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Redskins' Kelly Lengthens Strides
Rookie Malcolm Kelly, getting counsel from owner Daniel Snyder, could make his debut Sunday.
(By John Mcdonnell -- The Washington Post)
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Before Kelly injured his hamstring in camp, he and Campbell were developing a rhythm on deep balls. Campbell had seen enough to confirm his initial impressions of Kelly, and Campbell did his part to keep Kelly involved while he was sidelined.
"Just talking to him and telling him to always stay positive and believe in himself," Campbell said. "In this game, you're always going to have the critics, but you have to block out that stuff, play loose and have fun. As long as you're having fun, that's when you're at your best. You learn real fast that's what you have to do."
In last week's 16-7 season-opening loss to the New York Giants, the Redskins often sputtered offensively when Zorn, Washington's play-caller, called passing formations that had Campbell using a three-step drop, which is a staple of the West Coast offense. Campbell struggled to locate Moss and No. 2 wideout Antwaan Randle El (each is listed at 5-10) on short and intermediary routes, which disrupted the quick, rhythmic cadence of Zorn's style.
Thomas played against the Giants but had only one reception for five yards and continued to struggle running routes. If Kelly's knee holds up, "we can do some of the same stuff we're doing, but you've just got a bigger guy doing it," Smith said. "Then defenses have to be a little bit different because this guy can out-physical you, whereas maybe some of our smaller guys can't.
"Just watching the games [last week], watching the Dallas Cowboys and these teams with the big wide receivers, you just see what they can do. Now, Malcolm is a bigger target, so you can see him, yeah that's true. But you've also got to find Santana or whoever's in there. You've got to find 'em, man, because who we have is who we have. But it would be great to get Malcolm out there. We drafted him to play."
Said Randle El: "The biggest thing with him is, he goes out and makes plays. The ball's up in the air, he goes up there and gets it."
Knowing he has the confidence of his teammates, and Campbell in particular, Kelly is ready to finally get started.
"The whole time stuff was being said out there, 'He's not going to be effective this year,' me and Jason had long a talk," Kelly said. "He was just telling me that he's learned not to listen to what people are saying, so I just really put stuff out of my mind. The best way to do it is just go out there and do what you do."
