The biggest kept secret in Dallas is Tyson Thompson

[trueblue1687]

Thompson is what is known in football as a one move back. Those are generally backs that can usually give one move on the second level and hope for more yardage. The thing that makes Thompson better than the average one move back is his speed. With his one move, he has a chance to score every time (providing he gets a hole or gets the corner). One guy I know who is a trainer with San Diego State commented that Thompson's speed was an honest 4.2 (meaning 4.200sec). He also said that he would have probably been highly sought after had he had four good seasons in a good program, but apparently he spent some time in JC due to grades. He'll definately be the kickoff returner and will probably see 4 or 5 snaps a game....about it. Inexperience kills.

 

[4lifecowboy]

Complete backs dont fumble and can block. He fumbled and he can not block well. Give him time, hes young and hes good. Hes got promise and an a chance. What more can you ask for. I suppose that he makes the most of his chances and does become the complete back. But in any event, he will never surplant a juking JJ.

Can't block well? Who were you watching he is the best blocking back on the roster. And as far as fumbling,all backs do, give the kid a break he was a rookie last year, the jury is still out on that one. And for the record I am for jones being the starter I just think that what MBIII brought to the table is a bit under appreciated by some.

 

[Sasquatch]

, his speed is good, he has butterfingers, doesnt seem to have a nose for the endzone, not to mention his complete lack of evasiveness (seemingly).

An occasoinal cut would be nice.

 

[Hoov]

Can't block well? Who were you watching he is the best blocking back on the roster. And as far as fumbling,all backs do, give the kid a break he was a rookie last year, the jury is still out on that one. And for the record I am for jones being the starter I just think that what MBIII brought to the table is a bit under appreciated by some.

Barber showed in his rookie year that he was better at picking up the blitz then Jones, and definitely seemed to be a better receiver out of the backfield. That was my observation.

 

[Natedawg44]

IMO Thompson is the new ReShard Lee

 

[DanTanna]

His blocking is weak and thast is the ONLY reason he isn't playing more. Big Bill said he needs to "trust" Tyson more so Drew doesn't get killed.

As far as running - Willie Parker from P-Burg is a "one move" guy that is slower(although he's very fast) and smaller than Thompson - so thart dog won't hunt.

His lack of competition up until he was in the NFL gives him little experience so far, and that worries Bill. He doesn't apear to be that smart(not VY6 dumb though) and that hurts him too. When Bill trusts him to protect Drew that is EXACTLY when he sees more playing time.

 

[Hailmary]

What everyone said. No swivel in the hips. Just being fast won't cut it, it just means that he'll get tackled by a defender sooner than most. Quickness and vision far outweighs pure speed. Thompson has one gear at this point. He needs to be more patient and allow things to develop.

W/ all that said, I think he has a ton of potential and may one day make Barber expendable. But he's going to have to learn to protect the QB better and be more patient.

 

[speedkilz88]

In camp, Mickey said that he did have wiggle in him for a guy with his size. I don't think we have seen what he is capable because of how green he was last year. If he figures out the blocking part, he can be an asset for us back there, I don't doubt that.

 

[Zippy Speedster]

I have no idea how this will play out, but it sure is nice having 3 young RBs all with so much potential. Any one of the three could emerge in the end, yjust don't know.

 

[dmq]

I love Tyson as a kickoff return man. I am hoping to see him take one or two to the house this year.

 

[marchetta]

I like Thompson, and obviously he made an impression on Parcells, but he is a different-type back...

Right now he is a straight-ahead runner and a corner buster. He has little or no juke ability, but he does have great speed. Hopefully that will come with time...

Great analysis. That's exactly what I was going to say, but you beat me to it. Tyson is an all-or-nothing back. He has no cut-back ability, or juke ability. He's not elusive, and cannot create on his own. He hits the hole @ a 100mph. If it's there, then great, but if it's not, he just runs into the pile. He can't improvise, because he's running to fast, straight ahead or on sweeps, that he can't change direction in order to find another hole, or just make a defender miss. "REAL" running backs run in spurts. They hit the hole fast, but are also under control so that they can adapt to defenders. Tyson can't do this! So, lets put to rest this absurd assumption that he's anything more than a good returner, and good change of pace back that can come in on 3rd downs, when the D is anticipating pass. Additionally, the reason he's such a good return man, is because of his hard, fast, straight-ahead running style. That's exactly what a good returner has to do. However, that style doesn't make for a good everydown RB. 'Nuff said!

 

[JonJon]

IMO Thompson is the new ReShard Lee

I will have to disagree. RaShard Lee was way more dangerous in the open field than Thompson, but didn't have the speed that Thompson had. RaShards problem was that he wasn't a disciplined player. Although he had natural physical talents, he was not able to process simple instructional assignments on the field. Parcells said that he was a liability without the ball in his hands, meaning that he didn't know where he was supposed to be or what he was supposed to be doing. Thompson on the other hand doesn't have that problem. His main problem is fumbling the ball, pass blocking skills, and his inability to make the first tackler miss or make moves in the open field. But because he possess raw speed and can comprehend, Parcells trust that he can turn Thompson into a solid RB with some instruction and training. Credit goes to Parcells for figuring out that Thompson has a different way of learning from others, and chose that method to teach Thompson how to be a better player.