ESPND:Patriots guard Donald Thomas on Cowboys - Dallas Cowboys Forum

Mr Cowboy · 02-27-2013

NFL Insiders Gary Horton and Field Yates took a look a the Dallas Cowboys in their pre-free agency series.

The duo addresses the Cowboys' needs in free agency and discuss the overall team philosophies in this ESPN Insider column.

Backup guard Donald Thomas of the New England Patriots is mentioned as potential free agent target for the Cowboys.

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowbo...patriots-guard

speedkilz88 · 02-27-2013

So is this speculation or did they hear this from someone?

**jobberone** · 02-27-2013

Doesn't source but I like the fact they're looking around. I just hope they're looking in the right direction.

Maxmadden · 02-27-2013

Sounds like spaghetti to me.

bkight13 · 02-27-2013

I don't think they are going to spring for Levitre or Vasquez, so a guy like Brown could be a good fit. The Pats thought of keeping Thomas before re-signing Mankins, so the guy can play.

Bullflop · 02-28-2013

For those who are curious, Donald Thomas is a 6-4, 305-lb. 5-year vet from Connecticut.

InmanRoshi · 02-28-2013

He played very well for them when Mankins was out. They would keep him if they weren't already stacked with guards.

burmafrd · 02-28-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by InmanRoshi

He played very well for them when Mankins was out. They would keep him if they weren't already stacked with guards.

I am trying to imagine the Boys being stacked with good guards, sadly I cannot.

**Idgit** · 02-28-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by InmanRoshi

He played very well for them when Mankins was out. They would keep him if they weren't already stacked with guards.

This is interesting to hear. (I trust your opinion more than I do 'Field Yates's,' IR). It'd freak people out, but I'd be ok with another unknown OG signing if our scouts really thought the guy was a good fit for a starting job here. The same goes at any position, obviously. At the very least, it'd give us more flexibility going into the draft if we added another starting-capable guard. It'd make looking at OT earlier an option, too.

BHendri5 · 03-01-2013

At least they are looking, but I still do not like that they are always looking for the cheap, or trying to find a diamond, just pay the money for the FA starters and incoming Starters from the draft.

InmanRoshi · 03-01-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idgit

This is interesting to hear. (I trust your opinion more than I do 'Field Yates's,' IR). It'd freak people out, but I'd be ok with another unknown OG signing if our scouts really thought the guy was a good fit for a starting job here. The same goes at any position, obviously. At the very least, it'd give us more flexibility going into the draft if we added another starting-capable guard. It'd make looking at OT earlier an option, too.

I've been following him since he was drafted, because I was eyeballing the Dolphins under Ireland/Parcells/Sparano. He really opened eyes for them right away and looked to be a late round steal as a 6th round rookie, even though he was very raw. He was supposedly one of the strongest guys in their weight room Day 1. Everyone raved about how naturally strong he was. He started Week 1 as a rookie, and reportedly graded out the as the best Dolphins OL in that game (even better than Jake Long). He also suffered a lisfranc injury in that game. He was put on IR the rest of the year.

The next year he started for them at RG and fairly played well, though not spectacular, which is understandable considering it was basically his rookie year and he was coming off a major injury. He hit a bit of a wall and his play significantly dropped by the end of the year, probably from an undisclosed injury (the Parcells way).

But Ireland/Sparano just weren't satisfied with pretty good and they didn't want to wait around for him to develop anymore. They had it in their minds they had to have the bestest offensive line that ever offensive lined and "win games in the trenches, where Championships are won" and blah blah blah stale bromides, etc. They spent a metric ton of resources on the OL between Jake Long, Justin Smiley, Jake Grove, resigning Vernon Carey, Ritchie Incognito, John Jerry, etc. When the Dolphins released Thomas, after he had started for him the previous year, they claimed they didn't think he could hold up physically, but I think he just got washed away with the churn and Ireland's impatience with wanting to have the most dominant OL in the NFL at all costs (sounds familiar). They also had just spent a 3rd round pick on John Jerry and probably wanted to clear the way for him to start at RG.

So he bounced around on waivers for a year. Given the Parcells and AFC East ties, it wasn't a huge surprise that eventually found his way to Belichick. He's played very well for them when he filled in for Mankins the last 2 years. But the Patriots have Mankins and Connolly and Marcus Cannon looks too slow to play tackle and will probably have to be moved inside. PFF claims he was even more consistent than Mankins this year, but it was probably a short sample size. They also list him as the 4th best free agent G, ahead of Vasquez because he's a much better run blocker.

brickman · 03-01-2013

He's a guard and he's breathing. Sign him!

InmanRoshi · 03-01-2013

I'll also add I wouldn't be surprised if the Patriots made a strong push to resign him with their new cap room. Mankins and Vollmer are always injured, and they might decide that he's just better than Connolly.