In view of the fact that Mike Tomlin has matched Cowhers record I give him the designation:
TCFCLTC-
The Coach Formerly Considered Less Than Cowher
And that still doesn't change the fact that the Steelers selected speed over production. Almost every analysis of Thomas says he needs to work on his ball catching ability. I never saw anything like that from Troy's analysis when he was drafted. Troy was considered short (not as short as Thomas) and had health issues. If Thomas takes over for troy in a few years that means nobody can catch an int. in the entire secondary. That's my point. Everybody is talking about the need for more TOs. But with Thomas I don't see that happening. He isn't a ball hawk... which is something most steeler fans want.
Steeler Nation in Spain
I'm not sure that's enough statistical evidence of anything. 2 picks in 3 games could just be an anomaly. I never said that he wasn't a good pick. Just that he doesn't fit what most fans wanted. He likes to play close to the LOS and is a hitter like Bob Sanders. With the way the NFL is going hard hitting safeties are probably going to be a thing of the past. I know he has good speed so hopefully he can play tight coverage at times and make up some ground. I just don't expect a lot of int. from him.
If I had to choose between a DB with good hands or good speed and coverage ability, i'm choosing the one with good coverage ability... Ike has bad hands, but, there aren't too many DBs I'd rather have over the last decade... funny how some equate INT's with "production"...
And that was never a point of disagreement. Heck every post of mine makes that very point. Again my point:And that still doesn't change the fact that the Steelers selected speed over production.
You said Troy is the only one who gets ints. But even Troy did not get many ints in college.
Just because you never saw it does not mean it wasnt there:Almost every analysis of Thomas says he needs to work on his ball catching ability. I never saw anything like that from Troy's analysis when he was drafted. Troy was considered short (not as short as Thomas) and had health issues. If Thomas takes over for troy in a few years that means nobody can catch an int. in the entire secondary. That's my point. Everybody is talking about the need for more TOs. But with Thomas I don't see that happening. He isn't a ball hawk... which is something most steeler fans want.
"Ran an amazing 4.35-40 and vertical jumped 43" at his "Pro day" workout, but isn't considered very good in coverage. Is short by NFL standards..........."
Sounds almost EXACTLY like a Thomas profile. But it is the Hair and Shoulders dude.
[URL="http://www.markberger.com/games/steelers_2003_predraft.htm"]
http://www.markberger.com/games/steelers_2003_predraft.htm[/URL]
"Negatives: Short for the NFL and is not a real ballhawk."
[URL]http://sports.espn.go.com/nfldraft/tracker/player?id=6771[/URL]
Were it not for the links you would not know WHO I was talking about now would you?
Both are off the chart in speed leaping ability, like to play in the box are "thick" and short.
And yes, BOTH received criticism about coverage skills for lack of ints.
All I know is that coach played Thomas in man to man as a CORNER against Robert Woods of USC (he got a pick in the process). A coach would never do that with a safety if he cant cover.
In view of the fact that Mike Tomlin has matched Cowhers record I give him the designation:
TCFCLTC-
The Coach Formerly Considered Less Than Cowher
Don't get me wrong... I like Thomas. With that being said, I watched the replay of the USC game and I wasn't overly impressed. Granted, I didn't get the opportunity to see him on every, single play against Woods. Covering woods is impressive... no doubt. I just thought Thomas played very out of control when coming up to attack the ball carrier/receiver.
Tomlin: Let's unleash hell and "mop the floor" with the competition.
Those quotes say that he isn't good in coverage. It doesn't mean that he can't catch an int. Those are called ball skills. Ike can't catch a cold but he is in position to make an int all the time. Coverage skills means that a player can stay with the WR not catch an int.
Also just because one player is similar to another player doesn't mean they'll have the same success. I can find tons of short safeties that didn't make it. Troy was thought to be too short but that doesn't mean that Thomas is going to be just because someone else succeeded that was short. And the thing is Thomas is shorter than Troy who the experts thought was too short.
The int. against USC he was playing deep not press coverage. The QB made a bad throw behind the WR. If he waits just a second longer and leads the WR Thomas is toast. Also in that game he got juked out of his shorts by Woods the USC running back. He is a hitter and he came up to make a hit and Woods turned his knees to jello. Over 50+ yard run because the safety missed an easy tackle.
Again, I hope he does well but I just don't see an interception machine in the making.
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