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Chad Thomas tidbit

jerzeycane said:
LuCane said:
He should be on the field from day 1. While not in the same position as AQM coming in (meaning we're not as desperate for his skill set), he's more talented and versatile. If we're going to run the world's most predictable stunts/games by placing a DE inside on 3rd and long, it might as well be Chad.
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Those make me livid

Really don't understand why they don't allow guys to simply rush the passer utilizing the techniques they are supposed to be teaching at practice.
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Muhammad ran longer distances on those stunts than Steve Prefontaine.
 
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Personally, I think CT will be what Chickillo was supposed to be - a 3-4 flex DE who can set the edge but also flush plays to a given side and get to the QB when asked. Think Chris Clemons maybe? Could also slide inside on passing downs and 1-gap along side the nose - think of a 3rd and long pass rush with McCord (jack), AQM (DE), Thomas (DT), Wyche (NT), and Chick (SDE)...
 
Can anybody recall a stunt that actually worked? Our stunts are so predictable they almost never seem to work.
 
DMoney said:
Per an Alabama team source, Nick Saban became enamored with Chad Thomas over the weekend. He was blown away by Chad's size and charisma, and told his staff that he was their #1 priority for the last few days. Mario and others made a major push but it wasn't enough.

After seeing him at the press conference, it's easy to see why Saban became obsessed. Dude is like the football version of Cameron Diaz in There's Something About Mary. (No homo...I think).
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"What is Brett FARV...RE doing here. I am in town to play the Dolphins Dumb ***!"
 
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RiDLer80 said:
Can anybody recall a stunt that actually worked? Our stunts are so predictable they almost never seem to work.
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Mccord sack/fumble hit on Driskel was a stunt on the left side.

Mccord big hit on the GT QB was a stunt in the middle.
 
DMoney said:
RiDLer80 said:
Alright, D, what do you see our coaches' role fore Thomas here and how would you use him?

I'm convinced that he's the perfect 4-3 DE. I don't want to see him dropping into coverage like we've done McCord.
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Ideally, I see him as a LDE in a one-gap 4-3. When he gets bigger, I can see him occasionally playing DT like Justin Tuck.

How will he actually be used? Don't know.
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From what little I've seen from Chad, I'd agree. He seems to like to just overpower an awful in what I've seen, and he's a big boy who will just get bigger. I think he could play RDE too but he wouldn't stand out there imo. He could be a fantastic LDE and then hopefully one or more of our hybrids would develop in that classic RDE...guys that can do a lot things but definitely can beat people outside with speed rush. At least once in a while.

But honestly none of it matters. I look at this recruiting class and I see our staff making a strong commitment to our existing scheme (which I'm not happy about). So many DE/LB hybrids on the roster right now. All our DT's coaches talked about their kids' abilities at engaging two OL. Al's pushing all his chips into the pot...betting on his defense (scheme). Gotta hope for a near miracle imo.
 
DMoney said:
Per an Alabama team source, Nick Saban became enamored with Chad Thomas over the weekend. He was blown away by Chad's size and charisma, and told his staff that he was their #1 priority for the last few days. Mario and others made a major push but it wasn't enough.

After seeing him at the press conference, it's easy to see why Saban became obsessed. Dude is like the football version of Cameron Diaz in There's Something About Mary. (No homo...I think).
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Everywhere the kid went this season he dominated and was the center of attention amongst his coaches and peers. I remember seeing the Nike Opening drill sessions. After each drill, coaches and fellow players all wanted to hang out and "bs" with Chad Thomas. Conversely (yet similarly), all of the top O linemen wanted to go against him. By day two of the Nike Opening, Chad Thomas was The Benchmark of success of that event.


Im with Lu, the kid should be on the field from day one. He's 3-4 years and done. Get as much productivity as we can from his time at UM.
 
Lets hope that Golden doesn't put him a on a force feeding regiment and let him grow naturally so that he doesn't lose his edge.
 
ghost2 said:
Personally, I think CT will be what Chickillo was supposed to be - a 3-4 flex DE who can set the edge but also flush plays to a given side and get to the QB when asked. Think Chris Clemons maybe? Could also slide inside on passing downs and 1-gap along side the nose - think of a 3rd and long pass rush with McCord (jack), AQM (DE), Thomas (DT), Wyche (NT), and Chick (SDE)...
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That's what I've said. It's not the optimal position for him, I think, but given what we do, I see him being a more dynamic version. For his reach and projected size, he has exceptional feet.
 
FWIW, I posted this on the main board, but since errybody's over here:

2014 Front 7 2-deep (IMO):

SDE - Chick/Thomas
DT - Pierre/Kamalu
NT - Wyche/Heurtelou
Jack - McCord/AQM
WLB - Perryman/Young
MLB - Kirby/Armbrister
SLB - Figs/Grace

For comparison, 2013 (listed as 4-3 depth chart on hurricanesports.com):

DE - Chick/Kamalu
DT - Porter/Renfrow
DT - Pierre/Robinson
DE - Green/Gilbert
LB - Armbrister/McCord
LB - Gaines/Kirby
LB - Perryman/Cornelius
 
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I guess we are lucky Bama waited too late in the process to pursue Thomas; otherwise we would have lost him.
 
Speaking of Bama, Ed Stinson might be another comparison for Thomas.
 
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