In the 6th round Bears pick LB Thomas

**Dagan81** · 04-30-2011, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by dabears54

JT thomas:

West Virginia LB J.T. Thomas to visit the Dolphins

Linebacker drawing interest

Scouting Report

An above-average athlete who likes to fly around the football field and can close quickly on ball carriers. Exhibits good straight-line speed and range in pursuit and does a nice job breaking down into contact and can wrap up on the play. Looks comfortable when asked to extend his arms and keep himself clean inside, has the lateral agility to side step blockers and quickly make his way toward the football once he reads his run keys. However, his instincts are a bit inconsistent as he can be slow to decipher information and locate the football. Will run himself out of plays trying to make his way up the field and can be sealed from the play inside trying to run around blocks. Nevertheless, he fights like a dog to spin off linemen and disengage back toward the football, and has a motor that never stops.

Possesses natural fluidity in his hips and good range when asked to turn and run. Gets a deep drop into coverage and has the ability to be physical off the line vs. the tight and cleanly reroute in man. Can keep his eyes in the backfield and jump routes in zone, but again isn't the most instinctive locating the football and will make some bad reads and lose track of his man trying to jump a route he thinks he sees.

Impression: He has a passion for the game, is a pretty good athlete and loves to fly around the field. Isn't the most instinctive of guys and lacks ideal power at the point, but works hard and has a shot to play some special teams and make a roster as a reserve outside backer.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/...l&position=olb

I read this exact thing about him on another site. What got me that was positive about him is his motor and dogged approach at the game, while in the negative, he isn't very instinctive.

**Dagan81** · 04-30-2011, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by soulman

That's all I needed to hear. Good football name too, LOL.

And you know what that means, Paul. He's going to be the second coming of Lance Briggs! LOL

**Dagan81** · 04-30-2011, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by soulman

After hearing this and reading a bit about him I've gotta wonder why he stayed on the board so long. He seems to have a better pedigree than some who went three rounds before him and appears a perfect fit for Lovies defense too. Any idea of why he lasted this long sox?

My guess is his lack of size. He probably needs to be 10-12 lbs heavier than he is currently for a lot of teams to consider picking him up.

**lklrlolnlilklsox** · 04-30-2011, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by Dagan81

My guess is his lack of size. He probably needs to be 10-12 lbs heavier than he is currently for a lot of teams to consider picking him up.

He is virtually the same exact size Briggs was coming into the league at 6'1" 241 Vs 6' 1/2" 242. 240 is a pretty average size fora 4-3 LBs in this league.

**Dagan81** · 05-01-2011, 03:59 AM

Originally Posted by lklrlolnlilklsox

He is virtually the same exact size Briggs was coming into the league at 6'1" 241 Vs 6' 1/2" 242. 240 is a pretty average size fora 4-3 LBs in this league.

According to some scouting reports, they listed him as being undersized as a reason he wasn't taken any earlier.

**motownbear** · 05-01-2011, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by dabears54

well motown got your OLB..lol

this pick showed more vision then the 3 and 5 pick imo. We need that depth at LB cause of uncertainty of rfa/fa and what is going on. This is a perfect depth spot and special teams spot to grab someone and if he does anything other then that its gravy. Just wish they would leave the first four rounds to potential starters not bolstering special teams like with Conte. Now if they plan on keeping this kid on the roster which of the three would you keep between Iwuh, Roach, and Pisa? Or do we still need all three?

**matsellah** · 05-01-2011, 09:04 AM

He's a 6th round draft pick.

**soulman** · 05-01-2011, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by lklrlolnlilklsox

I think most of those reports have it right. He's a tremendous athlete with good pedigree and talent, he simply has never been a consistent or dominant force out there. Too many errors throughout his career to overlook early or mid where there are equal athletes that have had better careers. Colin McCarthy, who I have rated WELL above him only got taken in the fourth round, so it kind of tells you the overall feeling about this class as a whole. My guess is that teams knew there would be some back end talent so they pushed up more shallow positions to cover early knowing they could get someone in that pretty tightly packed third tier late.

Thanks sox. Kind of confirms my thoughts that draft position doesn't mean everything. Guys like Chris Harris, Lance Briggs, Johnny Knox, J'Marcus Webb, etc. have proved that point. We needed an OLB and I like this pick.

**motownbear** · 05-01-2011, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by matsellah

He's a 6th round draft pick.

yeah perfect to fill in a special teams need. That is where they should be picked instead of the third round like we did with the safety

**soulman** · 05-01-2011, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by Dagan81

And you know what that means, Paul. He's going to be the second coming of Lance Briggs! LOL

We should be so lucky.

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