Chargers NT/DE Cam "Baby Zilla" Thomas will visit Steelers on Friday

[hawaiiansteel]

Cam Thomas projected to start at defensive end but questions of how long that's meant to last surface

By Neal Coolong on Apr 27 2014



Thomas, a career nose tackle, was brought in to play the 5-technique in the Steelers' defense for at least the 2014 season. That doesn't eliminate the notion the Steelers will look to address the defensive end position in the draft.

Leading into the 2004 draft there was talk about the Steelers having quarterback Tommy Maddox, and with him, they wouldn't need to invest in a quarterback in that draft.

Understatement of the Year: the league has changed a bit since then.

The Steelers selected Ben Roethlisberger in that draft, and while he was the third quarterback on the team's depth chart to start the year, injuries to both Charlie Batch and Maddox thrust him into the spotlight.

Drawing an admitted weak parallel to that situation, the Steelers signed veteran defensive lineman Cam Thomas to a two-year deal this offseason. The expectation is Thomas, a career nose tackle, will play defensive end for the Steelers this year. If he performs well, he'll play his final year at $2 million, receive an extension or be released, saving the team that $2 million roster salary against the 2015 cap.

Simply put, his contract suggests he's a stop-gap player. The team didn't invest in him long-term. The question, with the draft 11 days away, is whether the Steelers will look for a replacement for Thomas in the long-run with an early round selection.

Defensive line is not the deepest position in this draft, but 3-4 defensive ends are not always found in the first rounds anyway. Considering the depth at the position (there really isn't any proven commodity, just the hope for the development of 2013 additions Brian Arnfelt and Nick Williams), it's easy to see the Steelers wanting to bolster the future starting and utility roles along the line.

Considering Thomas's experience playing nose tackle, it'd be ideal if the team found another 5-technique they could feel comfortable with and allow Thomas to play both nose and end, a la Al Woods last season.

It's possible Williams or Arnfelt can be that kind of player, but they don't have a way to properly evaluate either player (Williams spent his rookie season on injured reserve and Arnfelt only only saw practice squad duties and a spattering of game activity in 2013) before the draft, they'll have to make a decision based on the little information, relatively speaking, they do have.

[URL]http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2014/4/27/5658026/steelers-defensive-line-depth-chart-2014-cam-thomas?utm_source=behindthesteelcurtain&utm_medium =nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom[/URL]

[Shawn]

I will go on record right now, and say that would end up being a horrible pick (given our needs, this player, and others probably available). In fact, I probably wouldn't even spend our 2nd on him.

What this team needs right now (more than any one or two positions), is a leader. That is, a motivated, talented, self-starter. We need our next Jack Lambert or Greg Lloyd, a guy who sets the tempo and mentality that we want here. Not just another "talented" (follower) big man (Sean Gilbert, Albert Haynesworth, John Henderson, Leon Lett, Dimitrius Underwood, Shaun Rogers), who pretty much never live up to their apparent potential.

Exactly. The only guy that might be there and fits that bill? CJ Mosley. But, I am reading rumors that he will go in top 10 and a team may trade up to do so.

[ikestops85]

Exactly. The only guy that might be there and fits that bill? CJ Mosley. But, I am reading rumors that he will go in top 10 and a team may trade up to do so.

I've been reading that also. All of a sudden Mosley seems to be rising up the chart. I think he is going to be a very good player in the league.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

While I'd like Mosely, I honestly wouldn't mind if he went in the top 10... that's one more guy in front of us that is more "luxory" than need". By my math:

Guys that WILL go before the Steelers select
Jadeveon Clowney, Sammy Watkins, Khalil Mack, Greg Robinson, Jake Matthews

2-3 QBs SHOULD go before the steelers select (from Manziel, Bortles, Carr, Bridgewater)

Throw in Mosely and Barr and you're up to about 10 slots taken.

If you include one or 2 of the "possible, but, not guaranteed to go first" guys like Ebron, Aaron Donald and even of of the safeties, there is an amazing list of players left (some of which will be gone). That list includes: Mike Evans, Justin Gilbert, Darqueze Dennard, Taylor Lewan, Kyle Fuller and Bradley Roby... If you told me they had selected any of these guys with the first pick, I wouldn't be upset.

Even excluding Ebron and Donald, at least one of these 6 would be there... I think I'm ok with that.

[sick beats]

While I'd like Mosely, I honestly wouldn't mind if he went in the top 10... that's one more guy in front of us that is more "luxory" than need". By my math:

Guys that WILL go before the Steelers select
Jadeveon Clowney, Sammy Watkins, Khalil Mack, Greg Robinson, Jake Matthews

2-3 QBs SHOULD go before the steelers select (from Manziel, Bortles, Carr, Bridgewater)

Throw in Mosely and Barr and you're up to about 10 slots taken.

If you include one or 2 of the "possible, but, not guaranteed to go first" guys like Ebron, Aaron Donald and even of of the safeties, there is an amazing list of players left (some of which will be gone). That list includes: Mike Evans, Justin Gilbert, Darqueze Dennard, Taylor Lewan, Kyle Fuller and Bradley Roby... If you told me they had selected any of these guys with the first pick, I wouldn't be upset.

Even excluding Ebron and Donald, at least one of these 6 would be there... I think I'm ok with that.

Yea, no doubt we will be looking at a very good player considering the above. It is likely that most of us will like who we end up with, unless they take Ebron, which would be a mistake, with his dropped passes.

[Shawn]

While I'd like Mosely, I honestly wouldn't mind if he went in the top 10... that's one more guy in front of us that is more "luxory" than need". By my math:

Guys that WILL go before the Steelers select
Jadeveon Clowney, Sammy Watkins, Khalil Mack, Greg Robinson, Jake Matthews

2-3 QBs SHOULD go before the steelers select (from Manziel, Bortles, Carr, Bridgewater)

Throw in Mosely and Barr and you're up to about 10 slots taken.

If you include one or 2 of the "possible, but, not guaranteed to go first" guys like Ebron, Aaron Donald and even of of the safeties, there is an amazing list of players left (some of which will be gone). That list includes: Mike Evans, Justin Gilbert, Darqueze Dennard, Taylor Lewan, Kyle Fuller and Bradley Roby... If you told me they had selected any of these guys with the first pick, I wouldn't be upset.

Even excluding Ebron and Donald, at least one of these 6 would be there... I think I'm ok with that.

I'm not sure I can agree with you on this one. A rookie DB wouldn't crack the top 3, might play in some dime packages and on special teams. Mosley would instantly push Vince Williams who was ok but looks to be a good depth guy rather than a star. While I see DB as a need, I don't see it as a dire situation with Ike, Allen and Gay. Who do we have at the ILB? Williams...Spence will be very lucky if he sniffs the field this season...who knows if he will ever be the same player...and he was unproven. ILB might be the Steelers biggest need outside of having a real anchor at NT. If the Steelers got Mosley and Nix and didn't address DB until later I would be very happy. Early our run D and pass rush would be better...making the secondary look better. The secondary suffered as much from the lack of pass rush as they did from Ike's age.

[Shawn]

PS-I'm going to go on record and say that I would bet if Mosley, Dennard and Gilbert are there they have Mosley as the BPA.

[hawaiiansteel]

Cam Thomas is being sued for allegedly infecting women with herpes, amongst other things.

By Jack Finn on Jul 26 2014



The Steelers 2014 free agency acquisition, Cam Thomas, is being sued by his former girlfriend for infecting her with herpes, amongst other transgressions.

Sexual battery, assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional, distress fraud through intentional concealment, and negligence.

That's the laundry list of transgressions Cam Thomas is being sued for, with the claimant seeking $25,000 in damages.

Recently signed in free agency as a nose tackle/defensive end, the player nicknamed "Baby Zilla" has a bright future in Pittsburgh if his versatility can be utilized along the defensive line. However this personal baggage stretches back to 2009, where he met a woman, known simply as Adrienne E, in a sports bar in Atlanta.

According to popdust, Thomas and Adrienne began a relationship which eventually became sexual in nature. All was well until "Adrienne E. noticed something alarming: Thomas allegedly had puss filled bumps on his behind and thighs. She asked him about the suspicious blisters, but he insisted they were just skin irritations from his football girdle".

"Later, according to the legal docs, Adrienne E. noticed Thomas had bruises on his penis. She asked if they too were caused by his girdle, but, she claims, he said that these were from getting his penis stuck in his zipper, and the plaintiff opted to forgo sexual contact until said bruises healed."

Despite all this, the couple eventually moved in together. Later Adrienne discovered that Thomas had been unfaithful, and confronted him at practice. He allegedly responded by driving onto the freeway, screaming "we all have to die sometime" and attempting to throw her out the moving car.

In the the wake of that event, Adrienne E. left Thomas, only to eventually return. In the weeks that followed Thomas allegedly choked her, set the bed on fire whilst she was in it and burned her with her flat iron.

Shortly after these events, Adrienne E. discovered she had herpes and that is when she presumably decided to sue.

Given the recent events surrounding Maurkice Pouncey, it is easy to label this as just another money grab. However that would be irresponsible. Thomas is charged with some serious stuff, a woman has allegedly suffered quite an ordeal, and there will be legal proceedings held to establish the legitimacy of these claims.

That said, it should be noted that this is a civil lawsuit (for money) and not a criminal one. Given the nature of Thomas' alleged behavior, it seems the latter would be more appropriate.

[URL]http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-pittsburgh-steelers-news/2014/7/26/5939307/cam-thomas-is-being-sued-for-allegedly-infecting-women-with-herpes[/URL]

[The Man of Steel]

"According to popdust, Thomas and Adrienne began a relationship which eventually became sexual in nature. All was well until "Adrienne E. noticed something alarming: Thomas allegedly had puss filled bumps on his behind and thighs. She asked him about the suspicious blisters, but he insisted they were just skin irritations from his football girdle".


Puss-filled bumps on his behind sounds kind of gay. Hopefully he's not living on the down-low.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Despite all this, the couple eventually moved in together. Later Adrienne discovered that Thomas had been unfaithful, and confronted him at practice. He allegedly responded by driving onto the freeway, screaming "we all have to die sometime" and attempting to throw her out the moving car.

In the the wake of that event, Adrienne E. left Thomas, only to eventually return. In the weeks that followed Thomas allegedly choked her, set the bed on fire whilst she was in it and burned her with her flat iron.

I hope beyond hope that this isn't true. But if it is...what a slime-bucket. Maybe the reason the Chargers didn't want him back had more to do with all his "off-field baggage." Maybe the Steelers didn't get such a bargain after all.

If the court rules against him, do you suppose Uncle Rog will try to really teach him a lesson? Like maybe with a one-game suspension?

Crap, all this garbage makes me sick.

[RuthlessBurgher]

If someone tried to set the bed on fire while you were in it, would you take that person to civil court when you found out you had herpes?

[Bluto]

Maybe it is time to get the Beard back in here we may need another Body..

[Rara]

Ohh wow...

[thetruthteller]

It's funny but if all that happened, there would be a record of it with the Police. I mean giving someone a STD is one thing...which by the way is NOT a criminal offense. But choking her, setting the bed a blaze and burning her, and trying to push her out of a moving car ???? And yet after some of those things at the lease...she didn't leave him ??, or she didn't call the police ?? Sorry but that makes me more then a little skeptical. I mean she, through her Lawyer is making the Civil complaint public right now cause she, and her Lawyer know that in the early stages of training camp....Cam might just be more open to settling this cause he has to worry more about Training camp, and making the team.


This just smells of a stratigic " Money Grab " attempt!