Thank You James Thrash

Real Redskin

Though Jon Jansen was technically the longest tenured Redskin at the time of his release in May having been with the team since 1999, James Thrash was the senior Redskin. Now James has been released, unable to pass a phyiscal and the team needs to move on. James had not participated in June OTAs with a bulging disc in his neck, foreshadowing the injury that would end his tenure with the team.

James was an undrafted free agent out of Missouri Southern University in 1997, the Philadelphia Eagles originally signed him in April of 1997, then released him in July just before training camp. Three days later James was signed by the Redskins.

James played his first four seasons for the Redskins, mainly as a reserve, his breakout year came in 2000 when he started nine games and caught 50 passes for 653 yards and two touchdowns, James was moved up in the depth chart when receiver Michael Westbrook tore knee ligaments in the game two against Detroit.

In the 2001 offseason James signed a five year deal with the Eagles as a free agent and returned to the team that cut him before rookie training camp and spent three seasons there, statistically his best years were in Philadelphia, James was part of three straight NFC Championship teams as an Eagle. When Philadelphia made their move in the 2004 offseason and signed receiver Terrell Owens, the team traded James back to the Redskins for a fifth round pick in the 2005 NFL draft, a pick the Eagles shrewdly used to select defensive end Trent Cole, a leading Eagle to this day.

I asked lifetime Eagles fan, season ticket holder and Curly R reader/lurker Wilbert Montgomery for his take on James' time in Philadelphia. Here is what he had to say:

I liked the guy... [James] worked hard in practice and in games and brought very little ego to the game. I wish there were more guys like him at the skill positions in the NFL.

Curly R aside: read into these Eagle fan comments what you will considering that James was directly replaced in 2004 by Terrell Owens, who seems to be the opposite of this description of James Thrash.


In Joe Gibbs' second go round with the team starting in 2004, James would join receivers Laveranues Coles and Rod Gardner and would play a different role, one he would continue through last season: the gutty guy.

In the five seasons, 2004 through 2008, James played in his second stint with the Redskins, he never caught more than seventeen passes, and only caught nine each of his past two. His role evolved into so much more, and he became a glue for this team:

The big play. The Redskins have never been able to find a suitable complement to receiver Santana Moss. Antwaan Randle El became a role player and none of the legion of receivers tried out or signed by the Redskins the past five seasons was able to displace James as number three. If Santana or Antwaan got dinged and came out of the game, or if you ever found yourself yelling at the TV, we could really use a big play here, it was usually James Thrash that went downfield and out of character, gave up the body and made the play. Some examples:

2008 game eight at Lions: second quarter, Lions lead 10-3, Redskins ball at the Washington 17 with 36 seconds left in the half, on third and nineteen Jason Campbell goes deep to James for 29 yards, the Redskins are able to hang on and score a field goal as the half expires to cut the Lions lead to 10-6.

2007 game nine versus Eagles: in a barnburner at home James catches two second quarter 31 yard bombs from Jason Campbell before pulling in his second touchdown reception of the game to put the Redskins ahead 12-7.

2006 game eight versus Cowboys: with no timeouts and the game tied 19 all in the fourth quarter, two minutes left in the game and the Redskins at midfield, Mark Brunell finds James short over the middle on third and seven, James crosses and reaches for seventeen yards to keep the drive alive and set up a tying field goal try.


Blocking. It had almost become a caricature the past three seasons, when you saw James Thrash in the game, that usually meant run play. An outstanding blocker at the line and downfield, James helped spring his teammates and particularly Clinton Portis. Even when you knew James was in the game as a blocker he was still going to knock your ass down.


Special teams. Back with Rock Cartwright on nearly every kickoff and rushing downfield on kickoffs and punts, James knew the value of hustle. Even as he became less valuable to the team as a receiver he maintained a key role on a unit where youth dominates and future starters are stashed.

James finishes his playing career with the Redskins having played nine seasons, played in 118 games, starting 24 of them, caught 126 passes for 1620 yards and pulled in seven touchdowns, made countless blocks and had limitless hustle.


Good luck, we will miss you James, thank you for all you did for the Washington Redskins.



James Thrash celebrating a touchdown early last season in Dallas: AP photo from here.