Matthew Thomas highlights

[jerzeycane]

People keep saying names like Von Miller and Jarvis Jones. The crazy part is that when he's rushing the passer, you can see why, but those guys can't play going backwards, and that makes it completely unfair for the offense. Gets depth on his drops just as well as a guy like Jermaine Grace. 6 is really the Queen on the chess board.

 

[AUcane]

Crazy burst and athleticism. But how is he at reading and reacting, shedding blocks, etc?

He's outstanding at read and react.
He's average at shedding blocks and overall using his hands. He's so **** quick in tight spaces that he's accustomed to getting by without needing to use his freakish wingspan to its full potential. He mainly slips blocks, which is ok, too. But, he'll need the other dimension because I see him over the TE early on. Don't see why that'd be a problem to develop. The guy has to have a wingspan of like 6' 8". He just needs to develop his body. The craziest thing about him is that he's scratching the surface.

Yeah, look at the senior year highlights - those clips don't lie. He is fantastic in the box and in tight spaces, weaving in and out of traffic. What makes that most impressive is doing that at his length. Most long LBs like that aren't usually that crafty in the box. He is so fluid and instinctual in traffic. eye opening.

SMH at 1:05, 1:18 and 3:36. Not fair.

 

[skyman]

Good to hear.

BTW, did this video remind anyone of Willie Williams' old videos, where he was always coming off the edge as a DE and murdering offenses? Man, really reminded me of WW.

Crazy burst and athleticism. But how is he at reading and reacting, shedding blocks, etc?

He's outstanding at read and react.
He's average at shedding blocks and overall using his hands. He's so **** quick in tight spaces that he's accustomed to getting by without needing to use his freakish wingspan to its full potential. He mainly slips blocks, which is ok, too. But, he'll need the other dimension because I see him over the TE early on. Don't see why that'd be a problem to develop. The guy has to have a wingspan of like 6' 8". He just needs to develop his body. The craziest thing about him is that he's scratching the surface.

The thing with the WW comparison, is WW was one of those guys who played in a front as a rush end with no responsibilities but get to QB (ball), guy like him, Jones who went to fsu from Carol City, Gooden, Atkins all played that type of position and had trouble transitioning to lb in college because they had no instincts really for it. With Matt he has plays at middle, outside, DE and he excels at it all. Can drop into coverage, as well as get to qb. He wont have the problem transitioning as those others because he has great instincts, to go along with talent and production

 

[AUcane]

Good to hear.

BTW, did this video remind anyone of Willie Williams' old videos, where he was always coming off the edge as a DE and murdering offenses? Man, really reminded me of WW.

Crazy burst and athleticism. But how is he at reading and reacting, shedding blocks, etc?

He's outstanding at read and react.
He's average at shedding blocks and overall using his hands. He's so **** quick in tight spaces that he's accustomed to getting by without needing to use his freakish wingspan to its full potential. He mainly slips blocks, which is ok, too. But, he'll need the other dimension because I see him over the TE early on. Don't see why that'd be a problem to develop. The guy has to have a wingspan of like 6' 8". He just needs to develop his body. The craziest thing about him is that he's scratching the surface.

I think WW was a more dominant edge rusher. Thomas, imo, needs to some work there. Thomas has excellent LB instincts where WW did not.

 

[LuCane]

What are people thinking about how often he would line up with his hand in the dirt? Assuming he's a Cane of course.

I'm not even joking when I say if he really wanted to I think he could be a DE. He has that much room to grow.

It's going to be tough for him to see the field immediately though depending on how he responds to training/diet. He has the talent but taking on FB's and TE's at the college level is going to be tough for a kid his size.

The reason I see him getting on the field early, and I'm repeating myself at this point, is because a guy like Fentress got on the field last season in a specialized role. When it was 3rd and 6-8, we didn't have a LB who could legitimately play well in space. Fentress was chasing everything down and has the ability to get depth and make tackles on crossing routes, so he snuck on the field. That vulnerability in our defense is unlikely to just disappear completely. So, a guy like Thomas could give D'Ono some options. Plus, if he does well doing that, wouldn't it be nice to have him as a threat to rush the passer? By season's end, I could see Matthew Thomas as a serious contributor in our Nickel and dime defenses.

 

[dg151]

Thomas whooped John Theus in the state game when Thomas was a junior. Theus was overrated, but he still was a great edge guy in HS.

He's so insanely similar to Dion Jordan physically, but has a lot better feel for the position.

 

[Southcane]

Would be nice if Muhammad keeps texting him telling him how great they would look together and how much pain they would be inflicting on opposing offenses.

 

[BigCaneAl]

What are people thinking about how often he would line up with his hand in the dirt? Assuming he's a Cane of course.

I'm not even joking when I say if he really wanted to I think he could be a DE. He has that much room to grow.

It's going to be tough for him to see the field immediately though depending on how he responds to training/diet. He has the talent but taking on FB's and TE's at the college level is going to be tough for a kid his size.

The reason I see him getting on the field early, and I'm repeating myself at this point, is because a guy like Fentress got on the field last season in a specialized role. When it was 3rd and 6-8, we didn't have a LB who could legitimately play well in space. Fentress was chasing everything down and has the ability to get depth and make tackles on crossing routes, so he snuck on the field. That vulnerability in our defense is unlikely to just disappear completely. So, a guy like Thomas could give D'Ono some options. Plus, if he does well doing that, wouldn't it be nice to have him as a threat to rush the passer? By season's end, I could see Matthew Thomas as a serious contributor in our Nickel and dime defenses.

Just to add, I think Grace could fit that role also.

 

[Boston_Cane]

What are people thinking about how often he would line up with his hand in the dirt? Assuming he's a Cane of course.

I'm not even joking when I say if he really wanted to I think he could be a DE. He has that much room to grow.

It's going to be tough for him to see the field immediately though depending on how he responds to training/diet. He has the talent but taking on FB's and TE's at the college level is going to be tough for a kid his size.

The reason I see him getting on the field early, and I'm repeating myself at this point, is because a guy like Fentress got on the field last season in a specialized role. When it was 3rd and 6-8, we didn't have a LB who could legitimately play well in space. Fentress was chasing everything down and has the ability to get depth and make tackles on crossing routes, so he snuck on the field. That vulnerability in our defense is unlikely to just disappear completely. So, a guy like Thomas could give D'Ono some options. Plus, if he does well doing that, wouldn't it be nice to have him as a threat to rush the passer? By season's end, I could see Matthew Thomas as a serious contributor in our Nickel and dime defenses.

Just to add, I think Grace could fit that role also.

So what kind of LB/front 7 rotation would this type of thinking lead to?

 

[JHallCanes]

What are people thinking about how often he would line up with his hand in the dirt? Assuming he's a Cane of course.

I'm not even joking when I say if he really wanted to I think he could be a DE. He has that much room to grow.

It's going to be tough for him to see the field immediately though depending on how he responds to training/diet. He has the talent but taking on FB's and TE's at the college level is going to be tough for a kid his size.

The reason I see him getting on the field early, and I'm repeating myself at this point, is because a guy like Fentress got on the field last season in a specialized role. When it was 3rd and 6-8, we didn't have a LB who could legitimately play well in space. Fentress was chasing everything down and has the ability to get depth and make tackles on crossing routes, so he snuck on the field. That vulnerability in our defense is unlikely to just disappear completely. So, a guy like Thomas could give D'Ono some options. Plus, if he does well doing that, wouldn't it be nice to have him as a threat to rush the passer? By season's end, I could see Matthew Thomas as a serious contributor in our Nickel and dime defenses.

I should clarify, Lu. I think he will absolutely at least be a type of specialist. He is more ready than Terry was and I think we will absolutely see him on the field. Where I am a bit hesitant is when people say if EJ ***** up, Thomas can fill his role. I don't think he is ready for a ton of reps at the moment, but that could all change with some serious UTough. He has SO.....MUCH.....PHYSICAL.....POTENTIAL.