Lets go get Howard - Bookend for Ware!

[Nors]

Thomas Howard
2006 NFL Draft Prospects

from Michael E. Modahl


Positional Rankings: QB RB FB WR TE OT OG C - DE DT ILB OLB S CB - K P


Position: Linebacker
School: UTEP

Status: Senior

Height: 6-3

Weight: 240

40-Yard Dash: 4.47 (EST)

Positives:
Thomas Howard has rare speed, comparable to that of may wide recievers. He is the physical and emotional leader of the defense. His athleticism surpasses that of his more ballyhooed rivals like A.J Hawk and Chad Greenway. He roams the field like a defensive back and is an excellent wrap-up tackler. His speed and athleticism makes him an ideal fit in an aggressive 3-4 defense as a blitzing linebacker.
Negatives:
Howard is still raw. He often relies merely on his athleticism to make plays. That will fly at the college level against non-power teams, but he could look like a lost puppy at the NFL level. His instincts must improve.

Overview:
Howard still needs work. He will have to improve his ability to diagnose plays and them make them at the next level. We have seen plenty of good linebackers come from small schools and produce in the NFL, so his time at UTEP should not be looked down upon.

Howard's sheer athletic ability should make him a hot commodity on draft day. With patience and good coaching, he should be a star. I see Howard as a mid-to-late first round selection. A situation like the Steelers or another 3-4 team would be best for Howard considering I liken him to a young Joey Porter.Suggested Reading

 

[SkinsandTerps]

Cowboys need a more polished player at that position.

A. He is small and needs to put on at least 15 pounds so that by seasons end he wont get manhandled by the bigger stronger tackles, Guards, and TEs.

B. As your profile suggests he is very raw.

 

[junk]

If nothing else, Nors is massively inconsistent.

He spent all offseason whining about how players were too small for the 3-4...then wants to draft a guy too small for the strong side in a 3-4.

 

[Tio]

Being in UTEP country, let me tell you, Howard doesn't show up against big competition. I wouldn't spend a 2nd on this guy, and some sucker team will.

Maybe with some coaching he will improve, but he had a coaching advantage over every Conf USA team out there.

 

[Mol Mol]

***...why in the world are skins fans here commenting on what we need ? For gods sake they should be worried about their own team. They still have Brunell for gods sake. Stunk it up in 2 playoff games and only won one because of the defense. Get a life and go back to your own board. Or did you get banned from there and this is the only place you can hang out ?

Cowboys need a more polished player at that position.

A. He is small and needs to put on at least 15 pounds so that by seasons end he wont get manhandled by the bigger stronger tackles, Guards, and TEs.

B. As your profile suggests he is very raw.

 

[gbrittain]

***...why in the world are skins fans here commenting on what we need ? For gods sake they should be worried about their own team. They still have Brunell for gods sake. Stunk it up in 2 playoff games and only won one because of the defense. Get a life and go back to your own board. Or did you get banned from there and this is the only place you can hang out ?

SkinsandTerps is a quality poster on this board. His only flaw is he is a Commanders fan.

Seriously though, he is a good poster like I said. I value what other teams fans say, specially when they say it in a non trolling manner.

 

[Mol Mol]

I dont.

SkinsandTerps is a quality poster on this board. His only flaw is he is a Commanders fan.

Seriously though, he is a good poster like I said. I value what other teams fans say, specially when they say it in a non trolling manner.

 

[aznhalf]

I dont.

Quite frankly I like SkinsandTerps more than you, and hes a Skins fan. That should say a lot. Your post was useless to the thread.

Back on topic, I don't like him at 18. Maybe if we trade down and we can pick him up in late first or early second then we should consider it.

 

[Tio]

I dont.

I don't...




care...

 

[neosapien23]

I would rather have Manny Lawson play OLB. He will go through some growing pains as a DE though.

 

[Mol Mol]

Quite frankly I like SkinsandTerps more than you, and hes a Skins fan. That should say a lot. Your post was useless to the thread.

Back on topic, I don't like him at 18. Maybe if we trade down and we can pick him up in late first or early second then we should consider it.

 

[superpunk]

Quite frankly I like SkinsandTerps more than you, and hes a Skins fan. That should say a lot. Your post was useless to the thread.

Back on topic, I don't like him at 18. Maybe if we trade down and we can pick him up in late first or early second then we should consider it.

I agree. With almost everything. Except the draft stuff. Look the other way on Howard. D'Qwell Jackson/Kai Parham would be my choices.

 

[SkinsandTerps]

I have hesitated to respond to you because, well NM.

I obviously am a fan of a hated rival. I dont stir the pot (usually), I am simply here to talk some good football.
Do I talk smack during Commanders/Cowboys week ? Of course I do, it would be unnatural not to.
There are a lot of quality posters on this board that are well informed and objective.

aznhalf and gbrittain, I appreciate the kind words.

Mol Mol, spend some time on the board, take a moment to review my posts if you wish. Personally, I could care less. But if it will make you feel any better about the situation feel free.

 

[Zman5]

I don't...




care...

 

[Mol Mol]

:laugh2: :laugh1:

 

[Hiero]

Cowboys need a more polished player at that position.

A. He is small and needs to put on at least 15 pounds so that by seasons end he wont get manhandled by the bigger stronger tackles, Guards, and TEs.

B. As your profile suggests he is very raw.

Howard is ok. I'd rather get Carpenter or a more ready guy. Im not sure where this guy will go, probably 2nd rd sometime. Not really sold on him, i'd rather pass.

 

[Hiero]

I agree. With almost everything. Except the draft stuff. Look the other way on Howard. D'Qwell Jackson/Kai Parham would be my choices.

gimme Parham. Jackson is too small, he needs to be in a 4-3 where hes free to run around and use all his speed.

 

[Big Country]

***...why in the world are skins fans here commenting on what we need ? For gods sake they should be worried about their own team. They still have Brunell for gods sake. Stunk it up in 2 playoff games and only won one because of the defense. Get a life and go back to your own board. Or did you get banned from there and this is the only place you can hang out ?

First amendment baby...

Go USA!!!

But I still think...:skins:

 

[Nors]

Als is a 30 something LB that was at 228 when we signed him. He never could handle 235.

Howard is 6-3 240 at age 21/22. He'll grow into a 250 frame at 4.47 speed with edge rush skills!

Manny Lawson is Ware - another DE type. We need a playmaker like Howard opposite side. Bump Burnett inside.....

 

[junk]

Als is a 30 something LB that was at 228 when we signed him. He never could handle 235.

Howard is 6-3 240 at age 21/22. He'll grow into a 250 frame at 4.47 speed with edge rush skills!

Manny Lawson is Ware - another DE type. We need a playmaker like Howard opposite side. Bump Burnett inside.....

Strengths:
Amazing athlete with rare speed for the position...Has fluid hips and does a tremendous job when dropping into coverage...Has a great burst and closes fast...Terrific in space and makes plays sideline-to-sideline...Big hitter who will light people up...Changes direction well...Is an excellent pass rusher on the blitz...Very productive...Team leader and hard worker with top intangibles.

Weaknesses:
Gets by on his athleticism and lacks great instincts, which are essential for a linebacker...Can do a better job as a tackler...Struggles when taking on bigger blockers...Needs to hit the weights and get stronger...Doesn't react on the field as quickly as you'd like...Still developing and is not yet a finished product.

Notes:
Began his career with the Miners as a walk-on safety...Father was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1977 cousin was a member of the musical group En Vogue...A true workout warrior whose measurables are off the charts.

At first glance, he looks like a weakside linebacker.

I only give you a grief because you totally contradict yourself depending upon the player. He'd be the smallest linebacker in the Cowboys corps. If you are going that route, why not pick up a FA like Witherspoon?

I agree the team needs a playmaker opposite Ware. I am all for Carpenter. Already big and fast. Comes from a big school. Could be a nickel down lineman. Prototype SOLB.

Agree on bumping Burnett inside. Burnett and Shanle as nickel backers. All this assumes Burnett can heal up and actually get on the field this year.