Shaq Thompson: I feel most comfortable at SLB

[RS12]

Shaq Thompson | Linebacker
Team: Washington Huskies
Ht / Wt: 6'2' / 225

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Washington's Shaq Thompson attempted to end the debate on his position, saying he feels most comfortable at strong side LB.
"But I want to put it out there: I'm a linebacker. Outside linebacker," Thompson wrote. "Strong side, that's where I feel most comfortable. It's basically like a strong safety... You need linebackers who can cover and drop in zone. And I'm a three-down player." We agree. Many classify heftier linebackers playing the strong side, and although that might have been true in the past when defending against the run it is not so in passing situations. The strong side backers willplay on top of tight ends of shaded to extra receivers. Either way, Thompson's role will be more important than his actual position title. Feb 11 - 10:16 AM

 

[RS12]

Mayock ranks Shaq Thompson as the No. 2 S

NFL Media's Mike Mayock believes Washington's Shaq Thompson is the No. 2 S prospect in the 2015 class.

Mayock ranks Landon Collins as the No. 1 safety. This is on the heels of Thompson insisting he is a linebacker, not a safety. Either way, positions are only a label. If NFL teams use Thompson appropriately, which is not a certainty, he should be asked to run and chase as well as cover tight ends or walk out to shade multiple receiver sets.
Source: NFL.com
Feb 12 - 12:57 PM

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I think we're good at LBer. And SLB in the 4-3 is not a priority position. I think it would be a waste to get a guy who can only play SLB or SS in the 1st round. I'd rather get almost anybody else: RT, WR, RB, DT, DE, FS, CB.

 

[xwalker]

I think we're good at LBer. And SLB in the 4-3 is not a priority position. I think it would be a waste to get a guy who can only play SLB or SS in the 1st round. I'd rather get almost anybody else: RT, WR, RB, DT, DE, FS, CB.

That seems specific to his college defensive scheme. The SLB/WLB duties are not exactly the same across all NFL schemes. He looks like a WLB in Marinelli's scheme.

 

[ThreeandOut]

That seems specific to his college defensive scheme. The SLB/WLB duties are not exactly the same across all NFL schemes. He looks like a WLB in Marinelli's scheme.

If he couldn't play WLB, I don't think the Cowboys would grade him as a 1st round prospect.

 

[xwalker]

If he couldn't play WLB, I don't think the Cowboys would grade him as a 1st round prospect.

No doubt, if teams don't think he is a LB he will fall significantly.

Yes, the Cowboys would not draft a SLB in the 1st.

 

[unionjack8]

meh, no lb is worth a 1st rounder in this scheme
he doesnt give us pressure so keep well away imo in round 1, paul dawson too, rather take dl, db, ol, rb

 

[reddyuta]

meh, no lb is worth a 1st rounder in this scheme
he doesnt give us pressure so keep well away imo in round 1, paul dawson too, rather take dl, db, ol, rb

the cowboys dont think so as evidenced by their interest in Shazier.

 

[unionjack8]

the cowboys dont think so as evidenced by their interest in Shazier.

wel they also had johnny manziel ranked higher than martin so i win

 

[darthseinfeld]

Will is the 2nd most important position in this scheme after 3 Tech . Dont discount a LB in the first

 

[reddyuta]

wel they also had johnny manziel ranked higher than martin so i win

really? source please.i always thought it was strictly a Jerry infatuation.

 

[darthseinfeld]

wel they also had johnny manziel ranked higher than martin so i win

And they would have picked Shazier over both

 

[unionjack8]

really? source please.i always thought it was strictly a Jerry infatuation.

there is a thread about shazier in the fan forum and there is an article quoted there

 

[unionjack8]

And they would have picked Shazier over both

i know, hence my first quote about me not taking a 4-3 lb high

 

[xwalker]

really? source please.i always thought it was strictly a Jerry infatuation.

It's common knowledge that the 3tech and WLB are generally the priority positions in this defense.

 

[darthseinfeld]

i know, hence my first quote about me not taking a 4-3 lb high

A Will is the 2nd most important part of this scheme after 3 Tech

 

[RS12]

Guys a play maker. If he is there at 27 they will consider him.

 

[unionjack8]

A Will is the 2nd most important part of this scheme after 3 Tech

maybe but without pressure from the front 4 it means sweet sod all, we heed pressure guys first

 

[tm1119]

maybe but without pressure from the front 4 it means sweet sod all, we heed pressure guys first

And that's what free agency is for...If we sign 2 d lineman in free agency it opens a ton of options of what position we could go in the 1st.

A new starting SDE who can get pressure like a Graham, McPhee, or Sheard + a capable 1 tech like Pea or Corey Peters would do wonders for this defense and should all be realistic options. No need to panic yet about pressure players. If we don't sign any significant free agent D lineman, than yes, you can scream d line in the 1st and 2nd all you like.

 

[unionjack8]

And that's what free agency is for...If we sign 2 d lineman in free agency it opens a ton of options of what position we could go in the 1st.

A new starting SDE who can get pressure like a Graham, McPhee, or Sheard + a capable 1 tech like Pea or Corey Peters would do wonders for this defense and should all be realistic options. No need to panic yet about pressure players. If we don't sign any significant free agent D lineman, than yes, you can scream d line in the 1st and 2nd all you like.

nobody is panicking, its a sad truth