st overall, three picks after Davis, ranked second in receiving yards and touchdown catches despite playing just three years at Oklahoma.
But the trio's rookie year was eminently forgettable. Davis earned his most attention for oversleeping a minicamp session. Thomas and Kelly both missed preseason with leg injuries and Kelly's knee continued to bother him during much of the season. All told, they combined for just 21 catches, 165 yards and no touchdowns (not counting the one Thomas scored on a run).
Thomas did eventually work himself into some playing time and had the bulk of the trio's production with 15 catches and 120 yards. Davis was stuck behind two-time Pro Bowl pick Chris Cooley and veteran blocker Todd Yoder. But even when he was healthy in December, Kelly couldn't get on the field.
"I learned that, especially as a young guy, when you get hurt or take some time off, you still have to study and look at the game plan like you're playing," Kelly said. "I kind of got down on myself and when they put the game plans out, I was like, 'Well, I ain't gonna be playing for another month, so whatever.' But now I know what I have to do."
To that end, Kelly and Thomas were among the handful of players who have spent most of the seven weeks since the season ended at Redskin Park working on their bodies and their games.
"Last year was bittersweet for both Malcolm and Devin," said Redskins coach Jim Zorn. "They enjoyed being part of the team, but they were disappointed that they didn't play much. They've been working hard in order to contribute a lot more this season."
Or as Kelly out it, "I'm gonna have the biggest chip on my shoulder."
