CHANTILLY, Va. -- Vernon Davis' arrival won’t change Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed's role. It does add to his excitement level for the season, however.
The Redskins signed Davis, the former San Francisco/Denver tight end, earlier this month.
“He’s always been a real athletic guy and a great pass-catcher and now I’m starting to see his blocking,” said Reed, who was back in town for the Collectors' Showcase of America show at the Dulles Expo Center Saturday. “He’s always been a great tight end. I’m excited.
“It’s going to be hard to stop, especially when we get Niles [Paul] in the mix. It’ll be hard to stop.”
That’s what the Redskins are hoping and it’s why they signed Davis. He hasn’t been the same dominant player lately that he was from 2009-13 when he caught 294 passes with 44 touchdowns. He averaged 13.84 yards per catch. The last two seasons he caught a combined 64 passes with no touchdowns. He averaged 10.0 yards per catch.
But the Redskins signed him to be a complementary player alongside Reed and insurance should Paul not be ready for training camp after a gruesome ankle dislocation last summer.
However, the Redskins’ passing attack still will center around Reed, who caught 87 passes with 11 touchdowns last season. It's a big season ahead for Reed, who is entering the final year of his contract with hopes of receiving an extension. It’s one reason he signed with a different agent (Joel Segal) last month. But all he said about an extension is that “my agent is handling that.”
Reed’s focus is building on his performance.
“I could be more consistent in certain situations and I feel I can always get better at my route running and create more separation and get way better as a blocker,” Reed said.
What he won’t do is alter his offseason regimen that he began last offseason. In 2015, Reed changed the way he worked out, incorporating more stretching and changing his diet. He also worked out with left tackle Trent Williams in Texas after the Redskins’ spring workouts ended. Reed said he will do the same thing this offseason, heading to Texas after the organized team activities (OTAs) conclude. Reed said he’s been “working out and relaxing” the last two months, mostly in Florida.
“I’ve been feeling awesome, man,” Reed said.