Jacksonville Jaguars Fan Forums

Thomas is an "OK" LB.  He's a decent backup at this point.

Quote:If he's re-signed, it's got more to do with versatility than anything else.  I don't think Poz is going anywhere, but I do suspect the team will probably look at possible upgrades across the lb corps. 

 

Agree.  He's a decent starting OLB, just OK as a backup MLB.

 

They'd prefer George at MLB when he's fully healthy, but I agree... with Poz coming back from injury, I see opportunity to add competition at all three spots.

Quote:I think he's proved he is worth a place in the squad.


The suggestion from the official website is that Poz returns next season, so we may not go MLB in the draft, but if we do Eric Kendricks might also be worth a look.

I will be saddened to see him in uniform next year. I see nobody agrees with me and everyone thinks he is a good backup. I do not. It will also tell me something about Caldwell I do not want to know. That he will keep someone around because they are cheap. I think if anyone is honest, Thomas does not make the regular squad of any other team, even as a backup. This is not a player the Jags want. We need backups that can play, not simply fodder because they are cheap. There are players that have heart but simply do not have the talent or speed to play(see Rudy or Prosinski). Thomas lacks talent and speed and I have to question his desire for the game. I grew up watching Butkus and Lambert and Youngblood and Marshall and they liked to hit. A backup has to enjoy it even more because it's all he has to offer. He can't cover. Did you see him drop the Interception in the end zone? While one play is hardly an indictment, that play is Thomas, a step behind, a fingertip from the ball. He can hardly run with those gigantic weight room thighs. The worst part is I have seen him avoid contact on numerous occasions. He gets blocked way too easily and puts out a lame effort to get off the block. (with the possible exception of the last game, he knows his job is on the line) but overall throughout the season he isn't what the Jaguars need at any position. Yet I do feel he will be resigned because he is "in the system" and can be bought for a song. I hope Caldwell proves me wrong.

Quote:I will be saddened to see him in uniform next year. I see nobody agrees with me and everyone thinks he is a good backup. I do not. It will also tell me something about Caldwell I do not want to know. That he will keep someone around because they are cheap. I think if anyone is honest, Thomas does not make the regular squad of any other team, even as a backup. This is not a player the Jags want. We need backups that can play, not simply fodder because they are cheap. There are players that have heart but simply do not have the talent or speed to play(see Rudy or Prosinski). Thomas lacks talent and speed and I have to question his desire for the game. I grew up watching Butkus and Lambert and Youngblood and Marshall and they liked to hit. A backup has to enjoy it even more because it's all he has to offer. He can't cover. Did you see him drop the Interception in the end zone? While one play is hardly an indictment, that play is Thomas, a step behind, a fingertip from the ball. He can hardly run with those gigantic weight room thighs. The worst part is I have seen him avoid contact on numerous occasions. He gets blocked way too easily and puts out a lame effort to get off the block. (with the possible exception of the last game, he knows his job is on the line) but overall throughout the season he isn't what the Jaguars need at any position. Yet I do feel he will be resigned because he is "in the system" and can be bought for a song. I hope Caldwell proves me wrong.

You don't know what you're watching.

Quote:You don't know what you're watching.

Tommy don't even start with the "You dont even know what you're watching" routine.

Your go to move.

I watch the man nearly every play.

What are his fine attributes?

Quote:Tommy don't even start with the "You dont even know what you're watching" routine.

Your go to move.

I watch the man nearly every play.

What are his fine attributes?

I don't see him as 'lazy'. You're either watching from your couch or from your seat, you don't have the credibility to question someones love for the game, who has been playing their whole life and does it for a living. You're nowhere inside the organization, so stop acting like you know something the rest of us don't.

 

Actually, he can cover. He covers pretty well. He's also had 2 Interceptions and 2 Forced Fumbles this season, which many of the teams corners can not say they have.

 

He's a solid tackler and he plays the run really well. He's got above average speed for a MLB, and he's the only guy we have that's any decent depth there except for Poz. He will be resigned, and who knows, maybe with an offseason under his belt he can start next year also. Wait and see.

Quote:I don't see him as 'lazy'. You're either watching from your couch or from your seat, you don't have the credibility to question someones love for the game, who has been playing their whole life and does it for a living. You're nowhere inside the organization, so stop acting like you know something the rest of us don't.

 

Actually, he can cover. He covers pretty well. He's also had 2 Interceptions and 2 Forced Fumbles this season, which many of the teams corners can not say they have.

 

He's a solid tackler and he plays the run really well. He's got above average speed for a MLB, and he's the only guy we have that's any decent depth there except for Poz. He will be resigned, and who knows, maybe with an offseason under his belt he can start next year also. Wait and see.

I've been lurking on this thread because i've admittedly not focused or seen too much of him (Never get to watch the games out here), but from what i've seen, i think he's worthy of a roster spot.  Is this another thread where we are being too harsh on a guy?  Sure he's no star, but he's earned a spot, no?  Of course unless we bring in better players, just gotta add that before the clowns attack me.

Quote:I don't see him as 'lazy'. You're either watching from your couch or from your seat, you don't have the credibility to question someones love for the game, who has been playing their whole life and does it for a living. You're nowhere inside the organization, so stop acting like you know something the rest of us don't.

 

Actually, he can cover. He covers pretty well. He's also had 2 Interceptions and 2 Forced Fumbles this season, which many of the teams corners can not say they have.

 

He's a solid tackler and he plays the run really well. He's got above average speed for a MLB, and he's the only guy we have that's any decent depth there except for Poz. He will be resigned, and who knows, maybe with an offseason under his belt he can start next year also. Wait and see.

I don't have credibility to question someone's love for the game? Why not? We question every other aspect of a players game including desire. As far as being in the organization, neither are you. So what? You post opinions as well. It's a message board.

JT doesn't have "ABOVE average" speed for a linebacker, coming out of college he was a 4.7 guy, 4.65 on a great track and his 3 cone drill never has broke 7 seconds. That's why he fell to the 6th. When an LB is only 6 feet and is posting those numbers he is a weight room wonder, but he is not quick or fast. He is even slower now as his body has filled out more. He doesn't even have average speed.

No Tommy I don't know more than everyone,I don't claim to, but I will say I know more than you if you claim he is fast as the average NFL backer, and a solid tackler.

The guy is slow, and more importantly slow to react. His size allows him to be both run over, and passed over, he is a liability in both the run and passing game at linebacker.

To answer jag32250, no it's not a case of picking on him, this board questions everyone, JT included. Its a  big boy game.

You admit you hardly watched him play but think he deserves a roster spot.

Ok then, at least you are honest I guess.

People that think JT Thomas is as good or close to as good as Paul Posluszny are crazy.

 

JT Thomas will probably get a small contract offer from us, and he'd be wise to take it.

 

I'm confident he can step in and play a few games, but he shouldn't be regarded as a starter.

 

Next year, I see our LBs:

 

New SAM backer, Pozz in the middle, and Telvin outside.

I like JT. I think he should be here in the future.

I am a JT Thomas fan. Hes not perfect, but I definitely feel like he plays faster than Poz, who people seem to love for making tackles after the first down marker (Poz's signature move). JT isn't as good a tackler, but he gets more turnovers. (4 in 9 starts to 2 in 7 starts for Poz). Also he is much better in coverage (5 PDEF vs 1 for Poz). Poz is in no way worth many millions more than JT Thomas. And its not like the tackle diff is even that huge 69 (47 solo) vs 76 (44 solo).

 

And for the person commenting on JT height, hes 6'1" vs. 6'2" for Poz. I would be greatly disappointed if JT wasn't resigned, and Poz's contract wasn't adjusted (down) for next year.

Not getting into a Pee further match, but he is listed at 6'1. Which means he is barely 6 feet tall.. He's a stocky, slow linebacker. Look at his film from his college days. He had a noticeably thinner frame 4 years ago,Then He was listed at 226, now he listed at 241lbs.

Even at the lower weight he was running molasses slow 4.69 40's and that aint no lie. He was slow then, bulking up did not increase his speed. Hence 6th round.

 

He recorded 76 tackles in 3 years in college,2 int, 0 sacks, not exactly a ball hawk, and has just about duplicated that mediocre career while with the Jags.

 

Here is the bears scout report on their 6th round pick they hoped might fill in for Urlacher to give him a breather. Take from it what you will-

" 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." (He likes stolen laptops.)

 

This is just about what my lying eyes have seen, and not the MLB I would like on the Jags. If Dave loves him, I will trust in Dave. I would hope Caldwell can find better.

Quote:Not getting into a Pee further match, but he is listed at 6'1. Which means he is barely 6 feet tall.. He's a stocky, slow linebacker. Look at his film from his college days. He had a noticeably thinner frame 4 years ago,Then He was listed at 226, now he listed at 241lbs.

Even at the lower weight he was running molasses slow 4.69 40's and that aint no lie. He was slow then, bulking up did not increase his speed. Hence 6th round.


He recorded 76 tackles in 3 years in college,2 int, 0 sacks, not exactly a ball hawk, and has just about duplicated that mediocre career while with the Jags. (sorry he has 5 pass defensed wouldnt want to forget that)

Here is the bears scout report on their 6th round pick they hoped might fill in for Urlacher to give him a breather. Take from it what you will-
" 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." (He likes stolen laptops.)


This is just about what my lying eyes have seen, and not the MLB I would like on the Jags. If Dave loves him, I will trust in Dave. I would hope Caldwell can find better.

Good god. He is a back up. You are acting like they are about to sign him to a 100 mill dollar deal.


Molasses slow? What is your 40 time?


Also who uses the term ball hawk to describe a middle linebacker? Can you name onemlb in the league that is a ball hawk?

Trunt, Tommy was the one talking about all the Interceptions Thomas had,(2) insinuating they came off coverage. When usually a MLB gets an accident thrown to him or a deflected pass. It was sarcasm for Tommy. I really don't care if the MLB has 2 int since he has been with the Jags. I would like him to stop the run, be able to cover a back or tight end crossing over or sitting down in the zone, and have more than a 3 inch leap when a ball is dropped over his head. I just provided you a report saying he could not jump higher than a lame bullfrog, and the only concern you have is me bringing the issue up. Because he is a backup. Who cares right?

Seems like his jumping ability would be an issue. But I understand a lot of people want to talk about the pools or Jedds play calling, or should we lose out. Those thread are out there.

 

As far as him being "just a backup", I don't subscribe to the theory of hiring canon fodder for backups. Look at this year. We could draft a great Rookie MLB who goes down, I would like someone that can fill in without a great difference in play.

I think that's why this thread exists, to explore whether he is the guy. Were we just supposed to say "yes he is a good backup"?

If anyone feels it's a meaningless position, about a meaningless player, why respond?

And asking me my 40 time?  A very childish remark. "How far can you throw it" haw haw.

You are not new, don't give in to personal insults to be hip. Find a thread you like or ignore me

Merry Christmas.

4.69 is decent for a LB....

Definitely upgradeable.

Admittedly I've changed my stance on J.T. He literally started out playing lousy at the MLB position BUT, his past few games has been more than acceptable. He's playing the position as it should be played. On the other hand, I'd like to see what Jeremiah George brings to the table. If Poz returns as the starter, George should be his relief at the position while J.T. plays elsewhere...


NH3...

You offer him a contract and he can compete through training camp. If someone takes his spot, cool. If no one emerges, you still have him as a band aide.

Not starter material, but better than Poz. 

Quote:Not starter material, but better than Poz.