How long do you keep Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly if they don't produce?

OK - lets say the Skins get the same type of production out of Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly this year as they did last. At some point potential has to turn into production and if these two have similar seasons like they did last year how much longer do you keep them on the roster? I know many say WR's need a couple of seasons to develop so I am curious as to how long do the Skins wait for them to produce - 2 years, 3 years, 4 or more?

Well last year we got ZERO from them. If they produce zero again then you consider flat out cutting them.

This year you're looking for modest contributions. From Thomas that means a few big plays deep for TDs. For Kelly that means several key third down catches to move the chains, and show flashes that he can have success in the red zone.

In the third year you look for the breakout.

If healthy I'm predicting big things for Kelly.

Thomas is the wildcard. If he has his head on straight and is serious about improving his game, he certainly has the talent to be a very good WR.

Yeah, if Kelly is healthy, he will ultimately be the better wide reciever in my opinion. Thomas seems like a gifted athlete, but is a bit of a bonehead. If neither produce this year, you'd have to cut them. They have to produce something.

If they were to repeat 2008 numbers then you'd get rid of them, but in all likelihood they stick around a minimum of three years given their draft status. If we expect either to ever amount to much we'd have to be looking for 30-40 catches and 500-600 yards are benchmark numbers.

Alot of this depends on their offseason work with Zorn and Campbell. Campbell needs to get in a rhythm with them. Otherwise he has Cooley, Moss and ARE; all of which he is much more comfortable throwing to.

If healthy I'm predicting big things for Kelly.

Thomas is the wildcard. If he has his head on straight and is serious about improving his game, he certainly has the talent to be a very good WR.

That's a big IF. I've mentioned this before - I have a friend who is a personal trainer for the Redskins. He's in the weight room in Ashburn with these guys at least few times a week, and hears all sorts of stuff. He only worked with them twice a week last year, but he got bumped up to four times a week now. Apparently Devin Thomas is a bit of a punch line amongst the other players. Really poor work ethic.

Considering how cheap they are, and how it can take receivers 3 years to really start producing in the NFL, we'd be fools to cut them prior to the 2011 season. Thomas, especially, should play out his rookie contract as he could be a beast on special teams. Kelly has less special teams value, but he also is more likely to make a significant impact in 2009 if hes healthy.

That's a big IF. I've mentioned this before - I have a friend who is a personal trainer for the Redskins. He's in the weight room in Ashburn with these guys at least few times a week, and hears all sorts of stuff. He only worked with them twice a week last year, but he got bumped up to four times a week now. Apparently Devin Thomas is a bit of a punch line amongst the other players. Really poor work ethic.

So even NOW, the players feel he has a poor work ethic? thats disappointing.

They will keep them until it is clear to everyone north of the equator that they can't cut it in the NFL. When the Skins FO makes a commitment to a player - by spending a high draft pick on them or signing them to a big deal - they stick by that player longer than an objective observer would.

There are loads of examples here...

Here is when you will know that the Skins are preparing to cut one of these guys loose:

You start to read that the player is not paying attention at meetings or that he has rubbed some of his teammates the wrong way or that he hasn't committed himself fully to the team philosophy.

That is the prelude to separating the player from the team. Until then...