Hail! magazine: After his release, Devin Thomas fires back at Mike Shanahan

[Oldfan]

And I think you are expressing an opinion as fact.

Here's a clue. If I begin a sentence with "I think," I'm stating an opinion. Furthermore, if I forget to add a qualifier like "I think," I 'm stating an opinion unless it's obviously a fact.

Not sure what distinction allows you to believe Belichick is confident and Shanahan is egotistical.

I judge from Belichick's actions. In Belichick's case, he listens to his longtime friend, Ernie Adams and takes his advice and he has tried to create an egoless football team. Neither action is the mark of a man at the mercy of his ego.

As for Shanahan, so far, I'm getting the picture of a man struggling to keep his ego under control. I have read that, in Denver, he had a habit of overruling his scouts in the draft, a practice that didn't work out well. This is the kind of over-confidence I wrote about. Supposedly, he has curbed that tendency.

[SKOALSKIN]

what part about Devin Thomas showed any potential or promise? "Showtime" had one good year, he suckered Vinny into drafting him. Shanahan, McCardell and Kyle all agreed that Thomas was a bust. I'd hardly classify this as Shanny looking to asert himself.

[moondog]

Why? Because he said he did?

No, because every local article I've read (not nfl.com general articles) from reporters and people who actually attend training camp and practices constantly mention Devin as someone who went hard in practices, made plays, looked good and stayed late to get extra work in. Devin says he did. Hell, even SHANAHAN has said in articles I've read (during training camp/preseason) that Devin was working hard and giving great effort. I have not heard a single word, even now, from Shanahan that says Devin didn't show effort and hard work, he simply says he must commit more to being a professional on and off the field. As I stated before, Shanahan clearly values Devin's effort/talent/work ethic but also that non-celebratory I've-been-here-before-attitude and that was where Devin fell short. He is an intense player that gets incredibly amped up whenever he makes a play. I know a lot of people have complained about Landry doing that as well and it seems Shanahan is not a big fan of it and that was the end of Thomas.

So no, it is not confirmed to me simply because he said it, but because I've seen quotes agreeing with Thomas remarks from coaches, players and reporters - and it seems the writer of this article would agree with me and he has a lot more inside info than most of us.

[The Tris]

I judge from Belichick's actions. In Belichick's case, he listens to his longtime friend, Ernie Adams and takes his advice and he has tried to create an egoless football team. Neither action is the mark of a man at the mercy of his ego.

As for Shanahan, so far, I'm getting the picture of a man struggling to keep his ego under control. I have read that, in Denver, he had a habit of overruling his scouts in the draft, a practice that didn't work out well. This is the kind of over-confidence I wrote about. Supposedly, he has curbed that tendency.

To me, the only difference between confidence and egoism is perception.

As for Belichick, the past several years the Patriots have taken the approach that they can take any player and make them fit their scheme. This has resulted in poor success rate in terms of personnel moves (however their skill in aquiring picks and assets has masked this). I sonsider this to be a ****y method of building a team - we can mold anyone into a Patriot - something that most would view as egotisitical.

Recently, it seems they are returning to attempting to find players who are already "their guys", instead of stubbornly believing any player they put in a Pats uni will take off. I believe the Mike Reiss quote I read was "The biggest change I have seen is that they have stopped trying to turn players into 'their guys' and instead gone out and tried to find players who were 'their guys' already." This is a change in philosophy, one I would argue is to a position that is far less egotisitical than what we have seen in the past.

As far as Shanahan, I see a lot of the ego that Belichick displays in him. Curt pressers, mind games with the injury report, big brother type control of information out of the organization, these are all shared traits. I do not deny that Shanahan has moments where his ego gets the best of him, but the same can be said for Belichick. Both can be too smart for their own good. However, there are positive signs that Shanahan has the type of balancing influence Adams is for Belichick in the form of Allen. I think that looking at the whole scope of the Haynesworth saga, their has been patience demonstrated. There were mistakes made with the inital RB depth, and necessary changes have been made in the interest of the team over the success of some initial coaching decisions. Opening day starters have been replaced based on hard work.

[Dirt]

You just don't get it, Devin...

...you just don't get it

[TSO]

Did you actually read any of the article? He details how, in his mind, he did everything possible to try and get back on the playing field - even meeting regularly with Keenan McCardell, Kyle Shanahan and, finally, with Mike Shanahan to make sure he was on the right track, but in the end, nothing he could do was good enough for his head coach. Here's two more paragraphs from the article:

“That’s what hurts me the most,” Thomas said. “I don’t get the chance to justify myself with this team. I don’t get to do it with the Washington Redskins because I never got a real shot. From the outside looking in it looks like I couldn’t beat out any of the other receivers or that I was inconsistent or whatever. Man, I’m a football player and I can make plays. Put me out there on the field, believe in me and I’m going to hold it down.

“I don’t see how it didn’t work out,” he added. “I known I’m a coachable guy. I’m not causing no problems. I’m not out here doing nothing stupid. I’m not getting DUIs or getting arrested. I guess it wasn’t meant to be, but it sucks, man. I’ve been here for the hard times with this team and I wanted to be here to see good come out of it all. It’s a tough pill to swallow.”

Murf, they told him to come out of his breaks fast like he does on returns and not drop the ball... all he's done is come off the line super slow, run routes inconsistently AND drop the ball. I've watched him every single snap he was in during preseason and that's what I saw. He keeps complaining about it, but they told him what he needed to do and he didn't do it. There was no conspiracy... he's a poor WR at this point. Everyone keeps throwing his 2009 stat line out there like it's indicative of his play, completely ignoring the fact that the majority of his production came in one game. One game! He was invisible the rest of the time for the most part.

I have a good feeling Malcolm Kelly is going to be a productive Redskin next year, and everyone trying to scream conspiracy is going to look real stupid. Heck, why were the coaches soooo patient with Kelly when all you would see fans on here saying is how injury-prone and worthless he is? They waited for his hamstring to heal for the entire TC, not even cutting him after the first round of cuts, and they still kept him on by placing him on IR. Chances are being given, no matter what Devin wants to say.

[Oldfan]

To me, the only difference between confidence and egoism is perception.

If you mean the two are often confused, we agree. If you're saying they are the same thing, we don't.

As for Belichick, the past several years the Patriots have taken the approach that they can take any player and make them fit their scheme. This has resulted in poor success rate in terms of personnel moves (however their skill in aquiring picks and assets has masked this). I sonsider this to be a ****y method of building a team - we can mold anyone into a Patriot - something that most would view as egotisitical.

Belichick patterned his personnel philosophy after Bill Walsh's. Walsh was adept at finding players that fit his scheme. Your take on that practice seems biased.

As far as Shanahan, I see a lot of the ego that Belichick displays in him. Curt pressers, mind games with the injury report, big brother type control of information out of the organization, these are all shared traits.

Egotism has nothing to do with it. Giving information to the enemy isn't smart.

I do not deny that Shanahan has moments where his ego gets the best of him, but the same can be said for Belichick. Both can be too smart for their own good. However, there are positive signs that Shanahan has the type of balancing influence Adams is for Belichick in the form of Allen.

Ernie Adams is smart enough to advise Belichick. Allen isn't.

I think that looking at the whole scope of the Haynesworth saga, their has been patience demonstrated.

The result was that the most valuable asset that the team had to trade for draft picks, one which didn't fit the new schemes, was markedly reduced.

[boobiemiles]

D. Thomas= Brandon Lloyd, book it.

[IrepDC]

3 years isn't a real shot?

2 years under Zorn/Campbell.. he only got one snap this season..

[IrepDC]

"It was a startling fall from grace for Thomas, who was one of the few bright spots last season when he caught 25 passes for 325 yards and three touchdowns in 10 starts last season for head coach Jim Zorn."

So you avg 32.5 yds and 2.5 catches a game and you are considered a bright spot? One of those TD's was on a reverse. Keep livin the dream Devin, you are living up to your Return Specialist potential. But you will never be an effective WR

On an abysmal offense of a 4-12 team.. yeah he was a bright spot.. I'm sure you were talking trash about him last year when he was one of the few players making plays on that joke of an offense, right? And I'm pretty sure that quote was from the writer and not Thomas himself.

[IrepDC]

Devin couldn't get on the field when Zorn was head coach. So, this feeling sorry for Thomas is ridiculous. With the situation in Carolina, he is not going to blow the league up. Devin made videos instead of getting ready for the season.

This is all about culture change at Redskins Park. Devin being cut sends a strong message. This new regime will not tolerate punks.

This is what happens on this board. One person states false information. Then a bunch of people take that false info and run with it as gospel. Devin started 10 games last year. Why do you people keep saying he couldn't get on the field under Zorn??? It's annoying.

[Morneblade]

D. Thomas= Brandon Lloyd, book it.

Which year? its taking him 3 years and 2 teams since we got rid of him to show anything. Last year? Eight catches. Two years ago with the Bears? Twenty six catches. Yes, lets go ahead and book that flight.

[The Tris]

D. Thomas= Brandon Lloyd, book it.

Lloyd was a veteran when we signed him, and had had a degree of success, so it is a very different situation than a raw rookie who's development has been limited.

I think that Mike Williams (USC) is a more apt comparison. Immense physical tools, with maturity and WR fundamentals issues. Both came out a year too early.

However, his success this year does not mean the Lions made a mistake releasing him. Just as Thomas potentially putting it all together several years down the road mean we will have erred either.

[Mooka]

Leadership requires self-confidence not a flaming ego. Coaches with high-grade egos are over-confident in their decisions. The over-confidence leads to judgment errors.

Have to take the bad with the good.

Shanahan is going to build this team to his own standards. And he's going to do it in any way possible; trade picks, sign/trade for vets, cut talent, etc.

[The Robert Griffin Experience]

"Big, fast and athletic" is only one dimension of talent. Suck it up, ES. He wasn't that good.

"I know a lot of people have complained about Landry doing that as well and it seems Shanahan is not a big fan of it and that was the end of Thomas. "

Difference is, Laron Landry can play football in the NFL at a high level.

[IrepDC]

"Big, fast and athletic" is only one dimension of talent. Suck it up, ES. He wasn't that good.

"I know a lot of people have complained about Landry doing that as well and it seems Shanahan is not a big fan of it and that was the end of Thomas. "

Difference is, Laron Landry can play football in the NFL at a high level.

The first part of your post is exactly what people were saying about Laron Landry last year. And the second part of your post is a credit to Jim Haslett getting through to Landry. Players like Landry and Thomas, who have all the athletic ability, need coaches to invest in them. If Haslett hadn't come in, you might have been saying the same thing about Landry right now.

[The Robert Griffin Experience]

The first part of your post is exactly what people were saying about Laron Landry last year. And the second part of your post is a credit to Jim Haslett getting through to Landry. Players like Landry and Thomas, who have all the athletic ability, need coaches to invest in them. If Haslett hadn't come in, you might have been saying the same thing about Landry right now.

Last I checked, Devin Thomas isn't playing out of position at wide reciever, nor was he being asked to play a style of football that he wasn't capable of playing (which in Landry's case was essentially to be Sean Taylor).

[IrepDC]

Last I checked, Devin Thomas isn't playing out of position at wide reciever, nor was he being asked to play a style of football that he wasn't capable of playing (which in Landry's case was essentially to be Sean Taylor).

The issues with Landry were fundamental football issues, just like the issues with Thomas. Tackling, coverage, making plays in the open field. No matter which safety position you play, those things are going to be essential. Yes, Haslett is playing Landry to his strengths now, and that is making Landry look better in all of those areas. That's what a coach is supposed to do. A similar application could have been done with Thomas.

[Santana_Fan]

I don't see anybody after Anthony Armstrong doing anything different than what Devin Thomas was doing, or could do. Galloway? Come on now. I hope Devin Thomas has a lot of success in the NFL.

[Mercuryrising]

I will repeat what I said again. Devin, shut up and play. Stop explaining yourself. It didn't work out here and its over now. Moving forward you need to play and play well. This current team is going to struggle so much down the stretch because of the gaping holes at WR. Washington & Carolina will be picking in the top 15 next April. Stop apologizing to us. Vinny drafted you. Good luck man. Make Mike look dumb (it has been done before).

Hail!

Why does he have to shut up, and a guy like you who didn't do any work to try to prove himself to the team gets to run his yapper unsolicited on a situation he knows nothing about, but what he reads and hears on the internet and radio? I think he has a right to say his side after Shanny threw him under the bus in the Media.

[ouvan59]

No, because every local article I've read (not nfl.com general articles) from reporters and people who actually attend training camp and practices constantly mention Devin as someone who went hard in practices, made plays, looked good and stayed late to get extra work in. Devin says he did. Hell, even SHANAHAN has said in articles I've read (during training camp/preseason) that Devin was working hard and giving great effort. I have not heard a single word, even now, from Shanahan that says Devin didn't show effort and hard work, he simply says he must commit more to being a professional on and off the field. As I stated before, Shanahan clearly values Devin's effort/talent/work ethic but also that non-celebratory I've-been-here-before-attitude and that was where Devin fell short. He is an intense player that gets incredibly amped up whenever he makes a play. I know a lot of people have complained about Landry doing that as well and it seems Shanahan is not a big fan of it and that was the end of Thomas.

So no, it is not confirmed to me simply because he said it, but because I've seen quotes agreeing with Thomas remarks from coaches, players and reporters - and it seems the writer of this article would agree with me and he has a lot more inside info than most of us.

So you've chosen to ignore the dozens of reports that refute this? Here is what we know. Devin Thomas has been ineffective under two regimes. He's had one really good game in 3 seasons. But mostly you have to ask yourself, why would Mike Shanahan not play Devin Thomas and then why would Mike Shanahan cut Devin Thomas if he was doing everything that he was asked?

[ouvan59]

The issues with Landry were fundamental football issues, just like the issues with Thomas. Tackling, coverage, making plays in the open field. No matter which safety position you play, those things are going to be essential. Yes, Haslett is playing Landry to his strengths now, and that is making Landry look better in all of those areas. That's what a coach is supposed to do. A similar application could have been done with Thomas.

Are you sure that a similar application wasn't attempted with Thomas? The fact is none of us really knows what is happening at Redskins Park. It could be that Mike Shanahan is a maniacal control freak that holds personal grudges that go way beyond rational thought. Or it could be that Devin Thomas couldn't get with the program. Or it could be somewhere in between. The fact that Laron Landry has improved his game and his style so dramatically makes me believe that the coaching staff might know a thing or two. We'll have to wait and see on Devin Thomas but I'm not going to lose a minute of sleep over it.

[IrepDC]

Are you sure that a similar application wasn't attempted with Thomas? The fact is none of us really knows what is happening at Redskins Park. It could be that Mike Shanahan is a maniacal control freak that holds personal grudges that go way beyond rational thought. Or it could be that Devin Thomas couldn't get with the program. Or it could be somewhere in between. The fact that Laron Landry has improved his game and his style so dramatically makes me believe that the coaching staff might know a thing or two. We'll have to wait and see on Devin Thomas but I'm not going to lose a minute of sleep over it.

I don't give any of the credit for Landry's turn around to Shanahan. He is an offensive guy. As far as a similar application being applied to Thomas, that would have been running him deep down field. Or getting him the ball in space with some quick throws or tosses. That would be taking advantage of his strengths, and hiding his weaknesses, like HASLETT is doing with Landry. The exact thing that Shanahan is doing with Brandon Banks. The only difference is Thomas has more of an ego than Banks, and that seemed to rub Shanahan the wrong way.

[Dirt]

D. Thomas= Brandon Lloyd, book it.

Who cares? I'm believing more and more that he WANTS to be the next T.O/Ocho. Maybe that's a stretch, but obviously it was something of that sort.

I dont' care if TO had double the numbers he has now, I wouldn't want his big-headed ass on my team. And Devin's comments now make it seem worse. Enough of the head cases, it ain't about you, son.

[ouvan59]

I don't give any of the credit for Landry's turn around to Shanahan. He is an offensive guy. As far as a similar application being applied to Thomas, that would have been running him deep down field. Or getting him the ball in space with some quick throws or tosses. That would be taking advantage of his strengths, and hiding his weaknesses, like HASLETT is doing with Landry. The exact thing that Shanahan is doing with Brandon Banks. The only difference is Thomas has more of an ego than Banks, and that seemed to rub Shanahan the wrong way.

And you know it's Thomas' ego that rubs Shanahan the wrong way and not his play in practice how? You've already admitted that the coaching staff is adapting the game plan to fit other players strengths. They have to have tried to do this with Devin as well. It makes absolutely no logical sense that they didn't.