A closer look at Devin Thomas's release from the Redskins

During Devin Thomas's rookie season, several Redskins veterans told me Thomas needed to grow up. They criticized his commitment to practice and study habits, saying he would have learned the playbook faster had he worked harder.



And Thomas, 23, showed more maturity during his second season. People I trust in the organization told me he was doing the right things in practice and in wide receiver position meetings, and a former Redskins assistant predicted Thomas would have a big game last season against the New Orleans Saints in Week 13. Thomas established career highs with seven receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns in an overtime loss to the eventual Super Bowl champions.



Of course, none of that matters to Coach Mike Shanahan, who Saturday released the Redskins' top pick from the 2008 draft. With an opening on the 53-man roster, the Redskins promoted running back Keiland Williams from the practice squad for Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers at FedEx Field.

Thomas was buried on the depth chart at wideout, and although Mike Shanahan was not forthcoming about Thomas's situation, Kyle Shanahan, Washington's offensive coordinator, often made it clear that the former Michigan State standout did not display the all-around performance the team seeks from the position.



To hear Thomas tell it, however, he still doesn't know what he did to apparently be viewed so poorly by the Shanahans.



"I still don't know, to this day, what it was or what I did," Thomas said Saturday afternoon in a lengthy phone interview. "I went out and I worked as hard as I could. Even when it was clear, you know, that they weren't going to play me, I just kept doing everything I could to try to show them I deserved to be out there. I had guys [teammates] telling me I should be out there and that they knew I could help the team win. And that's all I wanted a chance to do.

"I just wanted a chance to get out there and try to make some plays to help us. Maybe I just wasn't the type they're looking for. Maybe they just don't want a big-play receiver who can do everything. Maybe that wasn't appealing to them. I mean, I really don't know what it was. I wish I did know, but it is what it is. They made a decision. I guess it's best for me, too. Now, I can go to a team that wants me to make plays and help them win. But maybe I'll never know what it was."

An incident during a meeting in the preseason probably did not help Thomas improve his standing with the Shanahans.

As Thomas slept in the meeting, rookie wideout-punt returner Brandon Banks used his cell phone to take a picture of Thomas. Banks then transmitted the picture via Twitter. After team officials informed Shanahan of what occurred, Banks quickly deleted the picture from his Twitter account.

Could that have been a contributing factor to Thomas's release?

"I'm not really sure," Thomas said. "I mean, you know, if I shouldn't have been [sleeping] ... it looks bad for both sides. If I'm sleeping or him have a phone in the meeting ... I wouldn't say that's something you'd hold against a competitor.

"That's not something you'd hold against someone playing football and trying to make plays. But it doesn't even really matter now. That's in the past and they made their decision, so it's not something that matters."

Top wideout Santana Moss has a team-leading 22 catches. Joey Galloway and Anthony Armstrong are next among the wideouts with four receptions apiece. Listed at 6-feet-2, 218 pounds, Thomas was the Redskins' biggest receiver on the active roster. But that did not help him get on the field on offense.

Thomas hoped that his strong work on kickoff returns (he's sixth in the NFL with a 28-yard average) would make a difference, "but I was never really given a fair shot" with this coaching staff, Thomas said.

Although the Shanahans were comfortable releasing Thomas, some team likely would take a chance on a big, young wideout with speed. It is doubtful Thomas would clear waivers.

And even if he did, the Redskins would not attempt to re-sign Thomas to the practice squad. He's not eligible for the practice squad and, again, the Shanahans do not think highly of the first player the franchise selected after owner Daniel Snyder promoted Vinny Cerrato to executive vice president of the football operation.

The Redskins gave Thomas a $5-million signing bonus. He had base salaries of $445,000 in 2008, $550,000 in 2009 and is scheduled to have a salary of $750,000 this season. He was scheduled to receive $700,000 in bonuses last season and another $750,000 in bonuses this season.

"I wanted it to work out," Thomas said. "This is where I wanted to be. I wanted to help the Redskins win for the fans. But I'll be fine. I know I can play. I'll just have to go do it for somebody else."