For the first time in his NFL career, Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis feels good about the direction the team is headed.

The franchise player, who is coming off a troubling 4-game suspension for failing a drug test, said he’s focused and ready to put the past behind him.

Davis appeared relaxed and jovial during his appearance with LaVar Arrington and Chad Dukes Wednesday afternoon on 106.7 The Fan.

“It was a minor setback… 666, the devil made me do it,” Davis joked about the failed drug test.

Jokes aside, the USC product takes responsibility for the failures which marred an already downtrodden 2011 Redskins campaign.

“The lockout gave me a lot of free time, but that’s no excuse,” he said. “At the end of the day I know what time it is. I know the vulnerability I put my team in and myself too. This career doesn’t last long. “

With the suspension firmly in his rear view, Davis is enjoying the dawning of a new era in Ashburn. Like the majority of his Redskins teammates, he’s been captivated by the progress of Robert Griffin III and the new targets brought in to help the rookie quarterback.

“He definitely has an arm,” Davis said of Griffin. “He just learned the playbook and is getting better every day. He’s making some amazing throws on the field that I’ve seen, which other guys have seen as well, it definitely makes you excited to see the season get started.”

As for the new weapons, Davis said Pierre Garcon has been making some “crazy plays” during the team’s offseason workouts. He also paid homage to a leaner Santana Moss who appears poised to return to form.

As for the log jam at tight end, Davis said the eclectic mix of talent will be interesting to monitor during training camp and during final roster cuts.

“We have a really nice group, different type of players at each position, too,” he said. “It’s amazing. Niles (Paul) is making plays out here. (Chris) Cooley is coming back off of injury. Logan (Paulsen) is a big guy, a blocker and he can make plays too downfield. . . It might be the most depth we have at any position. It’s probably that and receiver right now. “

Head coach Mike Shanahan cut short the team’s mini-camp by one day this week. The team returns for training camp late next month.

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