I think it was a good pick but I think we gave up too much to get him. There is a lot of depth in this draft and most are in areas of our need. Those later picks could have come in handy. Now only time will tell.
In those highlight clips he does look a bit vulnerable, and indeed questionable for any goalline powerdrives, but I'd venture to guess he was considerably lighter then, certainly not 230 lbs. Granted Ricky's only 5'10, but he was a dozer at 230. Whatever the case, I just like the fact that this years 2nd round talent is a runningback first who may be able to throw the ball, rather than a QB first who may be able to run the ball.
I agree.. he looks maybe 210-215 in these clips. Ronnie is 6'0 230, which puts him and Thomas at the same stats right now. So hopefully Thomas's 230 is a new weight.. otherwise I don't really see where he's holding all of it.
That's because he's undeveloped as far as his build. Once he hits Miami's training room, he'll be more impressive.
He handled the ball 605 times, (combined rushing, receiving, return, attempts to pass,) in two years, with 11 fumbles, 7 lost. I wonder how that compares to most other backs? Is he physically underdeveloped? I don't think so. He and LeShoure are basically same height, weight, arm length, and had the same bench press reps, 21. LeShoure never fumbled in college. DT's fumbling however bad or average it is, isn't because he is under strength.
11 fumbles in 2 years and 7 lost fumbles in two years. In 2009, he fumbled 4 times with 3 lost. In 2010, he fumbled 7 times with 4 lost.
Look at a picture of Ronnie Brown's thighs, hamstrings etc... Then look at a picture of Daniel Thomas. There's no comparison between the two. Brown is jacked throughout his entire NFL career especially the last couple of years. It's the same with Ricky Williams. Notice Ronnie Brown in college clutching the ball with massive arms, a huge frame. Daniel Thomas looking like he's skating through traffic as if he's Brad Smith. There will be a big difference in the appearance of Thomas in two years. He won't be slower either. All I know is when you see Ronnie Brown at the combine at 230lbs back in 2005 and Daniel Thomas there's a huge difference. Another note. In two years of playing the position Thomas has better running instincts than Brown did in his career.
So? He ain't Ronnie Brown or anyone else. Different people develop differently. Of course he will get stronger after a year or two in a pro weight program, that is a given. All one can do now is compare him to his peers, that being the other runners in this class. No matter how he may appear, he is essentially about the same height/weight/arm length as the guy considered the best power runner amongst the RBs in this draft, Mikel LeShoure. Their upper body strength is about same, even if DT's arms appear underdeveloped. Thomas, LeShoure, Ingram and Murray all had 21 reps on the bench. That is more impressive for the longer armed Thomas than the shorter armed Ingram.
Sorry padre but you are mistaken, 7 this year and 11 in 2 per: http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/tag/_/name/daniel-thomas Sammie Smith, anyone?
More like a guy learning to play running back with vision that's pretty ridiculous for doing it for such a short amount of time. My only question is where the heck is this kid's 230 lbs coming from? Does he have a gut or something?
No he ain't mistaken. 11 total fumbles in 2 years. 4+7 = 11. 7 total fumbles lost in 2 years. 3+4=7 Just need to differentiate between fumbles and lost fumbles. Pads said DT lost 7 in two years. That is correct.
It's hard to see his delts in most game photos, what with the shoulder pads. Looking at him here, I think his arms and shoulders look of at least typical development for a prospect of his caliber.
I watched him at K-State the last two years and believe that once he gets some real coaching for his position he will contribute greatly. He was recruited to be a QB there and switched positions. So hopefully he will give some great options.
Padre, Although I think we'll get more from Misi this year, we do need one more. I think Green or DJ offer the best value in the 4th, and that we could get a vet in FA to fill the pass rush hole. Who do you see left in the draft?
If they had only given up a 5th and 7th round picks I might agree. Unfortunately they also gave up a 3rd round pick for a player who appears to be a runner with little speed and who seems to fumble the ball, way too much. To me he will not be an upgrade over Brown or Williams. Right now it appears the Dolphins are content to draft players which will just continue to provide the same type of offense which has caused them to be a mediocre team for the last decade. Until Ross fires Sparano and Ireland, the Dolphins will remain a boring team who will be drafting in the middle of the pack. Once again the fans of the Dolphins will be looking up in the standings at the Patriots and the Jets and it is very likely that the Bills will finish ahead of the Dolphins in the AFC East in 2011.
And we have other needs than RB. Actually, I expect there to be vet RBs as good or better than Thomas available once free agency can start again.
According to the worthless trade value chart, we got a good value deal in the trade. Considering the Bengals were set to take Thomas at 66, we also got a good deal. Whether we got a player worth a 2nd round pick remains to be seen.
He is known to have hamstring trouble coming into seasons, an offseason plan would help that. Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/draft-2011/players/101005.html#ixzz1L0qF72b6
i can't say whether or not Thomas is a 'good' pick or whether he was worth moving up to get him -- BUT, if you look at who we worked out .... Thomas was one of the RBs we targeted, worked out and was projected in RD 2. I think it was him we valued most post Williams coming off the board. What you have to believe is that Thomas showed much better than any of the 4+ RD backs we worked out - and we worked out several of them. Regarding his fumbling ... maybe he'll be Sammy Smith, maybe he won't -- but we have had one of the most 'known' fumblers on this team in Ricky for a while now .... and that has worked out 'ok'. while i'm not estatic about trading up, we valued this dude - we need a primary RB and they went and got him. i can't knock that. this regime does not draft BPA .... hasn't since we've been here -- they draft their board at each position of need .... plain and simple. Pads, not sure we like our development TEs .... it's just that OL and RB were just plain more pressing needs. would guess that this 4th RD pick today will be a WR/RB or S .... ALL of our valued TE/WRs are still on the board! Losing the 5th did hurt though ... WR: Gates / Robinson / Moore (4), RB: Helu or S: Sands (4) RD6: TE: Thomas RB: Powell C: Fusco CB: Carmicheal (but i do think we are hoping that Wilson either lasts to RD 7 or goes UD)
CCarter, Sam Acho, Q Davie, any small college passrusher is still on the board, the problem with the Lb corps is Q and Ike are both large and lumbering Sam's with no ST value and no Passrush ability, guys like Greg Romeus and Jabara Williams or Cheta Ozogouwo, A name to watch is also Christian Anthony from Grambling. http://www.nfldraftdog.com/2011-nfl-draft/christian-anthony.html
Eh, glad we did not give up the 4th rd pick as we have waited all draft for the Dolphins to pick and going entire rds without picks blows.
Hmm, maybe they see him as a Jamal Lewis when he was with the Browns, one, maybe two productive seasons left, personally I'd like to keep Ronnie B but if they do not keep him it would not be a poor football decision.
that was my initial fear when I heard the trade was announced. I was relieved that it was for a 5th and a 7th.
Yep, most fans think "runs 4.4=long runs" the reality is most long runs come from breaking tackles at the LoS then the back accelerating through the secondary with a size mismatch, with Db's now tacklaphobic and trying to use arm tackles Ireland's thinking is pretty clear on Thomas. My quibble is they have to have a quality backup, like SD having Turner to backup LT and Atlanta having Snelling to backup Turner.
1) I predicted they would not go after a QB in the draft. look to free agency for a promising/floundering veteran on the cheap worthy of a second chance to compete with Henne for the start. next year holds the key to our franchise QB, one way or the other. 2) I think it was a solid to excellent move acquiring DThomas. remember we have a speedster returning healthy (Kory Sheets) & will probably keep either Ricky or Ronnie with Polite in the line-up. with DThomas the stable is complete. 3) excellent draft so far, all things considered: Pouncey & Thomas go far in fixing the enemic ground game.
Also, most long runs come from having a lineman or two who made a secondary block downfield, and a lot of time wide receivers as well.
what i like about Thomas is that he hits the hole ... and uses cut backs religiously (how he gets those longer runs) .... something neither Ronnie or Ricky does i also agree, that we'll have 'some' interest in bringing Ronnie back ...