bubba9497 Posted May 3, 2004 Share Posted May 3, 2004 Thrash is happy in return Back with Redskins, receiver continues to work toward role BY PAUL WOODY TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER May 3, 2004 http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031775225306&path=%21sports%21redskins&s=1045855935462 ASHBURN - James Thrash is not a person who sees a glass as half empty or half full. Thrash sees every glass as completely full. Thrash spent the past three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, a team that lost the past three NFC championship games. The Philadelphia story, Thrash said, was, "Great. There's no doubt it was frustrating to be one game away from the Super Bowl and not get there three years in a row. But we [Thrash and his wife] grew so much spiritually." Having the Eagles trade him to Washington, after leading the team in receptions for two of the past three seasons was, Thrash said, "A great opportunity." On Saturday, Thrash felt a pall come over that opportunity. His daughter Abriel, born on April 26, was spitting up blood. Thrash left the Redskins minicamp practice to take his wife and daughter to the hospi- tal. "She's OK," Thrash said of Abriel. "We have to take her back [to the doctor], but for now everything appears to be OK. Thanks for asking." Thrash is unfailingly polite and respectful. He is devoutly religious. He is an upstanding member of the community. The Redskins like those things about him, but those are not the primary reasons they were willing to give up a fifth-round draft choice to re-acquire him from the Eagles. Thrash, 29, is one of the hardest-working players in the NFL. He never complains. He never refuses a coach's request. He comes as close to giving everything he has in every workout, off-season, preseason, regular season, as any player in Redskins history. "Those are the kind of guys we want," Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said. Thrash, 6-0 200, will have a hard time supplanting either Laveranues Coles or Rod Gardner in the starting lineup. Darnerien McCants is going to get a long look as either the No. 3 receiver and might push Gardner for a starting job. None of that appears to bother Thrash. "I'm not one of those guys that needs something given to me," Thrash said. "I'm willing to work for everything I get, whether it's playing a role on offense or special teams. As long as I can help the team win, I'm happy." The difference between Thrash and many other players is that he means that when he says it. With Gibbs as the Redskins coach, such players tend to stick around for a while. That will be fine with Thrash. Even when he was with the Eagles, he and his family spent their off-season at their home just a few miles from Redskin Park. He also likes the idea of finishing his career where it began. And unlike many players, he wasn't offended by the idea of being traded. "I figured it was going to happen," Thrash said. "I was their leading receiver, but I knew they wanted to get another receiver and go in another direction." Thrash led the Eagles in receptions last year with 49 for 558 yards. The direction the Eagles took was to replace the steady, uncomplaining Thrash with the sometimes spectacular, often high-maintenance Terrell Owens. Thrash never could afford to be high maintenance. When he finished his career at Missouri Southern State, the Eagles signed him as a college free agent. They released him before training camp even began and the Redskins signed him. Thrash, a national class sprinter, was making a favorable impression during his first training camp, under Norv Turner, and the Redskins hoped to sneak him through the preseason and place him on the practice squad. Thrash scuttled that plan by returning two kickoffs for touchdowns in preseason games. The Redskins knew if they cut him, which has to be done before placing a player on the practice squad, another team would sign him. Now, Thrash is entering his eighth season, has made a huge amount of money, has two children and gushes at his good fortune and spiritual growth. "I try not to reminisce too much because once you do that you get stuck in the past," Thrash said. "But to look back at where I started, it's awesome to see where God has put me." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parlett316 Posted May 3, 2004 Share Posted May 3, 2004 It's great to have the NFL's version of Doug Christie back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurent Posted May 3, 2004 Share Posted May 3, 2004 Funny thing is, he looks just like him too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funnyperson1 Posted May 3, 2004 Share Posted May 3, 2004 I liked Thrash when he was here, and I am glad that he is back. I do think it's kind of funny how hes gone Eagles->Skins->Eagles->Skins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankbones Posted May 4, 2004 Share Posted May 4, 2004 I don't expect Thrash to make more than 25-30 catches this season, but I have a feeling on 3rd down you will see him on the field more often than not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triple6mafia Posted May 4, 2004 Share Posted May 4, 2004 thrash is definitely a hard worker and i'm happy we got him back. i don't see why he can't play #3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sisko Posted May 4, 2004 Share Posted May 4, 2004 Thrash is the anti-Rod Gardner and is a class act all the way. He became one of my blue collar favorites after he played decoy in the second half of a game with a fractured collarbone because we didn't have anyone else healthy enough to put on the field. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BG Posted May 4, 2004 Share Posted May 4, 2004 I think it is getting way past time to see that Gardner will be gone........ If that move was to be made, I don't understand why it hasn't been made already. Unless they are planning to wait just before the season when some team with an injury or some other issue allows us to drive up the price......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QBkilla56 Posted May 4, 2004 Share Posted May 4, 2004 Originally posted by Parlett316 TBanks fan lol It's great to have the NFL's version of Doug Christie back. I just noticed that. :point2sky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted May 4, 2004 Share Posted May 4, 2004 I'm happy to see him here, even though I'd suspect he may be winding down, and even though we're not exactly short handed at receiver, simply because of his attitude and what it represents for the team. When was the last time anybody referred to the 'Skins as over-achievers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UK Skins Posted May 4, 2004 Share Posted May 4, 2004 Why do you suggest he is winding down? He gave his all last time and most of us were sad to see him go (although he did get a decent pay-day out of it). He sounds pumped and ready to play for Coach Gibbs now and I think he will contribute big time in whichever role he ends up. I think you should let him play and bash him at the end of the season, not before we've even played a game.:mad: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted May 4, 2004 Share Posted May 4, 2004 Oh, I haven't seen him play lately. I was just tossing a hypothetical, based on his age. I'm certainly not down on Thrash. He and B Mitchell were some of the problems I had with the Norv era. I was ticked with the team for letting them go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citigent Posted May 4, 2004 Share Posted May 4, 2004 im looking forward to our special team unit . with trash and morton and gibbs stress to the unit it should be a good year. a good year with alot of good field position that is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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