Thomas Howard interview

[Rack]

What is the difference in size between a 6'2"/236# and a 6'3"/240# outside linebacker?

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EXACTLY!

Howard sounds like an Al Singleton clone.

For a guy that creams himself at the mere mention of the 3-4, he sure as hell doesn't understand what kind of players it takes to run it. Too bad we missed out on DJ? He would of been decimated in a 3-4.

 

[InmanRoshi]

How many have actually seen this guy play? I watched him closely a few times, and he was very average. I'll take a guy who makes more plays and runs 3 tenths slower any day.

I've seen him play several times. I will be shocked if he comes in at 6'3" 245. He looks more 6'1" 230 to me. Reminds me of Derrick Brooks. He's not an up the field player, he chases people from sideline to sideline.

 

[Rack]

I've seen him play several times. I will be shocked if he comes in at 6'3" 245. He looks more 6'1" 230 to me. Reminds me of Derrick Brooks. He's not an up the field player, he chases people from sideline to sideline.

Brooks is one of the best LBs in the NFL over the past few years.

That said, Brooks couldn't play in a 3-4.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Brooks is one of the best LBs in the NFL over the past few years.

That said, Brooks couldn't play in a 3-4.

He would have to continue to grow to play in a 34 IMO. I think he's ideal for a Will in a 43 right now. I also think he's got much better natural pass rush ability then Brooks did. He's an interesting player. I don't think he's a starter day one. I think he takes a few years to grow into the role. This guy NEEDS coaching IMO. He's not good to go right out of the draft. Not even in the first year or so IMO.

 

[Nors]

Howards game was likened to Joey Porters.

Ray Lewis was too small at 230 and fluorished in a 3-4.....

Jury ou - als never saw a 4.38 or 240 at 22

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Howards game was likened to Joey Porters.

Ray Lewis was too small at 230 and fluorished in a 3-4.....

Jury ou - als never saw a 4.38 or 240 at 22

When Joey Porter came out of Colorado State, he was like 250, 255. I watched Porter in college as well. He doesn't really remind me a great deal of him but hey, I guess everybody sees different things.

 

[Chief]

I'm feeling old.

I saw his father play at Texas Tech, when at the time, I believe Parcells was the defensive coordinator there.

I saw Junior play in person last fall here in Las Cruces. My take:

-- He is extremely athletic. Fast and explosive.

-- Doesn't look quite as big as he's listed and doesn't play that big, either.

-- Everything that I've heard is that he has a great attitude.

-- Looks more like a 4-3 OLB to me.

-- He's closer to Derrick Brooks than he is Al Singleton. He's a better pure athlete than Alshermond.

 

[Rush 2112]

Howards game was likened to Joey Porters.

Ray Lewis was too small at 230 and fluorished in a 3-4.....

Jury ou - als never saw a 4.38 or 240 at 22

Who likened him to Joey Porter?

How does college 4-3 DE compare to a 4-3 OLB lined up 3 yards off the line of scrimmage?

 

[Rush 2112]

Tuna was Sr.'s DC.

 

[Rack]

Who likened him to Joey Porter?

How does college 4-3 DE compare to a 4-3 OLB lined up 3 yards off the line of scrimmage?

Owned.


Nors will now sidestep or alter the conversation.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I'm feeling old.

I saw his father play at Texas Tech, when at the time, I believe Parcells was the defensive coordinator there.

I saw Junior play in person last fall here in Las Cruces. My take:

-- He is extremely athletic. Fast and explosive.

-- Doesn't look quite as big as he's listed and doesn't play that big, either.

-- Everything that I've heard is that he has a great attitude.

-- Looks more like a 4-3 OLB to me.

-- He's closer to Derrick Brooks than he is Al Singleton. He's a better pure athlete than Alshermond.

Hey Chief, you see Derrick Johnson in him? I know how much you liked the guy and all.

 

[Chief]

Tuna was Sr.'s DC.

That's what I thought. I know Steve Sloan was the head coach at the time. I was pretty sure that Howard Sr. and Parcells overlapped.

Also, another Dallas connection to keep in mind:

Mike Zimmer's mentor in the collegiate ranks was Mike Price ... UTEP's head coach.

 

[Rack]

Tuna was Sr.'s DC.

Sr must have been up there in age already when Jr was born.

 

[Rack]

That's what I thought. I know Steve Sloan was the head coach at the time. I was pretty sure that Howard Sr. and Parcells overlapped.

Also, another Dallas connection to keep in mind:

Mike Zimmer's mentor in the collegiate ranks was Mike Price ... UTEP's head coach.

And these are probably the REAL reasons Nors is bringing up Howard. Cuz the fact is, and anyone with a decent amount of football knowledge knows, that Howard is not a fit for the 3-4.

 

[Nors]

Merriman/Ware
Spears, Canty


I get 3-4 players.




Howard and Lawson fit the bill oposite Ware. Open up your eyes -

 

[Rush 2112]

Merriman/Ware
Spears, Canty


I get 3-4 players.




Howard and Lawson fit the bill oposite Ware. Open up your eyes -

Nors quote:

"Boley, Bouleware, Suggs - too much emphasis on size sometimes. DJ Williams, Tatufu, Vilma, Thurmond all were perceived "too small"....."


1) Boley - Atlanta 4-3

2) Boulware - Seattle SS

3) DJ Williams Denver 4-3.....Don't give me that Denver plays 3-4 sometime I think stuff. Couldn't have a weaker take.

4) Tatufu Seattle 4-3

5) Vilma NYJ 4-3

6) Thurmond - Cincy 4-3

7) Suggs - A) No one was a bigger basher than you were......B) He's a RDE in Baltimore now. How is he your savior


Anyone have an official tally of how many 3-4 base D's passed on all these LB's.
It's actually pretty embarrassing considering BP,Belichick, Crennel walk on water and live/breathe 3-4 LB's all day long.

When the "best LB in the draft" gets passed over by 4 3-4 teams that says a lot to me.

Keep all the above LB's covered up behind two DT's less they get Datted.

I'm not sure you do get 3-4 players.

 

[Nors]

Nors quote:

"Boley, Bouleware, Suggs - too much emphasis on size sometimes. DJ Williams, Tatufu, Vilma, Thurmond all were perceived "too small"....."


1) Boley - Atlanta 4-3

2) Boulware - Seattle SS

3) DJ Williams Denver 4-3.....Don't give me that Denver plays 3-4 sometime I think stuff. Couldn't have a weaker take.

4) Tatufu Seattle 4-3

5) Vilma NYJ 4-3

6) Thurmond - Cincy 4-3

7) Suggs - A) No one was a bigger basher than you were......B) He's a RDE in Baltimore now. How is he your savior


Anyone have an official tally of how many 3-4 base D's passed on all these LB's.
It's actually pretty embarrassing considering BP,Belichick, Crennel walk on water and live/breathe 3-4 LB's all day long.

When the "best LB in the draft" gets passed over by 4 3-4 teams that says a lot to me.

Keep all the above LB's covered up behind two DT's less they get Datted.

I'm not sure you do get 3-4 players.

Bolware/Boley SS

The rest are players.


Thomas Howard at 6-3 240 is bigger than all of them anyhow.
I stand by Lawson/Howard opposite Ware. Canty /Spears stud 3-4 DE's.

See Porter/Hagans!

Suggs is a hybrid and at the time we were a 4-3 and he'd have been a waste.

 

[VACowboy]

If you look at NE you notice that lots of their LBs are converted college DEs. I think the perception is that if you played DE in college you can only play OLB in the pros. Vrabel's playing in the middle, and fact is, he makes a damn good blitzer on the inside. I personally think the best 3-4 linebackers are athletic college DEs. See Manny Lawson, Elvis Dumervil and Jason hunter. Exceptions would be big, athletic, versatile college LBs like Bobby Carpenter or guys like Brooks and Parham who have good size and played 3-4 linebacker in college. Just my opinion.

 

[Rush 2112]

Bolware/Boley SS

The rest are players.


Thomas Howard at 6-3 240 is bigger than all of them anyhow.
I stand by Lawson/Howard opposite Ware. Canty /Spears stud 3-4 DE's.

See Porter/Hagans!

Suggs is a hybrid and at the time we were a 4-3 and he'd have been a waste.

Of course most NFL strong safeties are suited for 3-4 SOLB. Just ask any dweeb who thinks Roy should moved to LB .

Suggs is now a 4-3 RDE who got 8 sacks playing there for the first time in college or pros. Baltimore 10th ranked scoring D with Ray in street clothes for 10 games and Reed out for 6.

Of course Dallas was never searching for a 8 sack DE to line up on the right side at any point in the last 8-10 years

Can someone explain what Canty/Spears have to do with anything?

 

[Nors]

Hey Chief, you see Derrick Johnson in him? I know how much you liked the guy and all.

Or better yet Derrick Thomas!