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Devin Thomas' preseason hasn't exactly wowed Washington's coaches. |
BY RICH CAMPBELL
ASHBURN
--Those holding their breath waiting to see if the Washington Redskins will trade Albert Haynesworth this week should exhale.Head coach Mike Shanahan, who also has control of team personnel decisions, stated after practice yesterday that the two-time All-Pro defensive tackle "will be on our team Sunday."
"If he wasn't here, I think you'd call me a liar, wouldn't you?" Shanahan said. "And you'd have the right to do that."
Shanahan bristled when asked about reports of the Redskins' recent trade discussions involving Haynesworth. He didn't confirm or deny the reports, and he didn't say whether Haynesworth would be active for Sunday night's season-opener against Dallas.
He also would not commit to Haynesworth being on the team after Sunday.
"I will talk about the Dallas Cowboys," Shanahan said. "I'm not going to do that. We'd go through every situation. We're beating a dead horse."
Haynesworth is still catching up on how to execute the 3-4 defense at the nose tackle and defensive end positions, so it's uncertain how extensively he will play on Sunday.
"I've seen him getting better each practice," linebacker London Fletcher said. "It's going to take him a little bit. He's definitely trying real hard to be abreast of everything we're doing."
Shanahan is not concerned that the ongoing saga is preventing Haynesworth from focusing on the strides he needs to make.
"I get a chance to talk to players," Shanahan said. "I get a chance to control what goes on in our locker room. So as long as I'm fine with him and he's fine with me--you might not think we ever communicate, but we do sometimes."
KELLY OPENS UP ON INJURY
Wide receiver Malcolm Kelly has some regrets about how he handled his hamstring injury at the start of training camp.
"I probably should have done a little bit better job of communicating the extent of the injury," Kelly said. "I kind of told them what was wrong, but at the same time, who wants to be hurt on the first day of training camp? So you're not going to tell them every single little thing."
Kelly met with reporters yesterday for the first time since being placed on the season-ending injured reserve list with a left hamstring injury on Aug. 31. The conversation centered on whether his plight could have been avoided.
Shanahan last week said that he was disappointed that Kelly did not begin training camp on the active/physically unable to perform list. That decision was based on conversations Kelly had with the training staff.
Looking ahead, Shanahan is going to judge Kelly on his dedication to the rehabilitation process and how hard he works to improve his game after he's healthy. That means staying around the facility to work instead of going elsewhere.
"Shoot, I'll be in every single meeting," Kelly said. "I'll be out catching balls. As soon as I can run routes, I'll be out running. That's what he said he wants.
"They could have easily just cut me clear and free and just let me go," he continued. "So by him putting me on IR and telling me he wants me to be here the whole season and wants me to do that, I really can't complain about that."
TEAM WAITS ON THOMAS
Wide receiver Devin Thomas avoided the ultimate indictment by making the Redskins' 53-man roster when it was announced on Saturday. That doesn't mean he's going to make an impact on offense, however.
"Going in [to Sunday's game], he's not slated to do a bunch for us because of the group we've got going," offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said. "But he's right there. He'll get some reps and we'll see how it works."
Thomas' inconsistency was coaches' biggest gripe during training camp.
"He started off a little all over the place, and it got better as it went," Shanahan said. "It took longer than we wanted, but he showed a lot of progress throughout camp. I know it means a lot to him. He showed a lot of urgency, and now it's just getting him to practice more like a pro and be more consistent in how he goes about his business."
EXTRA POINTS
Free safety Kareem Moore (knee) and ILB Perry Riley (foot) did not practice yesterday.
Defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday changed his jersey number from No. 79 to No. 91. Practice squad outside linebacker Rob Jackson gave Holliday No. 91. He now wears No. 50.
Rich Campbell: 540/735-1974
Email: rcampbell@freelancestar.com
