Prior to the trade deadline, the Redskins were aggressively shopping tight end Fred Davis.
That might be, in part, because of his aggressive resistance to staying awake.
Davis admitted to Jim Corbett of USA Today that he has caught a few winks during team meetings.
“I’ve never slept through a whole meeting, but I’ve nodded off,’' Davis said. “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.’'
Putting young men (some of whom might not have gone straight to bed the night before) in a dark room and talking to them about the intricacies of scheme is not exactly the best way to keep attention. But it’s also their job.
Of course, Davis’ willingness to nap might also be explained by being somewhat less than motivated. He’s fallen off the face of the Earth this year, with just three catches, and has been replaced by rookie Jordan Reed.
That’s a steep fall for a guy who was given the franchise tag in 2012, and promptly tore his Achilles.
But he thinks he has plenty to offer, which is why he wishes he were on another team.
“Definitely,” he said. “If I was on another team, you’d see what I can do. . . .
“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.’'
Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said he talked to Davis and “let him know that I expected him to practice at a certain level and have his mind ready to play.”
And having that mind awake and alert might also help.