Phillip Thomas - DB - Fresno State

[chuch]

I've seen a couple people down on Phillip Thomas and was curious as to why. Ever since starting at safety his red-shirt freshman year he has shown a steady increase in production, with the obvious exception being his junior season where he suffered a broken leg and dislocated ankle. This rather-significant injury sidelined him for the year but one would not be able to tell based on his senior year production where he led the team in tackles and the nation in interceptions. In addition to his 8 interceptions, 3 of which were run back for TDs, he had 4 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 12 TFL. He is only the third player to be a unanimous all american selection, joining the ranks of Jerry Hughes and Brian Urlacher. He was also a finalist for the Jim Thorpe award which, in my opinion, was unfairly awarded to Johnthan Banks.

At a little over 6 feet 210lbs he has adequate size for a safety and pretty good fluidity through the hips and feet. Doesn't appear to have all world speed but he can close well enough. When the ball is in the air he tracks it well and consistently gets his head turned around when in coverage. Obvious from his 2 int, 3 int/9PBU, and 8 int/5PBU seasons he has sufficient ball skills that continue to improve. He also brings a physical presence to secondary without sacrificing proper tackling technique. By all accounts, including that of the Fresno State defensive backs coach Tim Mcdonald (pro-bowler and father of USC and UCLA safeties Tim Jr. and Tevin), he takes coaching well and is a bit of a film junkie. Furthermore, he appears to be a humble guy with a clean slate and team first mentality.

The most significant knock against him is that he struggles to make open field tackles against players with quicks. This is a result of his inability to get low and put himself in a position to make tackles away from his body. Given his willingness to put in the work and perfect his game I think this issue is very coachable and is likely a result of being over-aggressive or thinking too much and trying to guess where the ball carrier is going; possibilities which aren't necessarily negatives and speak to his desire to make the play. In addition to his inability to break down in space he will also take the occasional bad angle. Barring a horrendous showing at the combine I think it's a near certainty he gets drafted in the first two rounds.

Thoughts?

 

[RS12]

Cowboys have interest in Phillip Thomas per Brandon George.

 

[JonJon]

I think he is underrated and would be an excellent draft selection. His inability to "wrap up" on some of his tackles is probably why some are down on him and his draft stock isn't as high as it should be. He also takes bad angles when going after a player in the open field closer to the LOS and isn't quite one of those "always around the ball" instinctive players. I don't think he would do well in a scheme which requires safeties to play close to the LOS and cover 1 on 1, but I think he could thrive in a 2-deep cover 2 zone like Dallas will be running with the 4-3.

 

[The Realist]

I think he is underrated and would be an excellent draft selection. His inability to "wrap up" on some of his tackles is probably why some are down on him and his draft stock isn't as high as it should be. He also takes bad angles when going after a player in the open field closer to the LOS and isn't quite one of those "always around the ball" instinctive players. I don't think he would do well in a scheme which requires safeties to play close to the LOS and cover 1 on 1, but I think he could thrive in a 2-deep cover 2 zone like Dallas will be running with the 4-3.

I like "isn't always around the ball" safeties who get 8 picks, 4 FF, 12 TFL, 4 sacks and 13 PD's.

 

[jterrell]

Thomas looked really bad versus a couple top notch teams. Oregon gets mentioned a lot.

That is the main issue. Quoting stats is fine but Boise plays some real dogs. So it's hard at times to make those stats equal to a SEC type DB.

He needs a good week and game.

Boise has produced solid DBs and this guy is another in that list. Just perhaps not a high draft pick. Another OS type nickel player perhaps. Or a starter in a friendly scheme.

 

[Rack]

Thomas looked really bad versus a couple top notch teams. Oregon gets mentioned a lot.

That is the main issue. Quoting stats is fine but Boise plays some real dogs. So it's hard at times to make those stats equal to a SEC type DB.

He needs a good week and game.

Boise has produced solid DBs and this guy is another in that list. Just perhaps not a high draft pick. Another OS type nickel player perhaps. Or a starter in a friendly scheme.

Wrong school, Buddy. He played at Fresno State.

 

[xwalker]

I've seen a couple people down on Phillip Thomas and was curious as to why.

Barring a horrendous showing at the combine I think it's a near certainty he gets drafted in the first two rounds.

Thoughts?

His speed appears fine to me. I would guess that his speed is better than some of the other high rated safeties.

I've only watched 2 full Fresno State games, but the biggest negative that I noticed is how easily he was getting blocked on running plays.

Safety is the most difficult position to evaluate, IMO. It is especially difficult without the All-22 film. Without or without the film, you really need to watch a significant number of games to get a feel for a Safety's instincts.

I've seen some reports that he takes a lot of bad angles and that his instincts are questionable. I didn't see any proof one way or the other, but like I said, 2 games is not really enough.

I would be shocked if he gets drafted in the 1st round. I would guess late 2nd at the very earliest. There are a lot of other choices at Safety this year.

The Combine/Pro-Days are going to have a big affect on the Safety rankings.

 

[jterrell]

Wrong school, Buddy. He played at Fresno State.

Yup. All the Senior Bowl practices and recaps have run together for me now.

The Boise St DBs were who I noticed and Mayock commented on.

This Thomas kid has gotten no pub because he played at Fresno State. I haven't even seen them play and I watch a LOT of football.

 

[jterrell]

His speed appears fine to me. I would guess that his speed is better than some of the other high rated safeties.

I've only watched 2 full Fresno State games, but the biggest negative that I noticed is how easily he was getting blocked on running plays.

Safety is the most difficult position to evaluate, IMO. It is especially difficult without the All-22 film. Without or without the film, you really need to watch a significant number of games to get a feel for a Safety's instincts.

I've seen some reports that he takes a lot of bad angles and that his instincts are questionable. I didn't see any proof one way or the other, but like I said, 2 games is not really enough.

I would be shocked if he gets drafted in the 1st round. I would guess late 2nd at the very earliest. There are a lot of other choices at Safety this year.

The Combine/Pro-Days are going to have a big affect on the Safety rankings.

safety is a scheme specific position.

you need a guy who makes reads and gets to the ball.
some guys have to tackle more than others.
some have to man cover TEs, others might have flat duty and need to stop quick guys on the edge.

we get excited about 4.55 versus say 4.62 but a guys reaction time can easily be .3 or .4 faster than his counterparts. See Jarius Byrd.

A 4.4 guy with .9 reaction time running 20 yards has no shot to be faster to the ball than a 4.6 guy with .5 reaction time.