Can’t Keep My Mind Off Football
Written by Devin Thomas Monday, February 11, 2010
I am excited about having Coach Shanahan take over the team. The way I look at it, it’s like Phil Jackson taking over the Lakers. We have so much talent, now we have a leader who will make sure that talent produces on the field. You couldn’t ask for a better coach to represent our team.
Everyone knows about Coach Shanahan’s success and his ability to build a team and put a plan into action. When you have a great leader, his attitude trickles down through the players. It starts at the top and works its way to the bottom. The coach reflects the team. Look at the Steelers, they have a tough, defensive minded coach and they’re a tough, defensive minded team.
Coach Shanahan is a disciplined, well respected coach, he will make sure we don’t keep having problems with penalties and that everyone is in the right places at the right time. With him on the field and Bruce Allen in the front office I think we’re going to surprise some people next season.
For me, it’s great to have another year under my belt, another year toward getting into that comfort zone on the field. I take away from my experience everything I can, so next year I’ll have an edge to help us win any way I can. We lost a lot of close games, some devastating losses. We don’t want to repeat that next year. It’s like in college, from freshman to senior year, you’re naturally more mature and able to handle situations better with experience.
I’m so excited I’m already starting to hit the weights pretty hard. The Super Bowl was here in Miami, and being around that atmosphere and the buildup before the game makes you want to be in the same position the Saints and Colts were in. Tracy Porter is a guy I know, I can relate to him and he’s a Super Bowl champion.
I’m ready to play this game the way it needs to be played to get us into the playoffs. I’ve already called my guy at the gym to tell him I’m ready to get back into it. You want to take your mind off the game for a while, but right now, with a new coach, everything is so crystal clear for the upcoming season as to what kind of success we can have.
I can’t keep my mind off football.
Devin Thomas is a wide receiver with the Washington Redskins. His blog for www.playerpress.com runs at www.thomas11.com. Follow him on Twitter as devinthomas.
Making the Most of It
Written by Devin Thomas Monday, December 10, 2009
It’s been a real frustrating year. We came in with a lot of high expectations all across the board, for me personally and for the whole team. It’s been disappointing but sometimes it happens like that and you have to be patient, and when your time comes make the most of it.
You never know when your opportunity will arrive, so all you can do is make sure you stay ready, that’s all you can do. When it’s your time you have to step up to the plate and make it happen. Otherwise you can’t complain, because when your time came you missed your shot and it’s your own fault.
Last week was my shot and I was ready. Everything was clicking, Jason was finding me and we had good matchups and good timing against the Saints. It was just too bad we couldn’t pull out the win.
Since I became a starter my role has increased gradually each week. Finally last week I had the chance to showcase all of my abilities, including kick returning. I felt like it could have happened earlier in the season and I could have gotten rolling earlier. But this is my time now and I have to make the most of it every week.
I feel like Jason has confidence in me and we have chemistry from all the time we spent together in the off-season. We’re on the same page and in a good situation, so we can put up some good numbers for the rest of the year and see where it goes after that.
I really like returning kicks. It’s one of those hit-or-miss situations. I enjoy going full speed. If I hit the hole right I can fly right through, if not you have to make the most of it. It’s a challenge I like, and I like having that ball in my hands.
That’s why I chose to play offense instead of defense. At Michigan State I think I could have been a great DB, but I always had a thirst for the ball. I knew I needed to get the ball in my hands.
I think we can do even better, starting this week against the Raiders. I’m licking my chops to go up against Nnamdi. He’s a great corner and going up against him is the opportunity of a lifetime, just like going up against Champ Bailey when we played Denver. Especially as a young guy, it’s great to have the chance to test yourself against the best
I think I can do better, too. I’m not at any kind of peak right now, I’m still gradually getting better and better. I know I still make mistakes here and there, but you can count on some big things happening. I have confidence in myself, I have confidence from Jason and I’m feeling it from the coaches. That’s a lot of confidence in one area. I know that when I get that ball in my hands I can make things happen.
Devin Thomas is a wide receiver with the Washington Redskins. His blog for www.playerpress.com runs at www.thomas11.com. Follow him on Twitter as devinthomas.
Get Ready for the Show
Written by Devin Thomas Monday, September 11, 2009
We’re excited and confident going into our opener on Sunday against the Giants. It’s a great way to get started, with a tough challenge against the defending division champs in their house. Every division game is huge.
I won’t be starting, but when I’m out there I’m gonna make plays, do what I have to do and showcase my skills. I don’t want my fans to be disappointed that I’m not starting. I’m not disappointed. I’m going to keep working hard and make some plays Sunday so maybe I could end up starting the next game or whenever.
It would mean a lot to me to be a starter, I’m not nonchalant about it. I’ll just keep working hard each week and it will come. Malcolm is probably going to start this week and I’m rooting for him.
What you can expect this week is a tough fighting game with our full team out there playing the way we’re supposed to play. This isn’t preseason, now we’re live and in full color. You’re going to see tough hits and big plays and tough catches.
That’s what No. 11 in definitely going to provide when my number’s called. Get ready for the show!!!
Devin Thomas is a wide receiver with the Washington Redskins. His blog for www.playerpress.com runs at www.thomas11.com. Follow him on Twitter as devinthomas.
Feeling Good
Written by Devin Thomas Monday, August 21, 2009
We didn’t win our first preseason game but it was still a good game. It’s just great to be out there playing football again, practice is going good, I’m feeling good, just ready to get out there and do what I got to do to make things happen.
Malcolm and I worked hard all off-season knowing that we had to take some of the load off of Santana this year. We’re doing our best to help him out. All of the receivers are close, we’re like brothers in one big room. I think our coach Stan Hixon loves having us out there, he has fun with us because we all get along great. Everyone is competing every day, working hard as a team.
My hamstring was sore but now it’s 100 percent. We just had to be smart with it, take precautions. I had massage therapy and it’s a lot stronger since OTAs, I’m feeling good and ready to roll.
I’m also in shape, got my wind up, I’m like a gazelle out there and I can run all day. I’m ready to make some plays.
Now that Madden 10 is out we play sometimes in the hotel. I want everyone to know that I’m the best at Madden, no one can beat me. I destroy Fred Smoot daily.
Devin Thomas is a wide receiver with the Washington Redskins. His blog for www.playerpress.com runs at www.thomas11.com. Follow him on Twitter as devinthomas.
My Alma Mater
Written by Devin Thomas Monday, July 17, 2009
I’m back at Michigan State for a couple weeks working out with all the Spartans. I just got up here yesterday and I’m going to be going through the offseason program, just like I used to do when I was a player here.
This gives me a chance to get back to the mentality I used to have and get back to doing things the way I used to. It’s like getting back to basics. We do a lot more footwork and endurance drills, stuff that will get me right for when I roll into training camp. Working out here gives me that homegrown, good feeling about working hard.
When I first got here they were halfway through running gasses and I just jumped right in. I think the players here are happy that I’m working out with them. I can help them with the little things, work with the receivers, things I’ve been working on for years, hopefully that will put them in better position for their season.
I think the coaches feel good about me coming back and working out with the team. I’m supporting the school, showing the players that connection you have when you move on from Michigan State. Shows what kind of program they have here.
I’ll be here for a couple weeks, then back to DC.
Oh, check out the August edition of Vibe Magazine. I did a photo shoot with them last week, posing with no shirt on, showing off my tattoos, stuff like that. It was fun.
Devin Thomas is a wide receiver with the Washington Redskins. His blog for www.playerpress.com runs at www.thomas11.com. Follow him on Twitter as devinthomas.
Friendly Competition
Written by Devin Thomas Monday, June 11, 2009
OTAs are over, and we have a break now until training camp. I think our reporting date is July 29.
I think our entire offseason program went real well. I was getting a lot of reps with the first team and made it through all the OTAs with no physical issues, so I felt good about it.
I also had lasik eye surgery and it definitely improved the way I see the ball and was a way for me not to have to wear contacts anymore. I didn’t have a major issue with my eyes, but having the procedure done definitely shows you how bad your vision was before you had it done. I’m almost 20/10 now.
Toward the end of OTAs the offense was starting to come together and making more plays down the field. We did a good job of not making a lot of minor mistakes, like false starts and that stuff.
I feel like I really took good advantage of the time with Jason. We’re getting more and more comfortable together.
Malcolm and me, I have a strong belief that we’re going to get a lot of playing time this season and get a lot of balls thrown our way. I expect that to happen. We’re tight, we came into the league together, and it’s a friendly competition between us. We’re both trying to be playmakers, both trying to stay on the field.
We try to one-up each other. If he makes a play, I come out and I try to make a play. A little friendly competition can help everybody.
Devin Thomas is a wide receiver with the Washington Redskins. His blog for www.playerpress.com runs at www.thomas11.com. Follow him on Twitter as devinthomas.
My Hamstring is 100%
Written by Devin Thomas Monday, May 5, 2009
Every day I’m getting stronger and faster with the weight room work and conditioning I’m doing in our off-season training program, but just as important is the chemistry I’m developing with our quarterback Jason Campbell.
Every day I’m out there with Jason and our position coaches, just me and him running routes, critiquing little things and getting better every time out there. Soon it will become more natural and that will make it much easier.
I got tripped up at practice the other day and I felt a tweak in my right hamstring. It’s the same one I hurt last preseason so I want to be real careful about it.
It was just a little aggravated, a little sore and I wanted to sit out and wait until it felt better, especially when it’s real rainy and the field is wet like it has been. So I just chilled out for a couple of days and did some extra precautionary things, like keeping heat on it and stretching it.
I was back in action at practice today and it felt great.
I feel like OTAs have been going well for me. I’m out there showcasing my skills and doing what I have to do, making my catch and running pretty good routes.
Other than practicing I’m just at home with my family. My fiancée and my son, Devin Jr., just moved in with me this weekend so I spend a lot of time home with my family. Devin Jr. is 17 months now.
We also have a Rottweiler named Dutch. I named him after Arnold Schwarzenegger in the movie “Predator.”
Devin Thomas is a wide receiver with the Washington Redskins. His blog for www.playerpress.com runs at www.thomas11.com.