Bruce Thornton

[Avery]

Anyone know much about him?

[BlueStar II]

I've been trying to find something out about Bruce Thornton myself. As soon as somebody has some info. on him, please provide us with it. Thanks.

[LaTunaNostra]

No, except he came on a bit as a senior. I think I read somewhere his tackling needs work. From NFL.com

Prospect Profiles


Bruce Thornton
Position: Cornerback
College: Georgia
Height: 5-10
Weight: 192
Hometown: LaGrange, Ga.

Analysis | Agility | High School | Personal

OVERVIEW
Versatile athlete who has experience at both weakside and strongside cornerback … Moved to the secondary as a sophomore after playing tailback during his freshman year … Voted captain by his teammates as a senior, Thornton provided solid leadership after injuries depleted the defensive unit in his final campaign … Started 34 of 38 games on defense and one of 11 games on offense during his career … Finished with 129 tackles (94 solos), eight stops for losses of 24 yards, two quarterback pressures, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, 21 pass deflections and four interceptions … Also gained 230 yards with three touchdowns on 47 carries (4.9 avg.), 13 yards on three catches (3.3 avg.) and 404 yards on 22 kickoff returns (18.4 avg.).

ANALYSIS

Positives: Has a compact build with thick muscle development in his upper body … Plays with adequate field vision (better in the zone) … Has quick foot movement in his backpedal, showing speed in his transition … Best when making plays in front of him, staying at a low pad level to wrap and secure … Has the burst to run with receivers downfield and shows good hands to extend and catch easily outside the body's frame … Plays with good effort and has a knack for slipping past blocks working through traffic … Shows above-average body control when positioning and in his breaks.

Negatives: Needs a boost of confidence every now and then (needs to be re-assured and stroked) … For all of his athletic ability, he will do whatever it takes to avoid contact … Not very physical in run force and gets bounced around quite a bit working in the box … Avoids contact whenever he can and is a marginal tackler who will cut, lunge and leave his feet too much in attempts to make the play … May be better at safety, as he lacks the instincts and feel to perform consistently in man coverage … Lacks a good feel for the receiver's route … Quick out of transition, but hesitates a bit when closing … Can lose position in his turn out of his backpedal, as he frequently turns and bails off the snap … Late to come up and make the hit on the line (will take a free shot, but is soft combating vs. blocks) … Despite serving as team captain, he is not considered leadership material.

AGILITY TESTS
4.55 in the 40-yard dash … 315-pound bench press … 305-pound squat … 321-pound power clean … 37-inch vertical jump … 30¾-inch arm length … 8½-inch hands … Right-handed.

HIGH SCHOOL
Attended LaGrange (Ga.) High, playing football for coach Stan Purdue … Atlanta Journal-Constitution Top 50 in Georgia, Super Southern 100, Super Eleven, 1997 and 1998 all-state team … USA Today All-USA second-team Super 25, Columbus Ledger Elite Eleven, Macon Telegraph Sweet 16, SuperPrep All-American, Georgia High School Football Magazine Magnificent Seven, 1997 and 1998 Georgia Sports Writers Association all-state team and named to Team Georgia for the annual Georgia-Florida All-Star Game … Rushed for 4,541 yards on 560 carries as a three-year starter and four-year letter winner … During his senior season, he rushed for 1,920 yards and 28 touchdowns … Also an explosive special teams player, that totaled 932 return yards for his career and blocked 12 kicks.

PERSONAL
Child and Family Development major … Born Jan. 31, 1980 … Resides in LaGrange, Ga.

Courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com, Powered by The Sports Xchange

[Eagles-UK]

look up /\

[Cowgal]

I put this in the other thread, too. From ESPN:

SELECTED BY DALLAS , ROUND 4, PICK 25, OVERALL PICK 121
CB | (5'10", 197, 4.5) | GEORGIA | COLLEGE STATS
Data from Scouts, Inc.


Grade: 63
Comments: Thornton is at his best in zone coverage when he can give a cushion and keep everything in front. Long arms, knocks down passes underneath. Good recognition, gets good break on balls in zone. Quick, agile. Good burst out of pedal. No special qualities. Not physical in coverage. Gets pushed around. Does not fill as hard as he should vs. run, has trouble getting off blocks. Lacks smooth hips, top-end speed to match up vertically one-on-one. Lacks ball skills, doesn't make enough big plays when ball is airborne. Thornton broke his thumb as a freshman in 1999 and got a medical redshirt. In 2000, he began his career as a receiver and had 47 receptions and three touchdowns. He moved to defensive back during practices for the Oahu Bowl and has started since. As a senior, he started 13 games and finished with 48 tackles, two interceptions and seven passes broken up. Thornton has adequate size and speed. He is at his best in zone coverage and has good agility and burst coming forward. However, Thornton lacks great man-cover skills and often loses confidence. He lacks great speed and playmaking skills, and he struggles to turn and run with faster receivers. Thornton is a late-round cornerback prospect who must play in a scheme that calls for zone coverage. He could develop into a No. 3 cornerback but does not have upside.

[Avery]

I guess he'll be a backup at best.

Hunter may just get his shot...

[Smith22]

He seemed like more of a 5th or 6th round choice from what I had on him. Kiper says we reached big time for what thats worth.

[Ken]

Goose is on the ticket and said this is about the best CB they could hope to get in day 2.

Said he played well against Henderson and Clayton from LSU.

Said he was in his top 125 players.

Liked the pick.

[chicago JK]

Goose thought he was a good get.

[Mattsdad]

I dont know.....seems like a bad pick.

[D41lasCowboys31]

I think we were hoping to get Poole or Vasher but when they were taken we had to go with the best CB on the board. Hopefully we make the trade for McKenzie or Law.

[LaTunaNostra]

Scouting Report: Bruce Thornton
By TFY Draft Preview
Date: Mar 27, 2004


Name: Bruce Thornton School Georgia Year 5Sr
Ht: 5-10.5 Wt: 197 40: 4.55 Pos: CB

Bio: Three year starter who posted 54/2/8 as a senior after 43/2/6 during his junior campaign.

Pos: Athletic cover corner with adequate size/speed numbers for the next level. Fluid turning his hips, works well with the safety and positions himself to make a play on the ball. Quick reacting to the throw and has a good break on the pass. Improved the physical nature of his game.

Neg: Hesitant and slow turning back to the pass in man coverage. Lacks the great playing speed and does not high point the pass.

Analysis: Flashing skills the past three seasons at Georgia, Thornton has yet to pull all the pieces together and become a complete corner back. Best facing the quarterback and a potential nickel back with special teams skills at the next level.

[BadMeetsEvil]

Kiper said it was a "Major Reach"

[Cowgal]

I guess we'll have to wait and see. But I'm not feeling it right now.

[Ken]

Originally Posted by BadMeetsEvil

Kiper said it was a "Major Reach"

I respect Goose's oppinion a lot more than Kiper's.