Good point, he is an exception. But he was also a great athlete in multiple sports. Who knows. But as for being 370, it sounds like most of it is fat (handstands not withstanding). He showed absolutely no stamina at the Texas vs. the Nation game and I've seen a couple reports stating that he would have to get in much better shape (i.e. lose tons of weight) to play in the NFL. I've included one below. Who knows, maybe the kid will become a star in a few years, but I doubt it and personally wouldn't waste a pick on him. UDFA, sure, but never a pick. JMHO.... One Scouting Report http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/dt/walterthomas.html
I absolutely understand giving somebody a second chance. I think frequently you wind up sorry that you did but it's in human nature to forgive and forget a lot of the time. The problem I have with this guy is he never did anything good the first time around the block. To invest in him would be like taking a raw lump of clay and trying to mold it into an NFL defensive tackle. All the while hoping that as you were molding your hands did not get skewered by all the pins hiding in that lump of clay. I'm all for supporting people in being as good as they can be, but not at all costs and this guy is a terrible risk.
bullshit... gates played basketball in college. a lot of college basketball players make the switch to TE in the nfl. its not a big deal. basketball players are big and athletic. check. they have great hands. check. the know how to get open, how to shield off and protect the ball. check. so what else do you need? and the "just plug the big guy in there, he doesnt have to do anything else" part is the dumbest thing ive heard in a while. sorry. stuff like that might work in college where you can get away with being big/strong/fast but in the nfl it doesnt mean a thing. its useless if you dont know how to play football, how to use your hands. its the easiest thing in the world for a 290 pound center to dominate a 400 pound college DT. its all about technique in the nfl and NT is the hardest position to learn (next to QB maybe) because of that. ryan kalil (280 lbs) would kick the shit out of this guy...
It does not appear that you have done as extensive research as your post suggests. While its true he does not seem to be well conditioned, he is by no means fat. Improving one's level of stamina and conditioning does not necessarily require weight loss, particularly if the athlete in question is not grossly overweight which Thomas quite assuredly is not. Have you even seen pictures of the guy? He has no gut whatsoever. Furthermore, while he was certainly winded at times during the Texas vs. the Nation workouts, he was also incredibly dominant on a significant number of others as he ragdolled some good quality offensive linemen. He may ultimately turn out to be a bust due to character issues but he could also legitimately turn out to be one of the most (if not the most) dominating NTs in the NFL. No one knows. What we do know is that he has extremely limited experience, questionable character, extraordinary size, speed, strength and agility. He will be picked by some team higher than expected. Based on the risks and unpredicitability associated with draft picks in general and later round picks in particular, I'd be pretty surpised if a guy with Thomas' rare potential was still available in round 6 or 7. And that amazing upside potential is all we can reasonably talk about at this point. Anyone who resolutely states he knows which type of player Thomas will ultimately be in the NFL knows less about football than Rich Kotite did about being an NFL head coach.
Bullshit? All I said was Gates had no college playing time which he didn't. BTW, what other college basketball players made the move to the NFL as TEs without ever playing football? You said there are lots of them. I also didn't say just plug him in there. I said it wasn't as much of a skill position as TE is. Maybe you should get your glasses changed or start wearing them.
He may be worth a free agent make-good contract. I must admit that I'm intrigued by his size and physical ability but the character flags that have popped up gives me cause for concern.
I said that "I've seen a couple reports stating that he would have to get in much better shape (i.e. lose tons of weight) to play in the NFL." I then included one of those reports. Seeing you didn't read the report I'll post that portion for you. "Conditioning is a concern and he will have to lose a ton of weight" Please work on your reading comprehension before questioning my "extensive research". I also clearly pointed out that he may turn out to be a star, my opinion is that he won't. If you disagree, no sweat off my back....
how about wesley duke. in 05/06 he played for the broncos and actually started in the playoffs. then he tore his acl and his nfl career is likely over now. tony gonzalez also played basketball in high school and college...
With all due respect, the NFLDraftCountdown website didn't even carry a scouting report on Thomas until recently and they clearly didn't do their own homework either, otherwise they would not have suggested that he needed to lose a ton of weight. I've seen enough pictures of the guy. He may be out of shape but he is anything but fat. One of the reasons scouts are so intrigued by Thomas is that he is so big without being grossly overweight which is the errant assumption by many. You can be skinny and aerobically unfit. You can be fat and aerobically fit. I sincerely mean no disrespect, Baamf, but just because we can read something on the internet (or anywhere else for that matter) does not make it a true statement of fact. I go on record as stating that Walter Thomas' aerobic conditioning may be vastly subpar at this stage (easily corrected) he may have serious character issues (a legitimate cause for concern that may or may not be correctable) but he is anything but fat. Here's a recent picture: :http://www.draftdaddy.com/prospects/TexasNation.cfm
Here's a recent picture: :http://www.draftdaddy.com/prospects/TexasNation.cfm Perfect NT..he looks braindead.
Yeah, I saw that picture in one of our other threads on this guy a month or so ago. At that time many of us even questioned whether or not he was really 370 based on that. In that other thread I also posted a couple of links that had him listed as low as 330. Who knows. I think we both agree though, that he may have some upside and could become a player. My only point was that I doubt he will ever live up to that potential and wouldn't waste a draft pick on him. I respect your opinion if you think otherwise. We shall see, which is what makes this so much fun...
"my" sources say he's 6'4, 363lbs right now. not 6'5 and 380 lbs. the fastest 40 he ran: 5.30. his slowest one was in 5.5 range. stop with the "he was in 4.7 range" crap. thats not even possible. also, he bench pressed the 225 only 23 times. talk about a beast...
I think this guy is worth the risk. I think a lot of the people who post on this board - myself included - have a tendency to forget many of the stupid things we did when we were younger. It is only dumb luck that I didn't get arrested for an alcohol related offense between the ages of 16-20. If I had been arrested, does that mean that I didn't deserve to get a shot at my intended career path? Should such baggage taint a person so completely that he or she is permanently damaged goods? The guy got arrested. It is certainly possible that he is a person with criminal tendencies. Yet it is just as possible that he did something dumb that he regrets, as I do all of the stupid, dangerous things I did when I was his age. If he is there at the appropriate moment on Saturday, I say take him. His physical skills are certainly unique. TBTF
And what might your source be? Wait. Don't tell me.....its a secret!!!:rofl: According to the results posted at NFL.com in connection with his March 28th pro day, he was 6'4-3/8" tall, 374lbs, ran two 40s in 5.11 and 5.27 and he benched 225 27 times. He also can bench 475 and squats 800. Although I suppose if he lost 30-35 lbs by getting into top playing shape, he conceivably could run a sub 5.0 second 40, I don't see it as a requirement for the NT position.
