SEC regulars - Safety

[Nors]

Looking for opinions on Thomas Davis? The 2 games I saw he was a beast. The thing that suprised for a safety 230 was the ground he covered. He is fast and instinctive and I bet he could takeover Woodsons role. Again I only saw him play 2 games.

Thoughts? He's a player maybe available at #20 without much talk.


thanks

[hockix]

Originally Posted by Nors

Looking for opinions on Thomas Davis? The 2 games I saw he was a beast. The thing that suprised for a safety 230 was the ground he covered. He is fast and instintive and I bet he could takeover Woodsons role. Again I only saw him play 2 games.

Thoughts? He's a player maybe available at #20 without much talk.


thanks

I didn't see Davis play so I can't give my ideas on the kid.
I just hope Clayton is there at 20 and we get him.

[Yeagermeister]

He sounds like another SS. We need a FS.

[Displaced Cowboy]

Seen him play a few times and the book on him is that he doesn't excel in coverage.

He really is another safety in the Roy mold who likes to get up in the box and lay the wood.

While i think he will be a good player I don't think he fits our needs.

[NicholasD]

Guy's destined to become a linebacker and isn't really what the Boys are looking for at the moment anyway. Bullocks or the safety from Georgia Tech is what the Cowboys really need. War Eagle!

[Yakuza Rich]

Hits like a mack truck, over pursues to much and freelances way too often. In the games I saw of him in the past year, you could see teams try to set him up in the game and hit the Bulldogs with a big passing play where Davis freelanced and went for the big hit instead of maintaining his coverage assignment.

He's really the exact opposite of what we need.


Rich.............

[k19]

Originally Posted by Yakuza Rich

Hits like a mack truck, over pursues to much and freelances way too often. In the games I saw of him in the past year, you could see teams try to set him up in the game and hit the Bulldogs with a big passing play where Davis freelanced and went for the big hit instead of maintaining his coverage assignment.

He's really the exact opposite of what we need.


Rich.............

Couldnt agree More Rich. I watched quite a few games last year, what else is there to watch in GA, and he definitely brings in when he's not out of position.

Hey Rich, howd you like that short lived snow Tuesday?

[Nors]

Originally Posted by NicholasD

Guy's destined to become a linebacker and isn't really what the Boys are looking for at the moment anyway. Bullocks or the safety from Georgia Tech is what the Cowboys really need. War Eagle!

Bullock is a nice FS third roundish
James Butler is a mid to late Day 2 pick.

Lots of people reading his write up.
Any Georgia fans thoughts who saw his career in person?

[Nors]

Originally Posted by K19

Couldnt agree More Rich. I watched quite a few games last year, what else is there to watch in GA, and he definitely brings in when he's not out of position.

Hey Rich, howd you like that short lived snow Tuesday?

Saw him covering a lot of ground and made plays. How did he get into top 20 in this draft if he sucks so bad? Need to do more research.

[DIAF]

I've seen a lot of Davis' play. He can cover just fine, but yeah, he is a strong safety. He's sorta like mini-Roy, except Davis covers better. We don't need him.

[Yakuza Rich]

Originally Posted by K19

Couldnt agree More Rich. I watched quite a few games last year, what else is there to watch in GA, and he definitely brings in when he's not out of position.

Hey Rich, howd you like that short lived snow Tuesday?

Well, I'm originally from Syracuse, NY so it's not all that big of a deal, albeit I still hate it.


Rich.................
more ticked off about the cold bug that won't go away.

[Nors]

Originally Posted by DrewHensonSoonerNotLater

I've seen a lot of Davis' play. He can cover just fine, but yeah, he is a strong safety. He's sorta like mini-Roy, except Davis covers better. We don't need him.

Woodson was a Linebacker moved to Safety. At 230 he's no mini Roy, if he can cover better than Roy it can work. We nailed NT, CB. Still have $13M To spend. Go get Hartwell or Bell at ILB. Add Marques Anderson 3-4 DE.



Merriman
Thomas Davis
Matt Roth

WE MIGHT HAVE ONE OF THE MOST FEARED CENTERS OF THE FIELD IN THE LEAGUE! We won 10 games with no offense with Roy and an old SS in Woodson.




Thomas Davis
S, Georgia
War Room analysis / like NFL Player (Roy Williams)
Coverage skills: Has good speed. Is good in zone coverage. Must improve recognition skills. Lacks elite hip fluidity and will struggle against slot receivers. Grade: 7.4.

Run/pass recognition: Reads and reacts quickly against the run; is excellent at finding the ball. Must be more disciplined. Has excellent burst. Grade: 8.4.

Closing speed: Takes great angles and shows good closing burst. Is quick; top-end speed is above average. Moves swiftly from sideline to sideline. Grade: 8.4.

Ball skills: Must improve ability to adjust to the pass. Hands are inconsistent; has dropped potential interceptions. Tends to go for the body at times when he should make a play on the ball. Grade: 7.4.

Run support: His strength. Is a big hitter with excellent size; can match up on interior plays. Takes great angles to the ball carrier. Shows great hip explosion and packs a punch as a tackler, especially in the open field. Grade: 8.3.

Bottom line: Davis is much more at home defending against the run than he is in pass coverage. He's a good pick for the first round but is not good enough to be among the top 10 players selected. He might have to switch back to outside linebacker.

Dan Pompei analysis
Is a fast, aggressive, physical prospect. Has good measurables with a feel for the position. Is tough.

[k19]

Originally Posted by Nors

Saw him covering a lot of ground and made plays. How did he get into top 20 in this draft if he sucks so bad? Need to do more research.

He's Roy all over. LB size, not great speed, poor coverage ability. Heres some reading for you

Thomas Davis is a very versatile player, having played eight positions in high school and both safety and linebacker during his time at Georgia. At 230 pounds, Davis is a huge safety with average speed. He was slated to start at strongside linebacker in 2003 until he was forced to move back to free safety due to a season-ending injury to Kentrell Curry. He went on to have a breakout year as a sophomore, recording a team high 138 tackles and 4.5 sacks, with just one interception. He is an excellent run defender who tackles like a linebacker and has the ability to rush the passer. Davis is not quite a finished product, he needs to improve his pass coverage ability to become a more complete safety. He could move to linebacker at some point in the NFL if he doesn’t work out at safety. Thomas Davis has a great deal of upside and I believe he has the ability to make an impact as a rookie in the NFL. He could be the first safety off the board and a first round pick in April.
[View Full Quote]
NFL Comparison: Roy Williams - Huge safety that tackles like a linebacker.

Davis gets ready after position switch
By Mike Lough
Date: Aug 25, 2003

Thomas Davis is keeping an eye on Kentrell Curry's rehabilitation.
The sooner Curry gets back in Georgia's secondary, the happier Thomas will be.


Thomas Davis is keeping an eye on Kentrell Curry's rehabilitation.
The sooner Curry gets back in Georgia's secondary, the happier Thomas will be.

Curry has missed all but the first week of practice with a stress fracture in his right foot, Curry unsure when the injury actually occurred. Backup Greg Blue lasted until Aug. 16 before he went out with a slight tear of his ACL, putting him on the sideline for 6-8 weeks.

[View Full Quote]Curry, a senior from Toccoa, wasn't expected to return until the Middle Tennessee State game at the earlier, but there have been murmurs that he could be at least dressed for Clemson. Blue won't be back until the trip to LSU on Sept. 20 at the earliest.

So Davis is back in the secondary.

"I just had to relearn a few things a little," he said. "There's just a whole lot more running than there was at linebacker. I just had to readjust to running to the ball, and there's a lot more backpedaling at linebacker."

That the Bulldog staff made the move is an indication of how good Davis is.

Davis was a Class AA honorable mention all-stater at Randolph-Clay High, where he played five positions as well as punter, kicker, and kick returner at some point during his high school career.

One of those spots as in the secondary, but he went to Georgia with a different spot in mind.

"I had never played linebacker before I came here," said Davis, owner of a grade point average over 3.0. "I was recruited as a linebacker out of high school, but we were pretty deep here."

He started the first two games at free safety last year, and had at least five tackles in his first five games as a Bulldog. Georgia's linebacking corps hit snag when Chris Clemons was hurt. Davis then started at outside linebacker against Florida and Ole Miss and had 12 tackles.

Davis finished seventh on the team with 61 tackles, adding three sacks and 11 quarterback hurries.

Georgia made his moves to linebacker official during the spring, and Davis felt at home. He had added weight and muscle, going from 210 pounds as a safety to about 225 for linebacker.

"I feel a whole lot better, being able to be physical," he said of his slightly changed frame. "I feel like I'm able to be a whole lot more physical with the weight I've gained. I feel it makes me a lot better."

His heart remains at linebacker, but safety does have its good points.

"You can't be as aggressive as you are at linebacker when you're at safety," he said. "But at safety, you get set up for a lot more big hits than you do at linebacker."

From the Dawgs Bio Page
Born: March 22, 1982....High School: Randolph-Clay... Class AA All-State Honorable Mention by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution....Georgia Sports Writers Association Class AA All-State Honorable Mention...Team MVP as a senior...played running back, quarterback, defensive end, defensive back, wide receiver, punter, kicker, and kick returner at various times throughout his career...rushed for 1,032 yards as a senior...averaged 30 yards a reception as a junior....holds school record for touchdowns scored in a game with five...averaged 30 yards a punt...led region in scoring as a senior with 108 points in the regular season...had two kickoff returns, one punt return, and one fumble return for touchdowns...also played baseball and ran track...qualified for the state meet in the 100 meters...High School Coach: Jim McFather.


College: 2001 -- Redshirted.....


[View Full Quote]2002 -- Recorded four tackles, one tackle-for-loss, forced one fumble, and recovered one fumble in annual spring G-Day game.....recipient of spring award as the Best Tackler....listed as number two FS at conclusion of spring drills.... played in all 14 games including four starts at FS and SLB.....recovered fumble to end final S.C. scoring threat inside 5-yard line and intercepted pass to stop Alabama's last possession to preserve both victories.....recorded two QB sacks in Nokia Sugar Bowl victory over FSU....member of team that won Georgia's first SEC championship in 20 years, defeated FSU for Nokia Sugar Bowl title, set school record for most victories in a season (13), and finished with a final national ranking of No. 3......part f defense that finished first in the SEC and fourth nationally i Scoring Defense (15.1 ppg), first in the SEC in Red one Defense (58.8%), econd in the SEC and 19th nationally in Rushing Defense 114.0 ypg), fourth in the SEC and 15th nationally in Total efense (303.5 ypg), and allowed only 30 total second half points in the final seven games of the season....blocked a punt against New Mexico State. 2003-- Officially moved to SLB during spring and recorded 10 tackles and two QB sacks in annual Spring G-Day game....listed as number one SLB at conclusion of spring drills... moved back to FS during pre-season when Kentrell Curry was lost for the season with an injury.... responded with 130 total tackles--tops on the team....perhaps Georgia's most active player recording statistics in interceptions, blocked kicks, caused fumbles, fumble recoveries, and fumble returns....was named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week after leading the Bulldog defense with a career-high 11 tackles (8 solo and 3 assists) against Clemson.....17 career starts......recipient of Iron Man Award which is presented to a player who "shows up every day for work, never late, and strains his potential in every endeavor"......named second team All-American by The Sporting News...named All-SEC first team by The Associated Press, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and TheInsiders.com and All-SEC second team by the SEC Coaches.....Part of Georgia team that won 32 games from 2001-03, ranked among the top five teams nationally in winning percentage, and part of a Georgia defense that ranked 2nd nationally in Scoring Defense (14.5 ppg), 4th in Total Defense (276.86 ypg), 6th in Passing Defense (174.50 ypg),14th nationally in Turnover Margin (+.79), and 4th in number of scoreless quarters (25) among the AP's final Top Ten teams. 2004 -- Outstanding spring winning award as the team's Best Tackler....Thorpe and Nagurski Award candidate.....named pre-season second team All-America by Athlon, Lindy's, and The Sporting News...pre-season All-SEC first team by the SEC Coaches, Athlon and The Sporting News.... named to the pre-season watch list for the 2004 Jim Thorpe Award...named semi-finalist for Bednarik Award presented annually to the nation's top defensive player.... named to the "Half-Season All-America Team" by The Sporting News...led Georgia team in tackles with 81 total after leading the team in tackles in eight of the 11 regular season games....his 7.4 tackles per game was seventh best in the SEC....named first team All-America by Walter Camp AFCA Coaches, and The Sporting News..second team All-America by Associated Press.... All-SEC first team by the Associated Press and the SEC coaches...recorded three tackles-for-loss, two QB sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass deflection in 2005 Outback Bowl victory over Wisconsin....part of team that posted 42-10 record over the past four seasons (sixth best in the country), three straight seasons of 10 or more wins, three straight bowl victories, and three consecutive national top six finishes.....2005 -- Elected to forego his final season of eligibility and enter NFL draft....Major: Consumer Economics

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