Tight end Fred Davis' rookie year in Washington didn't go well.
The second-round pick in the 2008 draft overslept his third day of minicamp, causing a stir and putting him in the doghouse before he had learned his way around Redskins Park. Davis wound up with just two catches in 11 games while starter Chris Cooley set franchise marks for catches and receiving yards by a tight end and was chosen for a second consecutive Pro Bowl.
Although coach Jim Zorn vowed to use two tight ends more in 2009, Davis had just seven catches in the first six games before stepping up when Cooley went down with a season-ending broken ankle. Davis caught 41 balls for 464 yards and a team-high six touchdowns during the last 10 games.
However, with Cooley healthy again in 2010, Davis returned to (mostly) forgotten man status under new coach Mike Shanahan with 21 catches to the starter's 77.
But this summer was a different one for Davis, who's in the final year of his contract. He dropped 15 pounds to become more of a downfield threat after watching Houston's lighter Owen Daniels succeed in a similar offense, studied film more intensely and had his reps skyrocket as Cooley missed all of preseason with a sore knee.
Shanahan started both tight ends in the regular-season opener against the New York Giants and it was Davis who had the big day, grabbing five of the six passes Rex Grossman threw in his direction for a career-high 105 yards, stats that ranked him as the NFL's most productive tight end behind perennial Pro Bowl pick Jason Witten of the Dallas Cowboys.
"In (Zorn's offense), the tight ends didn't run that many deep routes," Davis said. "I don't remember running any seam (routes). We ran a lot of short routes. You had to get as many yards as you could after the catch. This offense (allows) you to make a lot of plays. I watch other tight ends and I feel I can be one of the best in the league."
Shanahan, in whose offense tight end Shannon Sharpe flourished en route to the Hall of Fame, likes what he's seeing from Davis, who might finally be ready to fulfill his potential.
"By losing some weight and having an excellent offseason, he's giving himself the ability to have a heck of a year," Shanahan said. "I think he's enjoying what he's doing and looks like he's having fun. Usually when players are having fun, they have a way of coming up with big plays just like he did in the first game."
REDSKINS NOTES:
—SS LaRon Landry was limited again in practice on Thursday with a tender right hamstring and will almost surely sit out a ninth straight game, dating back to last November, on Sunday against Arizona. Reed Doughty would start again in his place.
—OLB Brian Orakpo was limited again on Thursday because of a sprained right ankle suffered last week against the New York Giants. Orakpo expects to play but if he can't, pass-rush specialist Rob Jackson would get the start.
—TE Chris Cooley took full work for a second straight day on Thursday and should start against the Cardinals.
—CB DeAngelo Hall (back) took full practice again on Thursday and should start on Sunday.
—ILB Keyaron Fox (back) was limited on Thursday and is questionable for Sunday.
