|
05-11-2014, 05:49 PM | #196 |
pie is never free
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: the drivers seat
Casino cash: $3477775
|
|
Posts: 91,938
|
05-11-2014, 05:50 PM | #197 |
MVP
Join Date: Sep 2013
Casino cash: $10035212
|
Biggest difference, IMO, is that Reid actually knows what to do with Thomas. He's not going to take years to figure stuff out like Haley did.
|
Posts: 12,727
|
05-11-2014, 05:55 PM | #198 |
MVP
Join Date: Sep 2013
Casino cash: $10035212
|
Thomas has as much potential as Tavon Austin as a slot weapon in this league. If you watched Thomas play at all, you would see that he's a damn good receiver.
He has great concentration and, despite his small hands, can consistently snatch the ball out of the air away from his body. DAT, because of his natural abilities, is more than capable of getting open at the NFL level with more work there in training camp. He's not going to come down with every contested catch but he won't have to do that with the kind of separation that he's capable of creating with his quickness and explosiveness. Reid is going to work magic with Thomas and Thomas is going to save us a roster spot because he can be an emergency RB as well as a slot WR. |
Posts: 12,727
|
05-11-2014, 06:04 PM | #199 |
MVP
Join Date: Feb 2003
Casino cash: $6315286
|
Holy crap. Just watched that 32 minute video. Knew of him but hadn't seen him play. How did this guy last until the end of the fourth round?
Dude is first and foremost a football player. He runs like an old school tailback and catches like a polished receiver. He appears to be proficient running inside and outside, just like Charles. His cuts are ridiculous and amazing how efficient they are. He's always moving forward and picking up positive yards. His acceleration shooting through a crease is eye-popping. He breaks a ton of leg tackles and uses his blockers as well as anyone I've seen. It's obvious he's a really smart runner with the ball in his hands. If you block for this guy he's going to exploit the slightest of openings. I encourage anyone who has a doubt about how good this kid is to just watch that 32 minute video. It made a believer out of me. I can't wait to see how Andy uses him and what he will mean to the offense. |
Posts: 17,034
|
05-11-2014, 06:12 PM | #200 | |
MVP
Join Date: Sep 2013
Casino cash: $10035212
|
Quote:
He was also never the full time starter in Oregon. While this can be seen as a positive in that he doesn't have much tread on his wheels. Oregon has always had a ton of weapons. |
|
Posts: 12,727
|
05-11-2014, 06:16 PM | #201 | |
MVP
Join Date: Feb 2003
Casino cash: $6315286
|
Quote:
|
|
Posts: 17,034
|
05-11-2014, 06:23 PM | #202 |
MVP
Join Date: Sep 2013
Casino cash: $10035212
|
Agreed. That was another side to the slide. Had Thomas spent more time as a WR than he did as a RB, he would be a much higher pick. Really untapped potential, IMO. He has as much upside as any slot WR in this draft. I'd compare him to Tavon Austin except Reid will actually know how to use DAT whereas St. Louis had no idea what to do with Thomas.
|
Posts: 12,727
|
05-12-2014, 05:33 AM | #203 |
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Nowhere
Casino cash: $10017949
|
I asked this question earlier but I never saw if anybody commented on it or not.
What is it that makes DAT different from guys like Percy Harvin or Randall Cobb? The naysayers are quick to point to Dexter McCluster as somebody who was a tweener and comparable to DAT. I have no clue what separates any of them, but in my totally uneducated opinion I would think Thomas is just as likely to be a weapon like Cobb or Harvin in the NFL as he is to be like Dexter McCluster. None of them are #1 WR's, but guys like Cobb and Harvin still offer a huge weapon on offense and a lot of versatility. Harvin, Cobb, and McCluster were all 1st or 2nd round picks while we got Thomas in the 4th. If he turns out to be anything close like Harvin and Cobb then it will have been a great value pick. |
Posts: 4,649
|
05-12-2014, 05:38 AM | #204 |
MVP
Join Date: Sep 2013
Casino cash: $10035212
|
I'm sure it all has to do with his size.
|
Posts: 12,727
|
05-12-2014, 05:56 AM | #205 |
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Nowhere
Casino cash: $10017949
|
Randall Cobb - 5'10" 192
Percy Harvin - 5'11" 184 Tavon Austin - 5'8" 176 De'Anthony Thomas - 5'9" 174 I don't think that should be a problem. Relative to their heights DAT isn't really that much smaller than any of these other guys. Sure he's short but I really don't think that matters too much for slot receivers. They aren't the guys who you throw jump balls to. They find holes in the zone or use their speed and route running to get open. Also a fun comparison for me is DAT compared to Brandin Cooks. Sure Cooks put up huge numbers this year as a receiver so it's understandable that he would be drafted higher. But neither one is going to be a #1 WR in the NFL, both are slot type guys most likely. I think Thomas is a hell of a lot better value in the 4th round than Cooks was in round #1. |
Posts: 4,649
|
05-12-2014, 06:15 AM | #206 |
..........
Join Date: Dec 2006
Casino cash: $5117901
|
He seems to grasp the RB concept of waiting for his blockers, that's a good trait.
|
Posts: 28,332
|
05-12-2014, 06:31 AM | #207 |
Supporter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Casino cash: $3293904
|
This was one of the first things I noticed. Usually quick runners like DAT feel they can out run defenses and have no patience. He has great vision and patience to let things develop. He even leads defenders into his blockers on occasion. Very good to see.
__________________
2017 Adopt-A-Chief:TYREEK HILL |
Posts: 10,760
|
05-12-2014, 06:57 AM | #208 | |
Iowa B1G West Champs
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Front Range of Colorado
Casino cash: $9580151
|
Quote:
|
|
Posts: 3,693
|
05-12-2014, 07:32 AM | #209 |
Veteran
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Casino cash: $8395050
|
|
Posts: 1,036
|
05-12-2014, 08:23 AM | #210 | |
Out Gunning CP's Fandom Police
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Laguna Beach, CA
Casino cash: $2113127
|
Quote:
The real problem that most have with Dex, and rightfully so, was where he was drafted. Had he been drafted in the 4th too, most of the haters would feel differently about him.
__________________
"The CHIEFS, HAVE THEIR DYNASTY!" Last edited by TEX; 05-12-2014 at 08:29 AM.. |
|
Posts: 34,759
|
|
|