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The Om Field -> Forums -> Washington Redskins -> Devin Thomas Has Eye Surgery
Post Info TOPIC: Devin Thomas Has Eye Surgery
KB24


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Posts: 76
Date: May 8 11:51 AM, 2009
Devin Thomas Has Eye Surgery
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http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/05/08/devin-thomas-has-eye-surgery/#respond

As we all now know, quarterback Brett Favremag-glass_10x10.gif struggled down the stretch last year because of a serious arm injury that wasn’t disclosed until Favre was trying to offer up an excuse as to why he struggled down the stretch last year.

In that same vein, perhaps we now know why Redskins receiver Devin Thomasmag-glass_10x10.gif was a bust in his rookie year.

He couldn’t see very well.

That excuse, last used on behalf of former top-ten pick Troy Williamson-Bey, has been advanced via the Drew Rosenhaus Twitter feed.

“Devin Thomas recently had laser eye surgery and it has helped him significantly,” Rosenhaus says.  “The Redskins have been very pleased with his recent work.”

And in the strange but fascinating new world that is Twitter, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen responds with this gem:  “It’s not uncommon that teams discover ‘bad hands’ really meant ‘bad eyes.’  Or just OK hands & eyes.”

As a rookie, Thomas appeared in every game and made one start.  But he caught only 15 passes, gained only 120 yards, and entered the end zone with the ball in his possession not a single time.

Thomas was a much-hyped member of the 20098 wideout draft class that featured none picked in round one, and a whopping ten taken in round two:  Donnie Avery (No. 33), Thomas (No. 34), Jordy Nelson (No. 36), James Hardy (No. 41), Eddie Royal (No. 42), Jerome Simpson (No. 46), DeSean Jackson (No. 49), Malcolm Kellymag-glass_10x10.gif (No. 51), Limas Sweed (No. 53), and Dexter Jackson (No. 58).

But at least Thomas fared better than his Redskins teammate, Malcolm Kelly, who played in only five games and caught only three passes for 18 yards.

UPDATE:  You know, when I was typing the phrase “entered the end zone with the ball in his possession not a single time,” it occurred to me that I probably should make sure Devin Thomas didn’t score on a rushing attempt.  But, as I’ve worked very hard to make clear to you over the years, I’m lazy.  As it turns out, he ”entered the end zone with the ball in his possession” on an end around, and I should have listened to the voice that was telling me to check the stats instead of the voice that was telling me to get this one done so I can get back to watching The Office on Hulu. 



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Hog Fever


Status: Offline
Posts: 62
Date: May 8 1:39 PM, 2009
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More Thomas stuff:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/may/08/thomas-ready-to-shape-up/

Thomas ready to shape up
Young receiver could fill key role for the Redskins
By David Elfin (Contact) | Friday, May 8, 2009


While Washington added serious talent this offseason to its fourth-ranked defense, the Redskins barely tinkered with their laggard offense.

Other than relying on improvement by the players during their second season in coach Jim Zorn's West Coast attack, the Redskins are counting on a quantum leap by second-year receiver Devin Thomas to make their offense more dynamic.

Zorn also expects more from Thomas' fellow 2008 second-round pass-catchers, Malcolm Kelly and Fred Davis. But Kelly's oft-repaired left knee still isn't right, and Davis remains stuck behind Pro Bowl tight end Chris Cooley. That leaves it to Thomas to rise from dud to stud.

"We're looking for one sure starter out of those guys," Zorn said. "We play a lot of our stuff with three receivers, and I want to put Antwaan [Randle El] in the slot. You'd like to see one guy completely take over the position, but all those guys are going to play. Those [young] guys have to make a statement. I need to see a lot of changes."

Thomas failed the conditioning test that opened training camp last summer and missed 18 days with a pulled right hamstring, ruining his preseason. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder didn't fare much better in the regular season, catching just 15 passes for 120 yards and no touchdowns. He also led the Redskins in offensive pass interference penalties.

"Devin didn't get as many opportunities as I hoped he would've," receiver coach Stan Hixon said. "It seemed like something always happened. Devin plays 100 miles an hour, and he needs to learn to understand the game more."

Zorn, Hixon and Thomas all agreed that although he missed four days of practice with a tender right hamstring, he understands more now what it takes to be a professional.

"I'm the wild child, but I'm going to contain that wild," Thomas said. "I'm going to be out there making plays - no pass interferences. Last year I was in combine shape, ready to run 40s. This year I'm in NFL shape, ready to run routes. It worked to my benefit being here this offseason, getting a chance to work with [quarterback Jason Campbell], talking to him more so he can get to know who I am and I get to know him. That's huge for a quarterback and a receiver."

Hixon said Thomas "seems to be a lot more confident" because he knows the offense better, a statement with which Thomas agreed.

"It's that time [to step up]," he said. "It could've been last year, but we was going through our struggles, everybody learning the offense. I was frustrated, but I knew there was no point in bickering about it. This year, man, I feel like it's ready. It's more than the pot boiling. You see the steam, and you hear the tea kettle whistling. It's time to take it off the stove.

"You're going to see Devin Thomas make plays. You're going to see more deep passes, across the middle, breaking tackles, doing whatever I do. It's going to be every game - not a one-time thing. I already see the dance [after his first touchdown catch]. I see it happening real early, hopefully the first game."

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Aston


Status: Offline
Posts: 27
Date: May 8 4:30 PM, 2009
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Devin Thomas said:

Last year I was in combine shape, ready to run 40s. This year I'm in NFL shape, ready to run routes.

Um, really? confuse

Makes you wonder if having Santana Moss there in DC would have made any difference.  You know, being a leader and all that?

I understand it's voluntary, and he and many other prefer to train down in Miami or somewhere else off-site, but I bet if Thomas and Kelly were exposed to Moss's training regimen, that little fiasco would have never happened.

Nice to see him putting in the work this year, though.  If anything, he's going to be ready for training camp and also setting a good example for Marko Mitchell and the other rookie fodder we brought in.

 



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Dan T.


Status: Offline
Posts: 14
Date: May 11 8:47 AM, 2009
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Did Devin Thomas refer to himself in the 3rd person in that WT article? Because Dan T. believes it is a bad sign when players start talking about themselves in the 3rd person. Dan T. doesn't like unproven players talking about themselves in the 3rd person. It doesn't sit well with Dan T.

-- Edited by Dan T. on Monday 11th of May 2009 08:48:20 AM

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