When one regime leaves and another one replaces it, it is always intersting to see the players that begin to flourish under the new regime that didn't under the old one. Last year Bryan Thomas went from bust to rising star. We took some flack for that pick as a reach, but now in his contract extension he may turn into a very good pick. The thing I wonder is if BT would have show returns sooner if he was under Mangini from the begining. I supose that Cotchery, DRob, Hobson and even to a smaller extent Rhodes could be lumped into this discussion as well. All saw quite a bit of improvement under Mangini.
He would have shown returns quicker if we played a 3-4. Brian Thomas was the perfect 3-4 OLB the minute he was drafted. He had the the exact size (6'4 250+), he had the speed (4.54??), he was strong, and he was agile. So yea...if Mangini had him from day 1 he would have beasted it from day 1 I think. Why? Mangini runs the 3-4, and Thomas was born to play it.
I would say yes for all these players, they would have been at least a little better from the start. Herman Edwards did not know how to give up loyalty for the veterans so the younger players could play. I do not think any of these guys could have been considered busts under Herman, especially guys like Thomas and Cotchery, they didnt even get a chance to show if they were good or not.
You maybe correct. BT never had the initial release off the snap to succeed as a pass rusher in the 4-3. But as a stand-up 3-4 guy he can use his strength and speed to really dominate.
I definately think that scheme plays a role. What is interesting is the solid year that DRob had even though playing outside his assumed position.
Wow, i just noticed I went from "fanatic" to "totally addicted". All of a sudden, I now finally feel like I belong! :breakdance: :rofl:
I think for the young players that had time in both regimes you would be hard pressed not to find a regular or semi regular player that did not improve during the Mangini regime. Funny thing happens when you get the fundamentals drilled into you under a meticulous coach. Players that put the effort in see it rewarded. That is what I think most excites people now. The fact that young players and vets even will get coached up. I know people are going to try and point out the Jets played lousy teams at the end of last year. the fact remains that this team improved by leaps and bounds as the season progressed. To get back on topic. I think that B. Thomas would have still had trouble in his rookie year with the weight loss or whatever that was. However he would have been a much better player and fast under Mangini.
it's an interesting question. I think yes. I thought he would before the season started because he had all the the physical traits to be perfect for that elephant role, but what I never knew he had until this year was the smarts. There was a tidbit during the season about how Thomas nailed one of Mangini's quizzes about who has what responsibilities and I think that, more than the physical traits, is respsonsible for his success in 2006.
If Thomas can develop that crushing arm blow that Abe used to put on Qbs, we are gonna be looking at a pro-bowler soon enuff. Abe would get 10 sacks but atleast 6 FF because he would smack the shit out of QBs arm, so I expect to see that in B Thomas' game this year and watch out!
Well said. One of his biggest knocks that year was his size for a 4-3 DE, but he's basically a prototypical 3-4 OLB. Once we start getting more QB pressure from the opposite side LB via Bowens and maybe a potential draft pick, Thomas is going to be a monster in this scheme.
I think we are one player away from seeing BT's true potential, and that's a weakside OLB with the ability to get to the QB. I predict one of this years nicest surprises will be Coleman starting at weakside DE. If we can find a gem at OLB on day one of the draft, Thomas and Ellis could be looking at career years.
I don't know if I see Thomas as being a monster right now... I like the way he performed under Mangini last season, and he sure put up some good stats and gave a lot of good pursuit. But to me, he is an outstanding role-player who has excellent physical ability, and that is the kind of player that excels in this type of system under this type of philosophy. A 'monster', to me, is someone who finds a way to excel in any system, regardless the philosophy.
Fair enough. I was just trying to say that in this specific scheme, if we get another rusher from the other side, I think he'll be extremely productive.
Yeah, I probably shoudn't have used Monster in the title bc he really is not a monster just yet. Although I think your defination of monster is pretty narrow. If he can excel in this scheme and give us 12+ sacks, some forced fumbles, and many pressures, I think you can safely call that guy a Monster.
Actually, the logic of your post is what prompted me to start this thread. I think some people fail to realize how important a coach is. To me he is the single most important cog in the machine. I would rather trade our three best players than lose Mangini, since a great coach will always find a way to rebuild. It really is amazing what intelligent coaching and holding players accountable can do for a franchise and it's players.
Thomas is a decent player & his measurables are good, but he is from from being a monster. If he continues to grow , develop & get stronger....then maybe.....1 day.....we'll all be glad that the Jets' drafted him. He has to get at least to the John Abraham level. I like Lawrence Timmons from FSU.
Hard to say. EM never would have drafted Thomas, since he really doesn't have a position and never covered anyone in college. His rookie year still would have been much of a waste due to the weight problems and such. After that, it's hard to tell.
Thomas had a good season - much better than expected, but it is ridiculous to call him a "monster." He had four incredibly unproductive seasons and one good one. Let's not go off and treat him the way Ellis was treated after a breakout season in 2004. Ellis had not had a season like 04 before that and he has not even approached that level of play the past two years.
