Anyone know if Thornton cleared waivers?

[junk]

Frankly, I'd rather have a young, developmental guy on the team like Thornton than a washed up vet whos never done much anyway in Ogbogu.

 

[JackMagist]

We're going to condemn a rookie fourth rounder because he starts slow the first four or five weeks of his career?

It's not so much that a 4th round pick started slow as it is that two 7th round picks (same draft class, same position) were playing while said 4th round pick sat at home. There is something telling in that; that and the fact that those same two 7th rounders are now on the team and the 4th rounder who sat at home behind them last year is gone.

Don't worry though he'll be back on the PS and maybe the team soon...Lucky Us

 

[AdamJT13]

Are you speaking of training camp "depth charts"?

At one point in our camp this year, Jacob Rogers was a starter.

I was responding to your inaccurate statement that "Thornton could not beat out either Reeves or Jones in last year's training camp." Thornton was competing with Hunter and Jemeel Powell, not Reeves or Jones. And Thornton DID beat out Powell for the backup job behind Hunter.

Fact is that Thornton was inactive for all the games last year until week four.

And I've already explained why. He didn't contribute enough on special teams or at other positions to be on the 45-man active roster.

Jones and Reeves were the backups behind Hunter and Newman. So really what you are implying is that Thornton was really good enough corner to be second string, yet did not get active?

That's exactly correct. In order for non-starters (at most positions) to be active on game day, they have to contribute in other ways. Thornton didn't.

He was inactive against Washington, Reeves came in and played. Then it was Reeves was who started against the Giants. Not Thornton.

Reeves should have started. The difference between the two wasn't great, and by that point, Reeves had game experience (playing almost the entire game the previous week after Hunter was hurt). I wouldn't have started a rookie with no game experience when someone about as good with experience was available.

Again, why would Coach Parcells be in the habit of releasing players who are better? The special teams excuse does not fly.

That's a completely ridiculous statement. Better players get released all of the time. Parcells himself stated that Jeff Robinson is better than Jon Condo, but he released Robinson anyway. Why? Because he's cheaper and he could be around for several years. Quincy Morgan undoubtedly is a better wide receiver than Terrance Copper right now, but Parcells released Morgan. Why? Take your pick of reasons, since there are many.

Parcells has stated several times how backup players have to contribute on special teams -- he counts the number of plays he's able to use guys in games, and that's an important factor in deciding whom to keep and whom to cut.

And even if you would like to cling to that to support your theory that Thornton is really a better player, isn't part of his job as a professional to find a way to make the team?

Of course it is.

Any way you slice it, he was a disappointment as a 4th round draft choice

I never said he wasn't. Like I said, I would have cut him, too.

 

[JackMagist]

I was responding to your inaccurate statement that "Thornton could not beat out either Reeves or Jones in last year's training camp." Thornton was competing with Hunter and Jemeel Powell, not Reeves or Jones. And Thornton DID beat out Powell for the backup job behind Hunter.

Powell lost out because he couldn't get his hand technique right but he consistently had better position on the receivers than Thornton. And when the season came and Thornton was sitting at home it was Reeves backing up Hunter and Jones playing the slot; sounds like they both beat him out to me.

And I've already explained why. He didn't contribute enough on special teams or at other positions to be on the 45-man active roster

That's exactly correct. In order for non-starters (at most positions) to be active on game day, they have to contribute in other ways. Thornton didn't..

"He didn't contribute enough" is your defense for him? Now that's encouraging.

Reeves should have started. The difference between the two wasn't great, and by that point, Reeves had game experience (playing almost the entire game the previous week after Hunter was hurt). I wouldn't have started a rookie with no game experience when someone about as good with experience was available.

No game experience because he had been beaten out by two 7th rounders.

That's a completely ridiculous statement. Better players get released all of the time. Parcells himself stated that Jeff Robinson is better than Jon Condo, but he released Robinson anyway. Why? Because he's cheaper and he could be around for several years. Quincy Morgan undoubtedly is a better wide receiver than Terrance Copper right now, but Parcells released Morgan. Why? Take your pick of reasons, since there are many.

Weak comparisons here. Robinson was an economic decision, whereas Thornton was just beaten out for the higher spots on the depth charts. Morgan was released for the same reason as Thornton...the guys we kept had more upside and/or better talent. Copper is as good as Morgan (maybe better) and he contributes (there's that word again) more to the team playing ST. Not to mention the ecnonmic difference between Morgan and Copper as the #5 receiver.

Parcells has stated several times how backup players have to contribute on special teams -- he counts the number of plays he's able to use guys in games, and that's an important factor in deciding whom to keep and whom to cut.

Yes this is somewhat the point. Thornton is arguably (and it would be an argument) as good a cover corner as Reeves but he is decidedly a weaker tackler and ST player...again...less upside.

Originally Posted by Alexander
Any way you slice it, he was a disappointment as a 4th round draft choice

(response)

I never said he wasn't. Like I said, I would have cut him, too.

I guess this was my mistake also, because that is exactly what it sounded to me like you were saying.

 

[Nors]

Coyle, and almost all had Thornton a late round pick. Thornton proved them correct. He was a reach at where he was drafted.

 

[jem88]

Copper is as good as Morgan (maybe better) and he contributes (there's that word again) more to the team playing ST. Not to mention the ecnonmic difference between Morgan and Copper as the #5 receiver.

Exactly what has Copper done to show that he is as good as Morgan? He's cheaper and more versatile (special teams contributor) but he hasn't come close to achieving what Morgan has as a receiver.

 

[Kilyin]

Exactly what has Copper done to show that he is as good as Morgan? He's cheaper and more versatile (special teams contributor) but he hasn't come close to achieving what Morgan has as a receiver.

Nothing. Maybe one day if Copper can achieve a 15 YPC career average, he'll be considered in the same league as Morgan. I'll be keeping an eye on ole Quincy in Pittsburgh.

 

[AbeBeta]

Nothing. Maybe one day if Copper can achieve a 20+ YPC career average, he'll be considered in the same league as Morgan. I'll be keeping an eye on ole Quincy in Pittsburgh.

If Copper averages 20+ yards per catch that would make him one of the best receivers of all time.

 

[Kilyin]

Yeah, brainfart, but Morgan is well known for his high YPC, Copper is pretty much a scrub at this point.