Opinions on Thomas Howard?

[tm1119]

what seperates the rest of the linebackers and him? from what i have heard the only knock against him is that he is sometimes slow to react to plays. Other than that he has decent size(a little slim but that can be changed) he has great speed(4.5) and can play both the run and pass. He is an article from NFL.com to back-up what im saying. So why not have him in the mix as a possible linebacker pick? and to make it even better he can be picked late in the first so we could trade down(which seems to be a popular idea here)and pick up at least another 3rd rounder. Just wondering why he isnt getting any hype around here.

"Despite being an elite athlete, Howard was not the dominant player he flashed the ability to be. He has the rare athleticism to make plays all over the field vs. every type of play. Because of his natural flexibility, explosiveness and use of hands he can play stronger at the point of attack than you expect and can knock lead blockers backwards in the hole to disrupt runs in the backfield before they get started. He has the playing speed to consistently chase down plays in backside pursuit, can cover receivers (tight ends and running backs) all over the field in tight man-to-man coverage and can get deep down the seam to handle middle coverage in the "Tampa 2" defensive coverage. The biggest concern is that Howard does not consistently sniff out the play fast and is often a beat late breaking in the direction of the play and in college, his play speed allowed him to make up for it, but in the NFL he will not be able to. Overall, he is going to be a very dangerous starting linebacker in the NFL because of his ability to make big plays vs. the run and in coverage, but he will always frustrate his coaches by not being as consistently productive as he is physically capable of. "

[dbair1967]

I dont know that many on here could offer a legit opinion on Howard unless they go to UTEP and attend the games...other than the Senior Bowl I dont know that he was on TV much


David

[tm1119]

i understand that, but lets be honest how many people have seen Manny Lawson play?

[Cowboy Junkie]

Originally Posted by tm1119

i understand that, but lets be honest how many people have seen Manny Lawson play?

I had seen Manny play several games last year and live once

[aceware94]

Personally I like Thomas Howard(6'3"-240), saw a Mayock blurb on him on NFL Network one day. He's got good speed, 4.42-4.7 and is a hitter. Only knock I've heard is that to be an OLB in a 3-4 he needs to get stronger, but what NFL rookie doesn'tand that he played at a small school(so did Dexter). I see a lot of ACC games living on the East Coast and Manny Lawson is a beast, went to Terps game last time and he's super quick. Got a lot of pressure, but they were chippin on Mario Williams all day too. From what I saw he has one move, an outside rush. When the Terps ran at him he got pushed back several yards more times than not.

[Pokes28]

I've seen Manny Lawson play many times (never live).

Personally, I like Howard. I didn't get to see him other than the senior bowl stuff, but I liked what I saw there.

You know that UTEP doesn't have a great S&C program, so I do think that he can grow into being a Strong Side OLB (unlike Lawson who comes from a school with an excellent S&C program).

The primary reason that Howard is rated where he is (26-40) range is because he's from a small school and will probably take a little longer to get him ready to play on Sunday.

David Harrell - Pokes
dwh

[tar_heel16]

I'm personally hoping we trade down so we can pick Thomas Howard. His only downsides are reading plays slowly, strength, and he sometimes takes bad angles and runs around offensive tackles on pass rushes. These types of things are pretty curable though. And the footsteps he's taken from being a walk on at a small school to potentially being a first rounder in the NFL Draft proves that he has a high ceil.

[ABQCOWBOY]

I've seen Thomas play. I said this some time ago and I think it is still relivant. If you liked what you saw from DJ last year, then this is the LB for you. If not, you won't like him. I see him as a 43 OLB.

[Pokes28]

ALBQ, that may very well be true. Watching practices and a single game where everybody is put in a situation to look good isn't the same as watching normal game film. Maybe he is an evader of contact. Fortunately, Dallas will have a lot of info and tape to know what kind of player he is. They stayed away from DJ and if Howard is a clone, then they will probably stay away from him too.

David Harrell - Pokes
dwh

[ABQCOWBOY]

Originally Posted by Pokes28

ALBQ, that may very well be true. Watching practices and a single game where everybody is put in a situation to look good isn't the same as watching normal game film. Maybe he is an evader of contact. Fortunately, Dallas will have a lot of info and tape to know what kind of player he is. They stayed away from DJ and if Howard is a clone, then they will probably stay away from him too.

David Harrell - Pokes
dwh

I think Howard is a little better pass rusher then DJ was but basically, they have very simular skills. I think he could be a great 43 guy. I just don't know if he's big enough to be a 34 LB over the long hall. I know he put on weight recently but I don't know if he can keep the speed and still put on bulk. He's not very thick in the lower body and his hips are pretty narrow. I think it might be tough for him to really put on a lot of weight. JMO from the bleachers.

[tm1119]

He is the same weight as Manny Lawson. What gives the Lawson the edge?, just the fact that he played DE?

[ABQCOWBOY]

Originally Posted by tm1119

He is the same weight as Manny Lawson. What gives the Lawson the edge?, just the fact that he played DE?

No, Lawson also played OLB but that's not why. Lawson is 6"6 and twords the end of the year, was playing at around 250. Howard is probably 6"3/4 and if he was playing at 235, I'd be surprised. I just think Lawson has the frame to be able to sustain the weight better. BTW, I don't really love Lawson at 18 either.

[Bob Sacamano]

Originally Posted by ABQCOWBOY

I think Howard is a little better pass rusher then DJ was but basically, they have very simular skills.

I'd actually compare Howard to our own Kevin Burnett, both are big and fast, Howard faster, good, but not great blitzers, take on blocks well (DJ's knock last year), and are both superb in coverage, and even in the fact that both had a knock for relying too much on their athleticsm instead of recognition

[ABQCOWBOY]

Originally Posted by summerisfunner

I'd actually compare Howard to our own Kevin Burnett, both are big and fast, Howard faster, good, but not great blitzers, take on blocks well (DJ's knock last year), and are both superb in coverage, and even in the fact that both had a knock for relying too much on their athleticsm instead of recognition

I believe Howard is a superior athlete to Burnett. Howard, is elite, in this catagory, IMO. He is a really good athlete. I don't think that Thomas takes on blocks all that well and he could be a spectacular pass rusher if he gets coached up. It's going to be tough for OTs to match his initial burst if he can learn more then just a speed move. He needs to get bigger. He needs to learn a rip technique and he needs to learn to use his hands to get a jolt, so as to create seperation and actually use his superior speed and quickness advantage to is fullest effect. Right now, if NFL lineman get there hands on Thomas, there going to eat him up. He will be neutralized. In the run game, depending on the scheme, he could be very vulnerable. If he's covered up in a 43 and allowed to flow to the ball, he will be able to use angles and acceleration to make plays in the backfield. If he is in a 34 OLB scheme, it's going to be tough on him IMO. He simply is not a physical enough player, IMO, at this point in his career to be an impact guy in that scheme. That, of course, is just my opinion. Desire and coaching can change a great deal of things but right now, I just don't believe he's a fit for us. We will see.

[Bob Sacamano]

true, I'm just saying I see alot of similarities between the 2