I am not really a fan of drafting him, but in honestly I never really paid attention (probably due to the fact he hasn't won a lot of games, which may be fair or unfair). Here is the article on him:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/the-case-fo...1-nfl.html
Some key points that stood out to me are:
"Thomas also lacks touch on shorter throws. At this point, he's more of a fastball pitcher than a customer service thrower. (Newton had the same issue.) Thomas is not a pure anticipation thrower; he's much more of a see it/throw it passer, waiting that extra beat until his receiver broke open rather than turning it loose before he made his break. Just as Newton is to this day, entering his fourth NFL season. Strong-armed quarterbacks can often get away with that because of the velocity with which they throw, but there are many instances they don't because those throws are late."
"Of course, outcomes in the minds of most always supersede process. Newton won a national championship in his single year at Auburn; Thomas was 26-14, with few signature wins in his three years as Virginia Tech's starter. Cam is a winner, and therefore a special talent; Logan is raw and unrefined, with more questions than answers."
"Here's the reality, which to many is inconceivable given the negative perception of Thomas, and Newton's relative success in the NFL after three seasons: Thomas is further along as a natural passer than Newton was at the equivalent point in time, having played more games in college, and learning an offense with far more complexities than Newton's Auburn offense."
I'd love to take a late round flier on the guy, sit him for a few years and if he never developes you could always move him to TE.
I'd love to take a chance on Logan Thomas if Mettenberger and Murray are gone. I think it would be a fantastic pick in the the 4th or 5th rounds. He's got a ton of upside.
Its more of an indication of our coach and his style but I'll say it anyway - Thomas may thrive under Gus and Jedd's system.
Quote:I'd love to take a late round flier on the guy, sit him for a few years and if he never developes you could always move him to TE.
Or if it doesn't work out, trade him to a self-proclaimed QB "guru" like Jim Harbaugh who thinks he can mold any QB.
It's my belief someone will overdraft him, and it may be surprising how high.
Quote:Or if it doesn't work out, trade him to a self-proclaimed QB "guru" like Jim Harbaugh who thinks he can mold any QB.
It's my belief someone will overdraft him, and it may be surprising how high.
I think you're probably right in that he will go higher than many, including me, expect. I'd be ok with taking him with one of the extra 5th or 6th round picks. Any higher than that and someone else is welcome to him.
I know the writer of the article compared him to Newton. But I would compare him more to Kaepernick:
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/coli...id=2495186
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2014/profiles/l...id=2543767
I'm not saying they are identical prospects, but as far as where they are coming out they are similar. Colin obviously was a more accurate passer and had more elusiveness and speed, but Thomas has a stronger arm and already has experience with a pro system. Thomas also has those huge hands people seem to be falling in love with now.
On a side note....I am not a huge Teddy fan but it was always funny to me when people would bring up his small hands when his hands are bigger than Colin's.....
Clearly he has the best physical tools and subsequently the highest upside. But he has been a starter for a long time and just hasnt shown many signs of getting better. In fact I think you can argue he has gotten worse in some aspects. Maybe all he needs is the right coaching. But I have my doubts.
I've always thought htere were two kinds of later round QB prospects. One's who you draft as intelligent, team leader type backups and ones you draft because you think their upside is starter material. Thomas falls in the latter. He isnt the guy you want holding the clipboard taking notes and looking for signs of weakness he can relay to the starter. He is the guy who has the physical tools that you take a late flyer on. But again, we've seen enough of him that I doubt he'll improve. Even with better coaching.
I'd use a 7th rounder on him just for the heck of it. Anything earlier than that, I'd be looking for a position change.
He's a poor man's Terrell Pryor.
Quote:He's a poor man's Terrell Pryor.
No... not really. His arm is way better than Pryors.
So, the argument for drafting a player like Thomas seems to boil down to "he's big" and he has a strong arm. (Ok, that's a bit of a simplification, but that's basically it, right ?). And one day he may develop into a decent player.
I suppose if we have a spare pick late in the draft and we've already got one QB in the bag, then it wouldn't hurt to get him as well... But sounds like a bit of a risk otherwise, when there appear to be more talented throwers around.
Quote:So, the argument for drafting a player like Thomas seems to boil down to "he's big" and he has a strong arm. (Ok, that's a bit of a simplification, but that's basically it, right ?). And one day he may develop into a decent player.
I suppose if we have a spare pick late in the draft and we've already got one QB in the bag, then it wouldn't hurt to get him as well... But sounds like a bit of a risk otherwise, when there appear to be more talented throwers around.
If we're going on the developmental QB way, I'd rather take a guy that is not physically limited.
Quote:If we're going on the developmental QB way, I'd rather take a guy that is not physically limited.
Bingo. And Logan Thomas has almost no physical limitations; It's all in his head.
Quote:Bingo. And Logan Thomas has almost no physical limitations; It's all in his head.
he cant read a defense. id rather have savage.
Quote:Bingo. And Logan Thomas has almost no physical limitations; It's all in his head.
I think it's more footwork than anything. He's got a gun and knows it. He relies on the arm to make the pass instead of using proper footwork. Ted does a lot of that, too but his fans overlook it... though his arm is only a fraction of Thomas'.
Plus, Thomas simply hasn't been groomed in an NFL style system. He's been taught to read option keys and his progressions and checkdowns aren't similar to what he'll be asked to do in the NFL. That's not a bad thing. He's a blank canvas, the downside being it may take longer for him to groom than someone who has had an NFL style foundation instead of a blank slate.
Still, GMs will look at his skillset and be willing to put that work in. It would be hard not to. He's a lot like a Josh Freeman but without the personal issues. Unlike Freeman, he's a good guy.
If we take a guy with all the tools late in the draft. I'd take Brandon Kay from Cincinnati over Logan Thomas.
Quote:he cant read a defense. id rather have savage.
Agree but Logan Thomas is an interesting prospect. IF we can nab him as the second QB in the 5th round id be perfectly fine with carrying 3 QBs on the roster and giving him and the other rookie QB plenty of preseason time.
My one issue is can he be coached? Im sure they had to be at least giving it an attempt at VT and from one year to the next he showed almost no progression as a pocket passer and didnt seem at any point to get baetter at reading defenses or going through progressions.
Quote:Agree but Logan Thomas is an interesting prospect. IF we can nab him as the second QB in the 5th round id be perfectly fine with carrying 3 QBs on the roster and giving him and the other rookie QB plenty of preseason time.
My one issue is can he be coached? Im sure they had to be at least giving it an attempt at VT and from one year to the next he showed almost no progression as a pocket passer and didnt seem at any point to get baetter at reading defenses or going through progressions.
there is no evidence to back it up but i have a feeling thomas might be a bit of a dummy.
I'm pretty sure a lot of these later round QB's are going to be practice squad guys and career back ups.. Some will make it to be starters, most, probably not..
Quote:Agree but Logan Thomas is an interesting prospect. IF we can nab him as the second QB in the 5th round id be perfectly fine with carrying 3 QBs on the roster and giving him and the other rookie QB plenty of preseason time.
My one issue is can he be coached? Im sure they had to be at least giving it an attempt at VT and from one year to the next he showed almost no progression as a pocket passer and didnt seem at any point to get baetter at reading defenses or going through progressions.
Quote:there is no evidence to back it up but i have a feeling thomas might be a bit of a dummy.
I've watched a bit of Virginia Tech over the years and I have absolutely zero confidence in that coaching staff to develop offensive players. Maybe I'm jaded, but I've seen way too much talent go there and there be little to no growth from them.
I'm not saying that this means Thomas is a great prospect, but rather that it may even take some time to 'uncoach' him if you know what I mean.
Quote:there is no evidence to back it up but i have a feeling thomas might be a bit of a dummy.
I hate saying it with nothing to back it but you might be right. I dont know about Deacon's point that VT doesnt develope offensive players as i would need to see some draft history but he might have a point there too.
All im sayin is there should be some noticable progress or change in the way he drops back and scans the field over his college career and ther hasnt been. He looks and throws exactly the same as when he started. That to me means either its bad coaching , refusal of coaching , or lack of mental ability and with 2 of the 3 options leaning against Logan Thomas i cant get on his bandwagon.