Kelly Starter

Coach Jim Zorn finally made it official after practice, announcing that second-year wide receiver Malcolm Kelly is the new starting flanker opposite split end Santana Moss. "He's gone all training camp really improving along the way," Zorn said. "His overall explosion off the line of scrimmage has been very good. I can't tell you everybody just stepped back and watched him go. But we're going to give him the opportunity to be out there." After being limited to only five games in his rookie season because of knee problems, Kelly said he views the 2009 season as a new beginning for him. Kelly began camp behind fellow second-year wide receiver Devin Thomas and veteran Antwaan Randle El.

In other 'Skins news,The New Orleans Saints signed rookie quarterback Chase Daniel, who was cut Saturday by Washington, several media outlets reported Sunday. Daniel, who was a standout at the University of Missouri, will be placed on the Saints' practice squad. Daniel had a strong training camp with the Redskins, who had hoped to sign him to their practice squad. He has been compared to the Saints' starting quarterback, Drew Brees, because of their similar size and backgrounds.

Important Year 2 Battle

So the only battle is not just between QBs Brennan and Daniel. There is an important battle happening out in the wideout position as Thomas and Kelly fight for the slot position. While Devin Thomas began training camp with a slight edge over Malcolm Kelly, the consensus around Redskins Park is that Kelly is now the top candidate to line up opposite Santana Moss in the flanker spot. With the first-team offense expected to play as much as a full half Friday night, fans should walk away with a decent idea of how the battle between Thomas, Kelly and incumbent, Antwaan Randle El is shaping up thus far. Zorn cautioned last week that he isn't expecting to anoint the No. 2 receiver at the conclusion of the Pats' game. In fact, he might not know who wins the job "until a couple games into the season," he said. "I think they really are even right now. I've seen them both working to try to set themselves apart and yet they're both climbing while they're doing that so I think it's very difficult to tell, " Zorn said. "They both have a real strong desire to be 'the guy,' and yet Antwaan Randle El is battling in there too. While it's easy to talk about the battle as a two-man competition, Zorn makes certain to remind everyone that Randle El could retain the job. He's also made clear, though, that he thinks Randle El would be perfect for the slot. It's dangerous to use preseason stats as a solitary judge, but Kelly leads the group with five catches and 47 yards through the first two games. Thomas has 19 yards on two receptions and Randle El has one catch for 15 yards.

Receivers Are Ready

With the exception of Santana Moss, Jason Campbell had no viable downfield options. Antwaan Randle El is coming off a down year, and wideouts Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly were disappointed as rookies. Thomas had maturity/professionalism issues, and Kelly's knee problem. But Campbell believes Thomas and Kelly "are ready for us to count on them and really help us. They're ready for us to lean on them. I'm saying that because of what I've seen from them" in workouts. If Thomas and Kelly emerge as productive receivers, the Redskins could move Randle El into more of the slot role, for which he is better suited and was originally signed to play.

Slowwww

Well not much news today. Well other than the usual of the Favre rumors. I mean, I probably won't report on that unless something believable comes out. Every time a story comes out, there is another that disputes the reliability of that source. So until I hear something straight from the agent or horse's mouth, I won't keeping posting useless stuff.

On the other hand out of Washington,DC, Jim Zorn is waiting for one of his young receivers to step up at split end. They spent two draft picks on Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly and would like one of them to become the starter this season. Both have a lot of potential but they need to know how to tap into it and use it.