I've had some issues with my computer. I decided to stay down here in Jacksonville for the Draft. Obviously, I was with the Marcus Thomas/Joe Cohen/Josh Beekman/Steve Harris contingent. As you all can imagine, it was frustrating as hell to sit around and wait for a team to pick Marcus up. Here is a guy that was rated higher than Amobi Okoye in terms of ability and because of the off of the field issues, he fell to the 4th round. We hung with him until after 11 pm Sat. to no avail. However, just before we had left, the Atlanta Falcons called and told Joe Cohen to hang in there because they were going to get him first thing in the morning. As it turned out, Joe ended up in San Fran. The next morning Denver lived up to their word and took Marcus. Ironically, they traded up to get him because Dallas was moving swiftly to land him. I had a feeling that it would have been Denver because they said that they were extremely interested at his pro day in March. I thought that they would take him in the 3rd, but as it turned out, he went in the 4th. It does not matter though; just as well as I called my shot on Leon Washington, I'm calling it on Marcus Thomas, he'll be a pro bowler inside 3 years.
You would know much better than any of us, but did you hear from any GMs that Thomas was taken off their board due to real/perceived "character / off-field" issues, especially in light of Goodal's recent suspensions? Denver really needs Thomas (and Moss) to come through as their defensive line was atrocious last year, especially at getting pressure on the QB.
There were several teams that eliminated him from their board. The Bills said that he was the best defensive player in the draft but they would not touch him with a 10 foot pole. Out of 10 teams who were extremely interested in a top flight DT, 4 took him off the board for good!!! It's tough, but he'll make it up in spades.
I understand you know the guy personally and know the real story and how the guy may have changed, but can you blame these teams? Perception is reality when it comes to the draft, not to mention the investment of a first or second round pick and the associated cash at those slots. It is doubtful a GM is going to bet his job on a guy with well known question marks which is what, in my opinion, a first or second round pick on Taylor would have ammounted to for the FO who made that pick. Gambler Shanahan has all the job security in the world (just signed a three year extension) and he was only willing to go with a 4th. No one wants to see any kid waste exceptional talent due to off-field issues. So I hope Thomas will sign a two-year deal, blow the doors off like his capable of and sign for big money in '09
I think there's just as good a shot that Thomas ends up suspended for violating the league's substance abuse policy within 3 years as there is of him ever making a Pro Bowl. A great talent for sure, but he screwed himself with his conduct during college, that's not something that one just walks away from unscathed.
hahaha. i think he was being ironic. a black jewish person isn't very typical at all. (this wasn't meant to be racist; just commenting on his post) cheers
I know you're already a pro bowler, but talk what you know. Warren Sapp was in the same boat and did not have anymore issues with the chronic. Marcus has learned his lesson, now it's time to move forward. First of all, who cares what you think? Secondly, the next time you have a chance at a multi million dollar contract in your second contract, we'll heed your advice.
Wooh, little overly testy there when I'm just giving an opinion. Last time I checked Warren Sapp never got kicked off the Hurricanes. Also, last time I checked he did enough convincing teams that it wasn't a serious problem that he still went in the first round. Then, compare that to Thomas, who was suspended, then came back only to be booted off the team because he couldn't even keep up with his obligations. He should have been extremely grateful he was allowed back so soon, but he threw away his college career for what? I can't respect a player that does that, and I certainly don't think that he's even remotely a changed man without him proving it for a long time.
With the way things are now, and not 10 years ago, Sapp would have been suspended, and yeah, he would have fallen out of the first round! I know scouts who have told me about Sapp's file. Besides that, I'm a life time Canes fan, I know what's up. As far as you being convince about whether he has changed or not, when your name endorses one of his checks then it may matter. Obviously someone was conviced (Da Broncs and a host of other teams that were looking to make the move to take him, including the Cowboys). Since you're on your respect soapbox, after all that has happened on the Canes teams in the past 20 years, not exactly a lot of respectable players and moments. And this is coming from a Canes fan!!
