Thread: JT Thomas makes fan's dream come true

Originally Posted by dabears54

Bears draft pick J.T. Thomas with 14-year-old Joslyn Levell. (Handout photo / May 21, 2011)

What a class act he is!

A nice piece of news to lighten the off season gloom.

Great gesture from J.T.

I just hope the season kicks into gear soon to give him and the rest of the rookies the best possible chance of cracking the roster and making a quick impact.

Karma?

Originally Posted by dabears54

if his coverage skills are amazing he must be able to back peddle..can't see how if you can't back peddle you are amazing in coverage. the biggest knock was the 6'1' Size, which IMO isn't as big a deal as some teams think

here's his report:

.T. Thomas - West Virginia (HT: 6-1 - WT: 241)
Combine 40: 4.68 - Position Rank: 16 of 32

Positives: Is very athletic and has above-average speed... Is a very hard worker with passion for the game, good character guy to have in the locker room... Could make a very good nickel linebacker in the NFL, has good coverage skills, especially in short zone coverage, has the speed to stay with TEs and backs in man coverage... Is a pretty sure tackler, wraps up well and typically does not miss a lot of tackles... Durability was not a concern in college, but frame may be a small cause for concern at the next level... Generally takes good angles in pursuit, has a high motor, does not give up on plays... Has good flexibility and fluidity in several facets of the game, has good range in run support and coverage.

Negatives: Does not disengage from blocks very well, can avoid bigger blockers in space, but typically does not stack and shed well... Instincts are just average at best, will get caught out of position, susceptible to misdirection plays at times... Does not have a large arsenal of pass-rushing moves, but has enough explosiveness to get to the quarterback in space... Not an extremely versatile linebacker at this point, will be most effective when dropping into coverage.



Posted April 30, 2011 @ 4:59 p.m. ET
By PFW staff
Chicago drafted a player to help fill its void at linebacker in the sixth round. The Bears selected LB J.T. Thomas with the 195th overall pick. Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs are the only two ’backers under contract with Chicago through 2011. Here is PFW draft expert Nolan Nawrocki's scouting report on Thomas from the 2011 Draft Preview book:
Notes: Prepped in Florida before redshirting in 2006 — was bothered by an ankle sprain, though did earn Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year recognition. Arrested in August ’07 for transferring and receiving stolen property (laptop), although charges were dropped upon completion of a diversion program. A reserve in the fall, tallied 19 tackles, three for loss and zero sacks in 10 games. Started all 39 games at weak-side linebacker his final three seasons — totaled 65-10-3 with three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a blocked kick in ’08; tallied 76-7-½ with five pass breakups and two interceptions in ’09; had 73-7-2½ with four pass breakups and two forced fumbles in ’10. Dealt with neck pain during ’10 spring practice and fall camp. Team captain.

Positives: Good speed, athletic ability and hip flexibility. Nice agility to slip and avoid blocks. Chases hard and ranges to the sideline. Good coverage instincts — blankets a lot of ground. Tough, blue-collar worker who will play hurt. Vocal on-field leader. Durable, three-year starter with special-teams experience. Good work ethic.

Negatives: Has very short arms and marginal take-on strength. Lacks bulk strength and struggles to provide resistance against the run — engulfed by larger blockers. Not explosive. Average change of direction and closing burst. Recorded only a 30½-inch vertical jump, the lowest of any outside linebacker at the Combine. Character needs to be evaluated.

Summary: Average-sized, athletic, run-and-hit weak-side linebacker who would be best protected and free to roam in a fast-flowing “40” front. Will have to prove his worth on special teams.

His basic skills are exactly those of a typical Bears LB. He's got speed, coverage and tackling abilites, he's athletic and is a hard worker with a passion for football. He's a 6th round prospect with the potential to be a very good player but he's still a ST guy and LB project right now.

I don't think his backpedal is all that important anyway. In most cases the Bears LB's drop into zone coverage and keep plays in front of them. Therefore his closing speed and open field tackling ability are far more important than his ability cover backs or TE's man to man which is the only place I'd see his backpedal coming much into play. Anytime I've watched the Bears OLB's retreat into their zones they're running sideways not backpedaling. Even Urlacher, when he drops into deep coverage) does it that way.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/C...o-dance-052311

MORGANTOWN, W.Va.

Chicago Bears rookie linebacker J.T. Thomas became the inspirational story of the lockout-dominated NFL offseason Monday, a few days after escorting a wheelchair-bound teen to her middle school dance.

The former West Virginia standout last month met 14-year-old Joslyn Levell, who uses a wheelchair. During that meeting, she told him that all of the boys she had asked to the dance turned her down.

Good for her :)

Thanks for the post Aenir but this was covered in the JT Thomas thread already. Great human interest story though, huh?

I didn't see this particular Fox article, great stuff!

Could any of you see Urlacher doing something like that?