B6 August 9-11, 2018
Richmond Free Press
Sports Plus
Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Fan Appreciation Day
Hundreds of fans and autograph seekers flocked to the Washington professional football team’s training field to hobnob with their favorite players during last Saturday’s Fan Appreciation Day. Following practice, wide receiver Darvin Kidsy, above, signs footballs and other team paraphernalia for fans of all ages. Safety Kenny Ladler, left, cuts in to snatch a catch from wide receiver Cam Sims. Below right, a trainer works with a player on stretches, an important part of the practice session. Outside the gate, below, Stephen Rivera of Richmond protests the team’s racist name and mascot, which are offensive to many Native Americans.
Washington fans looking for Doctson to break out By Fred Jeter
When Washington selected Josh Doctson in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft, fans hoped his career would take off like a jackrabbit. Instead, his progress has been more akin to a tortoise. The native Texan needs to pick it up in the coming months if the Washington team is to be a contender in the tough NFC East. Doctson’s 2016 rookie season was derailed by an Achilles tendon injury. He saw limited action and caught just two passes. Washington fans saw a healthier Doctson in 2017, although he missed much of training camp with a tender hamstring. In his second NFL season, Doctson made 35 catches for 502 yards — nice numbers but not what’s expect from a No. 1 pick. He finished the season on a down note, with just five grabs in the last four games as Washington closed 9-7, missing the playoffs for a second straight year. Then came a major scare on Aug. 1 in a practice session at the Bon Secours Training Center on Richmond’s North Side. Following a collision with teammate Josh Norman, Doctson had to be helped off the field, and fears spread that he may have a serious collar bone or shoulder injury. Washington fans let out a collection “whew” when MRI results came back negative. Doctson missed a couple days of contact but appears good to go. “Josh is OK. Everything checked out fine,”
Josh Doctson
Coach Jay Gruden told the media last week. Doctson has what every coach is looking for in a wide receiver. He was measured at 6-foot2, 202 pounds, at the NFL Combine in 2016. He covered the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds, bench pressed 225 pounds for 14 repetitions
and unleashed a 10-foot-11 standing broad jump Doctson, Washington features wideouts Jamison and 41-inch vertical leap. Crowder and Paul Richardson, tight ends Jordan With a new starting quarterback, Alex Smith, Reed and Vernon Davis, and ever-dangerous Chris in town, it’s about time for Doctson to translate Thompson streaking out of the backfield. those physical assets to Sunday game times in In his fourth year out of Duke University, coming months. 5-foot-9 Crowder made 66 receptions for 789 Washington fans are hopeful that this season, yards a year ago. Doctson will approach his dazzling college Free agent acquisition Richardson, a former statistics at Texas Christian University. As a second round draft choice, had 44 grabs for 703 TCU senior in 2015, Doctson had 79 catches yards a year ago for the Seattle Seahawks. for 1,327 yards and 14 touchdowns. Few NFL franchises boast a more glowing The 25-year-old promises big things are history of wide receivers than Washington. around the corner. Bobby Mitchell, Charley Taylor, Ark Monk, “I’m looking to do huge things,” he told the Santana Moss, Gary Clark and others rank Free Press. “The biggest thing on this level is among sports’ elite. confidence. Last year kind of calmed it down, Doctson has the assets to join that list. and now I’m back like I was at TCU.” Hauling them in So far Doctson has enjoyed Washington’s all-time pass receivers (Statistics based on working with Smith, who came the players’ seasons with Washington only): from the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent to replace the departed Seasons in D.C. Catches Yards TDs Kirk Cousins, who is now with • Art Monk 1980-1993 888 12,026 65 Minnesota. • Charley Taylor 1964-1977 649 9,110 79 “It’s been amazing. It’s been Santana Moss 2005-2014 581 7,867 47 fun,” Doctson said of working Gary Clark 1985-1992 549 8,742 58 with Smith. Chris Cooley 2004-2012 429 4,711 33 The 34-year-old Smith passed Jerry Smith 1968-1977 421 5,496 60 for 26 touchdowns and 4,402 yards Ricky Sanders 1986-1993 414 5,854 36 a year ago for the Chiefs. • Bobby Mitchell 1962-1968 393 6,492 49 Smith’s 104.7 overall quarterPierre Garcon 2012-2016 376 4,549 21 back ranking in 2017 is an upgrade from Cousins’ 93.9. Mike Westbrook 1995-2001 277 4,280 24 • NFL Hall of Fame member There are targets aplenty on the D.C. depth chart. In addition to