Mike Mayock re: Cam Thomas

[stlrz d]

Re: Mike Mayock re: Cam Thomas

Everyone noticed Cam Thomas because they talked about the "quietly good game" he had at the Senior Bowl. I only watched 1 quarter and happened to hear his name...but so did all the other scouts for 3-4 teams.

I'm a little worried about how little he did during the season. If he is around late take him but any guy who can't stand out on North Carolina is a problem.

Is he lazy? Did the younger players contain him? How much of a project is he?

I watched it with the volume turned down and music on. I noticed him because I saw what he was doing on the field.

[steelblood]

Re: Mike Mayock re: Cam Thomas

With Buffalo switching to the 3-4, that gives us at least 13 teams (Pitt, Balt, Clev, NE, NYJ, MIA, BUFF, DEN, KC, SD, GB, SF, and Ariz) that employ the 3-4 at least part of the time.

That is up from about 8 or so just a few years ago. Most of these teams need upgrades along the line. 3-4 linemen (especially NTs) will be overdrafted throughout this draft.

Cam Thomas is really a late 3rd round talent. He was not productive in N Carolina and did not command the double team (Marvin Austin did). Still, he is athletic, strong, and huge. He turned it on at the Senior Bowl and made himself a few million dollars. It is likely though, that he'll revert to his less than stellar play again at some point.

You don't think NFL coaching and conditioning, along with being surrounded by good talent, can change a guy?

He looked pretty good to me when he was playing alongside good talent at the Senior Bowl. He'd have Smitty on one side and the Diesel on the other...with Farrior and Timmons behind him...not to mention two studs on the outside.

I do think "NFL coaching and conditioning, along with being surrounded by good talent, can change a guy." But, that had nothing to do with the point I made. In fact, I made the point that Thomas was surrounded by great talent at UNC. That defensive front that included 1st round talent Marvin Austin-a junior- and E.J. Wilson (who just recorded 2 sacks and a fumble recovery in the Texas vs the Nation game) plus two linebackers and a safety who bill drafted this year or next. With that sort of talent around him, Thomas was not always effective (even with his obvious natural strength). And, NFL coaching can help (though his coach at UNC was former NFL head coach and defensive guru Butch Davis).

I'm not trying to say that Thomas isn't going to be successful. I'm simply concerned. Why does he look great all of a sudden? I don't think a kid's draft stock should be based on one all-star game and ignore his full body of work.

Everyone who watched Senior Bowl week, saw that this kid had talent and strength. However, the NFL team that takes him in the second round (and one will) will be basing that grade on a few moments and potential, not his entire body of work.

[feltdizz]

Re: Mike Mayock re: Cam Thomas

Everyone noticed Cam Thomas because they talked about the "quietly good game" he had at the Senior Bowl. I only watched 1 quarter and happened to hear his name...but so did all the other scouts for 3-4 teams.

I'm a little worried about how little he did during the season. If he is around late take him but any guy who can't stand out on North Carolina is a problem.

Is he lazy? Did the younger players contain him? How much of a project is he?

I watched it with the volume turned down and music on. I noticed him because I saw what he was doing on the field.

of course you did...

[stlrz d]

Re: Mike Mayock re: Cam Thomas

Everyone noticed Cam Thomas because they talked about the "quietly good game" he had at the Senior Bowl. I only watched 1 quarter and happened to hear his name...but so did all the other scouts for 3-4 teams.

I'm a little worried about how little he did during the season. If he is around late take him but any guy who can't stand out on North Carolina is a problem.

Is he lazy? Did the younger players contain him? How much of a project is he?

I watched it with the volume turned down and music on. I noticed him because I saw what he was doing on the field.

of course you did...

If it's not USC, and if I happen to be watching college football - which I don't do often - then I always watch with the volume turned down and music playing.

Always.

[NorthCoast]

Re: Mike Mayock re: Cam Thomas

As Colbert said, the first round pick has to be a lock to contribute. If you miss on the 1st round, the franchise can pay the penalty over multiple years. I don't know much about the guy, but what I am reading doesn't sound like a 'lock' to me.

In fact, for all the CBs that are in the draft, are any a 'lock' besides Haden? And is T. Cody really a 'lock' at NT?....jees, I wouldn't want to be an NFL GM these days....I can't even decide which color to paint my kitchen....

Fortunately for us Steeler fans the FO excels at early talent evaluation. The last first round bust was a distant decade ago when we drafted Troy Edwards in 1999.