Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis is a talented former second-round draft pick who has had an issue with staying out of trouble since he entered the NFL in 2008. A talented athlete who once seemed on the verge of a breakout, Davis has failed multiple drug tests and given embarrassing excuses for it. Now, he is slowly being phased out by rookie tight end Jordan Reed.
But that’s OK. Davis’ decreased work load has allowed him to catch up on rest. On Wednesday, the 27-year-old told Jim Corbett of USA Today Sports that he has fallen asleep during team meetings before.
“I’ve never slept through a whole meeting, but I’ve nodded off,” Davis admitted. “I mean everyone nods off. It’s dark in there. You nod off. You wake up — go get something to drink and go back. I’ve done that.”
I’m sure Mike Shanahan appreciates that. Reed has suddenly emerged as Robert Griffin III’s favorite target, and the Redskins aren’t running an offense that can support two pass-catching tight ends. Davis is aware of that, which is why he was hoping to be traded prior to the deadline earlier this week.
“If I was on another team, you’d see what I can do,” he said. “It’s frustrating not to be out there because I know there are plays I could make. I just want to play. I like it here. I was drafted here. But at the same time, I want to play. If I can’t play here, then, I’d rather play somewhere else.”
Davis has been inactive the past two weeks. He will lose a $500,000 bonus at the end of the season if he is inactive for five games. When asked if he thought that was a factor in the team’s decision to keep him off the game day roster, Davis said “probably, it’s a business.” Shanahan firmly denied that money has anything to do with it.
“One thing I try to do as a head coach now as compared to when I was in Denver — I don’t look at any of those incentives,” Shanahan said. “I keep myself away from those things. I didn’t know that until I was just told about two minutes ago.”
Davis can frame it any way he wants. Reed simply looks like the better player. And even if he’s not, he certainly has better chemistry with RG3. It is highly unlikely that Davis will be back with Washington next season.
